The Morgan State University wrestling team finished their season at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Conference Championships on March 7 and 8, ending with the first NCAA qualifier since reviving the program.
Junior heavyweight Xavier Doolin placed 4th in the EIWA tournament making him an alternate for the NCAA tournament. Along with Doolin, Julian Dawson (125) and Cooper Lockhart (165) both came in 8th place.
“I feel good overall about their performance, we lost some pretty close matches. I think when going to tournaments like that you know the competition and it makes you better,’’ said head coach Kenny Monday.
Doolin earned two decision wins against Jake Lewis of Navy and William Jarrell of American University.
He faced the top-ranked Owen Trephan in the conference semi-finals however after Trephan took a 7-1 lead, he was able to get the pinfall over Doolin.
Doolin and Cooper Lockhart went on to wrestle in the consolation round of day 2. Lockhart finished in 8th place after going up 7-2, but getting pinned by Cody Walsh of Drexel University.
Doolin made his mark in the consultation semifinals defeating Christopher Powell of Long Island University by securing a fall in the first 12 seconds of the match.
“I didn’t finish the match the right way. I kind of shut down in the second period and I really wasn’t myself for the rest of the match,’’ said Doolin.
Day 1 of the championships began with four of Morgan’s wrestlers falling to defeat. 125-pounder Julian Dawson, 133-pounder Kevin Lopez, 141-pounder Yannis Charles, and 141-pounder Myrin Nixon struggled to get wins for Morgan.
Joshua Greenwood and Darrien Roberts were able to carve out wins in the first round but failed to compete on day 2 of the tournament as they both fell short in the consolation round and quarterfinals.
In the third-place match, for a bronze medal and an NCAA qualification, he faced Brady Colbert of Army West Point. Colbert’s pressure was too much for Doolin as he won in a 10-4 decision. Doolin finished in 4th place in the tournament.
The Morgan State Wrestling team ended their regular season on Feb. 23 against the American University Eagles. Morgan finished the season with a 5-13 in their first season in the EIWA.
The final regular season meet was senior night as Morgan celebrated the graduating wrestlers on the team: Nathanic Kendricks, Kevin Lopez, and Darrien Roberts.
Roberts was the only one who competed in the meet, winning against Breon Phifer.
“Whatever I do is bigger than me and I wear that singlet with pride,’’ said Roberts. “I’m looking forward to competing in the Olympic trials as well as going to law school. Obviously, things change but ultimately I just want to do what I love.’’
It was an emotional moment for all three of the seniors. They got to walk with their families and plaques while being embraced in a touching moment of appreciation and love.
“It makes me feel recognized. God has different journeys for all of us. Overall it was a great experience to be a part of the Morgan wrestling team,” said Kendricks.
