Thursday, March 17
Detroit, MI
10 AM MT / 5 PM MT
Air Force Academy
vs
NCAA Championships
2022 NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
3/16/2022 2:59:00 PM | Wrestling
2022 NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
A pair of Falcons earned spots to compete for All-America and Champion status at the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan. Action is slated to begin noon ET, Thursday and will conclude with the finals on Saturday evening.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Afternoon sessions will be aired on ESPN U for each day. Evening sessions, including the finals, will be aired on ESPN on each day. Follow @AF_Wrestle on Titter for live Air Force updates. Follow @NCAAWrestling for live tournament updates.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, March 17
10:30 a.m. Doors Open
10:30 a.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
Noon Session 1
5:30 p.m. Doors Open
5:30 p.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One, Autograph Session and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
7 p.m. Session 2
Friday, March 18
9:30 a.m. Doors Open
9:30 a.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
11 a.m. Session 3
6:30 p.m. Doors Open
6:30 p.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One, Autograph Session and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
8 p.m. Session 4
Saturday, March 19
9:30 a.m. Doors Open
9:30 a.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
11 a.m. Session 5
2 - 5 p.m. Wrestling Community Day Fan Jam at Cass Technical High School (Free and Open to Public) - see below
5:30 p.m. Doors Open
5:30 p.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One, Autograph Session and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
7 p.m. Session 6
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
The final NCAA coaches poll ranked Wyatt Hendrickson at No. 5 and Sidney Flores at No. 28.
WHAT IF…
If Hendrickson or Flores earn All-America status, it will be the first time since heavyweight runner-up Kevin Hoy in 2003. If either wrestler wins a national title, it will be the first since Don Henderson in 1967.
FIRST ROUND MATCHES
In the wake of the Academy's first-ever Big 12 title, Hendrickson (24-0) has drawn the five seed and will take on the Citadel's 2021 NCAA qualifier Michael McAleavey (25-10) in the first round. Minnesota's Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson (13-0) has drawn the top seed.
Following a fourth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, Flores (17-12) drew the 28th seed where he will take on Iowa's three-time All-American Austin DeSanto (15-3). Penn State's 2021 NCAA Champion Roman Bravo-Young (17-0) is the No. 1 seed for the division.
THE GOOSE EGG
Hendrickson is one-of-three nationally ranked heavyweights to remain undefeated headed in to the NCAAs. Hendrickson (24-0) shares the hard-fought honor with No. 1 Gable Steveson (13-0) and No. 2 Cohlton Schultz (18-0).
UTTER DOMINANCE
Heading into nationals, Wyatt Hendrickson is the Most Dominant Wrestler with an average of 5.35 team points per match behind his 23-0 D-I record with 15 falls which is the most in Division I. 21 of his wins came with bonus points.
BIG 12 TOURNAMENT RECAP
Wyatt Hendrickson commanded his way through the heavyweight division of the 2022 Big 12 Wrestling Championships, becoming the Falcons' first-ever Big 12 Champion. Hendrickson, who was crowned the Outstanding Wrestler, is one of two Falcons to clinch a spot in the 2022 NCAA Tournament in the wake of the league championship.
Senior 133-pounder Sidney Flores earned his first Big 12 podium finish, placing fourth after going 1-1 on day two action. Flores started the day with a bang as he battled six-seed Haiden Drury (Utah Valley) to a third-period pin (5:58), to earn his way into the third-place bout against Iowa State's fifth-seeded Ramzan Attasauov. The Cyclone was able to hold off Flores' onslaught, besting the Falcon by decision, 8-5.
Missouri won the team race with 131.5 points while Oklahoma State (113) and Iowa State (110) finished second and third, respectively. The Falcons finished 10th with 45 points, placing ahead of Northern Colorado and Utah Valley.
LAST TIME AT NCAA'S
Wyatt Hendrickson concluded his tournament one win shy of a podium finish, falling in the "blood round." Hendrickson, who was AF's first freshman qualifier since 2013, became the first AF wrestler to reach the vaunted Round of 12 since Cole VonOhlen, also in 2013. Hendrickson finishes his first season in the Blue and Silver with a solid 16-5 record, including 11 of those wins via bonus points (three MD, one TF, seven pins).
Hendrickson began his day in consolation round two with a matchup against #18 Hunter Catka of Virginia Tech. As he has all season long, Hendrickson racked up the bonus points, winning via 14-6 major decision to get to the third round of consolations.
