Donahoe Captures NCAA Title

Just 33 miles from his hometown of Davison, Mich., sophomore Paul Donahoe became the ninth Nebraska wrestler to win a national championship as he defeated Oklahoma’s Sam Hazewinkel in overtime, 3-1, in the finals at 125 pounds in the 2007 NCAA Championships at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Saturday night.  The Huskers finished 16th in the team race with 34.5 team points.

"This is like a dream," Donahoe said.  "I just want to thank all my coaches, all my high school teammates, my college teammates, my workout partners, my family, my dad and my grandma; my mom.  I’m just thankful to everyone who believed in me."

Donahoe scored a takedown in the sudden victory period to defeat Hazewinkel for the first time in his career.  Hazewinkel had beaten Donahoe in their three previous meetings, including in the Big 12 finals, when Hazewinkel won by a 12-3 major decision.   

After a scoreless first period, Hazewinkel took an early 1-0 lead 18 seconds into the second period with an escape.  Donahoe tied the match with an escape 30 seconds into the third period, and the match remained tied at the end of three periods.

Donahoe becomes the second NU national champion under Mark Manning and the second 125-pound national champion for the Huskers.  Jason Powell, Nebraska’s last national champion, won the 125-pound title in 2004.  Donahoe is also just the second sophomore to win a national championship.  Tolly Thompson, a three-time All-American and the school record-holder for most wins in a career, won the 1995 heavyweight national championship as a sophomore.