Air Force Boxers Set for NCBA Championships
4/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
April 1, 2009
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - A season of hard work and training will come down to this weekend for the members of the Air Force boxing team, as the squad travels to College Park, Md., for the 2009 National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) Championships on April 2-4. The Falcons, who won their 29th NCBA Regional title two weeks ago, qualified 10 boxers to the national championships.
Sophomore Matt DeMars (112 lbs.), senior Jesse Horton (119 lbs.), senior Harvey White (125 lbs.), senior Nathan Liptak (147 lbs.), senior Boyce Loomis (175 lbs.) and junior Cory Tintzman (heavyweight) advanced to nationals after claiming regional titles, while senior Sean May (156-lbs.) and freshman Mike McLain (175-lbs.) qualified with their regional runner-up finishes. Seniors Dean Chuva (132-lbs.) and Andrew Catoire (195-lbs.) earned at-large bids to the NCBA finals after third-place finishes at the regional meet.
Air Force will be represented in the ring by two former national champions. Horton won the 2007 championship during his first season of collegiate boxing, while Chuva won the 112-pound title one year ago before moving up to the 132-pound weight division this season.
"Our preparation over spring break has been stellar," head coach Eddie Weichers said. "The team has meshed very well. Their focus, dedication and sacrifice is admirable."
The championships will be held at Richie Coliseum on the campus of the University of Maryland. Thursday's two quarterfinal rounds will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the winners advancing to Friday's 5 p.m. semifinals. The final 12 rounds, which will determine the 2009 individual and team champions, are scheduled for a 5 p.m. start on Saturday night.
The draw for the first-round matchups will be held Thursday morning.
