Air Force Academy
Wyoming
Falcons Fall to Wyoming, 31-9
2/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 26, 2004
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Laramie, Wyo. -- The Air Force Academy wrestling team won just two of ten individual matches in their final dual of the season against the Wyoming Cowboys Wednesday night at the MultiPurpose Gym in Laramie. The Cowboys took two matches by major decision and one by a technical fall en route to a 31-9 victory. The Falcons fall to 3-7 for the season.
Wyoming got on the board early as the Falcons forfeited the first match of the night at 125 pounds giving the Pokes and early 6-0 lead. The Pokes would never trail in the contest as Tyson Shatto extended UW's lead to 9-0 with a 10-6 victory over Brandon Strong.
Matthew Benza looked to get the Falcons on the scoreboard against 141 pounder Blake Gunter. Benza recorded seven points to take an 7-1 lead after the first period. Gunter fought back scoring a takedown in the second frame and a stalling penalty on Benza made the score 7-4. Benza took control of the final period leading 10-9 with just ten seconds left. Gunter then scored a takedown and a three-point nearfall to take the match 13-9. The win put the Cowboys up 12-0.
After a Wyoming forfeit at 149 pounds, Wyoming's Andrew Shuler, ranked 16th in the country, earned his 26th victory of the season with a 5-1 decision over Justin Gabbard of the Falcons.
Wyoming would extend their lead to 19-6 after a major decision victory in the 165 pound match-up. Cowboy senior Levi Prevost, ranked 13th in the nation, took care of Blaine Brown of Air Force. Prevost scored four takedowns, a two point nearfall and secured the time advantage for a 11-2 win.
Air Force's lone earned match victory came in the 174 pound bout as Jacob Lillich defeated Wyoming's Trevor Murray by a 7-2 decision. Wyoming would pull away with victories in the final three matches.
The Falcons will face the Cowboys again on March 6th at the 2004 NCAA West Regional Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo. The tournament, hosted by the Air Force Academy, serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2004 NCAA Wrestling Championships slated for March 18-20 in St. Louis, Mo.
