Falcons Have a Strong Showing at Competitive Daktronics Open

BROOKINGS – The Air Force wrestling team put on a strong performance at the competitive Warren Williamson Daktronics Open, Sunday afternoon, at South Dakota State's Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex. The Falcons battled some of the top competition in the country in round-robin tournament action, taking on an all-B1G/Big 12 field. Air Force tangled with wrestlers from No. 3 Nebraska, No. 8 South Dakota State, No. 11 Minnesota, No. 15 Arizona State, No. 30 Oklahoma, and North Dakota State.

The highlight of the tournament came from freshman 197-pounder Brian Burburija's upending of No. 23 Bradley Hill of Oklahoma. Burburija avenged his loss to the Sooner in the home-opening dual meet on November 8. The Falcon freshman posted a convincing 5-0 decision win against the 2024 NCAA qualifier. Burburija concluded his tournament with a 1-1 record and second place in the 197 B Pool.

Freshman 165-pounder Logan Fowler impressed in the 165 G bracket, posting a 3-0 record on the event to claim first in his pool. Fowler opened up with a win against North Dakota State's Brendan Howes, 11-5. He blanked SDSU's Ryan Dolezal with a 12-0 major decision. He capped his day with a 4-1 decision over Clay Giddens-Buttram of OU. He claimed first in the pool with a no-contest with teammate Andrew Harmon.

Harmon, also a freshman in the 165 division, had an impressive showing in the 165 G bracket. Harmon posted a 2-1record on the event, besting the same opponents as Fowler apart from Brendan Howes of NDSU. Harmon outscored Dolezal, 6-4, and Giddens-Buttram, 8-1. Harmon finished third in the pool.

Sophomore Antonio Ramos and freshman EJ Beloncik showed the tenacity and grit that Falcon wrestlers are built with, winning three comeback matches between the two of them. Beloncik impressed in Pool 2 of the 157 B bracket, taking down four-time Kansas state champion, Owen Eck, 9-6 in sudden victory. He bested Arizona State's Austin Scott, 11-8, battling back from a 7-0 deficit in the first period. Beloncik won the match on three straight takedowns between periods two and three.

Senior Jack Ganos showed promise in Pool 2 of the 174 A bracket, posting a 4-2 decision win over Nebraska's LJ Araujo. Ganos gave up a tight match to Minnesota's Hunter Lyden, falling 11-8.

Next up, the Falcons continue Big 12 dual action against California Baptist on the road, November 22. Action at Riverside, California, is slated for a 5 pm PT/6 MT start.

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