
Photo by: Laura Domingue
Air Force Rumbles Through Orem with Pair of Dual Wins
1/27/2023 8:27:00 PM | Wrestling
#21 Sam Wolf knocks off returning All-American #8 Demetrius Romero to highlight the road trip
OREM, Utah – The 27th-ranked Air Force Falcons posted landslide numbers in a pair of duals Friday evening in Orem, outscoring Big 12 foe Utah Valley, 33-3, and blanking Snow College, 44-0. The Falcons improve to 7-1 overall with a 3-1 mark in the conference, while Utah Valley drops to 2-8, 1-5 Big 12.
The highlight of the evening came in the 174 class of the Utah Valley dual as No. 21 Sam Wolf upended returning All-American and Big 12 Champion No. 8 Demetrius Romero, 5-3. Wolf, who missed most of the first semester with injury, battled through the same nagging injury in the first period. Despite giving up position to medical timeout, Wolf was determined to make some noise in the Big 12 and the national rankings. In the second period, Wolf settled in and went to work, scoring the only two takedowns for the remainder of the match against the All-American. Wolf improved to 10-1 this season with a perfect 4-0 mark in dual action.
The Falcons posted wins in 9-of-10 weight classes against the Big 12 foe. No. 29 Tucker Owens got things started off the right way with a convincing 12-4 major decision over Kase Mauger, marking his 20th win this season—a team-high mark. The Falcons 19th-ranked Cody Phippen came up short of an opponent in the 133 class, tacking on a six points for Air Force via forfeit.
UVU got their first and only points of the dual in the 141 class as Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Ty Smith outscored junior Garrett Kuchan, 6-2.
The Falcons got back into the win column at 149 as No. 30 Dylan Martinez gritted out a 3-2 win over Isaiah Delgado. The win marked Martinez's 15th win this season, he is 4-1 in dual action. Falcon sophomore Jack Ganos followed up with a 6-2 win over Kyler Lake in the 157 class. Ganos, who made a successful cut from 165 earlier this season, is on a three dual meet win streak.
At 165, No. 31 Giano Petrucelli was perfect against Tanner Lofthouse, posting a convincing 10-0 major decision with 5:57 of riding time. Petrucelli has 19 wins this season, eight by major decision. Falcon 184-pounder No. 33 Noah Blake outlasted Caleb Uhlenhopp in a battle to the bitter end, winning 1-1 via riding time criteria in the final overtime period. Blake is an impressive 6-0 for the Falcons in dual action this season.
Calvin Sund, who has been instrumental in the Falcons' upper weights this season, pulled off another dual win as he posted a 5-2 decision over Jack Forbes—Sund dominated the ride with seven mat returns in the match. Sund has 15 wins this season and is 5-2 in dual action.
In the final bout, No. 5 Wyatt Hendrickson delivered another bonus point victory, this time a 14-4 major decision over Chase Trussel who upended a pair of ranked wrestlers the weekend prior. Hendrickson is 18-1 this season with 100-percent bonus points in all duals. He currently leads the nation in the Most Dominant Wrestler race.
#27 Air Force (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) at Utah Valley (2-8, 1-5 Big 12)
125: #29 Tucker Owens (AF) MD Kase Mauger (UVU), 12-4 | AF 4, UVU 0
133: #19 Cody Phippen (AF) by Forfeit (UVU) | AF 10, UVU 0
141: Ty Smith (UVU) Dec. Garrett Kuchan (AF), 6-2 | AF 10, UVU 3
149: #30 Dylan Martinez (AF) Dec. Isaiah Delgado (UVU), 3-2 | AF 13, UVU 3
157: Jack Ganos (AF) Dec. Kyler Lake (UVU), 6-2 | AF 16, UVU 3
165: #31 Giano Petrucelli (AF) MD Tanner Lofthouse (UVU), 10-0 | AF 20, UVU 3
174: #21 Sam Wolf (AF) Dec. #8 Demetrius Romero (UVU), 5-3 | AF 23, UVU 3
184: #33 Noah Blake (AF) Dec. Caleb Uhlenhopp (UVU), 1-1 TB2(RT) | AF 26, UVU 3
197: Calvin Sund (AF) Dec. Jack Forbes (UVU), 5-2 | AF 29, UVU 3
285: #5 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) MD Chase Trussell (UVU), 14-4 | AF 33, UVU 3
Earlier in the day, the Falcons put up a season-best 44 points against Snow College. The Falcons were led by freshman Logan Attisano who pinned his opponent in 1:40. Air Force posted bonus point wins in five classes to go along with 12 points via forfeit.
Falcon sophomore Josh Miller posted his first technical fall of the season, winning 16-0 (5:28) in the 157 class. Teammates Seamus Casey (165), Gage Musser (174) and Garrett Henigin (197) each posted a major decision apiece. Casey has four major decisions this season.
