Air Force Falls Against No. 19 Oklahoma in Season Opener

USAF ACADEMY – Air Force opened the 2024-25 dual slate with a loss against Big 12 Conference foe No. 19 Oklahoma, Friday evening, at Clune Arena. The Sooners brandished eight nationally ranked wrestlers to take down the Falcons.

Air Force freshman Andrew Harmon was the highlight of the night for Air Force, outscoring junior 165-pounder Mannix Morgan, 7-3, with takedowns in the first and third periods.

Sophomore 133-pounder Gavin Caprella finished his match against No. 16 Cleveland Bolton on a high note, pushing the pace and pressuring Bolton into a stalling posture. The Sooner narrowly escaped Caprella's onslaught by the time the final horn sounded.

Freshman 141-pounder Carter Nogle showed promise as he fired off the line for a quick takedown against No. 10 Mosha Schwartz, a three-time NCAA qualifier. Nogle scored three takedowns on the match but ultimately fell, 16-9, preventing a bonus point for OU with a last-second takedown.

EJ Beloncik (157) and Brian Burburija (197) alongside Nogle represented the freshman class on the Air Force dual squad. Beloncik battled hard and denied OU bonus points in the effort. Burburija showed promise in keeping No. 21 Bradley Hill at bay, conceding just one takedown to end the match with a 4-1 decision.

Sophomore heavyweight Antonio Ramos and No. 31 Juan Mora had it out in the final bout with Ramos looking like the aggressor in the final period. Mora scored the win the an 8-3 decision.

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

Nov. 8 – Air Force vs. #19 Oklahoma
125: #30 Antonio Lorenzo (OU) over Bubba Wright (AF), 6-1 | OU 3, AF 0
133: #16 Cleveland Belton (OU) over Gavin Caprella (AF), 4-2 | OU 6, AF 0
141: #10 Mosha Schwartz (OU) over Carter Nogle (AF), 16-9 | OU 9, AF 0
149: #14 Willie McDougald (OU) over Alec Viduya (AF), F (6:04) | OU 15, AF 0
157: Carter Schubert (OU) over EJ Beloncik (AF), 6-2 | OU 18, AF 0
165: Andrew Harmon (AF) over Mannix Morgan (OU), 7-3 | OU 18, AF 3
174: #9 Gaven Sax (OU) over Jack Ganos (AF), 6-0 | OU 21, AF 3
184: #26 DJ Parker (OU) over Owen Heiser (AF), TF 19-1 (4:43) | OU 26, AF 3
197: #21 Bradley Hill (OU) over Brian Burburija (AF), 4-1 | OU 29, AF 3
285: #31 Juan Mora (OU) over Antonio Ramos (AF), 8-3 | OU 32, AF 3
Final: OU 32, AF 3

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