Duke Burk established himself as a leader of the Huskies wrestling team in 2008. He was one match short of earning All-American status, qualified for nationals for the second straight season and finished 28-7 for NIU.

Things have changed for Burk since then, as he will now be grappling nearly 300 miles west of DeKalb in Ames, Iowa, home of the Iowa State Cyclones.

Burk was released from his scholarship with NIU upon his transfer to Iowa State. In order to hit the mat for the Cyclones in 2009, Burk would have to accept his release.

Cyclones head coach Cael Sanderson was not available for comment or confirmation that Burk accepted the release.

His arrival at Iowa State places Burk with one of the nation’s most recognized and successful wrestling programs.