Bryce Shelton (149), Drake Buchanan (184) and Matthew Kaplan (285) rounded out the scorecards with decision wins in the respective divisions.
Jan. 27 - #27 Air Force 44, Snow College 0
125: #29 Tucker Owens (AF) vs. Foreit (Snow) | AF 6, SNOW 0
133: Logan Attisano (AF) Fall Jacob Waddoups (Snow), 1:40 | AF 12, SNOW 0
141: Garrett Kuchan (AF) vs. Forfeit (Snow) | AF 18, SNOW 0
149: Bryce Shelton (AF) Dec. Rhett Miner (Snow), 12-6 | AF 21, SNOW 0
157: Josh Miller (AF) TF Xavier Perez (Snow), 16-0 (5:28) | AF 26, SNOW 0
165: Seamus Casey (AF) MD Jace Brower (Snow), 9-0 | AF 30, SNOW 0
174: Gage Musser (AF) MD Zack Johnson (Snow), 12-4 | AF 34, SNOW 0
184: Drake Buchanan (AF) Dec. Hayes Dalton (Snow), 13-6 | AF 37, SNOW 0
197: Garrett Henigin (AF) MD Christian Slack (Snow), 15-3 | AF 41, SNOW 0
285: Matthew Kaplan (AF) Dec. David Herring (Snow), 4-2 (SV1) | AF 44, SNOW 0
Extra Matches:
174: Gage Musser (AF) Dec. Kaden Kirk (Snow), 9-4
285: Matthew Kaplan (AF) MD Nick Ware (Snow), 8-0
Next up, the Falcons return to Clune Arena on Sunday to take on a stout 19th-ranked South Dakota State. Action is slated to begin at 1 p.m. MT.
#27 Air Force (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) vs. #19 South Dakota State (10-2, 4-0 Big 12)
125: #29 Tucker Owens (AF) vs. #30 Tanner Jordan (SDSU)
133: #19 Cody Phippen (AF) Derrick Cardinal (SDSU)
141: Garrett Kuchan (AF) vs. #10 Clay Carlson or Caleb Gross (SDSU)
149: #30 Dylan Martinez (AF) vs. Alek Martin (SDSU)
157: Jack Ganos (AF) vs. #19 Cael Swensen (SDSU)
165: #31 Giano Petrucelli (AF) #14 Tanner Cook or Connor Gaynor (SDSU)
174: #21 Sam Wolf vs. #15 Cade DeVos (SDSU)
184: #33 Noah Blake vs. #17 Cade King (SDSU)
197: Calvin Sund (AF) vs. #11 Tanner Sloan (15-1) or Cody Donnelly (SDSU)
285: #5 Wyatt Hendrickson vs. #13 A.J. Nevills (SDSU)
The highlight of the evening came in the 174 class of the Utah Valley dual as No. 21 Sam Wolf upended returning All-American and Big 12 Champion No. 8 Demetrius Romero, 5-3. Wolf, who missed most of the first semester with injury, battled through the same nagging injury in the first period. Despite giving up position to medical timeout, Wolf was determined to make some noise in the Big 12 and the national rankings. In the second period, Wolf settled in and went to work, scoring the only two takedowns for the remainder of the match against the All-American. Wolf improved to 10-1 this season with a perfect 4-0 mark in dual action.
The Falcons posted wins in 9-of-10 weight classes against the Big 12 foe. No. 29 Tucker Owens got things started off the right way with a convincing 12-4 major decision over Kase Mauger, marking his 20th win this season—a team-high mark. The Falcons 19th-ranked Cody Phippen came up short of an opponent in the 133 class, tacking on a six points for Air Force via forfeit.
UVU got their first and only points of the dual in the 141 class as Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Ty Smith outscored junior Garrett Kuchan, 6-2.
The Falcons got back into the win column at 149 as No. 30 Dylan Martinez gritted out a 3-2 win over Isaiah Delgado. The win marked Martinez's 15th win this season, he is 4-1 in dual action. Falcon sophomore Jack Ganos followed up with a 6-2 win over Kyler Lake in the 157 class. Ganos, who made a successful cut from 165 earlier this season, is on a three dual meet win streak.
At 165, No. 31 Giano Petrucelli was perfect against Tanner Lofthouse, posting a convincing 10-0 major decision with 5:57 of riding time. Petrucelli has 19 wins this season, eight by major decision. Falcon 184-pounder No. 33 Noah Blake outlasted Caleb Uhlenhopp in a battle to the bitter end, winning 1-1 via riding time criteria in the final overtime period. Blake is an impressive 6-0 for the Falcons in dual action this season.
Calvin Sund, who has been instrumental in the Falcons' upper weights this season, pulled off another dual win as he posted a 5-2 decision over Jack Forbes—Sund dominated the ride with seven mat returns in the match. Sund has 15 wins this season and is 5-2 in dual action.
