Wrestling Announces End of Year Awards

DURHAM, N.C.—The Duke University wrestling team got together at the end of April to celebrate a successful 2014-15 campaign in the end of the season banquet. The Blue Devils recognized the many achievements of the team from this past season and honored individual wrestlers for their work on the mat and in the classroom.

Taking home the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award was redshirt junior Conner Hartmann. The Port Orchard, Wash., native took sixth at the NCAA Championships this past season to become Duke's second two-time All-American. Hartmann, the ACC Champion at 197 pounds, finished the year with a 21-5 overall record and a 12-1 mark in duals. He took second in the prestigious Southern Scuffle and took home top honors at the Hokie Open and Wolfpack Open. Hartmann is 68-27 for his career and has placed in each of the past two NCAA Championships.

Qualifying for the NCAA Championships in his rookie season, Mitch Finesilver took home the team's Most Outstanding Freshman award. Finesilver, a 133-pounder, became the third true freshman in Duke history to qualify for the NCAA Championship after he grabbed an automatic berth with a runner-up finish at ACCs. After starting the year as a potential redshirt, Finesilver joined the Duke lineup in January at the Pitt Duals. He completed his year with an 11-9 record in a Duke singlet.

Immanuel Kerr-Brown, a two-time NCAA qualifier, garnered the Total Student-Athlete Award for his success on the mat, in the classroom and in the community. Kerr-Brown advanced to his second straight NCAA Championship with an at-large bid at 157 pounds. The Rome, Ga., native is equally as active in the community, taking part in all of the team community service activities as well as serving as a First-Year Advisory Counselor and sitting on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Kerr-Brown finished his career with an 80-56 record in a Duke singlet after posting a 25-13 record his senior season.

Perhaps one of the most impactful wrestlers on the roster, Dylan “Rhino” Ryan was honored with an award named for him – the Dylan Ryan Rhino 11th Man Award, which will be given to the best teammate. Ryan's presence and influence was felt in all facets of the program and on Duke's campus. He started Duke's chapter of Athlete Ally and has been an unquestioned leader throughout his four years.

Senior Marcus Cain received the Scholar Athlete Award after having the most memorable season of his career this past season. He posted a 22-9 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Championships after landing on the podium in third place at the ACC Championships. Duke's 149-pounder was a tireless worker on the mat and especially in the classroom as an electrical engineering major. At the NCAA Championships, Cain advanced to the second day of competition after posting a fall in the consolation first round. He was named to the All-ACC Academic Team for the second time in his career this past season and recently graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree.

The Blue Devils had a record-setting year on the mat in 2014-15, finishing 11-5 overall and taking fourth at the ACC Championship. Duke defeated a pair of Big Ten foes for the first time in program history and sent a program-best five wrestlers to the NCAA Championship. Hartmann took sixth overall to capture his second All-America award.

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