Academy Boxers Gear Up for Wing Open Semifinals
2/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
Feb. 19, 2008
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - With a spot in the Wing Open Championships on the line, 26 members of the Air Force boxing team will step into the ring for the semifinal round of action on Wednesday (Feb. 20). The 13-bout line-up features contenders from eight different weight classes, ranging from 132 pounds to the heavyweight division.
The first three bouts feature three separate weight classes. Junior David Simon, last year's Wing Open runner-up, and freshman Mike Mizes will toe the line in the first bout of the night at the 132-pound weight division. Sophomore Bailey Ball and freshman Gavin Foley will match up at 139 pounds, while junior Sean May and freshman Michael Dunn will look to advance in the 147-pound weight class.
Beginning with the 156-pound weight class, both spots in the championship round are up for grabs. Senior Ryan Price, a two-time Wing Open finalist, will face off with junior Rudy Bowen in the first bout in that weight class, while two members of Cadet Squadron 26 - senior Daryn Nelson and freshman Joe Silvio - will take part in the other bout.
The 165-pound bouts feature one Wing Open champion and one runner-up. Senior Clifford Moore, a two-time champion at 156 pounds, will take on junior Austin Almand, while senior James Dunn, the 165-pound runner-up in 2007, will face off with junior Justin Lee.
At 175 pounds, senior Jacob Lambach will take on junior Andrew Catoire, who won the Wing Open title in the 195-pound weight class as a freshman. Junior Elon Brumfield will face off with classmate Lucas Gagliardi in the second bout at that weight class.
The final two weight classes feature all but one newcomer to the boxing program. Junior Casey Butikofer and senior Chris Johnson will meet in the first of two 195-pound bouts, while junior Richard Kenny and freshman William Lindberg will do battle in the other.
The night closes with a pair of heavyweight contests. Sophomore Cory Tintzman will take on freshman Ross Elder, while classmate Dan Winningham will meet up with junior Joshua Henderson-Casteel.
Action begins at 4:30 p.m., in the Upper Boxing Room of the Cadet Gym.
WING OPEN SEMIFINAL LINE-UP
132-lbs.: David Simon (CS-40) vs. Mike Mizes (CS-32)
139-lbs.: Bailey Ball (CS-04) vs. Gavin Foley (CS-16)
147-lbs.: Sean May (CS-38) vs. Mike Dunn (CS-13)
156-lbs.: Ryan Price (CS-24) vs. Rudy Bowen (CS-16)
156-lbs.: Daryn Nelson (CS-26) vs. Joe Silvio (CS-26)
165-lbs.: James Dunn (CS-33) vs. Justin Lee (CS-39)
165-lbs.: Clifford Moore (CS-19) vs. Austin Almand (CS-31)
175-lbs.: Jacob Lambach (CS-24) vs. Andrew Catoire (CS-40)
175-lbs.: Elon Brumfield (CS-27) vs. Lucas Gagliardi (CS-02)
195-lbs.: Casey Butikofer (CS-08) vs. Chris Johnson (CS-14)
195-lbs.: Richard Kenny (CS-37) vs. William Lindberg (CS-07)
Hywt.: Cory Tintzman (CS-26) vs. Ross Elder (CS-21)
Hywt.: Dan WInningham (CS-20) vs. Joshua Henderson-Casteel (CS-35)
