PJ Duke commits to Penn State

From the beginning of time, the old adage stated that the "Lion was the KING of the jungle."....

Well, moments ago, that notion took on a bit of a spin, as now, it is another variation of royalty, the DUKE, that is set to lay claim to the ferocious beast moniker!!!

After rumors began circulating all over social media on Sunday evening about a decision having been made, Minisink Valley junior, PJ Duke, made it official when he announced on the BaschaMania podcast that he has chosen to give a verbal commitment to the 2x Defending (10 of the past) NCAA DI National Team Champion, Penn State University!!

Regarded with good reason as both NYWN's #1 overall in-state prospect, as well as the national chart-topper on the 2025 Big Board, despite battling injuries on and off, Duke has been nearly unbeatable during his scholastic career, winning two NYSPHSAA Large School State titles, a pair of Super 32 belts, two Journeymen Fall Classic hammers, the 2022 Fargo 16U FS stop sign, and the 2022 Walsh Ironman crown!....And he still has two more years to further stockpile the hardware!!

DUKE OF THE EMPIRE (IN-STATE CREDENTIALS)

Boasting an incredible 80-1 regular season record (only blemish an injury default), Duke's chronicles of dominance commenced in 2020 , when behind a 45-0 resume (for Carmel), he became the first 7th grader to win the DI state brass ring by way of a two pin, two tech effort on South Pearl Street that saw him cut through a deep 99-pound field with triumphs over Joseph Clem (Wantagh; 2x NYS placer/2023 State runner-up; 2022 NHSCA National runner-up), Alex Greco (Warwick Valley; 2020 DI State 8th), Jordan Brown (Monroe-Woodbury; 3x NYS medalist/2023 State runner-up), and Joey Manfredi(Herricks; 3x NYS finalist/2x State gold medalist) by outcomes of fall 1:04, 21-5 TF, fall 1:47, and 23-8 TF in that order!!....

The victory in Albany came on the heels of an equally impressive and commanding display one month earlier, as Duke registered pins in times of 2:20 (up 15-4) and 3:16 (leading 7-1) in the quarterfinals and finale bout of the Eastern States Classic against Dillon Arrick (Arlington; 3x NYS placer/2023 DI Bronze medalist) & Vince Bouzakis(Wyoming Seminary; Currently ranked 4th in the nation @160; 2023 PIAA State Champion; 3x Fargo FS AA/2x finalist/2023 Junior National titlist)...In between the two sticks was a 4-1 semifinal decision over 2023 PIAA 6th, Jake Dailey (also of Wyoming Seminary)!

Bypassing the entire Covid-19 shortened 2020-2021 campaign, Warrior Nation (transferred to Minisink Valley in September 2020) had to wait over a year to see the phenom make his debut; but the wait proved to be worth it, as Duke returned to the mats for the 2021-2022 season, going 23-1 overall (unblemished against fellow NYS opponents) en route to emerging with the "precious" for the second occasion in as many attempts under the roof of the Times Union Center/MVP Arena!!

Maturing into a full-sized 138-pounder during his absence, despite the added weight, Duke would not skip a beat; in fact, if anything, he looked even stronger and more authoritative in amassing a 72-16 margin (all escapes surrendered) in banking bonus points in all four of his outings---18-3 TF over over Matthew Castillo (Port Washington; 2022 State 6th); 23-8 TF versus Colin Coughenour (Niagara Wheatfield; 5x S6 finalist/4x Champion); 18-3 semifinal TF against Killian Foy (MacArthur; 3x NYS placer/2019 State runner-up); and a disqualification (holding a 12-2 edge) in the Saturday night main event over George Oroudjov (Ithaca; 2x NYS DI silver medalist)!!

Having no legitimate challenger within the confines of New York, there is little doubt that had he not been sidelined in both 2021 and 2023, Duke was well on his way towards carving our his own unprecedented legacy by becoming the lone 6x NYSPHSAA champ!!...

DUKE OF THE COUNTRY (MARQUEE NATIONAL EVENT WINS)

As good as Duke has been locally, it has been his resume on the "big stage" circuit that has distinguished/put him in a class all his own among Empire State studs!

