Why Duke Wrestling?

Why Duke Wrestling?
          Why should you consider Duke University and our wrestling program? Well, what Duke provides to our wrestlers is a unique combination that no other program in the country can boast. From top-level academics to great coaching and an exciting experience as a student, Duke Wrestling should be high on any top high school wrestler's list.
          Coach Clar Anderson (Oklahoma State ‘85) brings a strong pedigree to the wrestling room as an athlete: he was a 3x All-American and an NCAA Champion in college, as well as a top international competitor for years after his graduation. His technical knowledge is outstanding, and he knows how to train wrestlers to be at their best.
          He is not alone in excellence, however, on the coaching staff. Coach Corey Bell (UNC ‘01) brings a similarly sterling background to the table. A rare 4X ACC champion who worked his way up as an unheralded walk-on at UNC. Under his guidance, the upper weights on Duke's teams have placed 6 top-3 ACC finishes in the last 3 years. Cam Lawler (Duke ‘02) focuses on the lower weights, which saw its greatest success with 2 ACC champs two years ago. Lawler has developed into a top training coach, wrestling with his guys while showcasing his inventive and vast technical expertise. Mark Becks (Penn State ‘03), ranked number 6 nationally in his senior year at Penn State, integrates a Northeastern style of wrestling to the team – great on his feet in his heyday, Becks helps Duke wrestlers learn to create opportunities while on their feet off of opponent's mistakes. Recent addition Mark Thompson (Duke ‘05), a 2X Academic All-American for the Blue Devils, understands the perseverance and hard work ethic that comes with wrestling and also brings a student-athlete perspective to the coaching staff as a former Duke student.
          While the coaching staff keeps things in order in the wrestling room, they also set the bar high for our wrestlers in the classroom. As Duke is consistently ranked among the top-5 schools in the country, our wrestlers receive top-level education to prepare them for life and a career beyond college. Duke's recognition as the perfect mix of athletics and academics places them at the top of the national power rankings for three straight years, above schools such as Stanford. Forbes magazine recently acknowledged Duke's academic atmosphere in its ranking of the RDU area as the #1 educational hub in America. Pre-med and pre-law programs are common among our athletes, and we always have a few wrestlers in the Pratt Engineering School. Given our strong alumni network, recent grads go on to medical school, top research positions, and Wall Street jobs, among other successful careers
          In addition to everything the University has to offer, the Duke Wrestling program affords many other exciting opportunities. Twice in his tenure, Coach Anderson has led the team on an international training tour. On their own, many of the members on the team have had the chance to train either in the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs or internationally in countries such as Poland or Russia. Duke has had a fair share of freestyle success over the past few years as well, with Blue Devils placing in the Sunkist Open and University Nationals and competing with success at the NYAC Christmas Invitational and the Las Vegas Open.
          Duke Wrestling provides the full spectrum of opportunity for a student-athlete, and this combination is one of the best in the country. If you are looking for variety, excitement, and excellence in your college wrestling experience, Duke should be your choice.

Duke Wrestling Office
Box 90555
Durham, NC 27708