Wrestling Falls in Home Opener to No. 9 Minnesota

USAFA, Colo. – The Air Force Academy wrestling team dropped its home-opening dual to No. 9 Minnesota, 33-3, Friday evening, Nov. 9, at Clune Arena. The Falcons (0-1) won the first bout of the night, before the Golden Gophers (1-0) rattled off nine straight match wins.

Senior Anthony McLaughlin led off the dual at 197 lbs. with a hard earned 5-4 decision win. The co-captain earned a takedown early in the first period, and got another in the second to lead it 4-3. In the third, he earned an escape, and then fended off some shots to hold on and give Air Force a 3-0 lead.

From there, Minnesota used eight nationally ranked wrestlers to win the remaining bouts. The Falcons had some close matches, including a 3-0 score at heavyweight, as well as an 8-6 decision in the final match of the night at 184 lbs. In the end, the firepower of the Minnesota lineup was enough to lead them to victory.

The Falcons will be back in action on Sunday, Nov. 11, when they host Big 12 foe Fresno State at Clune Arena. First whistle against the Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. Kids from grades K-8 are encouraged to arrive early for a free clinic, which will be held on the mats at Clune from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

No. 9 Minnesota 33, Air Force 3
197: Anthony McLaughlin (Air Force) over Dylan Anderson (Minnesota) (Dec 5-4)
HWT: Rylee Streifel (Minnesota) over Matt Wagner (Air Force) (Dec 3-0)
125: No. 5 Sean Russell (Minnesota) over Sidney Flores (Air Force) (Dec 12-5)
133: No. 6 Ethan Lizak (Minnesota) over John Twomey (Air Force) (Dec 6-0)
141: No. 8 Mitch McKee (Minnesota) over Lenny Petersen (Air Force) (Pin 1:11)
149: No. 12 Tommy Thorn (Minnesota) over Alec Opsal (Air Force) (Dec 11-5)
157: No. 8 Steve Bleise (Minnesota) over Alex Mossing (Air Force) (MD 18-6)
165: No. 24 Carson Brolsma (Minnesota) over Tanner Johnson (Air Force) (MD 11-3)
174: No. 20 Devin Skatzka (Minnesota) over Randy Meneweather (Air Force) (MD 16-4)
184: No. 18 Owen Webster (Minnesota) over Tyler Wiederholt (Air Force) (Dec 8-6)

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