Falcon Wrestling Concludes Citadel Open with Pair of Co-Champs

CHARLSETON – Air Force seniors Jared Van Vleet and Sidney Flores led the Falcons with a co-champion finish at the Citadel Open, hosted by the Citadel, Saturday afternoon at McAlister Field House. The Falcons competed against NC State, currently ranked the sixth-best team in the nation by FloWrestling, Duke and Presbyterian.

Flores battled to the top-spot of the 133 class with a fall and a pair of decision wins. In the semifinals, he faced off against 11^th-ranked Jarrett Trombley of NC State, besting him with a 6-4 decision. Senior teammate Van Vleet went on a tear to the top-spot, posting two technical falls and a decision en route to the final where he and Flores agreed on a co-title.

Five Falcons posted second-place finishes on the event. Quinn Melofchik (125) went 2-1 on the day recording a major decision. Cody Phippen (141) earned second via fall, major decision and decision win. Dylan Martinez (149) was dominant in his bracket, posting a major decision and two tech falls en route to second-place. Sophomore Sam Wolf (174) earned second-place with a pair of major decisions and a pair of decision victories. Jake Thompson (184) claimed second via two decision wins and a major decision.

Freshman Jack Ganos wrangled in a third-place finish in the 165 class, pinning one opponent and winning the third-place bout by decision.

The Falcons return to tournament action in North Carolina as Air Force travels to Boone to compete at the Mountaineer Invitational, hosted by Appalachian State, Sunday, November 14. Action is slated to begin at 9 a.m. ET.

FINAL RESULT
Quinn Melofchik placed 2nd place at 125
Cody Phippen placed 2nd place at 141
Dylan Martinez placed 2nd at 149
Sam Wolf placed 2nd at 174
Jake Thompson placed 2nd at 184
Jack Ganos placed 3rd at 165
Calvin Sund placed 3rd at 184
Garrett Kuchan took 4th place at 141
Giano Petrucelli placed 4th at 157
Harlan Steffensmeier placed 4th at 174
Try Brisker placed 5th place at 157
Kayne Hutchison placed 6th at 197

MINES ROOKIE OPEN
A small contingent of Falcons competed at the Mines Rookie Open, on Sunday (Nov. 7). Air Force concluded the event with a pair of champions in Garret Hinigin (197) and Noah Blake (174). Five Falcons placed in the top five.

Blake 1st at 174
Henigin 1st at 1987
Wenzel 2nd at 184
Musser 3rd at 184
Miller 3rd at 149
Ryan 4th at 165

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