The accolades cited above serving as a benchmark, to truly capture/appreciate his body of work, it is essential that we examine the gauntlet of nemeses in which he navigated in order to reach these lofty heights!

JOURNEYMEN FALL CLASSIC
A precursor/foreshadowing to the damage he would later inflict at S32 (see below), Duke accumulated a 10-0 record between 2021 (130) and 2022 (140) to take home the hammer in back-to-back seasons!!

Beating the buzzer with an escape with :01 on the clock in overtime to come away with a 2-1 decision the 2021 finals over Tyler Vazquez (Ranked 13th @138 at the time of his graduation; 4x NJ State Medalist/2x Champion), Duke went rather untested for much of the day, as he secured the berth in the 'ship by previously posting a 23-4 TF, a 9-1 major, and identical 4-0 shutouts versus Hunter Sloan (2x Prep National AA; 2021 NHSCA 7th); Tristan Corbin (3x Virginia State medalist/2x Champion in '21 and '23); Brady Conlin (3x NJ State medalist/'23 runner-up); and Spencer Barnhart (ended his career ranked 18th @138; 3x Prep National finalist/2021 titlist; 2021 NHSCA Bronze winner)!

His path to the repeat bid in 2022 was more rigorous on paper, but was made to look like child's play by the standout himself, as in true Duke fashion (it has been habitual during 2022 and 2023), he did not surrender a single offensive point, out-gunning his five foes by a margin of 65-25!!!

Opening up with a 20-8 major decision against 3x PIAA medalist/2x Finalist/2022 Champ, Scott Johnson, Duke tacked on a 25-9 tech over 2x Virginia placer/2023 runner-up, Beau Lewis, to close out pool-play!

In the championship bracket phase of the event, Duke totaled nine takedowns in three matches to file decision wins by scores of 5-1, 7-3, and 8-4 in the quarters thru finals over Gabriel Bouyssou (Current #11 ranked @145; 3x Defending Rhode Island State Champion; 3x NHSCA AA/2023 Champion; 5x Fargo All-American/2022 16U GR Stop sign winner); Pierson Manville (Present-Day #1 @145; 4x State finalist with crowns in Minnesota in '19 and Pennsylvania in '22; 6x Fargo All-American/2021 16U GR silver; 2021 Double Pan-American U17 Gold Medalist); & Julian George (3x NJ State medalist/runner-up in '22; 2022 Super 32 8th)!
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SUPER 32
Compiling a 21-1 record in three trips to Greensboro from 2020-2022, all the first-born son of Pete & Annie has ever known is finals appearances, as he settled for the 2nd (@113) in 2020 (did have a nice 2-1 decision in the semis over 2023 NCAA DI Qualifier, Jore Volk), but has been unblemished (15 straight dubs) since....

More than half (8) of these 15 victories coming over a currently ranked and/or opponent who was ranked in the final edition of the polls in his respective senior year, his reign of invincibility kicked off in 2021 when he became the first NY rep since Stevo Poulin (2018 @106) to win the belt!

"Slaying dragons" from the round of 16 thru the finale in the 126-pound bracket, Duke emerged with 11-3, 12-5, 3-1, and 11-3 conquests of Landon Robideau (Current #5 @138; 4x Minnesota State finalist/2x Defending State Champion; 3x Fargo AA/2x runner-up); Daniel Zepeda (Current #1 @138; 2023 California State Champion; 4x Fargo All-American/'23 Junior FS silver); Sergio Lemley (#2 @132 when he graduated in '23; 3x Illinois State Champion/1x Indiana titlist; 2x Super 32 placer/2022 champ; 2021 Fargo Jr FS runner-up); & Cory Land (#2 @132 when he graduated in 2022; 5x Alabama State Champion; 3x Super 32 medalist/finalist in '19 & '21; 2022 Fargo Double Junior Finalist/FS Champ; 2021 UWW U17 GR World Silver Medalist)!

