Kasper Talks Southern Scuffle; Fast Start in 2017

DURHAM, N.C.—Duke heavyweight Jacob Kasper could not have started his 2017 any better as he opened the New Year by etching his name in the Blue Devils wrestling records book as the first Southern Scuffle champion in program history.

Kasper, seeded fifth in the heavyweight bracket, won all five of his bouts at the best in-season tournament in collegiate wrestling. Three of his five wins came against ranked opponents, including the title win over No. 6 Michael Kroells of Minnesota to take home the crown.

His performance earned him his first ACC Wrestler of the Week award and launched him to No. 7 in the national polls, while the five wins pushed his overall record to an impressive 16-1. He is undefeated in tournament action, winning all three tournaments he has entered. Adding three dual wins since the Southern Scuffle, Kasper is a team-best 19-1 on the year.

Kasper headlined the tournament, but Duke made history as a team at the Southern Scuffle as it landed three Blue Devils on the podium. Connor Bass took sixth at 174 pounds, while Mitch Finesilver finished seventh at 157. Duke took 13th overall, just one spot behind its 12th-place finish in 2016.

Kasper and the Blue Devils are back in action Jan. 17 against No. 21 Appalachian State. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.

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