March 4, 2000

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke posted two third-place finishes at the ACC Wrestling Championships, held at Maryland's Cole Field House on Saturday. Sophomores Matt Hoover (Swedesboro, N.J.) and Daegan Smith (Washington, D.C.) posted Duke's best finishes by placing third in the 174 and 197-lb. classes.

Hoover dropped his first-round match to eventual champion Corey Bell of North Carolina, then won his two consolation matches over Virginia's Steve Mazzola (5-1) and Maryland's Mike Tomaino (2-1) to finish third.

Smith also won his consolation bracket. After falling to N.C. State's Jason Gore by a narrow 6-5 margin, Smith defeated Virginia's Jimi Massey, 12-4 for third place.

Duke's Results at the ACC Championships

125: Tommy Hoang finished fourth
133: Sean Meakim finished fourth
141: Harry Clarke finished fifth
149: Andy Soliman finished fifth
157: Geoff Anderson finished fifth
165: Mike Mitchell finished fourth
174: Matt Hoover finished third
184: Tom Cass finished fourth
197: Daegan Smith finished third
HWT: Alex Hunt finished fourth