HHH wrestler Martin Duane chooses The Citadel as his next stop

After so many years centered around the discipline of wrestling, it’s little surprise that Martin Duane would gravitate toward a structured college environment. And they don’t come much more structured than where he’ll be wrestling next.

The Hilton Head Island standout signed a national letter-of-intent Wednesday to compete for The Citadel, allowing him to compete while pursuing his military aspirations.

“It’s a great option for me all around,” said Duane, one of the Seahawks’ twin unbeatens this season with Talon Seitz. “Wrestling is one of those sports (wherein) only a few get to go to the Olympics, but I want to go into the Navy and make it a career.”

Duane was one of eight Seahawks to formalize their college plans Wednesday, including four others that will compete at the NCAA Division I level. Ella Patrick (lacrosse) and Maekenzie Poplin (soccer) will play for Wofford, while brothers Jack and Sam Beattie will run cross country and track at College of Charleston.

Noa Pagatpatan (Coast Guard soccer), Layton Kirby (Potomac State lacrosse) and Trey Days (Methodist football) rounded out the group.

Duane went 54-0 this season, dispatching 35 opponents by pin, on the way to the state Class 3-A title at 182 pounds after two years as a state runner-up. He also combined with Seitz to help the Seahawks to the 3-A Lower State crown before they fell to Eastside in the state final.

Together with Seitz, they shared billing as the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette’s Wrestlers of the Year.

Though Seitz carries a slightly higher national profile, Duane became the first of the duo to choose his next stop after hearing from The Citadel at the end of March.

The Citadel actually contacted both wrestlers as the duo was headed to the National High School Coaches Association tournament in Virginia. With a Bulldogs coach in the stands, Duane beat his first opponent with a 16-1 technical fall that ended in the second period.

“So I was looking good in front of that coach,” said Duane, who reached the round of 16 before getting ousted. “Then we ended up talking again after nationals.”

They took an official visit the following weekend, where Duane got an offer. Both also visited Campbell University in North Carolina before Duane solidified his decision.

“I really knew before I went to Campbell that The Citadel was the place for me,” he said.

The Citadel has produced three All-Americans in the past four seasons, with Ugi Khishignyam placing fourth at the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

“My goal is to hopefully make a run at a national championship,” Duane said. “Make top eight in the nation, make it to the national tournament and get on that big stage. No matter what, I’ll have some fun.”

He’ll also face no surprises at The Citadel, following older brother Jack — himself a two-time state wrestling champion — to the Checkerboard Quadrangle.

“I feel like the structure of the military is a lot like wrestling to me,” he said. “You go to practice, you get beat up on, you keep going.”

Seitz, still considering his college options, is expected to make his decision next month.

Patrick heads to Wofford as part of the school’s first recruiting class in women’s lacrosse, as the Terriers begin NCAA competition in 2018.

“That definitely was one of the most appealing aspects, being a leader on a new team,” Patrick said. “It’s such an awesome opportunity, and the coach coming in is great. I couldn’t be more excited.”

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 6:02 PM with the headline "HHH wrestler Martin Duane chooses The Citadel as his next stop."