Saturday, March 8
Tulsa, OK
8:00 AM MT
Air Force Academy
at
Big 12 Championships
Brian Burburija Battles to Second Day of Big 12 Championships
3/8/2025 9:32:00 PM | Wrestling
The freshman 197-pounder guaranteed a top six finish the effort
TULSA, Okla. – Air Force freshman Brian Burburija led the charge at the 2025 Big 12 Conference wrestling tournament, earning a podium finish with an opportunity to punch his ticket to nationals in day two, Saturday evening in the BOK Center. Burburija is the first AF freshman to earn a Big 12 medal since teammate Tucker Owens in 2023.
"I'm proud of our guy's effort and fight," head wrestling coach Sam Barber said. "That fight has been there all year long and it's continued into our postseason and there is no doubt about it. The team continued to grow and improve and I'm confident we put our best wrestling and our best effort on the mat here at the Big 12 tournament."
Four Falcons combined for six wins in the highly competitive tournament.
Burburija, the seven seed, was the first Falcon to have success in the tournament, besting Andrew Donahue (Northern Colorado) in strong form, 5-0. Burburija advanced to the quarterfinals where he met 2024 NCAA qualifier Joey Novak (Wyoming). Novak jumped out to an early lead, but it was Burburija who scored the last takedown, coming up just short of a decision in his favor, 4-3.
In the consolation match, Burburija took on Oklahoma's eight seed Bradley Hill. Burburija's gritty no-quit attitude propelled him to victory over the Sooner in SV-1 4-1, securing a podium finish in his debut Big 12 Championship. In his fourth bout of the day, Burburija met with (6) Nate Schon (Iowa State). Burburija wasted no time with a first period take down, scoring in about 30 seconds. He added a pair of nearfall points in the second period to extend to a 5-2 lead. He tacked on an escape point in the final period and fended off Schon's desperate attacks to seal the deal at 6-4 with a guaranteed top six finish.
"I'm proud of Brian Burburija and the way he battled and fought," Barber continued. "As a freshman he is wrestling at a high level and with one more win tomorrow he extends his season by two weeks with his ticket punched to the national tournament. We're looking forward for a big day for him tomorrow."
Despite dropping their first bouts Tucker Owens (125) and Gavin Caprella (133) battled back to win in their first consolation bouts. After dropping the first round to (7) Trevor Anderson (UNI), 8-1, Owens responded with an SV-1 win against Utah Valley's Bridger Ricks. Despite the early deficit, Owens finished on top, 7-4, to advance to the next consolation. Owens met with 2024 National Champion (1) Richard Fugueroa who was upended in the first round. Figueroa came out with the intention of rectifying the loss, pinning Owens in just 21 seconds.
Caprella dropped his opening bout against 2024 NCAA qualifier (8) Kade Moore (Missouri) by major decision, 15-3. In the first consolation, Caprella scored the first and last takedowns besting Stockton O'Brien (Wyoming) wire-to-wire, 8-3. Caprella met with 2024 NCAA qualifier (7) Derrick Cardinal (South Dakota State) in the second consolation dropping the bout, 7-0. Caprella capped the 2025 campaign with 18 overall wins.
Falcon heavyweight Antonio Ramos entered the consolation bracket after falling to former teammate two-time All-American Wyatt Hendrickson by pin. Ramos had a dominant performance in the first consolation as he pinned Brian Finnerty (WVU) in just 42 seconds. In the second consolation, Ramos took on (7) Luke Rasmussen (SDSU), losing to the Jackrabbit by technical fall, 15-0.
C4C Carter Nogle concluded the season in with 22 wins after losing to a pair of 2024 NCAA qualifiers in (4) Tagen Jamison (Oklahoma State) and Jordan Titus (West Virginia). Nogle entered the championship tournament ranked ninth in Div. I pins.
C1C Alec Viduya brought his Air Force career to a close in the wake of a pair of losses to (8) Benji Alanis (Northern Colorado) and Sam Hillegas (West Virginia) in the 149 division. Viduya will begin his career as a Space Force officer upon graduation.
C3C Bryce Shelton concluded the season with a pair of losses in the 157 division, falling to 2024 NCAA qualifier (1) Cody Chittum (Iowa State) and Drayden Morton (CBU).
C4C Logan Fowler left it all on the mat in Big 12 Championship debut, dropping a pair of matches to (6) Nico Ruiz (Arizona State) and Clayton Ulrey (UNC). Fowler concluded his freshman campaign with 12 wins.
C1C Jack Ganos brought his collegiate wrestling career to a close with 40 career wins. Ganos fell to (8) Riley Davis (WYO) in the first round and Carter Schmidt (CBU) in the first consolation of the 174 division. Ganos' next mission will be a special tactics pipeline as the senior looks towards an Air Force Special Operations career after graduation.
Senior team captain Gage Musser concluded his Air Force wrestling career with 37 career wins in the wake of a pair of losses to three-time NCAA qualifier (4) Evan Bockman (Iowa State) and Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming). Musser will continue into blue skies as he heads to pilot training after graduation.
