Falcons Wrestling Thunders Past CSU-Pueblo, 42-0

USAF ACADEMY – Air Force put on a clinic to shutout in-state foe CSU-Pueblo, 42-0, Tuesday afternoon in Clune Arena. Six Falcons posted bonus point wins in the effort.

Air Force's freshman class showed up ready to rock and roll, going four-for-four on bonus point victories among four C4Cs in the dual meet lineup.

Freshman 141-pounder Carter Nogle set the tone with a first-period pin over Aleksander Gunn (1:38). Classmate Brian Burburija, previously ranked No. 30 in the nation, also posted a first period fall in the 197 division (2:41). At 157 pounds, C4C EJ Beloncik was beating Alfredo Mendoz, 13-4, before sticking his back to the mat in the waning seconds of the match (6:54). Classmate Andrew Harmon imposed his will on Aaron Concepcion with a 15-7 major decision to bring the AF freshman total to 23 points.

Sophomore Nicco Tocci displayed tenacity and grit in the 125 match, overcoming a tweaked leg and seven point deficit early on. CSU Pueblo 125-pounder Rhys Sellers got out to a 7-1 lead to start the third period. Tocci, battling through the pain, scored an escape and takedown of his own to bring the score to 7-5. Sellers extended to 8-5 behind an escape and tried to outlast Tocci in the final 10 seconds. With just a few seconds remaining on the ticker, Tocci let it fly and scored the takedown to a two-point nearfall at the final buzzer. With Sellers' riding time point added, Tocci came out victorious, 10-9.

Sophomore teammate Gavin Caprella was convincing in his 10-4 win over Eddie Bowman at 133 while senior Alec Viduya commanded an 11-2 major decision over Cole Bennett at 149. Seniors Jack Ganos and Gage Musser rose to the occasions with an 11-2 major and 8-3 decision, respectively. Sophomore heavyweight Antonio Ramos capped the shutout with a 7-3 decision over Henry Sturn.

Air Force is now 2-2 on the dual slate heading into the Winter break. The Falcons will be out of competition until the New Year before traveling to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to take on the Big 12's top team, Oklahoma State, in dual meet action. The Cowboys, ranked fourth in the nation by Intermat, will host the Falcons on January 3 at 7 p.m. CT in Gallagher-IBA Arena.

Dec. 17 – Air Force 42, CSU-Pueblo 0
125: Nico Tocci (AF) over Rhys Sellers (CSUP) (Dec 10-9)
133: Gavin Caprella (AF) over Eddie Bowman (CSUP) (Dec 10-4)
141: Carter Nogle (AF) over Aleksander Gunn (CSUP) (Fall 1:38)
149: Alec Viduya (AF) over Cole Bennett (CSUP) (MD 11-2)
157: EJ Beloncik (AF) over Alfredo Mendoza (CSUP) (Fall 6:54)
165: Andrew Harmon (AF) over Aaron Concepcion (CSUP) (MD 15-7)
174: Jack Ganos (AF) over Solomon Arnds-Volcin (CSUP) (MD 11-2)
184: Gage Musser (AF) over Donn Greer (CSUP) (Dec 8-3)
197: Brian Burburija (AF) over Remington Winmill (CSUP) (Fall 2:41)
285: Antonio Ramos (AF) over Henry Sturn (CSUP) (Dec 7-3)

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