Friday, February 3
USAFA, CO
7:00 PM
Air Force Academy
10
vs
32
#13 North Dakota State
Photo by: Mary Ginsbach
No. 27 Falcon Wrestling Drops 32-10 Dual against No. 13 North Dakota State
2/3/2023 11:08:00 PM | Wrestling
USAF Academy, Colo. – The 27th-ranked Air Force Falcons battled to a tough loss against No. 13 North Dakota State, 32-10, in Big 12 dual action Friday evening in Clune Arena. The injury riddled Falcons drop to 7-3 overall with a 3-3 mark in the conference while NDSU improves to 9-2, 4-1 Big 12.
Senior Night action kicked off at the 149 class where 30th-ranked senior Dylan Martinez squared off against No. 16 Kellyn March. March scored the first takedown and managed to get Martinez on his back for a pin at 1:08. The win marked the first of a six-match tear for the Bison.
Three-time NCAA qualifier and two-time Big 12 runner-up No. 2 Jared Franek outscored sophomore 157-pounder Jack Ganos with a 14-4 major decision. At 165, a battle of freshmen landed in favor of No. 7 Michael Caliendo who outscored Seamus Casey, 9-3. In the 174 class, Gaven Sax held Gage Musser scoreless for an 8-0 major decision. AF's 184-pounder No. 33 Noah Blake attempted to get the Falcons into the win column but came up short against No. 28 DJ Parker, 5-1. NDSU added their second fall of the night at 197 as two-time NCAA qualifier No. 12 Owen Pentz turned a reversal into a fall against Calvin Sund (3:28).
The Falcons got a breath of fresh air at heavyweight as the NCAA's Most Dominant Wrestler of 2022 took the mat against No. 33 Juan Mora. Hendrickson scored a takedown in the first period and a reversal in the second. In the third period, Hendrickson began cutting Mora loose, scoring a trio of takedowns with a riding time point to finalize a 13-2 major decision against the Bison heavyweight. Hendrickson has scored bonus points in all nine dual of his matches, marking his third major decision and 20th win this season. Hendrickson has wrangled up 49 bonus points for Air Force in dual action.
Freshman 125-pounder Tucker Owens kept the momentum in favor of the Falcons as he commanded a 7-1 victory over three-time California State Champion freshman, Carlos Negrete Jr. Owens was the first to score in the second period via reversal, plus another two for a takedown thereafter. By the final whistle Owens tacked on another takedown and riding time point while denying the Bison any offensive points. Owens has a team-high 21 wins this season and is 4-1 in Big 12 dual action.
Capping off Air Force's late run and his final dual match in Clune Arena, No. 19 Cody Phippen took care of business at 133. Phippen was convincing against McGwire Midkiff, handing the Bison a 6-1 loss via takedown, nearfall and reversal points. Phippen is on a four-dual match win streak and is a perfect 4-0 in Big 12 dual action.
NDSU finished the dual on top with a fall in the 141 class.
Seven Falcons were celebrated prior to the dual for Senior Night. Cole Forrester, Anthony Hinson, Nick Krug, Dylan Martinez, Quinn Melofchik, Cody Phippen and Colton Woods, will be graduating and commissioning as 2nd Lieutenants in the United States Air and Space Forces this Spring.
Up next, the Falcons hit the road for a pair of duals February 10 and 12. On the Friday (Feb. 10), Air Force takes on Big 12 counterpart West Virginia, at 7 p.m. ET in WVU Coliseum. On Sunday (Feb. 12), the Falcons head to the nation's capital to take on American University. Action in Bender Arena kicks off at noon ET.
Air Force wrestling will be having a social on February 11 in Bender Arena to bring in the AF-AU dual on Sunday. The social commences at 4:45 p.m. ET and concludes at 6:15 p.m., in the arena's Kettler-Palmer Lounge. For just $20, attendees will be privy to drinks, refreshments, and a full catered dinner courtesy of All Set Restaurant.
Parking is free in Bender Arena and the lounge is on the second floor—signage reads "Eagles Club".
Falcon wrestling encourages fans and alumni to RSVP with AU's Lindsey Campbell (LindseyC@American.edu) by February 8.
Feb. 3 – #13 North Dakota State 32, #27 Air Force 10
149: #16 Kellyn March (NDSU) Fall #30 Dylan Martinez (AF), 1:08 | NDSU 6, AF 0
157: #2 Jared Franek (NDSU) MD Jack Ganos (AF), 14-4 | NDSU 10, AF 0
165: #7 Michael Caliendo (NDSU) Dec. Seamus Casey (AF), 9-3 | NDSU 13, AF 0
174: #HM Gaven Sax MD Gage Musser (AF), 8-0 | NDSU 17, AF 0
184: #28 DJ Parker (NDSU) Dec. #33 Noah Blake (AF), 5-1 | NDSU 20, AF 0
197: #12 Owen Pentz (NDSU) Fall Calvin Sund (AF), 3:28 | NDSU 26, AF 0
285: #5 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) MD #33 Juan Mora (NDSU), 13-2 | NDSU 26, AF 4
125: #29 Tucker Owens (AF) Dec. Carlos Negrete Jr. (NDSU), 7-1 | NDSU 26, AF 7
133: #19 Cody Phippen (AF) Dec. McGwire Midkiff (NDSU), 6-1 | NDSU 26, AF 10
141: Walker Bents (NDSU) Fall Garrett Kuchan (AF), 1:26 | NDSU
Senior Night action kicked off at the 149 class where 30th-ranked senior Dylan Martinez squared off against No. 16 Kellyn March. March scored the first takedown and managed to get Martinez on his back for a pin at 1:08. The win marked the first of a six-match tear for the Bison.