One year later (October 2022), the machine kept running without a hiccup at 138, as Duke amassed a 96-34 edge in points scored vs. surrendered (no offensive points allowed), highlighted by 17-7, 11-4, 8-3, and 21-8 outcomes over Tyson Charmoli(Current #12 @138; 2x Minnesota State finalist/2023 Champion; 2x Fargo FS AA/2022 16U FS runner-up); Eligh Rivera (Graduated in '23 sitting in the #9 spot @138; 2x Prep National Champion; 2021 Super 32 7th, 2x NHSCA finalist/2021 Champion); Kollin Rath(Current #2 @145; 2x PIAA Medalist/2023 State Champion; 3x Super 32 placer; 2022 Fargo 16U FS runner-up); & [Vince] Bouzakis!

Duke is only the third NYer to win two or more S32 crowns, joining the company of Yianni Diakomihalis (3x) & Adam Busiello (3x)!
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2022 USAW/USMC FARGO 16U FS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Making his Dome debut in the summer of 2022, the word "buzzsaw" came to mind when watching the manner in which Duke was able to tear through anyone who dared step on the mat with him!!

Never even seeing the 2nd period in his trek to the elevated platform (longest match lasting 1:47), Duke blew away the field to the tune of a 51-0 cushion, including an 11-0 tech of Antonio Avila (3x Wyoming State Champion; 2023 NHSCA 4th) in the round of 32, complemented by matching 10-0 goose-eggs in the quarters and semis over Bouyssou & Grayson Woodcock (2023 Ohio State 7th; 2x Fargo 16U FS All-American/2023 Runner-up)!

Meeting up in the finale in what seemed to have developed into a semi-regular head-to-head collision for glory/bragging rights with Bouzakis, Duke finally gave up a point, but was able to ride the strength of a pair of 1st period takedowns to carry him to a 4-1 decision!
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2022 WALSH IRONMAN
Returning to the scene of his only official loss (an injury default to future PSU teammate, Tyler Kasak, in the 2021 138-pound finals), Duke was not quite 100%, but battled like a gentleman with a chip on his shoulder and a statement to be made!

Improving his record at the prestigious Ohio based tourney to 9-1 in two appearances, he'd sweep his five bouts in the 150-pound bracket (61-33 margin), including a hat trick of victories in the quarterfinal through title contests over current/former top-20 ranked competition!

The culmination on a weekend of brilliance coming in the form of a four-takedown effort (allowing nothing but escapes), Duke became just the second wrestler (Jordan Titus; 2019 @120) from a NY school to win the Ironman when he claimed an 8-6 decision against life-long friend/training partner, William Henckle (Current #2 ranked @160; 2x Prep National All-American/2022 runner-up; 3x Fargo All-American/2x National finalist/2021 16U FS Champion)...

Demonstrating that there is a time for a friendship, but also a call to handle one's business, the "w" over the Blair Academy rep [Henckle] marked the second occurrence in his last three bouts that Duke had to tangle with a close colleague...In the quarters, he prevailed 11-9 over fellow KD Training Center pupil, Chris Crawford (Current #12 @160; 2023 Prep National 4th/2020 NYS DI 5th; 2022 NHSCA 4th; 2022 Fargo 16U FS 4th)...Crawford's two TDs were the lone offensive points permitted!

The biggest scare to his supremacy witnessed in the semifinals, it was his ungodly defensive base showing up in a major way, as he'd fend off a very deep shot and then eventually come out on top of a scramble for a TD in the last :40 of the 3rd period to break a 2-2 deadlock and hang on for a 4-3 decision in his clash with Weston Dalton(ended his career ranked 19th @152; 4x Colorado State medalist/3x Champion; 2x NHSCA All-American/2021 National runner-up; 2022 Super 32 runner-up; 2021 Fargo 16U GR Bronze medalist)!

Earlier in the proceedings, Duke flipped the switch to cruise control, building a 12-4 advantage before pinning Cade White (4x Idaho State finalist/3x Champion; 2021 Fargo 16U GR 6th) in a time of 3:06 in his initial outing!

In the round of 16, he put on a clinic, racking up a baker's dozen of takedowns to overwhelm Nathan Rickards (2x Prep National All-American), 26-11!

Let it be known in that falling just short of top of the podium in '21, Duke still picked up a quartet of signature dubs, highlighted by a 14-3 major decision in the quarterfinals over current #4 @138/2x Defending Oklahoma State gold medalist, Jace Roller!

