Rebounding from a tough 32-9 loss at home last Tuesday at the hands of Virginia Military Institute, the wrestling team turned in arguably its strongest performance of the season, manhandling The Citadel 41-6 in South Carolina. The Duke win improves the team's record to 3-4, 0-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Blue Devils won nine of their 10 matches, including four pins and a pair of technical falls.
Duke sophomore Indra Sulijoadikusumo, in the 118-pound weight class, set the tone of the match early and quickly, pinning Brian Glister in 1:27. The pin was Sulijoadikusumo's second of the season, improving his record to a team-high 13 wins in 18 matches.
In the 167-pound weight class, freshman Dion Santo recorded his first pin as a Blue Devil, having The Citadel's Paul Houston sprawled on the mat in just 1:31. The fastest pin of the day, however, belonged to senior co-captain John Kays whose match lasted only 29 seconds. Kays' victory in the 190-pound weight class over George Murphy ties for the 18th fastest Duke pin in the last 30 years. It was also the quickest win for Duke in the last four seasons. The pin was the fastest in Kays' career by 11 seconds.
Perhaps the biggest pin of the day, however, belonged to Chris Heckel, who in the 134-pound weight class pinned his opponent in 4:57. The match marked Heckel's second-semester debut. The sophomore sat out for the first few weeks after receiving an incomplete last fall. But after completing his class work, Heckel returned to practice last week and demonstrated the form that helped him achieve a 20-5 record last year as a freshman with a pin in his first match back.
"Having Chris back does a lot for us," head coach Bill Harvey said. "He is a hard worker and the other kids follow his example. On any team, if you add any guy with athletic ability, he is going to pick everyone else up. We have that also in other guys like Covatta and [Scott] Frinzi."
Junior co-captain Scott Frinzi, wrestling at 150 pounds scored a technical fall, shutting out the Bulldogs' Bobby Stuart 15-0. Frinzi, who has jumped two weight classes from last season, improved his record to 11-5. Last season at 134 pounds, he registered a 24-9 record but was forced to move up weight classes because he grew in the offseason.
Sophomore Dan Covatta continued to roll over opponents, dominating Pete Ober in an 18-2 decision, while freshman Tom Stockett, wrestling at 126 pounds won a 5-3 decision. Covatta's record now stands at 12-3. Senior Keith Pavlick and sophomore Matt Eckerman each recorded victories in the 158 pound and heavyweight classes respectively.
Injured freshman Jesse Raia, 167 pounds, travelled with team and was prepared to wrestle, but due to an early 26-0 Duke lead, Harvey decided to give Raia the extra time off. Also, because Santo had worked hard to make weight, Harvey said he wanted to give him the opportunity to compete. Sophomore Jake Hart is also expected to return next week at the 157-pound weight class.
With Heckel and his injured teammates returning, the Blue Devils will be able to field a team that includes all their regular starters next weekend.
With an impressive win under their belts, the Blue Devils turn their attention to next weekend's Swarthmore Tournament. Duke will not face an ACC opponent until Feb. 10.
"We just go one week at a time," Harvey said. "We don't worry about the ACC guys until we have to face them. Right now, we are just looking to the Swarthmore Tournament. Last year we won nine championships there, so of course we are looking to come home with 10 this time."
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