Falcons Drop Conference Opener to Utah Valley

Jan. 28, 2010

USAFA, Colo. -

Despite earning victories in the last three weight classes, the Air Force wrestling team fell to conference rival Utah Valley, 26-15, Thursday evening in Clune Arena. With the loss, the Falcons drop to 4-7 overall and 0-1 in the Western Wrestling Conference. Meanwhile, the Wolverines improve to 6-1 overall, 1-0 in the WWC.

Utah Valley jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead after posting wins at 125 and 133 pounds. Freshman Cole VonOhlen (Jackson, Minn.), ranked 16th in the nation at 141 pounds, was able to put Air Force on the board, earning a 4-0 decision over Jeff Newby. With almost two minutes of riding time accumulated and leading 1-0 near the end of the bout, VonOhlen was able to score a takedown just before the final buzzer. With his win, VonOhlen improved his record to 21-5 on the season, including an 8-1 mark in dual competition.

Following VonOhlen's victory, the Wolverines came right back, earning wins in the next four weight classes to take an insurmountable 26-3 advantage. Still, the Falcons kept battling, as James Ciccone (Sr., Mentor, Ohio) controlled his match against Casen Eldredge to register a 7-2 decision at 184 pounds.

Neil Delaney (Jr., Grand Rapids, Mich.) faced off against Josh Wood at 197 pounds in the closest bout of the night. After neither wrestler was able to score in the opening period, Delaney picked up a point on an escape early in the second period, while Wood tied the score with an early third-period escape. Despite several close calls for each of the wrestlers, the score remained tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation.

The two wrestled for nearly a minute in the sudden victory period before Delaney notched the first takedown of the bout with just two seconds on the clock to earn the 3-1 decision. The match was the third overtime victory for Delaney, who has gone into extra periods a team-high six times this season.

A forfeit by Utah Valley in the heavyweight slot gave Air Force six team points to account for the final 26-15 tally.

Air Force is on the road for two more conference dual meets this weekend, as it visits South Dakota State on Saturday, followed by a dual at North Dakota State on Sunday afternoon.

Utah Valley 26, Air Force 15

125 No. 13 Ben Kjar (UVU) maj. dec. Andrew Zwirlein, 21-11

133 Flint Ray (UVU) tech fall Derek Gillespie, 16-0 (3:42)

141 No. 16 Cole VonOhlen (AF) dec. Jeff Newby, 4-0

149 Justin Morrill (UVU) dec. Gabe Martinez, 6-1

157 Jamison Moss (UVU) maj. dec. Wade Stowe, 16-7

165 Jeb Clark (UVU) fall Justin Shadrix, 0:53

174 Brad Darrington (UVU) maj. dec. Tyler French, 12-2

184 James Ciccone (AF) dec. Casen Eldredge, 7-2

197 Neil Delaney (AF) dec. Josh Wood, 3-1 (SV)

HWT Stephen Larson (AF) win by forfeit

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.