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Duke Lands Four on Wrestling All-ACC Academic Team
4/16/2020 2:00:00 PM | Wrestling
DURHAM, N.C.— The league announced Thursday that four members of the Duke wrestling team have been named to the All-ACC Academic Team.
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Benjamin Anderson headlined the Duke contingent with his second selection, while Vincent Baker, Mason Eaglin and Jonah Niesenbaum were all recognized for the first time. Baker and Niesenbaum were the only two true freshmen voted to the 19-man squad.
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The Blue Devils' four selections were tied with Virginia for the second-most behind NC State's six representatives. North Carolina and Pittsburgh followed with two each, while Virginia Tech closed out the group with one selection.
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Anderson, a psychology major, bounced back after suffering early season injuries last year. He had gone a mere 1-11 over his opening 12 matches, with three losses by way of medical forfeit. Once February started though it was a different story. Anderson went 4-1 over his five duals to start the month, dropping his lone loss during that stretch to No. 9 Tanner Skidgel of Navy by a hard-fought 5-3 decision. In ACC tournament action, Anderson ran into two nationally ranked foes in No. 12 Jake Wentzel of Pittsburgh and No. 10 Thomas Bullard of NC State. He dropped both bouts by way of 8-1 and 3-2 decisions, respectively, to close out his season.
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Wrestling at 197 pounds, Baker finished strong during his rookie season. He registered two of his six wins in back-to-back outings against No. 3 NC State (dual) and No. 9 Virginia Tech (ACC Championships). The Roswell, Ga., native wrapped up his first year as a Blue Devil with an overall record of 6-24.
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Eaglin, an English major, was supposed to complete his impressive first full year for Duke at the NCAA Championships before the tournament got cancelled. The redshirt freshman led the team with a 9-8 record during duals matches and finished the tournament season with an 11-2 mark. The Port Orchard, Wash., native went 3-3 against ranked opponents last season and was above .500 during ACC duals at 3-2, including a pin of Virginia's Victor Marcelli back on Feb. 14.
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Niesenbaum garnered two of his three wins on the year late in the season, including a thrilling 5-2 decision-win over Robert Scherer of Virginia. The Allentown, Pa., native also registered a 17-4 major decision win over Presbyterian's Montgomery Mills during his second ever career bout.
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Minimum academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one's academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the All-ACC Academic Team.
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The ACC Honor Roll, which recognizes all conference student-athletes with a grade point average of 3.0 for the current academic year, will be released in July.
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2019-20 All-ACC Academic Wrestling Team
Benjamin Anderson, Duke,      R-So. Psychology
Vincent Baker,   Duke,      Fr.  Undeclared
Mason Eaglin,    Duke,      R-Fr. English
Jonah Niesenbaum,  Duke,      Fr.  Undeclared
Clay Lautt,     North Carolina, R-So. Economics & Environmental Studies
Joseph Melendez,  North Carolina, R-Fr. Business Administration
Daniel Bullard,   NC State,    R-Jr. Business Administration
Hayden Hidlay,   NC State,    R-Jr. Business Administration
Trent Hidlay,    NC State,    R-Fr. Business Administration
Tryie Houghton,   NC State,    So.  Mechanical Engineering
A.J. Leitten,    NC State,    R-So. Sport Management
Jarrett Trombley,  NC State,    R-Fr. Biological Sciences
Micky Phillippi,  Pitt,      R-So. Communication: Rhet & Comm
Jake Wentzel,    Pitt,      R-Jr. Accounting
Jay Aiello,     Virginia,    R-Jr. Economics
Michael Battista,  Virginia,    Jr.  Biology
Louie Hayes,    Virginia,    R-Jr. Media Studies
Justin McCoy,    Virginia,    R-Fr. Undeclared
Stan Smeltzer,   Virginia Tech,  R-So. Aerospace Engineering
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ACC Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Hayden Hidlay, NC State, R-Jr.
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#GoDuke
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Benjamin Anderson headlined the Duke contingent with his second selection, while Vincent Baker, Mason Eaglin and Jonah Niesenbaum were all recognized for the first time. Baker and Niesenbaum were the only two true freshmen voted to the 19-man squad.
Â
The Blue Devils' four selections were tied with Virginia for the second-most behind NC State's six representatives. North Carolina and Pittsburgh followed with two each, while Virginia Tech closed out the group with one selection.
Â
Anderson, a psychology major, bounced back after suffering early season injuries last year. He had gone a mere 1-11 over his opening 12 matches, with three losses by way of medical forfeit. Once February started though it was a different story. Anderson went 4-1 over his five duals to start the month, dropping his lone loss during that stretch to No. 9 Tanner Skidgel of Navy by a hard-fought 5-3 decision. In ACC tournament action, Anderson ran into two nationally ranked foes in No. 12 Jake Wentzel of Pittsburgh and No. 10 Thomas Bullard of NC State. He dropped both bouts by way of 8-1 and 3-2 decisions, respectively, to close out his season.
Â
Wrestling at 197 pounds, Baker finished strong during his rookie season. He registered two of his six wins in back-to-back outings against No. 3 NC State (dual) and No. 9 Virginia Tech (ACC Championships). The Roswell, Ga., native wrapped up his first year as a Blue Devil with an overall record of 6-24.
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Eaglin, an English major, was supposed to complete his impressive first full year for Duke at the NCAA Championships before the tournament got cancelled. The redshirt freshman led the team with a 9-8 record during duals matches and finished the tournament season with an 11-2 mark. The Port Orchard, Wash., native went 3-3 against ranked opponents last season and was above .500 during ACC duals at 3-2, including a pin of Virginia's Victor Marcelli back on Feb. 14.
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Niesenbaum garnered two of his three wins on the year late in the season, including a thrilling 5-2 decision-win over Robert Scherer of Virginia. The Allentown, Pa., native also registered a 17-4 major decision win over Presbyterian's Montgomery Mills during his second ever career bout.
Â
Minimum academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one's academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the All-ACC Academic Team.
Â
The ACC Honor Roll, which recognizes all conference student-athletes with a grade point average of 3.0 for the current academic year, will be released in July.
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2019-20 All-ACC Academic Wrestling Team
Benjamin Anderson, Duke,      R-So. Psychology
Vincent Baker,   Duke,      Fr.  Undeclared
Mason Eaglin,    Duke,      R-Fr. English
Jonah Niesenbaum,  Duke,      Fr.  Undeclared
Clay Lautt,     North Carolina, R-So. Economics & Environmental Studies
Joseph Melendez,  North Carolina, R-Fr. Business Administration
Daniel Bullard,   NC State,    R-Jr. Business Administration
Hayden Hidlay,   NC State,    R-Jr. Business Administration
Trent Hidlay,    NC State,    R-Fr. Business Administration
Tryie Houghton,   NC State,    So.  Mechanical Engineering
A.J. Leitten,    NC State,    R-So. Sport Management
Jarrett Trombley,  NC State,    R-Fr. Biological Sciences
Micky Phillippi,  Pitt,      R-So. Communication: Rhet & Comm
Jake Wentzel,    Pitt,      R-Jr. Accounting
Jay Aiello,     Virginia,    R-Jr. Economics
Michael Battista,  Virginia,    Jr.  Biology
Louie Hayes,    Virginia,    R-Jr. Media Studies
Justin McCoy,    Virginia,    R-Fr. Undeclared
Stan Smeltzer,   Virginia Tech,  R-So. Aerospace Engineering
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ACC Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Hayden Hidlay, NC State, R-Jr.
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#GoDuke
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