Falcon Wrestling Downs Utah Valley in Big 12 dual, 23-18

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force came from behind to outscore Utah Valley in Big 12 Conference dual action, 23-18, Friday evening in the historic Clune Arena. The Falcons improve to 4-6 on the dual slate with a 2-5 mark in the league.

Air Force sophomore Tucker Owens got the Falcons off to a strong start with a dominant 9-2 decision win over Yusief Lillie. The win marked Owens' 11^th win on the season.

Utah Valley (2-5, 1-5 Big 12) responded with four-straight wins from 133 to 157, boosting their team lead t0 14-3 at the intermission. UVU's Kase Mauger posted a 19-1 technical fall at 133 for much-needed bonus points.

Senior 165-pounder No. 14 Giano Petrucelli got the Falcons back on track with a 20-4 (4:43) scoring clinic over Tanner Lofthouse, narrowing the team score to 14-8. Petrucelli is on a six-match winning streak and has outscored his last three opponents, 44-6. Petrucelli has 16 wins this season and is 8-2 in dual action.

Senior 174-pounder Noah Blake continued the momentum, scoring and early takedown on Caleb Uhlenhopp and turning Wolverine to his back for a pin at 2:09 to tie the team score at 14-14. The pin marked Blake's second this season— he is now 3-1 in Big 12 dual action.

Senior 184-pounder No. 9 Sam Wolf claimed the team lead with a convincing 9-5 decision over Jacob Armstrong for his 14^th win this season. Wolf is 9-1 in dual action for Air Force.

Utah Valley claimed the 197 bout with a major decision to reclaim the team lead, 18-17.

The second-ranked heavyweight in the nation Wyatt Hendrickson took the mat with the fate of the dual in his hands. Hendrickson, who leads the nation with 11 Division I pins this season, raced to his 12^th with a fall over Jack Forbes (1:26). Hendrickson's 12 pins were clocked in just 15:04. He is 18-0 this season with his 93^rd career win.

Feb. 9 – Air Force 23, Utah Valley 18
125: Tucker Owens (Air Force) over Yusief Lillie (Utah Valley) (Dec 9-2)
133: Kase Mauger (Utah Valley) over Bubba Wright (Air Force) (TF 19-1 4:31)
141: Haiden Drury (Utah Valley) over Garrett Kuchan (Air Force) (Dec 7-1)
149: Isaiah Delgado (Utah Valley) over Joe Fernau (Air Force) (Dec 13-8)
157: Alex Emmer (Utah Valley) over Brooks Gable (Air Force) (Dec 3-0)
165: #14 Giano Petrucelli (Air Force) over Tanner Lofthouse (Utah Valley) (TF 20-4 4:43)
174: Noah Blake (Air Force) over Caleb Uhlenhopp (Utah Valley) (Fall 2:09)
184: #9 Sam Wolf (Air Force) over Mahonri Rushton (Utah Valley) (Dec 9-5)
197: Evan Bockman (Utah Valley) over Calvin Sund (Air Force) (MD 11-1)
285: #2 Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force) over Jack Forbes (Utah Valley) (Fall 1:26)

Next up, the Falcons host American U in non-conference action, Sunday (Feb. 11). Action is slated for noon MT.

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.