Dudziak Marches into Semifinals; Earns All-America Award

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Friday, March 19

Omaha, Neb.

10:30 a.m.

Duke University

Session III

Dudziak Marches into Semifinals; Earns All-America Award

3/19/2010 3:15:00 PM | Wrestling

By: Duke Sports Information

OMAHA, Neb.-Duke University senior wrestler Konrad Dudziak made history this afternoon, earning a guaranteed All-America award after defeating No. 5 seed Daniel Erekson of Iowa in the NCAA Championship quarterfinal. The 6-2 decision pushes Dudziak into the semifinal, guaranteeing him a top-eight finish and an All-America award.

"I know he was nervous today because of the Iowa wrestling mystique," head coach Clar Anderson said. "He controlled the match and this is a really big win for Konrad. He wrestled a masterful match."

Dudziak, who became the first Blue Devil, in wrestling history to earn All-America status in 2009, moved into the semifinal with a convincing 6-2 win over the undefeated Erekson in the heavyweight division this afternoon at the Qwest Center. The win was his 17th of the year as he remains unbeaten.

A native of Bayonne, N.J., Dudziak garnered the first takedown of the contest early in the first period. After Erekson escaped for a one point, Dudziak came right back with another two-point takedown for a 4-1 lead after three minutes of action.

Erekson captured a second point with an escape to start the third, but the remainder of the match was all Dudziak as he built up nearly two minutes of riding time.

Garnering an escape of his own to start the third, the Blue Devil heavyweight did everything he needed to do to come away with the four-point win.

"Konrad is good in every wrestling position," Anderson said. "He has good moves and is just a really good technician and great at controlling a match. Sometimes he keeps it a little closer than I would like, but he is very good at dictating the action."

Dudziak will go up against the top seed David Zabriskie of Iowa State in the semifinal. The two wrestlers also met in the 2009 semifinals with Dudziak holding off Zabriskie in the final seconds.

The semifinal action is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., and will be televised on ESPNU. Dudziak will be in the final group as heavyweights wrestle are the last division to compete.

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