Air Force Academy
WAC Main Event
Falcons Take Five Of Seven In NCBA Action
1/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
Jan. 26, 2004
SEATTLE, Wash. - The Air Force boxing team had an impressive outing at a National Collegiate Boxing Association meet in Seattle, Wash., on Saturday, Jan. 24. Taking on competitors from Army, UNLV, Miami-Ohio, Nevada and Navy, the Falcons won five of seven bouts.
In his first collegiate match, freshman Willie Lloyd was earned a decision over Scott Yeung of Army in the 120-pound weight class. For his accomplishments, Lloyd was named the Academy's Boxer of the Week. He is the first freshman boxer to earn the team's weekly honor this season. In fact, Lloyd is the first freshman or sophomore to be named the Boxer of the Week.
"Even though this was his first collegiate match, he was very poised," Air Force head coach Eddie Weichers stated. "He didn't let the crowd noise get to him. He used a good jab and nice ring presence to outpoint the tough and aggressive Yeung. Lloyd is fresh out of boxing class, but he's a fast learner and has loads of potential."
Also earning victories for the Falcons were juniors Darren Smith (Laurel, Md.) and Blake Baldi (Metamora, Ill.), as well as seniors Clell Knight (Justiceburg, Texas) and Brian Trumble (Pittsburgh, Pa.).
Smith earned his victory over Samuelson Go of UNLV in the 119-pound weight division, while Baldi took the decision over Army's Gill Taylor in the 144-pound weight class. Knight defeated Nevada's Ryan Healy at 165-pounds and Trumble won the heavyweight title over Dan Brendal of Navy.
Air Force claimed three victories over boxers from the service academies - taking two from Army and one from Navy.
The Falcons have a busy week ahead of them as they enter their final competitions prior to the Wing Open, which begins with the preliminaries on Feb. 12. Air Force wraps up its final regular-season home match of the season on Jan. 28, hosting Wednesday Night Fights. The first bout is slated for 4:30 p.m., in the Upper Boxing Room of the Cadet Gym. On Friday, Jan. 30, 12 Academy boxers will travel to Reno, Nev., to take on competition from Nevada, UNLV, Cal-Berkeley and Santa Clara. That march is slated for 7 p.m., at the El Dorado Hotel - the site of the 2004 national championships.
COMPLETE RESULTS
120-lbs. - Willie Lloyd (Air Force) dec. Scott Yeung (Army)
119-lbs. - Darren Smith (Air Force) dec. Samuelson Go (UNLV)
125-lbs. - Will Geiger (Miami-Ohio) dec. Ezekiel Ignaco (Air Force)
144-lbs. - Blake Baldi (Air Force) dec. Gill Taylor (Army)
147-lbs. - Mike Townsell (Nevada) dec. Ryan Dorsey-Spitz (Air Force)
165-lbs. - Clell Knight (Air Force) dec. Ryan Healy (Nevada)
HWYT - Brian Trumble (Air Force) dec. Dan Brendal (Navy)
142-lbs. - Todd Gaylord (Cal) dec. Darren Joyce (Army)
200-lbs. - Gaidi Faraj (Cal) dec. Tom Payne (Army)
Don't forget ... the 2004 Wing Open finals are just over a month away! The finals are scheduled for March 7, at 5 p.m., at Clune Arena in the Cadet Field House. )
