11/17/2009 - Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C.-Duke University senior Konrad Dudziak has climbed to the top spot at heavyweight in the InterMat NCAA Division I wrestling rankings announced on Nov. 17. Senior John Barone also is ranked among the top 20, coming in at No. 15 in the 184-pound division.

The first Blue Devil to capture All-America accolades in wrestling history, Dudziak is also the first wrestler to earn a No. 1 national ranking. He kicked off the year by winning the Hokie Open and being named the ACC Wrestler of the Week. At the first event of the season Dudziak cruised through to the championship bout where he met eighth-ranked David Marone of Virginia Tech. The native of Bayonne, N.J., captured the 4-1 decision to take home top honors.

Barone competed for the first time this season this past weekend at the Pembroke Classic. Moving up a weight class to 197 pounds, Barone registered three falls in his first three matches. He needed just 6:03 to win three contests and earn a spot in the title match. Going up against Zak Bennett of North Carolina, Barone lost a hard-fought match 12-9 to take runner-up at 197 pounds.

Duke will compete in a pair of events next weekend with the team being split up between the N.C. State Open on Nov. 21 and the Keystone Classic on Nov. 22.

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