Air Force Wrestlers Begin Season at Cowboy Open
11/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 10, 2010
The Air Force wrestling team opens the 2010-11 season this weekend, Nov. 13, as it travels to Laramie, Wyo., for the annual Cowboy Open, hosted by the University of Wyoming.
Scouting the Falcons...
This year, the Air Force wrestling team enters its fifth season under head coach Joel Sharratt. Last season, the Falcons finished the year with a 6-11 overall dual record and 1-5 mark in the Western Wrestling Conference.
The Falcons return 16 letterwinners from the 2009-10 season, including seven who competed at last year's NCAA West Regional. Leading the way is sophomore Cole VonOhlen, who earned an NCAA bid in his rookie campaign.
Last Year at the Cowboy Open...
At the 2009 Cowboy Open, seven Falcons finished as placewinners, three in the Elite Division and four in the Amateur Division. Rookie Cole VonOhlen was Air Force's top finisher in the Elite Division, winning the title at 141 pounds in his collegiate debut. Meanwhile, Andrew Zwirlein and Tyler French placed third at 125 and 174 pounds, respectively.
In the Amateur Division, Greg Isley was the Falcons' top performer, capturing the title at 184 pounds. Tyler Spangler added a second-place showing at 133 pounds, Josh Mohr finished third at 184 pounds and Dake Williams placed fourth in the heavyweight bracket.
The Lineup...
This weekend, 16 Falcons are slated to compete in the Elite Division, while seven others are scheduled to compete in the Amateur Division. Listed below is the tentative lineup for this weekend's tournament:
Elite
133 Derek Gillespie, Sr.
Tyler Untrauer, Jr.
141 Logan Burch, So.
Cole VonOhlen, So.
149 Josh Kreimier, Fr.
Gabe Martinez, So.
157 Alec Williams, Jr.
165 Carter Adams, Fr.
Clayton Gable, So.
Jarret Hoeppner, Fr.
174 Joseph Stafford, Sr.
184 Kazden Ikehara, Sr.
Josh Mohr, So.
197 Neil Delaney, Sr.
Caleb Egli, Jr.
HWT Jared Erickson, So.
Amateur
125 Greg Rinker, Fr.
149 Daniel Baucke, Fr.
Garrett Manley, Fr.
157 Jesse Stafford, Fr.
165 Dan Barringer, Fr.
174 Devin Hightower, Fr.
197 Cody Davis, Fr.
In the National Rankings...
Sophomore Cole VonOhlen, the Falcons' returning NCAA qualifier, is currently ranked 19th in the nation at 141 pounds in the latest Intermat poll. In addition, VonOhlen is rated 16th D1 College Wrestling, 17th by Amateur Wrestling News and 18th by WrestlingReport.com.
2010 Blue-Silver Intrasquad Match...
Air Force gave its fans a preview of the season to come with the annual Blue-Silver Intrasquad Match, held Oct. 28 in Clune Arena. Final bouts were contested in seven of the 10 weight classes, with exhibition matches in the remaining three weight classes.
Following are complete results from the Blue-Silver Match:
125* G. Rinker (B) fall R. Pence, 0:39
133 D. Gillespie (S) dec. T. Untrauer, 3-0
141* D. Baucke (B) dec. L. Burch, 12-7
149* J. Kreimier (S) fall K. Sober, 1:33
157 A. Williams (S) dec. Je. Stafford, 10-3
165 C. Adams (S) dec. J. Hoeppner, 4-2 (SV)
174 Jo. Stafford (B) dec. D. Hightower, 9-2
184 J. Mohr (S) dec. K. Ikehara, 2-1 (TB)
197 N. Delaney (B) fall C. Davis, 2:17
HWT J. Erickson (S) fall C. Egli, 3:54
*Exhibition
Up Next...
The Falcons return to action next weekend, Nov. 20, at the Kaufman-Brand Open, hosted by Nebraska-Omaha.
Players Mentioned
