Air Force Academy
Regional Championships
Air Force Wins 29th NCBA Regional Title
3/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
March 22, 2009
RENO, Nev. - Backed by six individual champions, the Air Force boxing team picked up its 29th National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) regional title late Saturday night (March 21) in Reno, Nev. Compiling an 8-2 record on the night, the Falcons continued their dominance in the western region, having won all but one of the last 30 regional titles.
Sophomore Matt DeMars (112-pounds) and junior Cory Tintzman (heavyweight) claimed regional titles at opposite ends of the weight divisions, as unopposed contenders. It is the first regional title for DeMars and the second walkover title for Tintzman.
Senior Jesse Horton opened the night with a 119-pound victory over Santa Clara's Ian Fletcher in a referee-stopped-contest. Classmate Harvey White also recorded an early victory in the 125-pound championship, as the referee stopped his contest with San Francisco's Matt Ikekuia in the second round. It is the third regional title for Horton and the second such title for White.
For their efforts, Horton and White shared the Academy's Boxer of the Week award.
Fellow senior Nathan Liptak won his first regional title after decisioning Jeff Sasha of USC in the 147-pound final and senior team captain Boyce Loomis captured his second NCBA regional title after taking a decision from Nevada's James Gardner in the 185-pound bout.
Air Force had two silver medalist performances on the night. Senior Sean May dropped a 156-pound decision to Nevada's Ryan Kotey, while freshman Mike McLain lost to Nevada's Kenny Dryer-Redner by referee-stopped-contest (first-round) in the 175-pound bout.
Additionally, senior Dean Chuva won his third-place bout in the 132-pound weight division, as he decisioned Cal's Dave Rosenfeld. Classmate Austin Almand also picked up a victory in the third-place round, as he defeated Derek Lee from USC in the 165-pound match.
The finalists from the Western Regionals automatically advance to the NCBA national championships, which will be held April 3-5 in College Park, Md. Chuva, Almand and senior Andrew Catoire await at-large consideration, based on their third place regional finishes.
Players Mentioned
