Air Force Wrestlers Kick Off Season At Cowboy Open
11/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 8, 2006
The Air Force wrestling team gets its 2006-07 season off to a start this weekend, Nov. 11, as it travels to Laramie, Wyo., for the annual Cowboy Open, hosted by the University of Wyoming.
Scouting the Falcons...
The 2006-07 Air Force wrestling team will have a new look this season, as legendary head coach Wayne Baughman retired after 27 years at the helm of the program. Taking over the reins for the Falcons is former Navy assistant Joel Sharratt, whose extensive experience as both a coach and athlete should pay off dividends for the Air Force wrestling program.
While four Air Force wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships last season, just one returns--junior Jake Kriegbaum, a two-time NCAA participant at 141 pounds. Meanwhile, the Falcons will look to their senior captains--Chris Nissen, an NCAA qualifier in 2004, and the Lord brothers, Bridger and Zach--for leadership in the team's quest for success.
The Competitors...
Twenty-two Falcons will be taking part in this week's Cowboy Open. Competing in the Open Division for Air Force will be Zach Valdez (125), Matt Crippes (141), Jake Kriegbaum (141), Chris Nissen (149), Chris Szabolcs (149), Bridger Lord (157), Tony Dorward (157), Zach Lord (165), Duane Miller (165), Stephen Crozier (174), Jacob Devlin (184), Peter Bozynski (HWT) and Anthony Stegeman (HWT).
Meanwhile, taking part in the 20 & Under Division will be Samuel Sheppard (125), Stephen Makuka (133), Kurt Spranger (133), Joshua Lopez (157), Alec Schwartz (165), Justin Shadrix (165), Tyler French (174), James Ciccone (174) and Sterling Tribble (184).
Last Year At The Cowboy Open...
Senior captains Brandon Strong (133) and Beau Tresemer (165) each finished second in their respective weight classes at the 2005 Cowboy Open, while sophomore Jake Kriegbaum placed third at 141 pounds.
Meanwhile, three Falcons were placewinners in the 20 & Under Division, with Billy Blumhoefer taking second at 197 pounds, Frank McGrath finishing third at heavyweight and Matt McDiarmid taking fourth at 133 pounds.
Blue-Silver Intrasquad Match...
Air Force gave its fans a preview of the upcoming season with the Blue-Silver Intrasquad Match on Oct. 27. With bouts contested at every weight class, the wrestle-offs resulted in a preliminary lineup for the season.
Following are complete results from the Blue-Silver Match:
125 Zach Valdez dec. Samuel Sheppard, 11-6
133 Stephen Makuka fall Kurt Spranger, 6:53
141 Chris Nissen tech. fall Chris Szabolcs, 5:16 (18-2)
157 Bridger Lord dec. Tony Dorward, 5-0
165 Duane Miller fall Zach Lord, 2:10
174 Stephen Crozier dec. Tyler French, 6-2
184 Jacob Devlin dec. Sterling Tribble, 6-0
197 James Ciccone maj. dec. Casey Butikofer, 12-1
hwt Anthony Stegeman dec. Peter Bozynski, 3-2
Up Next...
The Falcons are back in action next weekend, Nov. 18, at the Kaufman-Brand Open, hosted by Nebraska-Omaha.
Players Mentioned
