Falcon Grapplers Split in First Dual Meets of the Season

Dec. 9, 2003

The Air Force wrestling team went 1-1 in the team's first two dual meets of the season. The Falcons, wrestling at a neutral site in Las Vegas, fell to UC Davis 27-9 then defeated Utah Valley State 35-3.

The Falcons were unable to win its first dual meet against a solid UC Davis team. The Falcons fell behind quickly. They dropped their first four matches and were staring at a 17-0 deficit. Chris Nissen got his first career dual victory, a 10-3 win at 149 pounds, to get the Falcons on the board. Jacob Lillich (174) and Lucas Lefever (184) also won their dual matches, but the Falcons finished the meet with just three individual wins.

Air Force rebounded in the second dual meet with a 32-point victory over Utah Valley State. Of the 10 weight classes, Air Force lost just one dual match. Nissen notched a pin, while Lefever and heavyweight Kurt Skarstedt both scored major decisions.

The Falcons will have one month prepare for their next dual meets, as the head to Redmond, Ore., on Jan. 9th to compete in the Oregon Classic. Several individuals will also compete in the Midlands Invitational Dec. 28-29 in Evanston, Ill.

UC DAVIS 27, Air Force 9
125 Tommy Schurkemp (UCD) dec. Heath McKim (AFA), 5-4
133 Derek Moore, (UCD) maj dec. Brandon Strong (AFA), 15-4
141 Jeff Bristol (UCD) def. Matthew Benza (AFA), Fall
149 Chris Nissen (AFA) def. Kevin Jones (UCD), 10-3
157 Jeremiah Jarvis (UCD) dec. Justin Gabbard, (AFA), 5-3
165 Mike Font (UCD) maj dec. Blaine Brown (AFA), 15-2
174 Jacob Lillich, (AFA) dec. Frank Richmond (UCD), 8-5
184 Luke Lefever, (AFA) dec. Branden Bear (UCD), 5-3
197 Dan Schon (UCD) dec. Brenden McLean (AFA), 5-2
Hwt Flynne Ficker (UCD) maj dec. Kurt Skarstedt (AFA), 15-6

AIR FORCE 35, Utah Valley State 3>
125 Heath McKim (AFA) def. Ryan Argyle (UVS), Tech Fall 16-1
133 Erkin Tadzhimetov (UVS) dec. Brandon Strong (AFA), 10-7
141 Matthew Benza (AFA) maj dec. Jesse Breinholt (UVS) 12-3
149 Chris Nissen (AFA) def. Mitch Morgan (UVS), Fall
157 Justin Gabbard (AFA) dec. Wayne Watts (UVS), 3-1
165 Blaine Brown (AFA) dec. Tanner Cowan (UVS), 13-7
174 Jacob Lillich (AFA) dec. Darin Harris (UVS), 4-1
184 Luke Lefever (AFA) maj dec. Ivan Bigney (UVS), 8-0
197 Brenden McLean (AFA) dec. Daren Cooper (UVS), 2-1
Hwt Kurt Skarstedt (AFA) maj dec. Billy Green (UVS), 17-4

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