Air Force Academy
Regional Championships
Air Force Claims 35th NCBA Regional Title
3/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
March 27, 2016
RENO, Nev. – Highlighted by five individual champions, the Air Force boxing team captured its 35th regional title in 37 years last night (March 26), during the final round of the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) Western Regional Championships. The Falcons accounted for 33 points to easily defeat Washington (20) and Nevada (17) in the team standings.
"It was a really good night overall," head coach Blake Baldi said. "The guys performed well."
Senior Gytenis Borusas, who was named the tournament's Outstanding Boxer for the heavier weight divisions, easily captured his second regional title, as he forced the referee to halt his 175-pound bout with California's Jarred Mendoza in the second round.
The Falcons opened the night with back-to-back titles, as senior Mateus Arcano and junior Adam Sumait each claimed their second straight regional title in the night's lightest divisions. Arcano decisioned Oregon State's Jon Pena in the 112-pound contest, while Sumait forced Washington's Devin Bell into retirement during the second round of their 119-pound bout.
Junior Landon Tomcho earned his first regional title by decisioning Nevada's Kirk Jackson in the 139-pound final. Senior Yohance Salimu capped the Falcons' night with his second straight heavyweight title, as he earned a victory over Washington's Edgar Cortes when the referee stopped their bout in the third.
Three additional Falcons competed in the regional finals, claiming runner-up finishes in their respective weight divisions. Junior Pedro Barrientes dropped a 147-pound decision to Nevada's JJ Mariano, while classmate Johnny Wells lost a decision to UCLA's Vlad Pannin at 156 pounds and sophomore Den Tati-Mackaya retired his 195-pound bout with Nevada's Garrett Felling in the third round.
Air Force also competed in a pair of contests to determine "at-large" bids into the national meet, but came up short in both bouts. Freshman DaRon Fanniel dropped a 132-pound decision to UCLA's Carlos Morales, while sophomore Naji Bseiso lost his 165-pound bout to Nevada's Tristan Harriman, when the referee halted their bout in the third round.
Senior Sarenna Ortiz captured the first-ever NCBA regional title for the women's program, as she earned a 147-pound victory over Washington's Alyson Forsyth when medical officials halted the bout in the third round. Junior Heather Parcasio also competed in the regional finals, dropping a decision to Washington's Jacque Ines in the 125-pound bout.
Air Force returns to action on Thursday, April 7, when it travels to Seattle, Wash., for the three-day National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) National Championships.
RESULTS | AT-LARGE BOUTS
132-lbs.: Carlos Morales (UCLA) dec. DaRon Fanniel (Air Force)
165-lbs.: Tristan Harriman (Nevada) rsc-3 Naji Bseiso (Air Force)
RESULTS | CHAMPIONSHIP BOUTS
112-lbs.: Mateus Arcano (Air Force) dec. Jon Pena (Oregon State)
119-lbs.: Adam Sumait (Air Force) ret-2 Devin Bell (Washington)
125-lbs.: Jacque Ines (Washington) dec. Heather Parcasio (Air Force)
139-lbs.: Landon Tomcho (Air Force) dec. Kirk Jackson (Nevada)
147-lbs.: Sarenna Ortiz (Air Force) mdq-3 Alyson Forsyth (Washington)
147-lbs.: JJ Mariano (Nevada) dec. Pedro Barrientes (Air Force)
156-lbs.: Vlad Pannin (UCLA) dec. Johnny Wells (Air Force)
175-lbs.: Gytenis Borusas (Air Force) rsc-2 Jarred Mendoza (California)
195-lbs.: Garrett Felling (Nevada) ret-3 Den Tati-Mackaya (Air Force)
Hywt.: Yohance Salimu (Air Force) rsc-3 Edgar Cortes (Washington)
Players Mentioned
