Pat Downey placed fifth at the U.S. Open at 86 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Pat Downey's dream of wrestling for the Iowa Hawkeyes has been denied.
Downey, who is enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Iowa, had planned to take to the mat for the Hawkeyes this season… but the 184-pounder told the Des Moines Register Monday evening that won't be happening.
When asked for a reason why he won't be wearing a black-and-gold singlet this season, Downey told the Register via direct message on Twitter, "No luck on my NCAA waiver." He added, "... The word 'bummed' doesn't do what I'm feeling any justice."
That online conversation last night provided an answer to a cryptic tweet Downey posted on Saturday that read, "the child is grown the dream is gone -- PDIIIHAWK"
Downey said he learned of the NCAA's decision on Friday.
Downey was a two-time Maryland high school state champion who had earned a silver medal at the 2012 Junior Worlds… but his collegiate wrestling career has been, in a word, nomadic. He started at University of Nebraska then transferred to Iowa Central Community College, where he won the 197-pound title at the 2015 NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) wrestling championships. The following year, after enrolling at Iowa State, Downey earned All-American honors by placing fifth at 197 pounds at the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. For the 2016-17 season, Downey dropped down to 184 pounds, but suffered a rib injury which limited his time in the wrestling room and in competition.
Downey was booted from the Iowa State Cyclones in February 2017 by then-head coach Kevin Jackson for breaking team rules. A few weeks ago he announced he had enrolled in graduate studies at Iowa.
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