Upcoming Event: Wrestling versus Appalachian State on December 17, 2025 at 6 p.m.
/
6 p.m.
Wrestling
vs Appalachian State
Dudziak Takes Aim At Olympics
6/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. ? Konrad Dudziak's life has been reminiscent of a Rocky movie over the past couple years as he has focused on his passion for wrestling and becoming one of the best in the world.
The Duke wrestler was born in Poland, and moved with his family to the United States at the age of six. When he started high school at St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey, he tried out for the soccer team because his brother played, but was cut because he was not much of a runner. He tried football and did not like that either, so he spent the fall semester without much activity.
“I was just sitting around becoming a pudgy kid,” said Dudziak. “My dad got mad with me and told me to go play a sport, so I signed up for the wrestling team. That year, I was 0-4 and only made it to the second period one time, but I loved it.”
Dudziak was so enamored with wrestling that his father, Jaroslaw, encouraged his progress by sending him home to Poland to train with members of the Polish National Team. He spent every summer during high school in Poland, and improved greatly over time compiling a 92-19 career record in high school.
In his senior season, Dudziak recorded 25 pins and was set to wrestle at the New Jersey State Championships, but an ankle injury kept him from competing. He drew attention from collegiate programs like Duke, Lehigh and Penn, and soon was off to Durham to wrestle for the Blue Devils.
Check out NCAA.com for the complete story.
Players Mentioned
PLAYER
/ WrestlingConnor Barket Post ACC Championship
Monday, March 10
Season Opener Video
Friday, November 01
Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
Saturday, October 19
Welcome to Duke
Saturday, October 19
