Prep wrestling: Doran won't wrestle in college

(photo by Paul Videla)

It's hard to imagine Alex Doran doing anything but wrestling.
But the Manatee senior has no plans to further his career in the sport at the collegiate level. Instead, he will major in pre-nursing next year at Florida Gulf Coast University, which does not offer wrestling.
"I just want to do something different," said Doran, who has been wrestling since he was 5.
He picked a heck of a way to go out - Doran broke Manatee's record for wins in a season (53) and a career (168) this year and finished third in the state in Class 3A at 140 pounds.
A four-time state qualifier, Doran never finished lower than fourth at the state meet, and became the first Hurricanes wrestler to win a state title as a fresman in 2008.
He was dominant at the local level, too, nabbing four county championships and winning all of his county tournament matches by either pin or technical fall.
Just because he isn't wrestling doesn't mean Doran will put the kibosh on athletics - he plans to play intramural basketball or beach volleyball alongside fellow Canes wrestler Ronny Whitt, who is also attending FGCU.
"We'll just have some fun," Doran said.