Pat Lugo confirms transfer to University of Iowa

Pat Lugo will be an Iowa Hawkeye.

He will be a welcome addition to one of the nation's top college wrestling powers.

The two-time NCAA qualifier for Edinboro confirmed via text with The Gazette that he will officially transfer to Iowa and wrestle for Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands and staff. Lugo originally tweeted, 'Iowa bound ...

' with his photo in black-and-gold next to an image of Iowa mascot Herky.

'I am more than excited to work with the Brands Bros. and the rest of the staff,' Lugo said. 'Can't wait to get the train rolling.'

Iowa bound... July 4, 2017

Iowa bound... pic.twitter.com/Nxi0XyerEP

— Pat lugo (@MasterP_145)

Lugo posted a 63-18 record in two seasons at 149 pounds for Edinboro. He led the Fighting Scots with a 32-9 mark as a freshman, falling just one win shy of All-American status.

Last season, Lugo entered the national tournament as the eighth seed, going 1-2 and finishing 31-9 overall. One of his regular-season victories was a 7-5 sudden-victory decision over Iowa's Brandon Sorensen during the NWCA National Duals in February. Lugo was a runner-up at June's USA Wrestling Junior World Team Trials in Lincoln, Neb.

Lugo told The Gazette in a previous interview that he liked the approach of the Iowa staff.

Iowa's approach and the coaches are attractive to the four-time state medalist and two-time state champion at South Dade High School in Homestead, Fla.

'The type of style Iowa brings to the table is something similar to my style,' Lugo said. '(The coaching staff) is unbelievable. Even before adding Mark Perry to the (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) staff, it's crazy. It's a great coaching staff.'

Lugo's decision was delayed as he tried to earn a release from his scholarship. He said Edinboro declined his request twice. Lugo will have to sit out a season, but will use the 2017-18 season as a redshirt season.

'I love and respect what Edinboro had done for me in the past two years,' Lugo said in a text, 'but I just don't understand why I wasn't granted a full release.'

Lugo will have two years of eligibility after his redshirt season. He is expected to remain at 149 and step in after NCAA finalist and All-American Brandon Sorensen graduates.

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