The Duke wrestling team (6-4) defeated Gardner-Webb 36-4 Saturday, ending the team’s two-match losing streak.
Coming off defeats at the hands of North Carolina and UNC-Greensboro, the Blue Devils won 9-of-10 individual matches, including pins by Frank Cornely and Mark Thompson, in their most lopsided of the season Saturday.
The Blue Devils jumped out to an early lead, winning the first three matches to take a 9-0 advantage. Freshman Kellan McKeon defeated Jon Neal 3-0 in the opening bout at 125 pounds. Bryan Gibson, at 133 pounds, won 7-2, and at 141 pounds, Wes Kuser won for the first time in three matches with a 7-6 decision.
Dan Shvartsman lost a 25-10 technical fall to Daniel Elliot in the 149-pound weight class for Duke’s only loss of the night, but the Blue Devils rebounded quickly with a 9-4 win by Zach Weisberg at 154 pounds. Steve Smith then captured an 8-7 victory, and Levi Craig won 6-0 to push Duke’s lead to 18-4.
Two pins by Cornely and Thompson and a Gardner-Webb forfeit in the heavyweight division sealed the win.
Duke wrestles Campbell and Duquense Tuesday before a matchup with Virginia in Charlottesville Friday night. Last year the Blue Devils fell behind the Cavaliers 14-0 before staging a comeback and eventually winning 21-17.
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