A key member of the Penn State wrestling team will not be competing at this weekend’s U.S. World Team Trials.
Per Justin Basch of the Baschamania Podcast, PJ Duke won’t be wrestling in Louisville due to an injury.
The good news is that Basch described the injury as “minor,” which would me his ability to compete for Penn State this winter wouldn’t be in jeopardy.
The bad news is that Duke won’t be able to qualify for Final X next month, which would give him a chance to retain his spot on the Senior World Team.
Penn State Wrestling confirmed Basch’s report later Wednesday evening in a social media message to Blue-White Illustrated.
“3 Penn Staters compete at US Team Trials tomorrow and Friday in Newark, NJ!” Penn State wrote to BWI. Joe Sealey, Cole Mirasola and Zain Retherford compete…winners earn a spot at Final X in June!”
This also means that reigning Hodge Trophy winner Mitchell Mesenbrink won’t be competing at the trials, nor will Shayne Van Ness, William Henckel, Josh Barr and Tyler Kasak.
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Sealey, who was one of the best prep wrestlers in the country but has been blocked at 157 by Duke and Tyler Kasak, will be wrestling at 74 kilograms. Mirasola, PSU’s starting heavyweight, is at 125 KG.
If Duke were competing, he’d be one of the favorites, but that no longer appears to be the case.
“PJ Duke is looking to get back on the world team this year, but this time up at 74 kg after making Team USA at 70 kg last year,” Jon Kozak wrote for FloWrestling.
“Duke will be one of the most interesting wrestlers in the entire tournament to watch, considering he’s moving up in weight and considering we haven’t seen him wrestle since the NCAA Tournament.”
