March 20, 2004

The 2004 Duke wrestling season came to a close on Friday evening at the 2004 NCAA Championships, as juniors Adam Benitez and Frank Cornely were eliminated from the tournament. The Blue Devils entered the championships with four qualifiers, the most in a single season in Duke wrestling history.

Cornely posted his second win of the tournament on Friday, topping Nick Catone (Rider), 6-5, before falling to Kurt Backes (Iowa State), 5-4, in the third round of the consolation bracket. Backes went on to finish seventh at 184-lbs. to claim All-America status.

At 133-lbs., Benitez fell to Scott Jorgensen (Boise State), 12-5, in the second round of the consolation bracket. Benitez concluded the year with a 27-12 record.