Matt Malcom sent the text message late last week: He’s ready.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, the Glenwood senior has decided to continue wrestling at one of the nation’s most successful NCAA Division I programs. Malcom verbally committed to Iowa on Friday afternoon, informing coaches over the phone the Hawkeyes were his choice.
“Everything seemed to fit perfect for me there,” Malcom said. “The style of wrestling – that Iowa grinding style – fits well. And from a social aspect, it feels like a family. I really like that, coming from a small town.”
The announcement comes following three steady years of improvement at Glenwood. The three-time state qualifier owns a career prep record of 128-31 (.805) and earned his first top-eight state medal last February by finishing fifth at 152 pounds.
But a breakout offseason is what got the attention of potential college suitors. Under the direction of Omaha club coach Zac Dominguez, Malcom took up freestyle and Greco-Roman competition for the first time and flourished. He went 5-2 in freestyle and 2-1 in Greco at the Junior National Duals. At the individual junior national meet in Fargo, N.D., in July, he won three of five matches in both classifications – knocking off a highly-touted Iowa State recruit in the process.
“They aren’t looking for a decorated guy – they’re looking for the guy who is working hard,” Glenwood coach Brad Asche said of the Hawkeyes. “Some of those guys who were national champs for Iowa weren’t very decorated either. I think Matt has his sights set high, and I hope a lot of kids can look at what he has gone through and the time he has put in.”
The son of Mike and Lori Malcom developed a relationship with Iowa assistant Ryan Morningstar during his time at the national meets last summer. He also attended an Iowa camp for 10 days and has made a campus visit to Iowa City.
While Iowa hasn’t discussed specifics – like potential scholarship or walk-on opportunities – Malcom said it became obvious the program wanted him around.
“It was kind of cool because they contacted me first rather than me having to contact them,” Malcom said. “One big thing they like (about me) is I don’t like to give up points easily. I’m always looking to score no matter how late in the match.”
Malcom said Iowa State and Augustana (S.D.) had also expressed interest in his services. But the 152-pounder couldn’t pass up the chance to be part of the powerhouse team wearing black and gold.
The Hawkeyes will get a wrestler who is constantly moving and on the attack, Asche said. Malcom has a couple more regional or national tournaments ahead of him before his last high school season begins Dec. 3 with a double dual in Glenwood.
“There’s going to be a different Matt Malcom from (last year) to where he is right now,” Asche said. “He’s done so much through the summer and in the offseason that you’re going to wonder if it’s the same kid. Some of the (training) things those Iowa guys do are insane, some would say. Matt is up to the challenge and wants to go after it.”
http://www.nonpareilonline.com/spor...cle_5b241ba4-6bd7-11e5-8783-8bfc1a609bdd.html
Never one to shy away from a challenge, the Glenwood senior has decided to continue wrestling at one of the nation’s most successful NCAA Division I programs. Malcom verbally committed to Iowa on Friday afternoon, informing coaches over the phone the Hawkeyes were his choice.
“Everything seemed to fit perfect for me there,” Malcom said. “The style of wrestling – that Iowa grinding style – fits well. And from a social aspect, it feels like a family. I really like that, coming from a small town.”
The announcement comes following three steady years of improvement at Glenwood. The three-time state qualifier owns a career prep record of 128-31 (.805) and earned his first top-eight state medal last February by finishing fifth at 152 pounds.
But a breakout offseason is what got the attention of potential college suitors. Under the direction of Omaha club coach Zac Dominguez, Malcom took up freestyle and Greco-Roman competition for the first time and flourished. He went 5-2 in freestyle and 2-1 in Greco at the Junior National Duals. At the individual junior national meet in Fargo, N.D., in July, he won three of five matches in both classifications – knocking off a highly-touted Iowa State recruit in the process.
“They aren’t looking for a decorated guy – they’re looking for the guy who is working hard,” Glenwood coach Brad Asche said of the Hawkeyes. “Some of those guys who were national champs for Iowa weren’t very decorated either. I think Matt has his sights set high, and I hope a lot of kids can look at what he has gone through and the time he has put in.”
The son of Mike and Lori Malcom developed a relationship with Iowa assistant Ryan Morningstar during his time at the national meets last summer. He also attended an Iowa camp for 10 days and has made a campus visit to Iowa City.
While Iowa hasn’t discussed specifics – like potential scholarship or walk-on opportunities – Malcom said it became obvious the program wanted him around.
“It was kind of cool because they contacted me first rather than me having to contact them,” Malcom said. “One big thing they like (about me) is I don’t like to give up points easily. I’m always looking to score no matter how late in the match.”
Malcom said Iowa State and Augustana (S.D.) had also expressed interest in his services. But the 152-pounder couldn’t pass up the chance to be part of the powerhouse team wearing black and gold.
The Hawkeyes will get a wrestler who is constantly moving and on the attack, Asche said. Malcom has a couple more regional or national tournaments ahead of him before his last high school season begins Dec. 3 with a double dual in Glenwood.
“There’s going to be a different Matt Malcom from (last year) to where he is right now,” Asche said. “He’s done so much through the summer and in the offseason that you’re going to wonder if it’s the same kid. Some of the (training) things those Iowa guys do are insane, some would say. Matt is up to the challenge and wants to go after it.”
http://www.nonpareilonline.com/spor...cle_5b241ba4-6bd7-11e5-8783-8bfc1a609bdd.html
