Kasper Picks Up Win No. 18; Duke Falls at No. 14 UVA

Friday, January 16

Charlottesville, Va.

7:00 PM

Duke University

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Kasper Set for Pan-American Championships

Kasper Picks Up Win No. 18; Duke Falls at No. 14 UVA

1/16/2015 9:09:00 PM | Wrestling

By: Duke Sports Information

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –The Duke University wrestling team's tough road stretch continued with a 30-9 setback to 14th-ranked Virginia this evening. The Cavaliers are the fourth top 25 opponent and third ranked ACC foe Duke has faced this season.

Duke (5-4, 1-2 ACC) garnered wins from redshirt juniors Evan Botwin (141) and Conner Hartmann (197) and sophomore Jacob Kasper (184). Virginia moves to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in conference competition.

All three of the Blue Devils' wins came in thrilling fashion as Botwin, Hartmann and Kasper turned in gutsy performances in the closing period for the decisions. All three picked up at least their second ACC victory over the year.

Botwin, with Duke trailing 9-0 after two matches, trailed 6-3 after the first period and 8-5 late in the second period. That's when the Chestnut Hill, Pa., native took control. With time winding down in the second session, Botwin scored a takedown to pull within one with two minutes left to wrestle.

They started the third period neutral and Van Hoose owning the riding time advantage and a one-point lead. Botwin, in a battle to the end, took down Van Hoose and erased the riding time point and held off one final reversal effort from Van Hoose for the 9-8 decision.

Duke's wins leader with 17 coming into the evening, Kasper picked up his second ACC win of the year with a 3-2 decision over Tyler Askey. Kasper escaped in both the first and second period to head into the third period all square, 2-2. Picking the top position in the third, Kasper rode out the entire two minutes to take the victory with riding time. He is 18-6 overall and 6-2 in duals.

In what was arguably the most anticipated match of the evening, fifth-ranked Hartmann met No. 20 Zach Nye. The Virginia 197-pounder had Hartmann's number last season with a pair of wins, including one in the ACC Championship.

Nye registered a takedown early in the second period for a 3-0 lead. Hartmann, looking to remain unbeaten in the ACC, escaped late in the second period to head into the third needing three points for the win. The Port Orchard, Wash., native escaped quickly to pull within one, 3-2. As time ticked down, Hartmann took a shot and scored a takedown with 38 seconds left for the 4-3 lead.

Nye nearly escapes, but Hartmann's grip on Nye's left leg was too strong as he held on for the decision.

Duke takes a short break from duals next weekend at the Appalachian State Open. The Blue Devils' two-month road swing ends Jan. 31 when they return home to Card Gymnasium for a trio of duals.

No. 14 Virginia 30, Duke 9

125: Nick Herrmann (Virginia) over Thayer Atkins (Duke) (MD 13-5); UVA 4, Duke 0

133: No. 13 George DiCamillo (Virginia) over Mitch Finesilver (Duke) (TF 19-4 5:19); UVA 9, Duke 0

141: Evan Botwin (Duke) over Justin Van Hoose (Virginia) (Dec 9-8); UVA 9, Duke 3

149: TJ Miller (Virginia) over Marcus Cain (Duke) (MD 12-3); UVA 13, Duke 3

157: Andrew Atkinson (Virginia) over Immanuel Kerr-Brown (Duke) (Dec 4-3); UVA 16, Duke 3

165: No. 2 Nicholas Sulzer (Virginia) over Jake Faust (Duke) (TF 24-7 6:28); UVA 21, Duke 3

174: No. 5 Blaise Butler (Virginia) over Trey Adamson (Duke) (Fall 2:00); UVA 27, Duke 3

184: Jacob Kasper (Duke) over Tyler Askey (Virginia) (Dec 3-2); UVA 27, Duke 6

197: No. 7 Conner Hartmann (Duke) over No. 20 Zach Nye (Virginia) (Dec 5-3); UVA 27, Duke 9

285: Patrick Gillen (Virginia) over Brendan Walsh (Duke) (Dec 6-1); UVA 30, Duke 9

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