In the third round of consis, he matched up with #8 seeded and reigning All-American Jordan Wood of Lehigh. Hendrickson raced out to an early 6-0 lead and kept it 6-2 into the third. Despite giving up some points, Hendrickson held on for the thrilling 7-6 victory to advance into the vaunted "bloodround" against #14 Trent Hillger, another returning AA.
The match began scoreless after the first period, and was knotted at 1-1 into the third. In the third, he was reversed and after an escape was taken down, eventually leading to a 6-3 decision defeat, and ending his impressive rookie campaign.
HWT - #17 Wyatt Hendrickson (3-2)
Champ. Rd. 1: W over #16 Luke Luffman (Illinois) (Pin 2:12)
Champ. Rd. 2: L to #1 Gable Steveson (Minnesota) (TF 17-2)
Consi Rd. 2: W over #18 Hunter Catka (Virginia Tech) (MD 14-6)
Consi Rd. 3: W over #8 Jordan Wood (Lehigh) (Dec 7-6)
Bloodround: L to #14 Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) (Dec 6-3)
AF REPEATS BIG 12 WEEKLY AWARD
Both Falcon NCAA qualifiers earned a weekly Big 12 Award earlier this season.
Air Force received its second consecutive weekly award as Sidney Flores was voted Big 12 Wrestler of the Week by league coaches after taking the 133 weight class title at the David H. Lehman F&M Open.
Flores opened his title run with a major decision win over Army's Daniel Uhorchuk, 9-0. The senior continued to work consistently, picking up convincing decision wins through the round of 16 with a 7-2 victory over Joe Hayes (unattached), a 6-3 win against Zach Whitmer (Columbia), and a 6-0 sweep against David Campbell (Rutgers). Flores then outscored Army's Mark Montgomery, 10-3, to earn the title.
The week before, Air Force sophomore Wyatt Hendrickson was voted Big 12 Wrestler of the Week after conquering the heavyweight title at the 2022 Southern Scuffle, pinning three opponents while earning five bonus point victories en route to the victory.
For his dominant performance, Hendrickson won the Outstanding Wrestler award and the Gorrarian Award for the most pins in the shortest amount of time (4/11:10). Hendrickson is the first Southern Scuffle champion in Air Force history.
A pair of Falcons earned spots to compete for All-America and Champion status at the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan. Action is slated to begin noon ET, Thursday and will conclude with the finals on Saturday evening.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Afternoon sessions will be aired on ESPN U for each day. Evening sessions, including the finals, will be aired on ESPN on each day. Follow @AF_Wrestle on Titter for live Air Force updates. Follow @NCAAWrestling for live tournament updates.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, March 17
10:30 a.m. Doors Open
10:30 a.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
Noon Session 1
5:30 p.m. Doors Open
5:30 p.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One, Autograph Session and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
7 p.m. Session 2
Friday, March 18
9:30 a.m. Doors Open
9:30 a.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
11 a.m. Session 3
6:30 p.m. Doors Open
6:30 p.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One, Autograph Session and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
8 p.m. Session 4
Saturday, March 19
9:30 a.m. Doors Open
9:30 a.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
11 a.m. Session 5
2 - 5 p.m. Wrestling Community Day Fan Jam at Cass Technical High School (Free and Open to Public) - see below
5:30 p.m. Doors Open
5:30 p.m. NCAA Fan Zone with Capital One, Autograph Session and WIN Exhibitor Showcase
7 p.m. Session 6
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
The final NCAA coaches poll ranked Wyatt Hendrickson at No. 5 and Sidney Flores at No. 28.
WHAT IF…
If Hendrickson or Flores earn All-America status, it will be the first time since heavyweight runner-up Kevin Hoy in 2003. If either wrestler wins a national title, it will be the first since Don Henderson in 1967.
FIRST ROUND MATCHES
In the wake of the Academy's first-ever Big 12 title, Hendrickson (24-0) has drawn the five seed and will take on the Citadel's 2021 NCAA qualifier Michael McAleavey (25-10) in the first round. Minnesota's Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson (13-0) has drawn the top seed.
Following a fourth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, Flores (17-12) drew the 28th seed where he will take on Iowa's three-time All-American Austin DeSanto (15-3). Penn State's 2021 NCAA Champion Roman Bravo-Young (17-0) is the No. 1 seed for the division.
