Linn-Mar teammates Borschel, McDonough together again

BY MATT PFIFFNER
Publisher, The Predicament

Five years ago in the Linn-Mar (Marion) High School wrestling room Matt McDonough was a scrappy little freshman trying to prove himself, while Jay Borschel was one of the top seniors in the nation and taking aim at a fourth State title.

McDonough (pictured on left) went on to a solid first season, which culminated with a sixth-place finish in Class 3A at 103 pounds. Borschel (right) rolled through his senior campaign and collected that rare fourth title at 171, after also beginning his career at 103.

Fast forward to the present day and the two former Linn-Mar stars are in similar positions.

McDonough, after winning State titles his final three seasons in high school and taking last year to redshirt, is expected to be the man at 125 for the two-time defending NCAA Champion Iowa Hawkeyes this winter. Borschel is looking to end his Hawkeye career with a National title, after finishing third as a sophomore at 174, but failing to place last season.

So once again, McDonough is the freshman in the room trying to prove his worth, while Borschel is the veteran team leader and seen as one of the top wrestlers in the nation.

If McDonough does settle into the lineup at 125, Linn-Mar will boast one-fifth of the starting lineup for the top-ranked team in the nation.

"I think it's mind blowing," McDonough said. "You have Blair Academy, St. Paris Graham in Ohio and Iowa City West and all these schools across the country that produce mass amounts of amazing wrestlers. And to have two kids from one school 40 minutes away from Iowa City, who have done the hard work and have the same goals and dreams of an NCAA title, it's amazing. It's a good feeling and gives you a fire in the belly."

For Borschel, the fire in his belly comes from a disappointing finish to an otherwise solid junior campaign.

"It's just taking matches one at a time and building toward the end and do everything in my power to get there," Borschel said. "It sounds easy, but there's a lot of work involved. The coaching staff isn't going to let me get complacent."

Borschel said the younger wrestlers, like McDonough, know what's expected of them and the program.

"Everyone in this room has the same goal. If you didn't, you wouldn't be in here. You'd be phased out," he said. "Everyone knows what the expectations are and what they have to do for themselves."

McDonough said having a former high school teammate on the team is great, especially one that goes about his business the right way.

"We have a good relationship. I've seen him do the things to be successful and it's helped me," McDonough said.

The freshman 125-pounder added that he picks the brains of the other upperclassmen on the team whenever he can.

"That's one of the ways you get ahead of the game and know what to expect going in. It's not just doing your own thing. Asking guys what they do and getting insight and learning how to manage yourself so when it comes to March, you're ready to go," he said. "We're not working to win a Big 10 title or a National Dual title. We're working to win an NCAA title."

At media day earlier this week, Brands spoke of the seniors on the squad, many of them who have started and placed at the NCAA Championships. He said all of them appear ready for their last shot at glory.

"It's their last chance and they have a little different look at it, from my point of view. They'll say all the right things and I believe that they believe it. And they have to prove it," Brands said.

Borschel said he realizes this is his last season at Iowa, but doesn't let that effect his preparation.

"To me it's just another year and another chance to put myself on top and I'm focused on that," he said.

McDonough is also focused on what he needs to do to help the Hawkeyes earn that third straight NCAA crown.

"I have to sharpen up my offense. I have to do exactly what the coaches tell me. Out-work my opponent and get to the moves and the type of wrestling that suits me and not feeding into my opponent's style," he said. "I have to go out there and battle and hit those top guys in the country hard and not give them that edge before I get a chance to get after them.

"It's the biggest change in levels you can go from in wrestling. That jump to college just hits you in the face. You don't get anything given to you. People who didn't even win a high school State title can be National champs. It's just how hard you want to work and how bad you want it."

McDonough added that putting on that singlet and stepping onto the mat at home is an experience he can't wait for.

"That's part of the reason you come to Iowa. For that experience. To put on the black and gold, wrestling in Carver Hawkeye Arena. So many fans are there," he said. "It's a rush and I'm going to have to be prepared for it. This is what I've built for my whole life, so I'm ready."