California Baptist Tops Air Force, 21-15

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Despite convincing wins in four divisions, California Baptist claimed the last four matches to best Air Force in a Big 12 dual meet, 21-15, Saturday afternoon in the historic Clune Arena.

Action kicked off at 157 pounds where Chaz Hallmark posted a technical fall (6:04) over junior Falcon Brooks Gable. At 165, No. 14 ranked senior Giano Petrucelli extended his win streak to five straight after he blanked Carter Schubert, 5-0. In his last three matches Petrucelli outscored opponents, 24-2. Petrucelli, now 7-2 in dual action, has 15 wins on the season for the second-most on the squad.

Senior 174-pounder Noah Blake followed Petrucelli's lead and bested Justin Phillips, 4-2, for his second-straight Big 12 dual meet win and ninth win of the season. The Falcons continued to pour it on as No. 10 ranked senior Sam Wolf handed Nathan Haas a 7-0 loss. Wolf improves to 13-3 on the season with an 8-1 mark in dual action. In his last two matches, he outscored his Big 12 opponents, 19-0.

CBU regained traction at 197 behind Eli Sheeren's major decision over Calvin Sund. Air Force responded swiftly and severely behind the second-ranked heavyweight in the nation, Wyatt Hendrickson. Hendrickson pinned Chris Island in 98 seconds, marking his 13th pin (10 Div. I). Gabe Sollars of Indiana leads the country with 11 pins in just over 38 minutes— Hendrickson's 10 Div. I pins took a mere 13:38 to accomplish.

In the wake of the heavyweight match, CBU came out determined to win the remaining matches, each critical to achieving a team victory. At 125, Tucker Owens took on No. 27 Elijah Griffin. Owens was the first to score a takedown despite a stall warning. Griffin made his money on the escape points and a stalling point, he finished the match with a third-period takedown to seal the deal, 6-4.

The 133 and 141 divisions were hard-fought battles. Freshman Bubba Wright narrowly lost to Hunter Leake, 2-1, at 133. Senior 141-pounder Garrett Kuchan took Darren Green to sudden victory overtime where Green was able to score the first points, ending the match at 8-5 SV1.

CBU held the team score lead 18-15 heading into the final bout with Joe Fernau and Dayne Morton. Fernau was able to tabulate escape points and a stall point but couldn't get to a takedown in time. Morton won by decision, 12-5.

Feb. 3 – California Baptist 21, Air Force 15
157: Chaz Hallmark (California Baptist) over Brooks Gable (Air Force) (TF 22-5 6:04)
165: #14 Giano Petrucelli (Air Force) over Carter Schubert (California Baptist) (Dec 5-0)
174: Noah Blake (Air Force) over Justin Phillips (California Baptist) (Dec 4-2)
184: #10 Sam Wolf (Air Force) over Nathan Haas (California Baptist) (Dec 7-0)
197: Eli Sheeren (California Baptist) over Calvin Sund (Air Force) (MD 11-0)
285: #2 Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force) over Chris Island (California Baptist) (Fall 1:38)
125: #27 Elijah Griffin (California Baptist) over Tucker Owens (Air Force) (Dec 6-4)
133: Hunter Leake (California Baptist) over Bubba Wright (Air Force) (Dec 2-1)
141: Darren Green (California Baptist) over Garrett Kuchan (Air Force) (SV-1 8-5)
149: Dayne Morton (California Baptist) over Joe Fernau (Air Force) (Dec 12-5)

Next up, the Falcons stand their ground at the Academy as they welcome in Utah Valley and American U for the second and third of a four-dual home stint. Air Force will take on UVU in Big 12 dual action, Friday (Feb. 9) at 7 p.m., then play host to American U on Sunday (Feb. 11) at noon.

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Players Mentioned

Noah Blake

Joe Fernau

Brooks Gable

Wyatt Hendrickson

Garrett Kuchan

Tucker Owens

Giano Petrucelli

Calvin Sund

Sam Wolf

Bubba Wright

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