McDonough Earns Wildcard for Olympic Trials

March 27, 2012

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior Matt McDonough is one of eight NCAA wrestlers granted a wildcard berth to compete in men’s freestyle at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City April 21-22. USA Wrestling announced the wildcard positions Monday.

A two-time NCAA and Big Ten champion, McDonough is the seventh wrestler with Hawkeye ties scheduled to compete for the right to represent the United States at the 2012 London Olympics. He’ll compete in the 55 kg/121 lbs. tournament on Sunday, April 22, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The six former Hawkeyes already qualified to participate in the Olympic Trials include Todd Meneely (66 kg/145.5 lbs.), three-time All-American Phil Keddy (84kg/185 lbs.), two-time NCAA champion Brent Metcalf (66 kg/145.5 lbs.), two-time All-American and 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco (120 kg/264.5 lbs.), two-time All-American Ryan Morningstar (74 kg/163 lbs.), and three-time All-American and 2008 Olympian Mike Zadick (60 kg/132 lbs.).

The Olympic Trials will determine the United States’ representatives for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in August. Winners from each weight class in three Olympic events – men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman – will be determined on a single day. Prelims, quarterfinals and semifinals begin at 9 a.m. (CT) with finals starting at 6 p.m. (CT). All sessions will be at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Nine members of the U.S. Olympic team will be decided Saturday, April 21, including men’s freestyle (60kg, 74kg, 96kg), women’s freestyle (55kg, 72kg), and Greco-Roman (55kg, 66kg, 84kg, 120kg).

The final nine representatives will be decided Sunday, April 22. They include competitors from men’s freestyle (55kg, 66kg, 84kg, 120kg), women’s freestyle (48kg, 63kg), and Greco-Roman (60kg, 74kg, 96kg).

Single-day and all-session tickets are available for purchase at iowacitytolondon.com or over the phone at 800-424-2957. Single-day tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for children high school age and younger. All-session tickets cost $70 for adults and $40 for children high school age and younger.