Wrestling Tabbed 24th by WIN Magazine

DURHAM, N.C.-With the 2009-10 wrestling season right around the corner, the Blue Devils are starting to pick up preseason recognition. Wrestling Insider Magazine (WIN) recently released listed Duke among the top 25 teams in its Division I Tournament Power Index (TPI) and two individuals in the weight class rankings.

The Blue Devils will start the season ranked 24th by WIN. They share the spot with Bloomsburg and Wyoming with 17.5 points. Duke is one of four ACC schools ranked in the top 25 to start the season.

The TPI is compiled by awarding points to each team for the ranked wrestlers listed in WIN's current individual rankings. Teams are awarded points based on how many potential All-Americans they could have and get advancement points for wrestlers ranked No. 9-20.

Individually, Duke seniors John Barone and Konrad Dudziak earned spots in the top 25 in their respective weight classes. Barone earned the 15th spot for the 184-pound division, while Dudziak is listed second at heavyweight.

Barone enters his final season after breaking the Duke single-season wins mark with a 36-8 overall record. He went unbeaten in dual matches and earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. The native of Shirley, N.Y., also holds the career record for wins with a 106-32 slate.

Dudziak became Duke's first wrestling All-America in 2009 as he brought home runner-up honors as a heavyweight. After missing a month of the season due to injury, Dudziak returned to the mats to win an ACC title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The native of Bayonne, N.J., finished the year with a 31-3 overall record.

Duke officially kicks off the season on Oct. 7 at the Freshmen and Sophomore Open in Charleston, S.C.

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