THE GOOSE EGG
Hendrickson is one-of-three nationally ranked heavyweights to remain undefeated headed in to the NCAAs. Hendrickson (24-0) shares the hard-fought honor with No. 1 Gable Steveson (13-0) and No. 2 Cohlton Schultz (18-0).
UTTER DOMINANCE
Heading into nationals, Wyatt Hendrickson is the Most Dominant Wrestler with an average of 5.35 team points per match behind his 23-0 D-I record with 15 falls which is the most in Division I. 21 of his wins came with bonus points.
BIG 12 TOURNAMENT RECAP
Wyatt Hendrickson commanded his way through the heavyweight division of the 2022 Big 12 Wrestling Championships, becoming the Falcons' first-ever Big 12 Champion. Hendrickson, who was crowned the Outstanding Wrestler, is one of two Falcons to clinch a spot in the 2022 NCAA Tournament in the wake of the league championship.
Senior 133-pounder Sidney Flores earned his first Big 12 podium finish, placing fourth after going 1-1 on day two action. Flores started the day with a bang as he battled six-seed Haiden Drury (Utah Valley) to a third-period pin (5:58), to earn his way into the third-place bout against Iowa State's fifth-seeded Ramzan Attasauov. The Cyclone was able to hold off Flores' onslaught, besting the Falcon by decision, 8-5.
Missouri won the team race with 131.5 points while Oklahoma State (113) and Iowa State (110) finished second and third, respectively. The Falcons finished 10th with 45 points, placing ahead of Northern Colorado and Utah Valley.
LAST TIME AT NCAA'S
Wyatt Hendrickson concluded his tournament one win shy of a podium finish, falling in the "blood round." Hendrickson, who was AF's first freshman qualifier since 2013, became the first AF wrestler to reach the vaunted Round of 12 since Cole VonOhlen, also in 2013. Hendrickson finishes his first season in the Blue and Silver with a solid 16-5 record, including 11 of those wins via bonus points (three MD, one TF, seven pins).
Hendrickson began his day in consolation round two with a matchup against #18 Hunter Catka of Virginia Tech. As he has all season long, Hendrickson racked up the bonus points, winning via 14-6 major decision to get to the third round of consolations.
In the third round of consis, he matched up with #8 seeded and reigning All-American Jordan Wood of Lehigh. Hendrickson raced out to an early 6-0 lead and kept it 6-2 into the third. Despite giving up some points, Hendrickson held on for the thrilling 7-6 victory to advance into the vaunted "bloodround" against #14 Trent Hillger, another returning AA.
The match began scoreless after the first period, and was knotted at 1-1 into the third. In the third, he was reversed and after an escape was taken down, eventually leading to a 6-3 decision defeat, and ending his impressive rookie campaign.
HWT - #17 Wyatt Hendrickson (3-2)
Champ. Rd. 1: W over #16 Luke Luffman (Illinois) (Pin 2:12)
Champ. Rd. 2: L to #1 Gable Steveson (Minnesota) (TF 17-2)
Consi Rd. 2: W over #18 Hunter Catka (Virginia Tech) (MD 14-6)
Consi Rd. 3: W over #8 Jordan Wood (Lehigh) (Dec 7-6)
Bloodround: L to #14 Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) (Dec 6-3)
AF REPEATS BIG 12 WEEKLY AWARD
Both Falcon NCAA qualifiers earned a weekly Big 12 Award earlier this season.
Air Force received its second consecutive weekly award as Sidney Flores was voted Big 12 Wrestler of the Week by league coaches after taking the 133 weight class title at the David H. Lehman F&M Open.
Flores opened his title run with a major decision win over Army's Daniel Uhorchuk, 9-0. The senior continued to work consistently, picking up convincing decision wins through the round of 16 with a 7-2 victory over Joe Hayes (unattached), a 6-3 win against Zach Whitmer (Columbia), and a 6-0 sweep against David Campbell (Rutgers). Flores then outscored Army's Mark Montgomery, 10-3, to earn the title.
The week before, Air Force sophomore Wyatt Hendrickson was voted Big 12 Wrestler of the Week after conquering the heavyweight title at the 2022 Southern Scuffle, pinning three opponents while earning five bonus point victories en route to the victory.
For his dominant performance, Hendrickson won the Outstanding Wrestler award and the Gorrarian Award for the most pins in the shortest amount of time (4/11:10). Hendrickson is the first Southern Scuffle champion in Air Force history.
Players Mentioned
133
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