Friday, December 3
USAFA, CO
7 PM MT
Air Force Academy
44
vs
3
Western Colorado
Falcon Wrestling Flies by Western Colorado, 44-3
12/3/2021 9:18:00 PM | Wrestling
USAF ACADEMY – Air Force scored bonus points in eight bouts, defeating Western Colorado, 44-3, in the home opener, Friday evening at Clune Arena, USAFA. The Falcons are 1-1 in dual action this season.
The dual was highlighted by falls in the 133, 197 and heavyweight weight classes. Nick Krug pinned his opponent at 133 in a blazing fast 0:26 seconds, marking the fastest fall by a Falcon this season. Teammate Cole Forrester recorded the second fall of the night in the 197 class, pinning Ruger Wyneken at the 3:42 mark, marking a career-first dual win the junior. Sophomore heavyweight and 2021 NCAA qualifier, No. 12 Wyatt Hendrickson had a strong showing in his season debut, racking up a plethora of points before pinning his opponent in 2:30.'
In the dual opener, Quinn Melofchik scored six points for the team tally in a dominating performance that ended in a medical default. Junior 149-pounder Dylan Martinez recorded a technical fall, his fourth this season, with an impressive 16-1 routing.
Cody Phippen, the 30th ranked 141-pounder according to Wrestle Stat, earned a major decision win over Dean Noble while teammate Gianno Petrucelli secured his major decision with 17-5 major in the 157 class.
Freshman Jack Ganos (165) secured a decision win for his fifth win this season, first of his dual career.
Western Colorado put up three points in the 174 class as Jimmy Laconte squeaked by Noah Blake in overtime, 8-6.
In the second dual off the night, the Falcons JV squad put up 42 points to WCU's 12. Garret Bowers (149) and Cal Sund (184) recorded falls in 1:00 and 1:39, respectively. Air Force 141-pounder Garrett Kuchan scored a technical fall, 17-1, and Trey Brisker rounded out the bonus points with a major decision in the 165 class, 12-0. Garrett Henigin posted a win in a high-scoring 14-11 bout at 197. WCU forfeited at 125, 133 and heavyweight.
"It was exciting to get back in to Clune Arena after about two years," head coach Sam Barber exclaimed. "We had a great crowd atmosphere and our guys showed up and wrestled hard for the fans. We wrestled well in a lot of placed but we always have work to do, we saw some positions that we can improve on and in this sport you have to always be improving."
Next up, the Falcons take a weekend off from competition prior to hosting national powerhouse, Oklahoma State, in Big 12 action on Friday, December 17. Action against the Cowboys is slated for noon MT in Clune Arena.
FINAL RESULTS
Dec. 3 – Air Force 44, Western State 3
125: Quinn Melofchik (AF) Med Def. Darian Palacio (WCU) | AF 6, WCU 0
133: Nick Krug (AF) Fall Patrick Allis (WCU), (0:26) | AF 12, WCU 0
141: #30 Cody Phippen (AF) MD Dean Noble (WCU), 12-4 | AF 16, WCU 0
149: Dylan Martinez (AF) TF Alex Alvarez (WCU), 16-1 | AF 21, WCU 0
157: Giano Petrucelli (AF) MD Cole Mortensen (WCU), 17-5 | AF 25, WCU 0
165: Jack Ganos (AF) Dec. Hunter Mullin (WCU), 6-4 | AF 28, WCU 0
174: Jimmy Laconte (WCU) Dec. Noah Blake (AF), 8-6 OT1 | AF 28, WCU 3
184: Jake Thompson (AF) MD Cole Gray (WCU), 11-0 | AF 32, WCU 3
197: Cole Forrester (AF) Fall Ruger Wyneken (WCU), (3:42) | AF 38, WCU 3
285: #12 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) Fall Sammy DeSeriere (WCU), (2:30) | AF 44, WCU 3
Dec. – Air Force 42, Western Colorado 12
125: Quinn Melofchik (AF) – Forfeit | AF 6, WCU 0
133: Nick Krug (AF) vs. Forfeit | AF 12, WCU 0
141: Garrett Kuchan (AF) TF Jacob McCarley (WCU), 17-1 | AF 17, WCU 0
149: Garrett Bowers (AF) Fall Caleb Domenico (WCU), (1:00) | AF 23, WCU 0
157: Walker Heckendorf (WCU) Fall Hunter Bleakney (AF) (6:52) | AF 23, WCU 6
165: Trey Brisker (AF) MD Hayden Johnson (WCU), 12-0 | AF 27, WCU 6
174: Cole Hernandez (WCU) Fall Anthony Hinson (AF), (6:50) | AF 27, WCU 12
184: Cal Sund (AF) Fall Parker Gasser (WCU), (1:39) | AF 33, WCU 12
197: Garrett Henigin (AF) Dec. Porter Fox (WCU), 14-11 | AF 36, WCU 12
285: #12 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) – Forfeit | AF 42, WCU 12
The dual was highlighted by falls in the 133, 197 and heavyweight weight classes. Nick Krug pinned his opponent at 133 in a blazing fast 0:26 seconds, marking the fastest fall by a Falcon this season. Teammate Cole Forrester recorded the second fall of the night in the 197 class, pinning Ruger Wyneken at the 3:42 mark, marking a career-first dual win the junior. Sophomore heavyweight and 2021 NCAA qualifier, No. 12 Wyatt Hendrickson had a strong showing in his season debut, racking up a plethora of points before pinning his opponent in 2:30.'
