Wrestling Concludes Day One of Big 12 Championships

TULSA – Air Force wrapped up the first day of the 2022 Big 12 Wrestling Championships with a finalist and two NCAA tickets punched, Saturday afternoon in the BOK Center.

Falcon standout Wyatt Hendrickson continued his dominant roll through Division I wrestlers winning three-straight to rise to the heavyweight finals match, becoming the highest-placing Falcon at a Big 12 Championship in program history, besting last season's third-place finish.

Hendrickson opened action against Northern Colorado's Jacob Seely, pinning the Bear at 2:04, nearly three minutes quicker than the pin in the regular season meeting. In the quarter finals, Hendrickson was met with more staunch resistance by Oklahoma's No. 8-seed Josh Heindselham. Wyatt posted a convincing 11-5 decision, marking just his third decision win of the season. In semifinals, Hendrickson met with South Dakota State's AJ Nevills who was pinned down at the 2:05 mark.

Hendrickson's record improves to 23-0 against Division I wrestlers, 16 of those wins came by fall. He will take on Oklahoma State's Luke Surber in the championship bout.

Falcon senior Sidney Flores punched his ticket to the national tournament following a 2-1 on the mats. Flores, now 15-10 on the season, opened up action against seven-seed Anthony Madrigal (OU). Flores fell to the sooner by major decision, 8-0. In the consolation matches, Flores took on Wyoming's No. 8-seed Job Greenwood and South Dakota State's third-seeded Gabriel Tagg, knocking both guys off with decision victories. Flores looked determined in his 12-9 decision win over Greenwood and showed tenacity in his 12-10 SV1 finish over Tagg.

Flores will take on Utah Valley's Haiden Drury in tomorrow's opening session. Drury is seeded sixth in the bracket.

Junior 149-pounder Dylan Martinez remains alive in championship action, battling to a 3-1 day. Martinez (13-14) started off strong as he upended seven-seeded Chris Sandoval of Northern Colorado with a convincing 8-4 decision win. In his next bout, he met with Oklahoma's second-seeded Willie McDougald, dropping a narrow 8-6 decision. In Martinez's first consolation bout he took on Daniel Kimball (SDSU), hitting a big move to finish with a 9-3 decision in the first sudden victory period. In his next match against Jeff Boyd (WVU), Martinez saw extra minutes yet again, this time getting by Boyd in sudden victory, 5-3.

Martinez will take on five-seeded Collin Realbuto (UNI) in tomorrow's opening session.

Session three kicks off at noon CT with the consolation brackets. Finals actions begins at 7 p.m

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