Air Force Academy
National Semifinals
Falcons Trail Navy Going Into Saturday's Finals
4/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
April 5, 2003
Las Vegas, NV -- Air Force enters Saturday's finals at the National Collegiate Boxing Association Tournament just three points behind rival Navy after winning five bouts Friday at Cox Pavilion on UNLV's campus.
The midshipmen also won five bouts Friday to boost their team total to 26 points. The Falcons tallied 23 points followed by UNLV with 16 and Army with 12. These were the only teams that had any chance of taking the top two spots in this national tournament.
Air Force winners included Thomas Parker (139-lbs), Frankie Woods (147-lbs.), Jake Hostetler (156-lbs.), Clell Knight (165-lbs.) and Leif Nordhagen (175-lbs.).
"Saturday's finals are really going to be a dogfight between us and Navy," said head coach Eddie Weichers. "But I believe things are working out well in our favor and we certainly have the opportunity to win our sixth consecutive national title."
Weichers said the top bout of the night for the Falcons came in the 156-pound division with Hostetler winning a decision over Penn State's Miles Rivas. Rivas defeated Hostetler earlier in the year at the New York Athletic Club Invitational.
"Jake really came out strong in this fight and took the battle to Rivas," said Weichers. "I was proud of the smart way he fought during the three rounds."
Friday's Semifinal Bouts:
119-lbs. Losahan Omo-Osagie, Lock Haven, dec. Darren Smith
139-lbs. - Thomas Parker dec. Mike Reel, Navy
147-lbs. - Frankie Woods dec. Anthony Peters, VMI
156-lbs. - Jake Hostetler dec. Miles Rivas, Penn State
165-lbs. Clell Knight dec. Agur Adams, Navy
175-lbs. Leif Nordhagen dec. Jude Leriche, Penn State
195-lbs. Bobby Greer, Army. Dec. Ethan Sabin
Hvwt - Rob Horton, Army, dec. Brian Trumble
