Dudziak Climbs To Fifth In National Poll

DURHAM, N.C.?Coming off a runner-up finish at the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions, Duke University junior Konrad Dudziak climbed to fifth in the WrestlingReport.com national poll. Classmate John Barone also earned a spot in the top 20 at 20th by WrestlingReport.com.

Dudziak moved up following a strong showing at the Reno Tournament of Champions. The tournament featured some of the top talent from around the country in the heavyweight division. The native of Bayonne, N.J., cruised to the finals as the No. 3 seed. Included in the run to the title tilt was a 5-4 win by decision over then No. 4 Scott Steele of Navy. It marked the second time Dudziak had beaten the Midshipman this season. In the championship match, Dudziak took on top-ranked Jared Rosholt of Oklahoma State. It was a hard-fought battle as Rosholt narrowly escaped with a 5-4 decision.

The Blue Devils' top heavyweight is 18-1 overall on the season, taking first in two tournaments and second in the most recent event. Dudziak sports a 2-1 record against ranked opponents this season, defeating Steele when he was billed as the No. 5 and No. 9 wrestler in the nation.

Barone comes in at No. 20 in the WrestlingReport.com poll. Anchoring duties at 184 pounds for the Blue Devils, he most recently took fourth at the Reno Tournament of Champions. He won his three opening duals in Reno to advance to the semifinal round against No. 9 Chris Honeycutt of Edinboro. Honeycutt handed Barone his first setback of the season, but rebounded with a win in the wrestleback semifinals to advance to the third-place match. The native of Shirley, N.Y., was unable to get past Jared Shelton in that dual as he came in fourth place overall.

Sporting a 22-2 record overall this season, Barone is 92-26 for his career at Duke. He owns three tournament titles this season and another fourth place honor.

The duo wrestles again in the Southern Scuffle hosted by UNC Greensboro on Dec. 29-30 at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center.

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