Final Wing Open Spots Finalized in Semifinals

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – With the final eight slots into the Wing Open on the line, 16 members of the Air Force boxing team stepped into the ring this afternoon (Feb. 21) for a special edition of Friday Night Fights – the tournament semifinals. Sophomore Ayaz Mustafa, one of the victorious boxers to secure a spot on the final Wing Open card, was selected as the team's Boxer of the Week.

Mustafa boxed his way into the finals, as he defeated freshman Tyler Dalzell in the first of two semifinal bouts in the 147-pound weight class. The sophomore, competing in the only division to feature both sides of the bracket during today's round, will face classmate Zach Phillips, who secured his second trip under the lights of Clune Arena with a decision over senior Jacob Ragland.

The five remaining men's bouts featured five different weight divisions – and saw three first-year boxers advance to Clune Arena. Freshman Noah Lleva decisioned classmate Ronaldo Arteaga to earn a spot in the 132-pound final, while fellow freshman Nicolas Nakaoka took down junior Armani Resto to advance on his side of the 156-pound bracket. Alan Long will also represent the Class of 2023 in the finals, as the freshman earned a decision over sophomore Fabian Manzo in the 165-pound weight division.

Junior Luke Kilianski advanced to his second-straight Championship bout after claiming the 175-pound decision over freshman Tomas Olivas, while senior Ife Onigbanjo captured a 139-pound victory over junior Justin Couty to advance to the Wing Open Finals for the third time in four years.

In the only women's bout of the semifinal round, sophomore Maddie Lloyd defeated freshman Kayna Richards at 132 pounds to claim her second-straight appearance in the Wing Open finals.

The Falcons will host the 2020 Wing Open Championships next Saturday (Feb. 29), under the lights of Clune Arena at 11:30 a.m. (MT). The finals will be streamed live on GoAirForceFalcons.com.

RESULTS
132-lbs. (w): Maddie Lloyd (CS-13) dec. Kayna Richards (CS-01)
132-lbs.: Noah Lleva (CS-14) dec. Ronaldo Arteaga (CS-25)
139-lbs.: Ife Onigbanjo (CS-30) dec. Justin Couty (CS-23)
147-lbs.: Ayaz Mustafa (CS-20) dec. Tyler Dalzell (CS-30)
147-lbs.: Zach Phillips (CS-30) dec. Jacob Ragland (CS-40)
156-lbs.: Nicolas Nakaoka (CS-02) dec. Armani Resto (CS-23)
165-lbs.: Alan Long (CS-31) dec. Fabian Manzo (CS-24)
175-lbs.: Luke Kilianski (CS-34) dec. Tomas Olivas (CS-17)

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