NCAA National Wrestling Champion Returns - News & Photos - McDonogh School

News & Photos

Warm Welcome Home for NCAA Wrestling Champ

Not even a year after graduating from McDonogh, Myles Martin ’15 returned to campus on May 4 as a NCAA National Wrestling Champion, and he was given a true hero’s welcome!

On March 19, Martin, an Ohio State University Buckeye, remarkably became just the 15th true-freshman champion in the tournament’s 86-year history. He is McDonogh’s first-ever NCAA wrestling champ!

During an Upper School assembly, students, teachers, coaches, Myles’s family, and Irv Naylor ’54, a huge fan and supporter of McDonogh Wrestling, viewed video highlights of Myles’s championship match, which took place under the bright lights of New York’s Madison Square Garden. Everyone in Horn Theatre erupted in cheers when Myles was declared the winner and he raced into the stands to greet his parents and many members of his McDonogh Family who where there to support him that night.

The always-humble Martin told the enthusiastic audience about the tournament, but he focused more on his journey to McDonogh and the many life lessons he learned while he was a student here. He said, “I’m thankful for McDonogh and every valuable experience that has developed who I am and what I represent to all others around me.”

Greg Martin, Myles’s father, also addressed the crowd, expressing his family’s heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities, love, and support McDonogh has given (and continues to give) his son. To the students in the audience, he said, “This is a special place. Know that you will always be part of the McDonogh family, even after you graduate.”

At the conclusion of the assembly, Baltimore County Councilman Todd Crandell (representing Councilman Julian Jones) presented Myles with a proclamation honoring his achievement and commending his work ethic and determination.

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