Duke Drops Tough Decision at Appalachian State

Tuesday, December 15

Boone, N.C.

6:30 PM

Duke University

Appalachian State

Duke Drops Tough Decision at Appalachian State

12/15/2015 8:29:00 PM | Wrestling

By: Duke Sports Information

BOONE, N.C.—The Duke wrestling team rallied from an early deficit, but a strong team finish from Appalachian State handed the No. 25 Blue Devils a 26-14 loss in their opening dual of the 2015-16 campaign.

Duke fell behind 10-0 early after a major decision at 125 and a forfeit at 133, but strong showings from the Blue Devils in the next three bouts knotted the team score 10-10 at intermission. However, the second half of the evening belonged to the Mountaineers as they took wins in four of the final five bouts.

Zach Finesilver, in his first career dual match, traded shots with Michael Longo throughout the first two periods. Trailing 6-5 heading into the third stanza and in the down position, Zach scored an early reversal to go ahead 7-5. The redshirt freshman rode Longo well and fought off late reversal attempts from the Mountaineer 141 pounder for the win.

Twin brother Mitch Finesilver followed suit at 149 pounds with a hard-fought decision over Matt Zovistoski. Neither wrestler was able to score in the first two periods as Mitch rode Zovistoski in the second period for a chance at the riding time bonus point. Scoreless, Mitch escaped early in the third period for the 1-0 lead and was outstanding on defense in the closing seconds as his opponent furiously fought for a takedown to tie the match.

With Duke trailing 10-6 after four bouts, Connor Bass picked up big bonus points with a major decision at 157 pounds. The junior went ahead early and never looked back as he grabbed his 10th win of the year and evened the overall match score at the midway point.

A couple of tough breaks for the Blue Devils in the back half of the dual put Duke in a hole it couldn't climb out of. At 165 pounds, No. 16 Jake Faust fell behind early and simply ran out of time as his final shot was just a little too late in the 3-1 setback.

After a major decision for the Mountaineers at 174 pounds, Duke appeared as if it was on its way to three points from Spencer Neff at 184 pounds. Neff and Jackson were embroiled in an even battle through six-plus minutes with Neff holding a narrow 7-5 edge heading into the final 30 seconds. Jackson took a shot as the seconds ticked down and was able to get Neff on his back for the fall and a 22-10 lead in the team score. That was a nine-point swing in favor of the Mountaineers as Neff was about to get the decision.

Senior Conner Hartmann protected his undefeated record at 197 as he cruised to an 8-0 major decision over Randall Diabe. The win was Hartmann's fifth of the year and the 74th of his career. Hartmann has given up just three points in his six matches this season and is 30-10 in duals for his career.

The Mountaineers grabbed a final major decision at heavyweight from No. 12 Denzel Dejournette to seal the 26-14 victory.

Duke takes a short break for the holidays before heading to the prestigious Southern Scuffle Jan. 1-3. The Blue Devils host No. 7 NC State to kick off ACC wrestling action Jan. 6 in Card Gymnasium.

125: Vito Pasone (APP) def. Thayer Atkins (DUKE) MD, 12-4 (4-0 App)

133: Jacob Grigg (APP) wins by forfeit (10-0 App)

141: Zach Finesilver (DUKE) def. Mike Longo (APP) D, 7-6 (10-3 App)

149: Mitch Finesilver (DUKE) def. Matt Zovistoski (APP) D, 2-0 (10-6 App)

157: Connor Bass (DUKE) def. David Peters-Logue (APP) MD, 11-0 (Tied 10-10)

165: Forrest Przybysz (APP) def. Jake Faust (DUKE) D, 3-1 (13-10 App)

174: Nick Kee (APP) def. Brian Dorsey (DUKE) D, 11-6 (16-10 App)

184: Taylor Jackson (APP) def. Spencer Neff (DUKE) F, 6:42 (22-10 App)

197: Conner Hartmann (DUKE) def. Randall Diabe (APP) MD, 8-0 (22-14 App)

Hwt: Denzel Dejournette (APP) def. Brendan Walsh (DUKE) MD, 12-4 (26-14 App)

FINAL SCORE: App State 26, Duke 14

#GoDuke