Pat Downey placed fifth at the U.S. Open at 86 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Pat Downey -- the Maryland native who wrestled at Iowa Central Community College, then at Iowa State before being dismissed by the Cyclones in February for violating team rules, including his use of social media -- has found a new college home at the University of Iowa, Trackwrestling.com reported Friday.
Downey told Trackwrestling's Andy Hamilton late Thursday night that he's moving this weekend to Iowa City with plans of completing his college career with the Hawkeyes. In addition, Downey posted the news on his Facebook page overnight:
Although Downey is in the process of relocating to the home of the University of Iowa, there are no immediate plans for him to step into the Hawkeye lineup this fall. According to Hamilton, the plan for Downey is to finish his Iowa State degree online this fall, before enrolling in grad school at Iowa in the spring and then joining the Hawkeyes as a walk-on, with the expectation of having him wrestle at 184 pounds.
Downey is already anticipating his place at his new college home, saying that he and Iowa head coach Tom Brands "are on the same page" with what's expected of him as a Hawkeye.
"We're here to win this national title," Downey said to Trackwrestling's Hamilton. "His (Tom Brands') stipulations as far as on the mat and the lifestyle requirements of me being a Hawkeye, those are clear. But tweeting doesn't affect my wrestling, if anybody's concerned about that."
Downey described those stipulations as "typical things that are required for being an Iowa Hawkeye wrestler and a student representing the college and me being who I am anyway."
That said, Downey realizes the significance of this opportunity to complete his collegiate mat career on a high note.
"I approach it like my life depends on it," Downey told Trackwrestling. "It's all or nothing. I only have one more crack at accomplishing my goal. I felt like I could've got it done last year at '84 for the Cyclones, but I didn't get the chance to prove myself at the tournament, obviously. I'm just looking forward to having the opportunity to compete."
Respected for his impressive wrestling credentials, Downey was a two-time Maryland high school state champion who won the 197-pound crown for Iowa Central at the 2015 NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) wrestling championships before earning All-American honors by placing fifth at 197 at the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships for the Cyclones. This past season, Downey dropped down to 184 pounds, but was hampered by a rib injury and saw limited time on the mat and in the ISU practice room.
Downey became just about as well-known for his social media presence where he posted controversial messages that, among other things, called out potential opponents. After his dismissal from Iowa State in late February, Downey used Facebook and Twitter to express his upset with then-head coach Kevin Jackson and Iowa State administrators.
While not able to wrestle at the 2017 Big 12 championships or the 2017 NCAAs in March, Downey made his presence known at the 2017 U.S. Open in April, where he defeated two-time NCAA champ Gabe Dean and All-Americans Pete Renda and Kyle Crutchmer, ultimately placing fifth at 86 kilograms/189 pounds.
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