Dudziak Repeats as ACC Heavyweight Champion

Saturday, March 6

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Dudziak Repeats as ACC Heavyweight Champion

3/6/2010 11:00:00 PM | Wrestling

By: Duke Sports Information

RALEIGH, N.C.-Duke University senior heavyweight Konrad Dudziak captured his second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference individual wrestling title, defeating North Carolina's Ziad Haddad in the championship match this evening at N.C. State. Dudziak is the sixth Blue Devil in program history to win a two conference crowns in his career.

As a team Duke finished fifth of six teams with 28 points. The fifth-place showing is the best for the Blue Devils since taking the same spot in 2005. Virginia took home the crown, while defending champion Maryland finished second.

Earning a bye in the first round as the top seed, Dudziak earned a 4-0 decision over the fourth-seed Jack Danilkowicz in the semifinal round to earn a spot in the title bout. In the final match of the evening, Dudziak cruised past Haddad in a 4-0 decision to successfully defend his 2009 title. The win for Dudziak gave him an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, where he finished as the runner-up in 2009.

The Blue Devils also earned top four finishes at 125, 174 and 197 pounds. Sophomore Peter Terrezza and senior John Barone took fourth in the 125 and 197-pound divisions, respectively. Senior Voris Tejada earned third-place recognition at 174 pounds.

Seeded second overall, Tejada defeated Maryland's Brad Nielson in a 5-3 decision to move into the semifinal against No. 3 seed Thomas Ferguson of North Carolina. Ferguson outlasted Tejada in the semifinal contest, 2-1, but the native of Marlton, N.J., rebounded with a 3-2 win by decision over four-seed Quinton Godley in the consolation semifinal.

He closed out the day of wrestling by winning a thrilling 7-5 triple overtime decision in the third-place match against Nielson who he met earlier in the day. Tejada finishes the season with a 21-10 overall record and a 97-49 mark for his career, ranking him tied for fourth all-time in Duke history.

At 125 pounds, Terrezza made quick work of Mike Moreno of N.C. State in the first round, pinning the Wolfpack wrestler in 4:51. Going up against top-seed and 14th-ranked Jarrod Garnett in the semifinal, the fourth-seeded Terrezza fell by fall in 6:31.

He came back in the consolation bracket to win a 10-6 decision over the Tar Heel's Brian Bokoski and garner an opportunity for third place. In the consolation final bout, Maryland's James Knox outlasted the Terrezza in a 4-1 triumph to give Terrezza a fourth-place finish.

Rounding out Duke's top performers on the day was Barone at 197 pounds. Duke's all-time career wins leader opened the day with a 3-0 decision over Virginia Tech's Chris Penny. After a loss to third-ranked Hudson Taylor in the semifinal round, Barone bounced back with a 16-0 technical fall win in the consolation semifinal.

Going up against 17th-ranked and second-seeded Brent Jones of Virginia for third place, Barone fell just short in a 12-9 decision to finish in fourth overall. Barone is 17-8 now for 2009-10 and moves to 123-40 for his career.

The official 2010 NCAA Tournament selections will be announced on Wednesday, March 10 at 6 p.m.

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