2023 NCAA DI The Season: Duke

 

It seems that the deck has been stacked against Blue Devil wrestling as of late.  I was really hoping to see the last of the Finesilver brothers shine through for the dark blue & white this season, but Matt has decided to spend his final season of eligibility at Michigan.  With that said, I'm not sure of the current status of Kaden Russell either.  Duke needs a shot in the arm.  As Bruce Springsteen says in Dancing in the Dark  you can't start a fire without a spark & Duke is looking for that spark. They have one wrestler on their team I know is capable of NCAA qualification this season & another who gives hope that he may be as well.  All things considered Duke has an assortment of challenges to overcome, that many other teams do not. They're always against the wind, but they've proven in the past despite these challenges that they can succeed. To reiterate, they simply need that spark to start the fire. 

157 lbs
Wade Unger 

A spark might very well come from 157 lbs'er Wade Unger.  With victories over Parker Kropman of Drexel & Elijah Cleary of Pittsburgh last season, he has shown promise of what he's capable of. The Blue Devils really need someone to step up & be the face of the program, now that the Finesilver brothers are all gone. Unger is in position to be that face. 

165 lbs
Brandon LaRue 

Another Blue Devil who has potential to step it up and be a leader is Brandon LaRue.  Among his varsity victories this season, he defeated Anthony Gibson of Northern Illinois 14-5 major decision.  

197 lbs
Kaden Russell 

Much like LaRue, Russell has shown potential to be the Blue Devil that steps it up this season.