McDonough hits mat for U.S. Senior Open

IOWA CITY - Matt McDonough has been the young guy in the field during his wrestling career.

He parlayed the role into two NCAA titles for the University of Iowa and three state titles for Linn-Mar. The 23-year-old is in a similar position, looking to prove himself to the competition and striving for freestyle success.

'It's definitely a motivating factor,” McDonough said. 'I'm chasing something down and I think that's the way you have to look at it. I haven't got anything yet. I'm chasing the dream of being a World Team member and World champion. You don't settle for anything until you get to that point.”

McDonough was named the No. 4 preliminary seed at 134 pounds of the ASICS U.S. Senior Open Championships on Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas. He is one of four Hawkeye Wrestling Club members seeded in the field.

McDonough has spent the last year, refining his freestyle technique and growing after finishing his college career as a three-time All-American with a 122-9 career mark as a Hawkeye.

'I've been enjoying the struggle,” McDonough said. 'It's a whole other level. Every time you go to a new level you're going to experience challenges and differences.

'Some people transition quick and some people it takes time. For me, it has been a lot of effort but something I've come to appreciate that it can change your wrestling for the better.”

McDonough has trained in the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. He noted Iowa coaches Tom and Terry Brands have made a strong impact on his progress.

'That's the great thing about having two amazing wrestlers, who were twin brothers, in the room,” McDonough said. 'I get instruction from both Tom and Terry. They are both instrumental in my growth as a freestyle wrestler.”

He has applied those lessons, especially the fact that you have to be disciplined during matches and have flawless position due to the razor-thin margin of error against world-class wrestlers. He returned to competition in February, posting a 3-2 record at the Dave Schultz Memorial tournament and then earning one of two U.S. wins in a dual against Belarus.

The emphasis is to prevent easy points, score fast and early and wear down opponents to get in position to tally a lot of points.

'You're never satisfied (and) always looking to move forward,” McDonough said. 'There were things I've done well and things I learned about myself that I needed to improve upon to get to the top tier and make the world team.”

Former Iowa two-time national champion and World Team member Brent Metcalf is the top pre-seed at 143 pounds. Former Hawkeye All-American Phil Keddy is third at 189. Micah Burak, a former Penn wrestler, will represent the HWC as the No. 10 seed at 213. Montell Marion, a former NCAA finalist at Iowa and currently of College Park, Md., is ninth at 143.

University of Northern Iowa two-time All-American and former Anamosa two-time state champion Moza Fay is the No. 2 pre-seed at 154. Joe Colon, who placed third for the Panthers at 133 at the NCAA Championships in March, is fifth at 134.

Iowa State NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist Jake Varner is the No. 2 pre-seed at 213 pounds behind J.D. Bergman. Former Cyclone champion David Zabriskie (eighth), ISU two-time All-American Kyven Gadson (12th) and Cyclone Wrestling Club members Deron Winn (sixth) and Evan Brown (ninth), also a former University of Dubuque wrestler, are also listed at 213. Former Cyclone Nate Carr Jr. is pre-seeded 10th at 154.

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