Blue Devils Complete Run at UWW U-23 Nationals

LINCOLN, Neb. – Four members of the Duke wrestling program wrapped up action at the 2021 UWW U-23 Nationals at the Bob Devaney Center on the University of Nebraska campus on Friday.

Redshirt junior Josh Finesilver made the furthest run for a Blue Devil during today's event, reaching the round of 16 in the 70kg freestyle. After a first round bye, Finesilver faced an early 0-2 deficit, before recovering for a close 4-3 decision over Mike VanBrill of Rutgers. Unfortunately, Finesilver's run in the main draw came to an end with a 10-0 technical fall loss to Missouri's Brock Mauller. The Greenwood Village, Colo., native did earn one final victory in the consolation draw over Indiana's Graham Rooks before bowing out in the next round.

Sophomore Jonah Niesenbaum had an impressive run of his own, earning wins over opponents from Arizona and Kansas. Niesenbaum reached the round of 32 with an 8-2 victory over the Wildcats' Tommy Mommer, but his most impressive victory may have come in the consolation draw against Tony Caldwell of Kansas. The Allentown, Pa., native dominated that bout and earned himself a 12-2 technical fall victory to advance to the second bracket of the consolation round of 16. His run sadly came to an end in the next round with a loss to Brandon Whitman from North Carolina.

Redshirt freshman Brandon LaRue also earned a first round bye in the 70kg division to automatically advance to the round of 32. LaRue faced off against Nikolas Chavez of Oklahoma and kept it close through the first period, finding himself only down 4-2 at the break. However, LaRue could not complete the comeback and ultimately fell 10-5.

In the 57kg class, freshman Logan Agin fought a thrilling battle with Antonio Lorenzo of Cal Poly in the round of 64. Agin held a 5-0 advantage after period one. Lorenzo would rally and earned a four-point near fall which proved critical, as the two wrestlers were tied at 7-7 after two periods, giving Lorenzo the advantage. Agin finished his day with an 11-5 decision loss to Illinois' Dane Durlacher in the consolation draw round of 32.

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Results
U-23 Freestyle – 57kg
Logan Agin
Round of 64: Antonio Lorenzo (Cal-Poly) dec. Logan Agin (Duke), 7-7
Consolation Round of 32: Dane Durlacher (Illinois) dec. Logan Agin (Duke), 11-5

U-23 Freestyle – 70kg
Josh Finesilver
Round of 64: Bye
Round of 32: Josh Finesilver (Duke) dec. Mike VanBrill (Rutgers), 4-3
Round of 16: Brock Mauller (Missouri) tech. fall Josh Finesilver (Duke), 10-0
Consolation Round of 32 #2: Josh Finesilver (Duke) dec. Graham Rooks (Indiana), 10-7
Consolation Round of 16 #1: Grant Lundy (Chattanooga) tech. fall Josh Finesilver (Duke), 10-0

Brandon LaRue
Round of 64: Bye
Round of 32: Nikolas Chavez (Oklahoma) dec. Brandon LaRue (Duke), 10-5
Consolation Round of 32 #1: Jakob Bergeland (Minnesota) tech. fall Brandon LaRue (Duke), 10-0

U-23 Freestyle – 125kg
Jonah Niesenbaum
Round of 64: Jonah Niesenbaum (Duke) dec. Tommy Mommer (Arizona), 8-2
Round of 32: Lewis Fernandes (Cornell) dec. Jonah Niesenbaum (Duke), 4-0
Consolation Round of 16 #1: Jonah Niesenbaum (Duke) tech. fall Tony Caldwell (Kansas), 12-2
Consolation Round of 16 #2: Brandon Whitman (North Carolina) tech. fall Jonah Niesenbaum (Duke), 10-0

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Blue Devils Complete Run at UWW U-23 Nationals

Players Mentioned

Logan Agin

Josh Finesilver

Brandon LaRue

Jonah Niesenbaum

Duke information

Blue Devils Complete Run at UWW U-23 Nationals

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Players Mentioned

Logan Agin

Josh Finesilver

Brandon LaRue

Jonah Niesenbaum

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Duke information