Air Force Drops Close Big 12 Battle at NDSU, 21-16

FARGO – Air Force was narrowly outscored by North Dakota State, 21-16, in a Big 12 Conference dual meet, Sunday afternoon, in the Scheels Center in Fargo, North Dakota. The Falcons' dual record drops to 3-4 with a 1-4 mark in the league. NDSU improved to 8-3, 3-3 Big 12.

Air Force got off to a strong start, winning the first two matches at 125 and 133. Air Force senior team captain Jared Van Vleet blanked Lucas Rodriguez, 3-0, to start. Air Force senior teammate Sidney Flores extended the team score to 7-0 with an 8-0 major decision over Ryan Henningson.

NDSU got back into the battle winning the next three matches from 141 to 157, besting Cody Phippen, Dylan Martinez and Giano Petrucelli, respectively.

Air Force 174-pounder No. 33 Sam Wolf got the Falcons back on track, posting a convincing 6-1 decision over Riley Habisch to bring Air Force's team score within two, 12-10.

The 184 and 197 bouts determined the dual meet as Jake Thompson dropped a 7-1 decision to DJ Parker. The 23^rd ranked 197 in the nation, Owen Pentz, put the dagger in with a pin against Air Force's Kayne Hutchison in 1:32, lifting the Bison out of striking distance in the team score.

With the dual secured, NDSU forfeited their heavyweight bout against No. 6 Wyatt Hendrickson, denying the sophomore standout a chance to go to work. The dual was finalized at 21-16 in favor of the Bison.

Next up, Air Force travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to square off against Northern Iowa, Friday, February 5. Action is slated for a 7 p.m. CT start.

North Dakota State 21, Air Force 16 Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022 Scheels Center | Fargo, N.D. | Att: 419
125 - Jared Van Vleet (AF) over Lucas Rodriguez (NDSU) (Dec 5-4); AF 3-0
133 - Sidney Flores (AF) over Ryan Henningson (NDSU) (MD 8-0); AF 7-0
141 - #28 Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU) over Cody Phippen (AF) (Dec 4-3); AF 7-3
149 - Gaven Sax (NDSU) over Dylan Martinez (AF) (Dec 7-0); AF 7-6
157 - #7 Jared Franek (NDSU) over Giano Petrucelli (AF) (Dec 12-6); NDSU 9-7
165 - #20 Luke Weber (NDSU) over Trey Brisker (AF) (Dec 4-1); NDSU 12-7
174 - #33 Sam Wolf (AF) over Riley Habisch (NDSU) (Dec 6-1); NDSU 12-10
184 - Deanthony Parker Jr (NDSU) over Jacob Thompson (AF) (Dec 7-1); NDSU 15-10
197 - #23 Owen Pentz (NDSU) over Kayne Hutchison (AF) (Fall 1:32); NDSU 21-10
285 - #6 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) over Unknown (For.); NDSU 21-16
Dual started at 125 pounds # InterMat Rankings

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