Three-time NCAA qualifier and two-time Big 12 runner-up No. 2 Jared Franek outscored sophomore 157-pounder Jack Ganos with a 14-4 major decision. At 165, a battle of freshmen landed in favor of No. 7 Michael Caliendo who outscored Seamus Casey, 9-3. In the 174 class, Gaven Sax held Gage Musser scoreless for an 8-0 major decision. AF's 184-pounder No. 33 Noah Blake attempted to get the Falcons into the win column but came up short against No. 28 DJ Parker, 5-1. NDSU added their second fall of the night at 197 as two-time NCAA qualifier No. 12 Owen Pentz turned a reversal into a fall against Calvin Sund (3:28).
The Falcons got a breath of fresh air at heavyweight as the NCAA's Most Dominant Wrestler of 2022 took the mat against No. 33 Juan Mora. Hendrickson scored a takedown in the first period and a reversal in the second. In the third period, Hendrickson began cutting Mora loose, scoring a trio of takedowns with a riding time point to finalize a 13-2 major decision against the Bison heavyweight. Hendrickson has scored bonus points in all nine dual of his matches, marking his third major decision and 20th win this season. Hendrickson has wrangled up 49 bonus points for Air Force in dual action.
Freshman 125-pounder Tucker Owens kept the momentum in favor of the Falcons as he commanded a 7-1 victory over three-time California State Champion freshman, Carlos Negrete Jr. Owens was the first to score in the second period via reversal, plus another two for a takedown thereafter. By the final whistle Owens tacked on another takedown and riding time point while denying the Bison any offensive points. Owens has a team-high 21 wins this season and is 4-1 in Big 12 dual action.
Capping off Air Force's late run and his final dual match in Clune Arena, No. 19 Cody Phippen took care of business at 133. Phippen was convincing against McGwire Midkiff, handing the Bison a 6-1 loss via takedown, nearfall and reversal points. Phippen is on a four-dual match win streak and is a perfect 4-0 in Big 12 dual action.
NDSU finished the dual on top with a fall in the 141 class.
Seven Falcons were celebrated prior to the dual for Senior Night. Cole Forrester, Anthony Hinson, Nick Krug, Dylan Martinez, Quinn Melofchik, Cody Phippen and Colton Woods, will be graduating and commissioning as 2nd Lieutenants in the United States Air and Space Forces this Spring.
Up next, the Falcons hit the road for a pair of duals February 10 and 12. On the Friday (Feb. 10), Air Force takes on Big 12 counterpart West Virginia, at 7 p.m. ET in WVU Coliseum. On Sunday (Feb. 12), the Falcons head to the nation's capital to take on American University. Action in Bender Arena kicks off at noon ET.
Air Force wrestling will be having a social on February 11 in Bender Arena to bring in the AF-AU dual on Sunday. The social commences at 4:45 p.m. ET and concludes at 6:15 p.m., in the arena's Kettler-Palmer Lounge. For just $20, attendees will be privy to drinks, refreshments, and a full catered dinner courtesy of All Set Restaurant.
Parking is free in Bender Arena and the lounge is on the second floor—signage reads "Eagles Club".
Falcon wrestling encourages fans and alumni to RSVP with AU's Lindsey Campbell (LindseyC@American.edu) by February 8.
Feb. 3 – #13 North Dakota State 32, #27 Air Force 10
149: #16 Kellyn March (NDSU) Fall #30 Dylan Martinez (AF), 1:08 | NDSU 6, AF 0
157: #2 Jared Franek (NDSU) MD Jack Ganos (AF), 14-4 | NDSU 10, AF 0
165: #7 Michael Caliendo (NDSU) Dec. Seamus Casey (AF), 9-3 | NDSU 13, AF 0
174: #HM Gaven Sax MD Gage Musser (AF), 8-0 | NDSU 17, AF 0
184: #28 DJ Parker (NDSU) Dec. #33 Noah Blake (AF), 5-1 | NDSU 20, AF 0
197: #12 Owen Pentz (NDSU) Fall Calvin Sund (AF), 3:28 | NDSU 26, AF 0
285: #5 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) MD #33 Juan Mora (NDSU), 13-2 | NDSU 26, AF 4
125: #29 Tucker Owens (AF) Dec. Carlos Negrete Jr. (NDSU), 7-1 | NDSU 26, AF 7
133: #19 Cody Phippen (AF) Dec. McGwire Midkiff (NDSU), 6-1 | NDSU 26, AF 10
141: Walker Bents (NDSU) Fall Garrett Kuchan (AF), 1:26 | NDSU
Players Mentioned
174
/ Wrestling
165
/ Wrestling
197
/ Wrestling
165
/ Wrestling
HWT
/ Wrestling
174/184
/ Wrestling
133/141
/ Wrestling
133/141
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
125
/ Wrestling
174
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
125/133
/ Wrestling
184
/ Wrestling
149
/ WrestlingWyatt Hendrickson Visit
Monday, April 07
Sam Barber Interview March 12, 2025
Wednesday, March 12
Sam Barber Interview March 5, 2025
Wednesday, March 05
Sam Barber Interview February 25, 2025
Tuesday, February 25
