DURHAM - The 2023-24 Duke wrestling team will be embracing a new member of the squad this season, a seventh grader named James Walter. James was matched with the Blue Devil wrestling program via Team IMPACT.
Prior to the Virginia match in Cameron Indoor Stadium, James was recognized on the mat with Duke head coach
Glen Lanham and the rest of the Blue Devil wrestling team and staff.
James is a student at Holly Ridge Middle School in Holly Springs, N.C., who played AAU basketball and football for the Holly Ridge Hornets. In Nov. 2021, James was set to begin tryouts for his middle school basketball team the day after he was transferred to the Duke Pediatric ICU with CCOVID-19 and Parvovirus. During this time there were many complications and James was diagnosed with an early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia lymphoma and began an intense chemotherapy regimen in Dec. 2021.
Now in 2023, James is in the long-term maintenance phase of treatment and should be finished with chemotherapy by June of this year. After a two-and-a-half-year break, James is excited to get back into sports. James has been an avid Duke fan and loves attending basketball and football games on campus. Duke University has been James' dream school for years.
James and his family are very thankful for this amazing opportunity that enables him to spend time getting to know the team and coaches and to learn about wrestling. James' involvement with the team and their warm and welcoming acceptance has encouraged and inspired him. Being actively involved with a team has been what James has missed most.
Team IMPACT matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils wrestling, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWRES".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
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