Air Force Battles #1 Minnesota in 28-15 Defeat

Nov. 15, 2014

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - In front of a crowd of over 1,000, Air Force wrestling battled top-ranked Minnesota to a 28-15 dual loss Saturday morning at Clune Arena. The Falcons had three wins on the day.

Air Force led 11-3 early on, winning two of the first three contests. Junior Josh Martinez started the dual off with a win in the 125-pound class, earning a win by technical fall, 17-0 (4:02) over Sam Brancale. Anthony McHugh scored six points with a win in the 133-pound class with a fall (1:48) over Jordan Kingsley.

Minnesota took control of the dual after, winning the next six bouts to go ahead 25-11.

Air Force picked up its third win when Jack Carda won the 197 pound class with a major decision, 12-2, over Christopher Pfarr.

"We've been focusing on attitude, effort and execution," Air Force coach Sam Barber said. "Our 10 guys showed up and represented the institution phenomenally. Our effort and conditioning, we were in matches and we fought to the last whistle. We got beat in some positions and we got beat by some better wrestlers, but as far as effort goes I'm extremely proud of our guys."

"We learned a lot by wrestling a high-caliber team like Minnesota," Barber said. "We can compete with anybody and we can do it here at the U.S. Air Force Academy. We just have to focus on continuing to improve."

Air Force returns to action next weekend, Nov. 22, at the UNK Holiday Inn Open in Kearney, Neb.

Minnesota 28, Air Force 15

285 - Michael Kroells (Minnesota) dec. Marcus Malacek, 10-3. 125 - Josh Martinez (Air Force) won by tech. fall over Sam Brancale, 16-0. 133 - Anthony McHugh (Air Force) pinned Jordan Kingsley, 1:48. 141 - Conrad Rangell (Minnesota) dec. Carter McElhany, 9-0. 149 - Jake Short (Minnesota) dec. Jerry McGinty, 1-0. 157 - Dylan Ness (Minnesota) pinned Sam Kreimier, 1:52. 165 - Nick Wanzek (Minnesota) dec. Jesse Stafford, 9-0. 174 - Logan Storley (Minnesota) won by tech. fall over Scott Reilly, 15-0. 184 - Brett Pfarr (Minnesota) dec. Konner Witt, 13-0. 197 - Jake Carda (Air Force) dec. Chris Pfarr, 12-2.

Quotes obtained courtesy of USA Wresting.

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