Air Force Thunders Past American U, 33-11

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force rumbled past American U in non-conference action, 33-11, Sunday afternoon in the historic Clune Arena. The Falcons, now 5-6 on the dual slate, won seven of the 10 weight classes, six of which were won with bonus points.

The action kicked off at 133 after the American U forfeited the 125 bout, giving Air Force an early 6-0 lead. Raymond Lopez got the Eagles off to a strong start behind Raymond Lopez's 25-9 technical fall over Brenden Barnes.

Air Force senior Garrett Kuchan got the Falcons right back on track behind an impressive 21-4 technical fall over No. 31 Maximilian Leete at 141. Sophomore Joe Fernau carried the momentum forward with a convincing 9-2 decision over Ethan Szerencsits, giving the Falcons a 14-5 advantage on the team scorecard.

Gage Owen took one back for American U with a 6-2 decision over Brooks Gable at 157.

The Falcons went on to rattle off three-straight wins behind No. 14 Giano Petrucelli, Noah Blake, and Josh Cordio. Petrucelli, now on a seven-match win streak, dominated Breon Phifer with a 19-2 technical fall. Petrucelli has outscored his last four opponents, 63-8. Noah Blake followed up with a commanding 11-2 major decision for his second bonus point win of the weekend.

Freshman 184-pounder Josh Cordio was exceptional in his first collegiate dual appearance, commanding a 14-4 major decision over Caleb Beaty behind an onslaught of fierce takedowns and near fall points. Cordio has 12 wins on the season.

American U took one last victory, narrowly winning the 197 division, 12-11.

Air Force All-American Wyatt Hendrickson took the mat looking for his 13^th Division I pin of the season. Just 2:58 after the first whistle, Hendrickson secured the pin for his 19^th win of the season. Hendrickson leads the nation in falls, a feat that took him 18:02 to achieve.

Feb. 11 – Air Force 33, American U 11
125: Tucker Owens (Air Force) over Unknown (For.)
133: Raymond Lopez (American) over Brenden Barnes (Air Force) (TF 25-9 7:00)
141: Garrett Kuchan (Air Force) over Maximilian Leete (American) (TF 21-4 4:21)
149: Joe Fernau (Air Force) over Ethan Szerencsits (American) (Dec 9-2)
157: Gage Owen (American) over Brooks Gable (Air Force) (Dec 6-2)
165: #14 Giano Petrucelli (Air Force) over Breon Phifer (American) (TF 19-2 6:21)
174: Noah Blake (Air Force) over Lucas White (American) (MD 11-2)
184: Joshua Cordio (Air Force) over Caleb Beaty (American) (MD 14-4)
197: Liam Volk-Klos (American) over Calvin Sund (Air Force) (Dec 12-11)
285: #2 Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force) over #33 William Jarrell (American) (Fall 2:58)

The Falcons host in-state Big 12 Rival Northern Colorado for Senior Day, Sunday (Feb. 18). Action is slated for a 2 p.m. start. The Falcons will honor seven wrestlers: Noah Blake, Wyatt Hendrickson, Garrett Henigin, Garrett Kuchan, Giano Petrucelli, Calvin Sund and Sam Wolf. Managers Crew Squires and Jeremiah Cronk will also be recognized prior to the dual.

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Players Mentioned

Brenden Barnes

Noah Blake

Josh Cordio

Joe Fernau

Brooks Gable

Wyatt Hendrickson

Garrett Henigin

Garrett Kuchan

Tucker Owens

Giano Petrucelli

Calvin Sund

Sam Wolf

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