Horton and Tuznik Advance to NCBA Championship Finals

April 14, 2007

RENO, Nev. - Sophomore Jesse Horton and senior Ian Tuznik of the Air Force boxing team picked up victories at the semifinal round of action at the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) Championships on Friday, April 13, in Reno, Nev. The duo will join senior Willie Lloyd, who had a bye in each of the first two rounds, as the Falcons' representatives in the finals.

Air Force claimed wins in the lightest and heaviest weight classes. At 119 pounds, Horton opened the 22-bout night of semifinal action with a decisive victory over Lock Haven's Jarrett Peak. With strong pressure, Horton took control of the ring to earn a right to advance to the championship round.

Tuznik took to the ring for the first time since January and quickly made his mark on the competition, taking a referee stopped victory over Mansfield's Chris Phifer in the first of two heavyweight contests. Due to a lack of opponents at the Wing Open and NCBA Regional levels, his last bout came on January 27. After getting reacquainted with facing a non-sparring foe, Tuznik used relentless pressure to wear down his opponent. A hard blow in the third round sent Phifer to the mat and Tuznik to the heavyweight finals.

Air Force had four other boxers competing in the national semifinals. Freshman Matt McPhail dropped a 125-pound decision to Josh Wisniewski, while sophomore Nicholas Goc was unable to claim the judge's scorecards in a 139-pound bout with Joshua Mercado, also of Lock Haven. Santa Clara's Chris Haley earned a referee-stopped-contest win over senior Joe Conrad at 165 pounds, while Lock Haven dealt the Falcons' another blow as Aaron Lynch defeated junior John Quinn in the 195-pound bout.

Lloyd, Horton and Tuznik will compete in the NCBA Championships tomorrow (April 14) evening at the El Dorado Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nev. Action begins with the only 112-pound bout of the weekend at 6 p.m.

NCBA SEMIFINALS

119-lbs.: Jesse Horton (Air Force) dec. Jarrett Peak (Lock Haven)

125-lbs.: Josh Wisniewski (Lock Haven) dec. Matt McPhail (Air Force)

139-lbs.: Joshua Mercado (Lock Haven) dec. Nicholas Goc (Air Force)

165-lbs.: Chris Haley (Santa Clara) rsc-3 Joe Conrad (Air Force)

195-lbs.: Aaron Lynch (Lock Haven) dec. John Quinn (Air Force)

Hywt.: Ian Tuznik (Air Force) rsc-3 Chris Phifer (Mansfield)

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Horton and Tuznik Advance to NCBA Championship Finals

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