Seven Grapplers Place at Oklahoma Open
12/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 2, 2002
The Air Force wrestling team had seven place-winners at seven different weight classes at the Cowboy Open. Although no Falcon player notched first place, the team had three second-place winners and four third-place winners at the tournament, hosted by Oklahoma University.
"It was the first time this year the entire team has all stepped up and performed at a higher level," assistant coach. "We placed in the top three in seven of the 10 weight classes, so it was a very good effort at a tough tournament."
Blaine Brown (165 pounds), Josh Peterson (149) and Kevin Hoy (Hwt) each took second place. Hoy lost in the championship match to the No. 4-ranked wrestler in the country.
Chris Bennett had an outstanding tournament, finishing third at 141 pounds. He twice defeated Minnesota's starter and then nearly defeated Oklahoma's starter, who is ranked second in the nation, falling in overtime.
At 125 pounds, Heath McKim grabbed third-place, losing by a narrow one-point margin in his semifinal match. Samuel Sherertz (174 pounds) and Ryan Kaiser (197 pounds) also finished in third place.
The Falcons will next compete in the prestigious Las Vegas Invitational collegiate tournament on Dec. 7-8.