In the final bout, No. 5 Wyatt Hendrickson delivered another bonus point victory, this time a 14-4 major decision over Chase Trussel who upended a pair of ranked wrestlers the weekend prior. Hendrickson is 18-1 this season with 100-percent bonus points in all duals. He currently leads the nation in the Most Dominant Wrestler race.
#27 Air Force (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) at Utah Valley (2-8, 1-5 Big 12)
125: #29 Tucker Owens (AF) MD Kase Mauger (UVU), 12-4 | AF 4, UVU 0
133: #19 Cody Phippen (AF) by Forfeit (UVU) | AF 10, UVU 0
141: Ty Smith (UVU) Dec. Garrett Kuchan (AF), 6-2 | AF 10, UVU 3
149: #30 Dylan Martinez (AF) Dec. Isaiah Delgado (UVU), 3-2 | AF 13, UVU 3
157: Jack Ganos (AF) Dec. Kyler Lake (UVU), 6-2 | AF 16, UVU 3
165: #31 Giano Petrucelli (AF) MD Tanner Lofthouse (UVU), 10-0 | AF 20, UVU 3
174: #21 Sam Wolf (AF) Dec. #8 Demetrius Romero (UVU), 5-3 | AF 23, UVU 3
184: #33 Noah Blake (AF) Dec. Caleb Uhlenhopp (UVU), 1-1 TB2(RT) | AF 26, UVU 3
197: Calvin Sund (AF) Dec. Jack Forbes (UVU), 5-2 | AF 29, UVU 3
285: #5 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) MD Chase Trussell (UVU), 14-4 | AF 33, UVU 3
Earlier in the day, the Falcons put up a season-best 44 points against Snow College. The Falcons were led by freshman Logan Attisano who pinned his opponent in 1:40. Air Force posted bonus point wins in five classes to go along with 12 points via forfeit.
Falcon sophomore Josh Miller posted his first technical fall of the season, winning 16-0 (5:28) in the 157 class. Teammates Seamus Casey (165), Gage Musser (174) and Garrett Henigin (197) each posted a major decision apiece. Casey has four major decisions this season.
Bryce Shelton (149), Drake Buchanan (184) and Matthew Kaplan (285) rounded out the scorecards with decision wins in the respective divisions.
Jan. 27 - #27 Air Force 44, Snow College 0
125: #29 Tucker Owens (AF) vs. Foreit (Snow) | AF 6, SNOW 0
133: Logan Attisano (AF) Fall Jacob Waddoups (Snow), 1:40 | AF 12, SNOW 0
141: Garrett Kuchan (AF) vs. Forfeit (Snow) | AF 18, SNOW 0
149: Bryce Shelton (AF) Dec. Rhett Miner (Snow), 12-6 | AF 21, SNOW 0
157: Josh Miller (AF) TF Xavier Perez (Snow), 16-0 (5:28) | AF 26, SNOW 0
165: Seamus Casey (AF) MD Jace Brower (Snow), 9-0 | AF 30, SNOW 0
174: Gage Musser (AF) MD Zack Johnson (Snow), 12-4 | AF 34, SNOW 0
184: Drake Buchanan (AF) Dec. Hayes Dalton (Snow), 13-6 | AF 37, SNOW 0
197: Garrett Henigin (AF) MD Christian Slack (Snow), 15-3 | AF 41, SNOW 0
285: Matthew Kaplan (AF) Dec. David Herring (Snow), 4-2 (SV1) | AF 44, SNOW 0
Extra Matches:
174: Gage Musser (AF) Dec. Kaden Kirk (Snow), 9-4
285: Matthew Kaplan (AF) MD Nick Ware (Snow), 8-0
Next up, the Falcons return to Clune Arena on Sunday to take on a stout 19th-ranked South Dakota State. Action is slated to begin at 1 p.m. MT.
#27 Air Force (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) vs. #19 South Dakota State (10-2, 4-0 Big 12)
125: #29 Tucker Owens (AF) vs. #30 Tanner Jordan (SDSU)
133: #19 Cody Phippen (AF) Derrick Cardinal (SDSU)
141: Garrett Kuchan (AF) vs. #10 Clay Carlson or Caleb Gross (SDSU)
149: #30 Dylan Martinez (AF) vs. Alek Martin (SDSU)
157: Jack Ganos (AF) vs. #19 Cael Swensen (SDSU)
165: #31 Giano Petrucelli (AF) #14 Tanner Cook or Connor Gaynor (SDSU)
174: #21 Sam Wolf vs. #15 Cade DeVos (SDSU)
184: #33 Noah Blake vs. #17 Cade King (SDSU)
197: Calvin Sund (AF) vs. #11 Tanner Sloan (15-1) or Cody Donnelly (SDSU)
285: #5 Wyatt Hendrickson vs. #13 A.J. Nevills (SDSU)
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