Duke
Mustangs Down Duke Thanks to Dominant Performances
1/10/2026 11:00:00 PM | Wrestling
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The Cal Poly wrestling team coasted to a commanding 28-16 dual victory over Duke on Saturday inside Mott Athletics Center thanks to three technical falls.
Those three dominant technical fall victories came courtesy of Koda Holeman (125 pounds), Anthony Berg (157) and Ceasar Garza (184) as the Mustangs improved to 3-2 in duals this season with the triumph over the Blue Devils (6-8).
While wrestling without three of its five nationally ranked wrestlers — Zeth Romney (141), Andre Gonzales (149) and Trevor Tinker (285) — Cal Poly found a way to win comfortably, securing four victories by bonus points and one by forfeit.
On Student Appreciation Night, Holeman set the tone for the dual with a dominant showing in the opening match, grabbing five takedowns en route to a 19-3 technical fall at 3:38. The 18th-ranked 125-pounder remained unbeaten in duals this season (5-0) and improved to 15-3 overall.
In his first career dual, true freshman Leo Macias built off Holeman’s impressive performance with one of his own at 133 pounds. Macias secured a pair of takedowns and a 4-point near fall to roll to a 13-4 major decision, giving Cal Poly an early 9-0 lead.
The Blue Devils responded with wins by decision at 141 and 149 pounds to make it 9-7 in favor of the Mustangs. With the dual tightening up, redshirt freshman Anthony Berg stepped on the mat and delivered a clutch performance to silence any momentum Duke had built.
At 157 pounds, Berg snagged four takedowns, a 4-point near fall and used a riding time point to roll to a 18-3 technical fall triumph. He improved to 14-6 on the season.
Luke Gayer accepted a forfeit at 165 pounds to give the Mustangs a 20-7 advantage before Cash Stewart came up short in a tightly-contested 2-0 decision to No. 20 Aidan Wallace at 174 pounds, making it 20-10.
Looking to put on a show and lock up the dual victory for Cal Poly, Garza wasted no time dismantling his opponent at 184 pounds. Garza, who is ranked 22nd in the country, earned an impressive six takedowns in his match with David Hussey to pick up a 21-5 technical fall victory at 4:24. He improved to 5-0 in duals this season and 13-2 overall.
Wesley Wilson earned the lone win by decision for the Mustangs on the night, using a takedown and a 2-point near fall in the third period to secure a 13-9 decision over Owen McGrory at 197 pounds.
The Mustangs forfeited at heavyweight to finish off the dual.
Cal Poly travels to Pac-12 foe Oregon State (2-1) on Sunday, Jan. 18, to face the Beavers for a 2 p.m. dual inside Gill Coliseum.
Cal Poly (28) vs. Duke (16)
125: No. 18 Koda Holeman (CP) tech fall Spencer Von Savoye (Duke), 19-3 (3:38)
133: Leo Macias (CP) maj. Riley Rowan (Duke), 13-4
141: Raymond Adams (Duke) dec. Alek VanBebber (CP), 8-3
149: Dylan Ross (Duke) maj. Gavin Fernandez (CP), 14-5
157: Anthony Berg (CP) tech fall Logan Fite (Duke), 18-3 (7:00)
165: Luke Gayer (CP) accepted a forfeit
174: No. 20 Aidan Wallace (Duke) dec. Cash Stewart (CP), 2-0
184: No. 22 Ceasar Garza (CP) tech fall David Hussey (Duke), 21-5 (4:24)
197: Wesley Wilson (CP) dec. Owen McGrory (Duke), 13-9
285: Connor Barket (Duke) accepted a forfeit
