Air Force Takes Down California Baptist, 32-11

USAF ACADEMY – Air Force outscored California Baptist, 32-11, scoring six bonus-point wins against the Big 12 newcomers, Thursday evening in Clune Arena. The Falcons improve to 3-3 overall with a 1-3 mark in the league while CBU remains winless at 0-6.

Action kicked off at 125 where senior team captain Jared Van Vleet put his ability on display, winning a major decision over Dilan Ajtun, 10-0. CBU got a jolt of energy as they won 5-3 decision in the 133 class. Hunter Leake, who narrowly bested Sidney Flores, was docked a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Falcons, fired up, rattled off two-straight bonus point victories at 141 and 149. AF 141-pounder Garrett Kuchan got the crowd to erupt with third-round pin (5:59) against Christian Nunez. Falcon 149-pounder Dylan Martinez carried the momentum into the next match, winning a technical fall over Chaz Hallmark, 21-3.

The Lancers, unwilling to go quietly, won the following two bouts, earning decision wins over Giano Petrucelli (157) and Trey Brisker (165).

Air Force fans were wrangled back into a good mood in the 174-class as No. 30 Sam Wolf put on a display of aggression that many will remember, beating Louis Rojas by technical fall, 22-5. Wolf, now 11-4 on the season, has two technical falls in dual action this season.

CBU made their last bit of noise in the 184 class as Caden Gerlach narrowly outscored AF senior Jake Thompson, 6-5.

The Falcons finished with a bang at 197 and heavyweight, scoring 12 bonus points via two pins. Kayne Hutchison (197) went to work on Arick Lopez, pinning the Lancer in 2:18. Air Force heavyweight No. 6 Wyatt Hendrickson, currently undefeated this season (13-0), one-upped his teammate with a pin in 1:41 to seal the deal. Hendrickson leads the nation in falls with 11 to his credit this season.

"I'm pleased to see the continued growth of our team," head coach Sam Barber said. "We're wrestling with high energy and a lot of effort. We're wrestling in positions and creating opportunities and that's what we want to see as we push further into a tough Big 12 schedule."

"California Baptist is a tough team and they're competing in the Big 12," Barber continued. "They helped make an exciting night of wrestling for our fans in Clune Arena."

Next up, the Falcons hit the road to take on North Dakota State, Sunday (Jan. 30), in Fargo, North Dakota. Action is slated for 11 a.m. CT in the Scheels Center. NDSU is currently 6-3 overall with a 1-3 mark in Big 12 action. The Bison will host West Virginia a day prior to AF, on Saturday, Jan. 29.

Air Force 32, California Baptist 11
125: Jared Van Vleet (AF) MD Dilan Ajtun (CBU), 10-0 | AF 4, CBU 0
133: Hunter Leake (CBU) Dec. #32 Sidney Flores (AF), 5-3 | AF 4, CBU 2*
141: Garrett Kuchan (AF) Fall Christian Nunez (CBU), (5:59) | AF 10, CBU 2
149: Dylan Martinez (AF) TF Chaz Hallmark (CBU), 21-3 | AF 15, CBU 2
157: AJ Raya (CBU) Dec. Giano Petrucelli (AF), SV-1 3-1 | AF 15, CBU 5
165: Frank Almaguer (CBU) Dec. Trey Brisker (AF), 5-3 | AF 15, CBU 8
174: #30 Sam Wolf (AF) TF Louis Rojas (CBU), 22-5 | AF 20, CBU 8
184: Caden Gerlach (CBU) Dec. Jake Thompson (AF), 6-5 | AF 20, CBU 11
197: Kayne Hutchison (AF) Fall Arick Lopez (CBU), (2:18) | AF 26, CBU 11
HWT: #6 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) Fall Chris Island (CBU), (1:41) | AF 32, CBU 11

*Point deducted for unsportsmanlike conduct

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