Duke Wrestling Heads to Oklahoma for Tripleheader Test
The Duke wrestling team is packing its bags and heading west for a full day of action in Norman, Oklahoma. The Blue Devils, sitting at 5-4 on the season, are set for a Sunday tripleheader against SIUE, Tarleton State, and host Oklahoma-all inside McCasland Field House.
It’s a busy slate: Duke opens the day against SIUE at 11 a.m. ET, follows that with a 1 p.m. bout against Tarleton State, and wraps up the afternoon with a 3 p.m. showdown against Oklahoma. Fans can catch the action live on FloWrestling, with the Oklahoma match also streaming on ESPN+.
A Look at the Matchups
Duke vs. SIUE
This will be just the second meeting between the Blue Devils and the Cougars. The last time these two programs clashed was back in 2013, when Duke rolled to a 38-9 win in Davidson, N.C.
A lot has changed since then, but Duke will look to maintain its perfect record in the series.
Duke vs. Tarleton State
This one’s a first. Duke and Tarleton State have never met on the mat before, so this matchup brings a bit of the unknown.
Expect both sides to come out with energy as they look to make a statement in the inaugural meeting.
Duke vs. Oklahoma
Another first-time matchup, and it comes against a Sooners squad that will be wrestling on home turf. Oklahoma enters with a 4-1 record and will be looking to defend its house.
For Duke, it’s a chance to test itself against a strong program in a high-profile setting.
Recapping the Last Outing
Duke’s most recent dual came against Appalachian State on Wednesday night inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, and it was a tough one. The Mountaineers took control early and never let go, handing the Blue Devils a 31-8 loss.
The match started at 184 pounds, and App State wasted no time building momentum with back-to-back wins at 184 and 197. In the heavyweight bout, Duke’s Connor Barket-undefeated up to that point-saw his streak snapped in a close 6-4 decision against Stephan Monchery. Barket scored a takedown early but couldn’t hold the lead.
App State kept the pressure on, rattling off four more wins to open up a commanding 28-point advantage. Duke finally got on the board at 157 pounds, where freshman Mikey Boulanger came through in the clutch. Tied 1-1 in the final seconds, Boulanger secured a takedown with just two ticks left on the clock to earn a 4-1 decision.
The highlight of the night, though, came at 174 pounds. Redshirt sophomore Aidan Wallace dominated from start to finish, racking up a 19-1 tech fall over App State’s Colt Campbell. Wallace jumped out early with a takedown and a pair of four-point nearfalls, then added two more takedowns and over two minutes of riding time to seal the win.
There was also a personal twist to the night. First-year assistant coach Codi Russell returned to face his alma mater.
A 2021 graduate of Appalachian State, Russell was a four-time NCAA qualifier and a three-time SoCon champ at 125 pounds. No doubt it was a meaningful night for him, even if the result didn’t go Duke’s way.
Season Snapshot
With a 5-4 record, Duke has already matched its highest win total since the 2021-22 season, when the Blue Devils went 7-10. In fact, over the past decade, Duke has reached five or more wins just three times-this season, 2021-22, and 2017-18.
A big reason for this season’s early success? Production in the middle and upper weights. Of the team’s 177 total points so far, nearly half-87-have come from the 165, 174, and heavyweight divisions.
Stars on the Rise
Two Blue Devils are making noise on the national stage. Redshirt junior Connor Barket is ranked in multiple polls-#25 by FloWrestling, #22 by Intermat, and #25 by WrestleStat. Wrestling at heavyweight, Barket has been a consistent force all season long.
At 174 pounds, Aidan Wallace is turning heads too. He’s ranked #22 by Intermat, #23 by FloWrestling, and #31 by WrestleStat.
Wallace is off to an 11-1 start, while Barket is right behind him at 9-1. Together, they’ve combined for a stellar 20-2 record to open the 2025-26 campaign.
Freshman Mikey Boulanger is also making a name for himself. With an 8-4 record and four straight dual wins, he’s settling in quickly at the college level. Graduate student Aurelius Dunbar has been solid as well, posting a 5-2 mark with wins against Sacred Heart, Morgan State, Mercyhurst, and VMI.
What’s Next
After Sunday’s tripleheader in Oklahoma, the Blue Devils will get a brief break before heading to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the Southern Scuffle on Jan. 3-4. Hosted by UT Chattanooga, the Scuffle is one of the premier midseason tournaments in college wrestling and will offer another big test for this developing Duke squad.
But first, it’s all eyes on Norman. Three matches, one day, and a big opportunity for the Blue Devils to keep building momentum.