Hoy Wins First Two Matches
3/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 21, 2003
Air Force grappler Kevin Hoy advances to the second day of the NCAA Championships unbeaten. Hoy, the number two seed at heavyweight, won his first two matches. He needs to win six matches total to become the Falcons' first national champion since 1967.
Hoy knocked off his first challenger in less than six minutes. He pinned Lehigh's Joe Sahl at the 5:48 mark. In his second match of the day, Hoy defeated Army's John Paxton by an 8-4 decision.
Hoy will wrestle two more matches today (Friday, March 21st). He first wrestles Penn State's Pat Cummins. Cummins finished the season ranked seventh in the nation by Intermat. A victory would set up a potential evening match with the defending national champion Tommy Rowlands of Ohio State. Rowlands is ranked second or third in the country, depending on the poll.
The Falcons other national qualifier, Heath McKim (125 pounds), lost his first match of the tournament. McKim was pinned in at 4:54 by Wisconsin's Tony Black. He won his first two matches in the consolation bracket, and will next face Nick Simmons of Michigan State. Simmons finished the year ranked fifth in the country by Intermat.
