GENEVA, Ohio — Two Duke wrestlers,
Connor Barket and
Riley Rowan, represented their states in the 2025 U-23 & U-20 Freestyle Nationals in Geneva, Ohio, over the weekend delivering solid performances against the nation's top talent.
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After an early setback in his first championship round, Barket rattled off nine consecutive victories in the consolation bracket, securing fourth place in the 125 kg weight class, with a 9-2 record to conclude the event.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Barket began his U-23 Nationals journey in the 125 kg bracket, where an early loss sent him to the consolation rounds. From there, he managed an impressive comeback with nine wins in a row and seven technical falls, over opponents from programs such as the Jackrabbit Wrestling Club, Clarion RTC and Panther Wrestling Club RTC.
- One of Barket's most impressive wins was a 10-0 technical fall in just 41 seconds over Nicholas Pavlechko of Indiana RTC as well as a 15-4 win over Cameron Geuther.
- Barket won by medical forfeit in the consolation semifinal, advancing to the third-place match, where he faced Lucas Stoddard of West Point Wrestling Club, ultimately dropping the contest by technical fall, securing a fourth-place national finish.
- At 57 kg, Rowan started strong with a decisive 10-2 victory over Joshua Jasionowicz of Pennsylvania.
- After a tough loss in the third championship round, Rowan rebounded with a 5-4 win over Sawyer Ostroff of Long Island RTC.
- Rowan's run concluded in the consolation round five with a loss to Ashton Jackson of Boilermaker RTC, finishing the tournament with a 2-2 record. Â
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RESULTS:
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2025 U-23 Nationals & U-20 World Team Trials
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Riley Rowan (57kg)
Champ. Round 2 –
Riley Rowan (Ohio) Dec. 10-2 Joshua Jasionowicz (Pennsylvania)
Champ. Round 3 – Tyler Chappell (Pittsburgh Wrestling Club) Dec. 8-0
Riley Rowan (Ohio)
Cons. Round 4 –
Riley Rowan (Ohio) Dec. 5-4 Sawyer Ostroff (Long Island RTC – LIRTC)
Cons. Round 5 – Ashton Jackson (Boilermaker RTC) TF 10-0
Riley Rowan (Ohio)
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Connor Barket (125kg)
Champ. Round 2 – Ryan Catka (Cavalier Wrestling Club) Dec. 10-4
Connor Barket (Indiana)
Cons. Round 2 –
Connor Barket (Indiana) TF 11-0 (2:23) Luke Rasmussen (Jackrabbit Wrestling Club)
Cons. Round 3 –
Connor Barket (Indiana) TF 10-0 (1:23) Christian McChesney (Unattached)
Cons. Round 4 –
Connor Barket (Indiana) TF 10-0 (0:59) Jackson Mankowski (Wisconsin)
Cons. Round 5 –
Connor Barket (Indiana) TF 15-4 (3:00) Cameron Geuther (Panther Wrestling Club RTC)
Cons. Round 6 –
Connor Barket (Indiana) TF 10-0 (0:41) Nicholas Pavlechko (Indiana RTC)
Cons. Round 7 –
Connor Barket (Indiana) TF (10-0) (1:20) Adam Ahrendsen (Panther Wrestling Club RTC)
Cons. Round 8 –
Connor Barket (Indiana) TF (15-4) (2:40) John Meyers (Clarion RTC)
Cons. Round 9 –
Connor Barket (Indiana) Dec. 13-5 Aden Attao (Beaver Dam Wrestling RTC)
Cons. Semis –
Connor Barket (Indiana) MFF Ryan Catka (Cavalier Wrestling Club)
Third-Place Match – Lucas Stoddard (West Point Wrestling Club) TF 12-0 (1:58)
Connor Barket (Indiana)
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