Rowan Clinches Win as Duke Comes from Behind to Defeat Sacred Heart, 19-18

Saturday, November 1

Durham, N.C.

11 a.m.

Duke University

Sacred Heart

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Rowan Clinches Win as Duke Comes from Behind to Defeat Sacred Heart, 19-18

11/1/2025 2:27:00 PM | Wrestling

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DURHAM, N.C. — The Duke wrestling team won five out of the last six matches en route to registering a come-from-behind victory, 19-18, Saturday in the 2025-26 season opener against Sacred Heart in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Blue Devils collected victories on the day by Aurelius Dunbar (157), Aidan Wallace (165), Gaetano Console (184), Connor Barket (HWT) and Riley Rowan (125) to score 19 of the last 22 points in the match. Rowan closed the match with a 2-0 decision to secure the Duke win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sacred Heart opened the contest by taking the first four matches, jumping out to a 15-0 advantage.
The Blue Devils got things started in the 157-weight class as Dunbar registered a 4-2 decision in his Duke debut over AJ Falcone.After a scoreless first period, Dunbar collected a takedown to take a 3-1 lead.With the match even, 3-3, Dunbar escaped and a forced a second stalling call on Falcon to close with a 4-2 decision.
Seeing action this season in the 165 class, Wallace registered a 5-4 overtime decision versus Aidan Zarrella to bring the Blue Devils to, 15-6.Wallace held a 3-0 lead through the first and led 4-1 in the third before Zarella evened the match with a takedown.Wallace got an escape in the second overtime to register the victory.
Duke won its third match in a row as Console was impressive against Eric Wolf at 184 pounds.Console totaled three takedowns in the first period and six for the match as he rolled to the crucial technical fall.
Sacred Heart's Chris DeLena picked up a 10-6 decision over redshirt freshman Owen McCrory at 197 pounds to extend the Pioneers' stretch the lead back to seven, 18-11.
At heavyweight, Barket went up against Brendan Gilchrist.After a scoreless first period, Barket collected two takedowns, a nearfall and an escape to lead 11-1.He eventually totaled a 19-2 tech fall.With the win, the Blue Devils trailed, 18-16, heading into the final match of the day.
At 125 pounds, Rowan faced Joe Clem.After a scoreless first period, Rowan escaped to start the second for the 1-0 lead. In the top position to start the third, the Duke rookie built up riding time to come away with the 2-0 win and seal the victory for the Blue Devils, 19-18.
In an extra match, Duke's Noah Kochman pinned Michael Schiffhauer to earn the win.

NOTES

Riley Rowan registered his second career dual match win and third victory of his collegiate career.
With the win, Aurelius Dunbar moved to 11-10 over his career.
Aidan Wallace secured his first win at 174 pounds and is now 24-13 over his career.
Gaetano Console now owns 14 career dual match wins and 20 overall victories at Duke.
Connor Barket moved to 22-14 in dual match bouts and 41-30 overall for his career.

WHAT IS NEXT

Duke will travel to Bethlehem, Pa., to compete in WrangleMania Nov. 8 and the Journeymen Collegiate Classic Nov. 9.Both will be contested at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa.

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

Duke def. Sacred Heart 19-18
125: Riley Rowan (Duke) def. Joe Clem (SHU), 2-0 decision
133: Braxton Fries-Appello (SHU) def. John King (Duke), 18-2 (3:00) technical fall
141: John Hildebrandt (SHU) def. Raymond Adams (Duke), 3-2 decision
149: Dakota Asuncion (SHU) def. SP O'Donnell (Duke), 17-5 major decision
157: Felix Lettini (SHU) def. Mikey Boulanger (Duke), 7-6 decision
165: Aurelius Dunbar (Duke) def. AJ Falcone (SHU), 4-2 decision
174: Aidan Wallace (Duke) def. Aiden Zarrella (SHU), 5-4 (OT)
184: Gaetano Console (Duke) def. Eric Wolf (SHU), 21-5 technical fall (5:16)
197: Chris Delena (SHU) def. Owen McGrory (Duke), 10-6 decision
HWT: Connor Barket (Duke) def. Brendan Gilchrist (SHU), 19-2 technical fall (5:36)

Extra Matches:
125: Caden Smith (Sacred Heart) def. Evan Coles (Duke) 11-7 decision
141: Noah Kochman (Duke) def. Michael Schiffhauer (Sacred Heart) Fall