Air Force Academy
Wing Open Semifinals
Falcons Turn in Strong Performances During Wing Open Semifinals
2/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
Feb. 24, 2010
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - With a trip to the Wing Open Championships on the line, 26 members of the Air Force boxing team brought their best effort to the Cadet Gym this evening (Feb. 24) during semifinal action of the 52nd annual Wing Open Tournament. Junior Dalton Hall earned the Academy's Boxer of the Week award for the second time this season.
Junior Michael Mizes got the night started with a unanimous decision over freshman Chris Eby in the 132-pound semifinal. Senior Bailey Ball advanced in the 139-pound finals, as he earned all of the judges' votes in his bout with freshman Kyle Rasmussen.
Junior Michael Dunn earned his third straight trip to the Wing Open finals, after taking a unanimous decision from freshman Glenn Miltenberg in the 147-pound bout. Dunn's hand-speed, combination punching and experience proved to be much for Miltenberg. Dunn will face another freshman in his next bout, as Ben Fox improved to 5-2 on the year with a victory over classmate Eric Voron. Fox came out strong and applied constant contact on his fellow freshman, causing the referee to stop the bout in the first round.
At 156 pounds, Tyrus Korecki earned his second trip to the finals after taking a decision from freshman Kenneth Montel. Korecki will face junior Joe Silvio, who took a decision from freshman Dustin Potter in the second contest at that weight class.
Sophomore Nick Cataldo, last year's Wing Open Outstanding Boxer, had a tough test to get back under the lights at Clune Arena, as he faced a determined opponent in junior squadmate Ryan Curry in the first of two 165-pound semifinal bouts. Hard-pressed by Curry in the third round, Cataldo used good movement to secure the judges' decision.
Cataldo will face Hall, who was voted as the Boxer of the Week by the Falcons' coaching staff. Facing sophomore casey Habluetzel in a rematch of last year's Wing Open quarterfinals, Hall acted as the aggressor for most of the bout and forced Habluetzel against the ropes.
Sophomore Mike McLain earned a berth to his second Wing Open finals, as his 175-pound bout with junior Patrick Ryan was stopped by the referee in the third round. Classmate Spencer Baucke also advanced to the finals, taking a decision from freshman Jake Alleman.
Junior Will Keuchler used a referee-stopped victory over Brad Frost to advance to his first championship final.
The final two bouts featured the Falcons' heavyweight contenders. Junior Mike Chambers defeated classmate Matt Coates in a hard-fought contest. Chambers used a reach advantage and strong jab to control the bout. Senior Richard Meldrum won a split decision victory over classmate Brett Satterfield in the other heavyweight contest. Despite having a hard time finding his smaller opponent early in the bout, Meldrum used his good conditioning to win the third round and ultimately, the decision.
The victors from tonight's semifinal round advance to the main ring, under the lights of Clune Arena for the finals of the annual Wing Open Tournament. Action is slated to begin at 7 p.m.,
RESULTS
132-lbs.: Michael Mizes (CS-24) dec. Chris Eby (CS-14)
139-lbs.: Bailey Ball (CS-04) dec. Kyle Rasmussen (CS-03)
147-lbs.: Michael Dunn (CS-01) dec. Glenn Miltenberg (CS-37)
147-lbs.: Ben Fox (CS-30) rsc-1 Eric Voron (CS-15)
156-lbs.: Tyrus Korecki (CS-24) dec. Kenneth Montel (CS-19)
156-lbs.: Joe Silvio (CS-21) dec. Dustin Potter (CS-32)
165-lbs.: Nick Cataldo (CS-08) dec. Ryan Curry (CS-08)
165-lbs.: Dalton Hall (CS-12) dec. casey Habluetzel (CS-32)
175-lbs.: Mike McLain (CS-24) rsc-3 Patrick Ryan (CS-05)
175-lbs.: Spencer Baucke (CS-25) dec. Jake Alleman (CS-39)
185-lbs.: Will Keuchler (CS-30) rsc Brad Frost (CS-02)
Hywt.: Mike Chambers (CS-16) dec. Matt Coates (CS-14)
Hywt.: Richard Meldrum (CS-10) dec. Brett Satterfield (CS-37)
Players Mentioned
