Wrestling Places Eight over Two Tournaments

ANNAPOLIS, Md./KEARNEY, Neb. – The Air Force Academy wrestling team had successful days at both the Navy Classic, as well as the Nebraska-Kearney Holiday Inn Open, Saturday, Nov. 17. The Falcons placed eight total wrestlers on the day, four at each tournament.

Senior co-captain Anthony McLaughlin highlighted the Navy Classic, as the 197 pounder placed runner-up in his weight class bracket. The veteran went 4-0, including three decisions and a major decision, on his way to the finals. There, he had to medically default before the championship match. In his final season, McLaughlin is now 6-0 to start the year.

At the UNK Holiday Inn Open, junior Marcus Amico won the 165 lbs. elite bracket, which was the first tournament title in his college career. The Anchorage, Alaska native went a perfect 4-0, and only got better as the day went on as he won by decision in the first round, then had back-to-back majors to get to the finals. There, Amico pinned his opponent in 2:20 to take the crown.

Elsewhere at the Navy Classic, the trio of freshman Sidney Flores, senior John Twomey, and junior Garrett O'Shea all placed tied for fifth after the fifth place matches were not contested. Flores went 3-1 at 125 lbs., while Twomey was 3-2 at 133 lbs. and O'Shea was 4-2 at 141 lbs.

As a team at the Navy Classic, Air Force finished ninth out of 16 teams after totaling 59.5 points. The Falcons had 16 wrestlers who hit the mats, and they earned 29 wins total. 13 of the 16 wrestlers earned at least one win.

The other placewinners at the UNK Open were freshman Christian Grauberger, who took fourth in the amateur 165 lbs. bracket, sophomore Tommy Stager, who placed fifth in the elite 149 lbs. bracket, and sophomore Jimmy Weaver, who placed sixth in the elite 184 lbs. bracket.

The Falcons will now have time off from competition for the Thanksgiving Break, before returning to the mats for the Las Vegas Cliff Keen Invitational. Action from Vegas will run over two days, Friday-Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

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Players Mentioned

Marcus Amico

Sidney Flores

Christian Grauberger

Anthony McLaughlin

Garrett O'Shea

Tommy Stager

John Twomey

Jimmy Weaver

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