Dudziak Wins Davidson Open, Tejada Finishes Fourth At Penn State

Upcoming Events

There are currently no upcoming events

Saturday, December 2

Davidson, N.C.

All Day

Duke University

Davidson Open

Dudziak Wins Davidson Open, Tejada Finishes Fourth At Penn State

12/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling

By: Duke Sports Information

DAVIDSON, N.C. and STATE COLLEGE, Pa. ? Duke (2-1) wrestled in two meets this past weekend: the Davidson Open on Saturday and the Penn State Open on Sunday. Redshirt sophomore Konrad Dudziak was the star of the weekend, as he won the inaugural Davidson Open as a heavyweight competitor. Sophomore Michael Degli Obizzi took third place at Davidson in the 149 pound weight class, and at Penn State Voris Tejada clinched fourth place at 149 pounds.

On his way to victory Saturday at the 285 pound weight class, Dudziak defeated Ryan Hsu of UNC-Greensboro, Trey Moss off Limestone, and Jim Powers of Virginia Tech in his final three matches. It was Dudziak's second tournament championship this season, as he won the UNC-Pembroke Open at 285 pounds on Nov. 11.

Degli Obizzi defeated Davidson's Scott Matthews in the quarterfinals at 149 pounds before losing to Virginia Military Institute's David Metzler, who eventually won the championship. Degli Obizzi came back to defeat Zach Martin of Appalachian St. in the third place match.

Four other Duke wrestlers had a strong showing at Davidson, making it to the final eight or better in their respective weight classes. Freshman Chase Macer made it to the semifinals at 157 pounds after defeating Nick Raich of Gardner-Webb. Freshman Mathew Koelling was able to make it to the quarterfinals in the 165 pound weight class before bowing out. Redshirt sophomore Turner Rooney beat Nick Niesieslowski of Anderson College in the quarterfinals before making his exit from the tournament. Sophomore Wade Van Sickle made it to the semifinals by downing Newberry College's Alonzo Henry.

At Penn State on Sunday, Tejada led the way with a fourth place finish. He rattled off four consecutive victories before losing in the semifinals and then in the third place match. It was Tejada's third placing of fifth or higher this season. He also took third in The Citadel Open on Nov. 4 and placed fifth at the UPenn Invitational on Nov. 19.

Redshirt junior Bryan Gibson and junior Wes Kuser had strong showings in the Penn State Open as well. Gibson went 3-2 at 133 pounds, and Kuser went 4-2 in the 141 pound weight class.

Duke's next competition will be Wed., Dec. 20 at the Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nev. It is an all day event, and is another open meet for the Blue Devils.

-d-u-k-e-