Overtime with Harvard Commit Donovan Doyle

On Sunday, October 18th Iowa City West standout Donovan Doyle committed to Harvard to continue his wrestling career and getting an Ivy league degree on top of it. A wrestlers with family ties to the east coast, Doyle will wrestle 195 for the Trojans this coming season. Doyle also joins former Southeast Polk state champion Nolan Hellickson as Iowans on the Crimson squad.

What weight do you plan on wrestling at Harvard?

I see myself as a 197, but depending on how my body grows and fills out I could see myself at 184. It will be different when I’m only playing one sport, because at the moment I try to be as big and strong as possible for football, so I weigh around 215, but if I’m wrestling year round I probably won’t get that big.

What are your goals heading into your senior season?

I think any true competitor wants to be on the top of the podium at the end of the year. I just want to improve any time I step on the mat and be the best I can possibly be when February comes around. I’ve made huge gains this offseason and I’ve done a much better job with the little things, such as sleep and diet. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, and coming off the best cycle of wrestling I’ve ever gone through. I’m really excited.

I know you play football. Have you always wanted to wrestle in college?

Honestly, just growing up in this household, I always thought I was going to be a football player at Iowa. It wasn’t until about my junior year I took a step back and realized I was wrestling 9 months a year and playing football for 3, and fit in much better with the wrestling crowd. It was at that point I started seriously looking into schools for wrestling.

What other schools did you consider before choosing Harvard?

The #2 option was Iowa football. It would have been a dream come true to play for Coach Ferentz and the Hawkeyes, but it’s hard to pass up the opportunity Harvard gives me through academics while also competing at the Division 1 level in a sport I love. I also visited Princeton recently, as well as Brown this spring. I enjoyed both campuses, but there’s no better fit for me than Harvard. Both of my parents went to school in Boston, I have family out there, and I instantly felt a strong connection with Coach Weiss when I met him. The strength coach at Harvard formerly worked for my dad in the Iowa Football program, so I’ve known him for a long time. I couldn’t imagine a better situation.

Being that Harvard is known World-wide for their academics, what will you study in college?

I’m leaning towards Government, but also have an interest in other subjects such as Economics. I’ll take a wide array of courses my freshman year, and try to pick a direction after that. I don’t think I can go wrong with any concentration. 

What do you like to do when you are away from the wrestling mat?

I enjoy lifting weights with my younger brother, playing different games outdoors with my friends, and spending time with my older brother when he’s home from school.

Is there anyone you would like to thank?

I’d like to thank a whole list of people, at the top of it being my parents and brothers, as well as my high school coach Mark Reiland and my club coaches Terry Brands, Joey Slaton, and Jim Kelly. Thank you to my friends for the support, as well as my wrestling teammates from Team Iowa/Iowa City West who have pushed me. I am merely a product of those whom I spend time with. I hope to make all of you proud!