Air Force Academy
National Championships
Boxers Win Fourth Consecutive National Title
4/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
April 7, 2002
Annapolis, MD - Air Force's boxing dynasty continues!
The Falcons won three gold medals Saturday at the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) Championships to win their fourth consecutive national title.
The Falcons scored 44 points to best host Navy with 34 points. UNLV finished third in the team standings with 31 points. Other schools competing in the tournament included Nevada, Lock Haven, Michigan, San Jose State, VMI, The Citadel, Kentucky, California and Miami of Ohio. Saturday's team victory marks the 16th national title in the past 22 years.
Ulysses Linares, Joe Harding and Dustin Brown won their bouts to earn gold medals. For Linares it was his second consecutive national title and for Brown it was third national title.
Harding's victory came over Army's Boyd Melson who was the defending national champion in the 165-pound weight division.
"Ulysses got us started with the first win of the night," said head coach Eddie Weichers, Jr. "He was his typical nasty self and just beat Penn State's Nathan Labuda to the punch."
"Dustin Brown dominated his opponent to win an easy decision."
"Harding just had a superlative showing throughout this tournament," Weichers said. "He was at his best the entire time and was leading us in every way shape and form."
The Falcons qualified six boxers in Saturday's finals. Darren Smith lost his 119-pound bout to UNLV's Lyndon Manlapao. In the 156-pound division, Penn State's Alex Komled defeated Tommie Cisar and in the heavyweight bracket, Justin Pendry lost a decision to UNLV's Louis O'Hiaeri.
"I thought Darren Smith could have won his bout and also Tommie fought well enough to win his bout. Both those bouts were close decisions."
"O'Hiaeri just out-jabbed Pendry to win the decision. Pendry has a great work ethic and a lot of guts, but he just lost to a boxer who had much more experience "I am very proud and feel privileged to coach this team. They have a great personality and showed great determination throughout the tournament." Weichers said.
119-lb. Weight Division -- Lyndon Manlapao, UNLV dec. Darren Smith Air Forcebr
147-lb. Weight Division -- Ulysses Linares, Air Force dec. Nathan Labuda, Penn State
156-lb. Weight Division -- Alex Komled, PSU dec.Tommie Cisar, Air Force
165-lb. Weight Division -- Joe Harding, Air Force dec. Boyd Melson, Army
195-lb. Weight Division -- Dustin Brown, Air Force dec. Bobby Greer, Army
Hwt Weight Division -- Louis O'Hiaeri, UNLV dec. Justin Pendry, Air Force