Additional successes manifested via 5-0, 7-3, and 7-5 (sv) decisions against Landyn Sommer (2x Oklahoma placer/2023 Champion); Colton Stoneking (2x PIAA State 5th; 2021 NHSCA 7th); and Brennan Van Hoecke (4x Florida State Finalist/2x titlist; 2x NHSCA All-American/2022 National Champion; 2x Fargo All-American/2022 Junior GR National Champion) in the rounds of 32, 16, and semifinals!
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MISCELLANEOUS

*(April 2022)----Duke capped off a 5-0 performance at the Journeymen/Defense Soap World Classic when he utilized a pair of 1st period takedowns + an induced stepout in the 2nd to upend Koy Buesgens (Ended career ranked 4th @145; 3x Minnesota State Champion; 2x S32 medalist/2021 runner-up; /2x Fargo All-American), 5-3, in the 138-pound money match!!!....Prior to the victory in the finals, the Empire Stater ran off four consecutive 10-0 TFs versus the already recognized [Tristan] Corbin, as well as Kole Brower (2x Illinois State gold medalist/2x Fargo Junior FS All-American medalist), Wyatt Duchateau (2x Wisconsin State Champion), and Marcel Wagin (German National Age-Group Champion)!

*(September 2022)---Converting four takedowns and adding a reversal along the way, Duke delivered a title at the 2022 Mobbin Media Classic by securing an 11-5 decision (all points allowed via escape) against Anthony Evanitsky (Current #13 @152; 2x PIAA Medalist/2023 Champion; 2x NHSCA National Champion)!

*(November 2022)---Competing in a HS All-Star Challenge Bout at the Journeymen WC WrangleMania, Duke logged one of the biggest triumphs of his career when he struck for a 2nd period TD and then added a 3rd period reversal en route to a 4-3 decision over LaDarion Lockett (Current #2 @152; 2x Oklahoma State Champion; 2022 Fargo 16U FS National Champion; 2022 Super 32 belt winner; 2023 UWW U17 FS World Champion!!!

STEEL SHARPENS STEEL

One of two top-10 national prospects from the present junior class cohort (the other being #10/2x Prep National Champion/2022 NHSCA National Champion/2022 Super titlist, Jude Correa) in State College this past weekend for an official visit, Duke's selection of the Nittany Lions comes at the expense of a short list also comprised of Lehigh, Michigan, Cornell, Ohio State, and Iowa!

Projected as a 157/165 pounder on the collegiate level (but possessing the genetics/frame to develop into an even larger weight class), it is hard to argue against the environment in which the NYer will seek to bring his dreams to fruition....

Considering the wealth of training partners that will be at his disposal starting in the fall of 2025, at 149-174, on the current roster, PSU features the likes of Shayne Van Ness(2023 NCAA DI 3rd place @149), Levi Haines (2023 NCAA DI National Runner-up @157), Alex Facundo (2023 NCAA DI Qualifier @165; former 2x UWW Cadet World FS Bronze medalist), Mitchell Mesenbrink (2x UWW U20 FS World Finalist/2023 gold medalist), Josh Barr (#7 2023 recruit; 4x Michigan State titlist), and Kasak (#10 2023 recruit; 2022 UWW U17 FS World Silver medalist) among others....

Not even factored in yet is the arrival of Joseph Sealey (#6 2024 recruit; 2022 UWW U17 FS World Champion)!

And let's not forget that individuals such as Zain Retherford (former 3x NCAA DI Champion/recent UWW Senior FS World Champion), Kyle Dake (former 4x NCAA National Champion/4x Senior World Titlist/2020 Olympic Bronze winner), Jason Nolf(former 3x NCAA National Champion; multiple-time World Team alternate), and perhaps even Carter Starocci (3x Defending NCAA Champion/2022 UWW U23 World Bronze) could/should all be hanging around campus as NLWC residential athletes when 2025 rolls around!

Head Coach, Cael Sanderson, and his staff have now landed the #1 New York prospect in back-to-back classes, as Duke will be reunited with MV teammate, Zack Ryder (4x NYS Champion/2x UWW U17 World FS Bronze medalist), the #5 wrestler in the 2024 group who revealed in May his intentions to forego his senior year in Green & White as a means of training full-time at M2 and/or NLWC!