Air Force Academy
Regional Semifinals
Falcons Split Opening Day of NCBA Regionals
3/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
March 22, 2009
RENO, Nev. - The Air Force boxing team opened the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) Western Regional Championships by splitting its first six bouts on Friday, March 20. The Falcons, who had a bye during Thursday's quarterfinal round, took to the ring in Reno, Nev., for its opening round of regional action.
Picking up victories for the Falcons were seniors Nathan Liptak and Sean May, as well as freshman Mike McLain. In the 147-pound semifinal, Liptak earned a unanimous decision over Santa Clara's Pat Welde, while May picked up a decisional win over San Jose State's Oscar Gomez in the 156-pound bout. McLain earned a 175-pound decision over Santa Clara's Brett Milinarch.
Senior Dean Chuva lost a referee-stopped contest (second round) to Jerome Foster of UNLV in the 132-pound semifinal, while classmate Austin Almand dropped a controversial decision to Nevada's Dick Munson-Decker at 165 pounds. Fellow senior Andrew Catoire lost a 195-pound split decision to Cal's Art Avetesyan to wrap up the Falcons' night.
Liptak, May and McLain will join the five Falcons with second-round byes at the regional championship finals tomorrow (March 21) night in Reno. Chuva and Almand will compete in the third-place bouts for the right to earn at-large consideration to the national championships. With only three 195-pound boxers in the western region, Catoire is already available for national consideration.
Players Mentioned
