DURHAM, N.C.—The Duke wrestlers donning the black singlets came away with the 30-9 win over the blue squad today in the annual Blue/White intrasquad match to help determine the starting lineup for the Blue Devils heading into the 2016-17 season.
The Black team picked up falls from Missouri transfer Cole Baumgartner at 133 pounds and Xavi Ramos at 149. The Blue team benefitted from a pin by returning NCAA qualifier Zach Finesilver at 141.
Senior Thayer Atkins put the Black singlet team up 3-0 early in a close match with Josh Copeland at 125. Atkins, behind early, used a strong third period to record the win.
Baumgartner controlled the match early and was able to get freshman Parker Walton on his back with 1:09 left in the third period for the six points. At 141, Finesilver pulled the Blue squad back within three with a first-period pin against Brandon Leynaud who wrestled at 133 a year ago.
Ramos, up to 149 from 133 last season, cruised to the pin in his match and freshman Garrett Neff scored four more points for the Black team to extend the lead to 13, 19-6, midway through the dual.
After wrestling two seasons at 157, Connor Bass will make the jump to 174 for the Blue Devils. In a tightly contested match with Alec Schenk, Bass edged the Ohio native for the decision.
Tyler Patrick grabbed three more points for Black, edging redshirt freshman Araad Sarrami at 184. Patrick took advantage of an early lead and was able to hold off a late shot from Sarrami for the decision.
The Black team concluded the afternoon with victories from Alex Belaia-Martiniouk at 197 and Jacob Kasper at heavyweight. Belaia-Martiniouk and rookie Roman Romero had an exciting match with a lot of movement, but it was the veteran that came through with the 7-5 decision.
Making the big jump from 184 to heavyweight, Kasper struck early and often in his match to score the 15-0 victory to conclude the day.
Zach Finesilver also wrestled in another match against Colten Thomas before the match was halted to injury.
The day concluded with an exhibition match between 165-pounders Jake Faust and Mitch Finesilver, who is redshirting this season. Both NCAA qualifiers, Faust came away with the decision in the tightly-contested bout.
Duke opens official action Nov. 6 at the Hokie Open. The Blue Devils' first home dual comes against No. 13 Wisconsin Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
Black 30, Blue 9
125 – Thayer Atkins dec. Josh Copeland – Black 3, Blue 0
133 – Cole Baumgartner pinned Parker Walton – Black 9, Blue 0
141 – Zach Finesilver pinned Brandon Leynaud – Black 9, Blue 6
149 – Xaviel Ramos pinned Joey Abbate – Black 15, Blue 6
157 – Garrett Neff major decision Michael Wright – Black 19, Blue 6
174 – Connor Bass dec. Alec Schenk – Black 19, Blue 9
184 – Tyler Patrick dec. Araad Sarrami – Black 22, Blue 9
197 – Alex Belaia-Martiniouk dec. Roman Romero – Black 25, Blue 9
HWT – Jacob Kasper tech fall Michael Johnson – Black 30, Blue 9
#GoDuke
