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Grapplers Overpower Duke, 35-3

By Tom Bell
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

John Pitas and John Pegues led a
Cavalier romp Saturday night in the
last tune-up before the ACC
wrestling tournament as the team

lost only one match on its way to a
35-3 win over Duke's supposedly
strong Blue Devils.

Pitas and Pegues assured
themselves of top seedings in the
tournament this weekend, as they
won decisive victories over
opponents who were previously
undefeated in conference
competition.

The only disappointment for the
matmen was in the opening
118-pound match where Jack
Johndrow lost his first dual-meet
match of the season, dropping a 4-1
decision to Duke's Dan Staverowski
who has not lost in the conference.

The Blue Devils forfeited the
last two matches to give Kevin
Michaels and Bill Farrell wins.
Farrell's match with Duke's Ed
Newman, defending ACC
heavyweight champ, was to have
been one of the highlights of the
meet, but Newman did not make
the trip.

After Johndrow's loss, Pitas got
things rolling for the Cavaliers with
a second period pin of Dale
Williams in the 126-pound match.
Lou Pavia followed with an easy
10-3 win over Bruce Maser.

Pegues win was over Duke
captain Dan Morano in the
142-pound match. The two met last
year in the ACC finals with Pegues
winning by one point. Pegues again
won, 10-6, with a strong
performance in the second period.

Denis Bittenbender took a close
10-8 decision over Dave Desmarals
with the final two points coming on
riding time

Jay Douglas won at 167, the
first win for the Cavaliers in that
troublesome class in a long time.
Douglas, leading 6-0 in the last
period, pinned Wink Fisher with 41
seconds remaining.

Co-captain Ted Moore returned
to winning with a 5-1 win over Seth
Whitaker with all the points coming
in the final period.

The big win sets the stage for
the Cavaliers' upcoming try for
their first ACC crown in the
tournament to be held Friday and
Saturday in Memorial Gym.
Maryland has held the title ever
since the first ACC tournament, but
the Cavaliers almost took it away
last year, losing by only three
points on some close decisions in
the final round.

The team has been pointing for
the tournament for over three
months, and should have a good
shot at the title after three straight
ACC dual meet wins.