Friday, February 24
USAFA
4:30 pm MT
Air Force Academy

vs

Wing Open Semifinals

Photo by: Laura Domingue
Falcons Finalize Wing Open Lineup with Semifinals
2/25/2023 9:15:00 AM | Boxing
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force boxing team finalized its Wing Open lineup on Friday (Feb. 24) night with two championship and four semifinal bouts. Senior Garrett Kim earned the team's Boxer of the Week honors after earning a 132-pound semifinal decision over freshman Brandon Son.
Freshman Chinonye Mbanugo and junior Nile Owens claimed championship decisions during the final night of competition in the Cadet Gym Boxing Room. Mbanugo decisioned classmate Elise Bell in a tightly contested 112-pound championship, while Owens earned his 139-pound championship with a close decision over fellow junior Nile Owens.
The men closed out the night with three semifinal decisions out of the Blue Corner. Freshman Neo Takazawa decisioned freshman Viet Zaengle in a 156-pound bout, while both halves of the 165-pound bracket were decided following victories by junior Andrew Ison (decision over sophomore Robert Marzicola) and sophomore Canaan Ray (decision over junior Keillan Laurenceau).
One exhibition bout was also contested, with sophomore Peyton Glenn earning a 139-pound decision over Billie Botes.
With the final pieces of the puzzle now in place, Air Force will head under the lights of Clune Arena for the finals of the 2023 Wing Open Tournament on Thursday, March 2. Action is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. (MT) and will be streamed live on GoAirForceFalcons.com.
SEMIFINAL RESULTSFreshman Chinonye Mbanugo and junior Nile Owens claimed championship decisions during the final night of competition in the Cadet Gym Boxing Room. Mbanugo decisioned classmate Elise Bell in a tightly contested 112-pound championship, while Owens earned his 139-pound championship with a close decision over fellow junior Nile Owens.
The men closed out the night with three semifinal decisions out of the Blue Corner. Freshman Neo Takazawa decisioned freshman Viet Zaengle in a 156-pound bout, while both halves of the 165-pound bracket were decided following victories by junior Andrew Ison (decision over sophomore Robert Marzicola) and sophomore Canaan Ray (decision over junior Keillan Laurenceau).
One exhibition bout was also contested, with sophomore Peyton Glenn earning a 139-pound decision over Billie Botes.
With the final pieces of the puzzle now in place, Air Force will head under the lights of Clune Arena for the finals of the 2023 Wing Open Tournament on Thursday, March 2. Action is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. (MT) and will be streamed live on GoAirForceFalcons.com.
(m) 132-lbs.: Garrett Kim dec. Brandon Son
CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS
(w) 112-lbs.: Chinonye Mbanugo dec. Elise Bell
(m) 139-lbs.: Nile Owens dec. Dylan West
SEMIFINAL RESULTS
(m) 156-lbs.: Neo Takazawa dec. Viet Zaengle
(m) 165-lbs.: Andrew Ison dec. Robert Marzicola
(m) 165-lbs.: Canaan Ray dec. Keillan Laurenceau
Players Mentioned
Mark Clifford Interview August 26, 2025
Tuesday, August 26
Dr. Mark Clifford Interview March 11, 2025
Tuesday, March 11
Dr. Mark Clifford Interview March 4, 2025
Tuesday, March 04
2025 Wing Open Semifinals Highlights
Tuesday, February 25





