In the dual opener, Quinn Melofchik scored six points for the team tally in a dominating performance that ended in a medical default. Junior 149-pounder Dylan Martinez recorded a technical fall, his fourth this season, with an impressive 16-1 routing.
Cody Phippen, the 30th ranked 141-pounder according to Wrestle Stat, earned a major decision win over Dean Noble while teammate Gianno Petrucelli secured his major decision with 17-5 major in the 157 class.
Freshman Jack Ganos (165) secured a decision win for his fifth win this season, first of his dual career.
Western Colorado put up three points in the 174 class as Jimmy Laconte squeaked by Noah Blake in overtime, 8-6.
In the second dual off the night, the Falcons JV squad put up 42 points to WCU's 12. Garret Bowers (149) and Cal Sund (184) recorded falls in 1:00 and 1:39, respectively. Air Force 141-pounder Garrett Kuchan scored a technical fall, 17-1, and Trey Brisker rounded out the bonus points with a major decision in the 165 class, 12-0. Garrett Henigin posted a win in a high-scoring 14-11 bout at 197. WCU forfeited at 125, 133 and heavyweight.
"It was exciting to get back in to Clune Arena after about two years," head coach Sam Barber exclaimed. "We had a great crowd atmosphere and our guys showed up and wrestled hard for the fans. We wrestled well in a lot of placed but we always have work to do, we saw some positions that we can improve on and in this sport you have to always be improving."
Next up, the Falcons take a weekend off from competition prior to hosting national powerhouse, Oklahoma State, in Big 12 action on Friday, December 17. Action against the Cowboys is slated for noon MT in Clune Arena.
FINAL RESULTS
Dec. 3 – Air Force 44, Western State 3
125: Quinn Melofchik (AF) Med Def. Darian Palacio (WCU) | AF 6, WCU 0
133: Nick Krug (AF) Fall Patrick Allis (WCU), (0:26) | AF 12, WCU 0
141: #30 Cody Phippen (AF) MD Dean Noble (WCU), 12-4 | AF 16, WCU 0
149: Dylan Martinez (AF) TF Alex Alvarez (WCU), 16-1 | AF 21, WCU 0
157: Giano Petrucelli (AF) MD Cole Mortensen (WCU), 17-5 | AF 25, WCU 0
165: Jack Ganos (AF) Dec. Hunter Mullin (WCU), 6-4 | AF 28, WCU 0
174: Jimmy Laconte (WCU) Dec. Noah Blake (AF), 8-6 OT1 | AF 28, WCU 3
184: Jake Thompson (AF) MD Cole Gray (WCU), 11-0 | AF 32, WCU 3
197: Cole Forrester (AF) Fall Ruger Wyneken (WCU), (3:42) | AF 38, WCU 3
285: #12 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) Fall Sammy DeSeriere (WCU), (2:30) | AF 44, WCU 3
Dec. – Air Force 42, Western Colorado 12
125: Quinn Melofchik (AF) – Forfeit | AF 6, WCU 0
133: Nick Krug (AF) vs. Forfeit | AF 12, WCU 0
141: Garrett Kuchan (AF) TF Jacob McCarley (WCU), 17-1 | AF 17, WCU 0
149: Garrett Bowers (AF) Fall Caleb Domenico (WCU), (1:00) | AF 23, WCU 0
157: Walker Heckendorf (WCU) Fall Hunter Bleakney (AF) (6:52) | AF 23, WCU 6
165: Trey Brisker (AF) MD Hayden Johnson (WCU), 12-0 | AF 27, WCU 6
174: Cole Hernandez (WCU) Fall Anthony Hinson (AF), (6:50) | AF 27, WCU 12
184: Cal Sund (AF) Fall Parker Gasser (WCU), (1:39) | AF 33, WCU 12
197: Garrett Henigin (AF) Dec. Porter Fox (WCU), 14-11 | AF 36, WCU 12
285: #12 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) – Forfeit | AF 42, WCU 12
Players Mentioned
165/174
/ Wrestling
157
/ Wrestling
141/149
/ Wrestling
157
/ Wrestling
184/197
/ Wrestling
165
/ Wrestling
HWT
/ Wrestling
184/197
/ Wrestling
174/184
/ Wrestling
133/141
/ Wrestling
133/141
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
125
/ Wrestling
157/165
/ Wrestling
125/133
/ Wrestling
184
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