Tweet
Marvin signs with South Dakota State
Tuesday, May 31, 2005 8:52 AM EDT
Prep wrestling: Adrian High School's Alan Marvin will wrestle for the Jackrabbits.
By Sean Trapp
Daily Telegram Sports Editor
http://www.lenconnect.com/articles/2...s/sports01.txt
When Alan Marvin visited South Dakota State University, he searched for reasons to not want to attend the school.
Instead, he left convinced it was the right fit for him.
The Adrian High School senior has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his wrestling career at the school in Brookings, S.D.
"I was hoping I wouldn't like it because it's so far away and I knew Olivet was an easier choice," Marvin said. "It was between those two schools.
"Olivet is a strong Division III team, but once I went to South Dakota, that cleared up everything. I decided that was the best opportunity for me and I knew I wanted to do it."
South Dakota is in a transition to becoming a complete Division I school. The volleyball and wrestling teams will be eligible for the NCAA Division I playoffs next school year, two years ahead of the original time line. Overall, the school will be in its second year of a five-year plan to reclassify as Division I.
"They have a real good program and are changing a lot of things," Marvin said. "They're joining a new conference for wrestling and will be with some bigger schools. They also have new facilities. Their gym seats 9,000 people for wrestling."
The Jackrabbits went 10-8 in dual meets this season, including six wins against Division I programs.
The Division I opportunity is the second in as many years for the Maples program. Cody Waters recently completed his freshman season with the University of Michigan wrestling team.
Adrian wrestling coach Dennis Fox said Marvin made a good choice.
"He's always wanted to be a Division I wrestler," Fox said. "He looked at his options, and there's not a lot of D-2 places to choose from in this state, but he made a good decision.
Fox's assistant, Brandon Chesher, first suggested South Dakota after Marvin finished this year's individual state tournament, where Marvin placed seventh for the third season in a row.
Chesher knows South Dakota assistant coach Josh Hardman from his Central Michigan days. Hardman is an assistant for South Dakota head coach Jason Liles.
"When Brandon threw out South Dakota after states, I thought that was too far, but am happy I decided to visit," Marvin said.
Marvin will wrestle at 125 pounds, the same weight he competed in as a senior for Adrian. South Dakota has the weight open and Marvin said his goal is to earn the spot and keep it.
"He hasn't went up many weight classes," Fox said. "He was small as a freshman and now he's gotten stronger, but only went up two weight classes since freshman year."
Marvin had a 153-44 career record for the Maples, including two consecutive seasons of 40-plus victories. He also won an AAU national title this year.
"I am very excited to have Alan join our program," Liles said, according to a school press release. "He is an excellent competitor and will be a tremendous addition to our lower weights."
Tuesday, May 31, 2005 8:52 AM EDT
Prep wrestling: Adrian High School's Alan Marvin will wrestle for the Jackrabbits.
By Sean Trapp
Daily Telegram Sports Editor
http://www.lenconnect.com/articles/2...s/sports01.txt
When Alan Marvin visited South Dakota State University, he searched for reasons to not want to attend the school.
Instead, he left convinced it was the right fit for him.
The Adrian High School senior has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his wrestling career at the school in Brookings, S.D.
"I was hoping I wouldn't like it because it's so far away and I knew Olivet was an easier choice," Marvin said. "It was between those two schools.
"Olivet is a strong Division III team, but once I went to South Dakota, that cleared up everything. I decided that was the best opportunity for me and I knew I wanted to do it."
South Dakota is in a transition to becoming a complete Division I school. The volleyball and wrestling teams will be eligible for the NCAA Division I playoffs next school year, two years ahead of the original time line. Overall, the school will be in its second year of a five-year plan to reclassify as Division I.
"They have a real good program and are changing a lot of things," Marvin said. "They're joining a new conference for wrestling and will be with some bigger schools. They also have new facilities. Their gym seats 9,000 people for wrestling."
The Jackrabbits went 10-8 in dual meets this season, including six wins against Division I programs.
The Division I opportunity is the second in as many years for the Maples program. Cody Waters recently completed his freshman season with the University of Michigan wrestling team.
Adrian wrestling coach Dennis Fox said Marvin made a good choice.
"He's always wanted to be a Division I wrestler," Fox said. "He looked at his options, and there's not a lot of D-2 places to choose from in this state, but he made a good decision.
Fox's assistant, Brandon Chesher, first suggested South Dakota after Marvin finished this year's individual state tournament, where Marvin placed seventh for the third season in a row.
Chesher knows South Dakota assistant coach Josh Hardman from his Central Michigan days. Hardman is an assistant for South Dakota head coach Jason Liles.
"When Brandon threw out South Dakota after states, I thought that was too far, but am happy I decided to visit," Marvin said.
Marvin will wrestle at 125 pounds, the same weight he competed in as a senior for Adrian. South Dakota has the weight open and Marvin said his goal is to earn the spot and keep it.
"He hasn't went up many weight classes," Fox said. "He was small as a freshman and now he's gotten stronger, but only went up two weight classes since freshman year."
Marvin had a 153-44 career record for the Maples, including two consecutive seasons of 40-plus victories. He also won an AAU national title this year.
"I am very excited to have Alan join our program," Liles said, according to a school press release. "He is an excellent competitor and will be a tremendous addition to our lower weights."
Comment