Gardner-Webb Upends Blue Devils in Wrestling Action

Tuesday, January 14

Durham, N.C.

3 p.m.

Duke University

Gardner-Webb

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Gardner-Webb Upends Blue Devils in Wrestling Action

1/14/2025 5:53:00 PM | Wrestling

Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.C. — The Duke wrestling team had its three-match home winning streak snapped on Tuesday afternoon inside Card Gymnasium as the Blue Devils dropped in a 23-19 decision to Gardner-Webb.

Redshirt sophomore Connor Barket collected his 20th win on the season to join redshirt freshman Aidan Wallace in the 20-win club in 2024-25. The Blue Devils now feature a pair of 20-win wrestlers on the season for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign.

With the loss, Duke fell to 4-8 overall, while the Runnin' Bulldogs improved to 3-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After dropping the first four bouts to open the match, Duke won three straight contests to cut into the Runnin' Bulldogs lead, 15-14. Gardner-Webb secured wins at 184 and 197 to stretch its lead, before the Blue Devils won the heavyweight contest to conclude the match.
Duke senior Logan Ferrero started the comeback for the Blue Devils at 157 pounds as he registered an escape and then pinned Dominic DiTullo with 1:39 remaining in the second period to secure six points.
Redshirt freshman Aidan Wallace, who is ranked No. 29 nationally at 165, continued his stellar wrestling with a 19-3 tech fall against Tyler Brignola to cut the deficit to 15-11. A native of Mahwah, N.J., Wallace opened the first period with a 12-0 advantage and then after a scoreless second closed things out in the third period with a takedown, reversal, nearfall and a point for riding time.
Gaetano Console, a redshirt sophomore from Barrington Hills, Ill., continued the winning ways for the Blue Devils with a 10-6 decision against Andrew Wilson at 174 pounds. Console controlled the action over the first two periods leading 7-1. Wilson closed with an escape, stalling point and takedown to cut into the Console's lead in the third.
Duke trailed 15-14 with three bouts remaining, but the Runnin' Bulldogs posted wins at 184 and 197 to go ahead, 23-14.
At heavyweight, 30th-ranked Connor Barket was impressive against Rocky Files totaling a 21-4 tech fall to close the contest. Barket, who hails from West Lafayette, Ind., led 3-0 early and then built on that lead with four takedowns in the second period. He added another in the third and closed the contest with his 20th victory of the season.
At 149, SP O'Donnell had a tight contest with Joseph Giordano, but ended up falling, 5-3, while David Hussey also dropped a tight, 7-5, contest against Jackson Potts at 184.

NOTES

Senior Logan Ferrero collected his fourth victory of the season and first fall in his favor with the win. It is his seventh career dual match victory.
With his win at 165, Aidan Wallace moved his record this year to 21-6. He has now won nine out of his last 11 contests. In dual match action, Wallace is 10-2 on the year and 11-3 over his career.
Gaetano Console posted his third dual match win of the season and 12th of his career. He is now 4-6 on the season at 174.
Connor Barket collected his 20th win on the year to improve to 20-5 overall at heavyweight. His 10 dual match wins for the season is a single-season best.
The last pair of 20-win wrestlers for Duke was in 2021-22 with Matt (29) and Josh (28) Finesilver.

WHAT IS NEXT

Duke will remain at home this week as the Blue Devils host North Carolina on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m., inside Cameron Indoor Stadium.

To stay up to date with Blue Devils wrestling, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWRES".

Gardner-Webb 23, Duke 19
125 – Jeffrey Jacome (GWU) major decision Ethan Grimminger (Duke) 10-2
133 – Tyson Lane (GWU) decision Raymond Adams (Duke) 5-2
141 – #19 Todd Carter (GWU) tech fall Christian Colman (Duke) 19-4 (4:32)
149 – Joseph Giordano (GWU) decision SP O'Donnell (Duke) 5-3
157 – Logan Ferrero (Duke) fall Dominic DiTullo (GWU) 3:24
165 – #29 Aidan Wallace (Duke) tech fall Tyler Brignola (GWU) 19-3 (6:52)
174 – Gaetano Console (Duke) decision Andrew Wilson (GWU) 10-6
184 – Jackson Potts (GWU) decision David Hussey (Duke) 7-5
197 – Josh McCutchen (GWU) tech fall Kwasi Bonsu (Duke) 17-1 (5:46)
285 – #30 Connor Barket (Duke) tech fall Rocky Files (GWU) 21-4 (5:29)