"There is a debt of gratitude to our three seniors who are here with us and wrestled their final matches in an Air Force singlet—a debt of gratitude for what they've done for our program and their leadership and role modeling for this young team. I think a lot of the young guys are going to be back here next season with this valuable experience under their belts and they are only going to get better."
"We still have to wait and see what happens with the at-large process and see if there's going to be another opportunity for Gage Musser to make it to Philadelphia, so we're going to keep a close eye on that process and keep him in a competition mindset." Barber said.
Next up, Burburija attacks the consolation semifinals for a chance to punch his ticket to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Sunday morning, in the BOK Center. Burburija will take on the fourth seeded senior No. 15 Zach Glazier of South Dakota State. Session III action is slated for 12pm CT.
Air Force Results
Tucker Owens
(7) Trever Anderson (UNI) over Tucker Owens (AF), 8-1
Tucker Owens (AF) over Bridger Ricks (UVU), SV-1 7-4
(1) Richard Figueroa over Tucker Owens (AF), Fall (0:21)
Gavin Caprella
(8) Kade Moore (Mizzou) over Gavin Caprealla (AF), MD 15-3
Gavin Caprella (AF) over Stockon O'Brien (WYO), 8-3
(7) Derrick Cardinal (SDSU) over Gavin Caprella (AF), 7-0
Carter Nogle
(4) Tagen Jamison (OSU) over Carter Nogle (AF), MD 16-4
Jordan Titus (WVU) over Carter Nogle (AF), 12-6
Alec Viduya
(8) Benji Alanis (UNC) over Alec Viduya (AF), 8-2
Sam Hillegas (WVU) over Alec Viduya (AF), TF 2:18 (15-0)
Bryce Shelton
(1) Cody Chittum (ISU) over Bryce Shelton (AF), MD 13-3
(8) Drayden Morton (CBU) over Bryce Shelton (AF), 5-1
Logan Fowler
(6) Nico Ruiz (ASU) over Logan Fowler (AF), MD 12-1
Clayton Ulrey (UNC) over Logan Fowler (AF), 7-3
Jack Ganos
(8) Riley Davis (WYO) over Jack Ganos (AF), 6-2
Carter Schmidt (CBU) over Jack Ganos (AF), 4-3
Gage Musser
(4) Evan Bockman (ISU) over Gage Musser (AF) TF 6:33 (19-4)
(6) Eddie Neitenbach (WYO) over Gage Musser (AF) MD 14-3
Brian Burburija
(7) Brian Burburija (AF) over Andrew Donahue (UNC), 5-0
(2) Joey Novak (WYO) over (7) Brian Burburija (AF), 4-3
(7) Brian Burburija (AF) over (8) Bradley Hill (OU), SV-1 4-1
(7) Brian Burburija (AF) over (6) Nate Schon (ISU), 6-4
Antonio Ramos
(1) Wyatt Hendrickson (OSU) over Antonio Ramos (AF), Fall (2:01)
Antonio Ramos (AF) over Brian Finnerty (WVU), Fall (0:42)
(7) Luke Rasmussen (SDSU) over Antonio Ramos (AF), TF 7:00 (15-0)
"I'm proud of our guy's effort and fight," head wrestling coach Sam Barber said. "That fight has been there all year long and it's continued into our postseason and there is no doubt about it. The team continued to grow and improve and I'm confident we put our best wrestling and our best effort on the mat here at the Big 12 tournament."
Four Falcons combined for six wins in the highly competitive tournament.
Burburija, the seven seed, was the first Falcon to have success in the tournament, besting Andrew Donahue (Northern Colorado) in strong form, 5-0. Burburija advanced to the quarterfinals where he met 2024 NCAA qualifier Joey Novak (Wyoming). Novak jumped out to an early lead, but it was Burburija who scored the last takedown, coming up just short of a decision in his favor, 4-3.
In the consolation match, Burburija took on Oklahoma's eight seed Bradley Hill. Burburija's gritty no-quit attitude propelled him to victory over the Sooner in SV-1 4-1, securing a podium finish in his debut Big 12 Championship. In his fourth bout of the day, Burburija met with (6) Nate Schon (Iowa State). Burburija wasted no time with a first period take down, scoring in about 30 seconds. He added a pair of nearfall points in the second period to extend to a 5-2 lead. He tacked on an escape point in the final period and fended off Schon's desperate attacks to seal the deal at 6-4 with a guaranteed top six finish.
"I'm proud of Brian Burburija and the way he battled and fought," Barber continued. "As a freshman he is wrestling at a high level and with one more win tomorrow he extends his season by two weeks with his ticket punched to the national tournament. We're looking forward for a big day for him tomorrow."
Despite dropping their first bouts Tucker Owens (125) and Gavin Caprella (133) battled back to win in their first consolation bouts. After dropping the first round to (7) Trevor Anderson (UNI), 8-1, Owens responded with an SV-1 win against Utah Valley's Bridger Ricks. Despite the early deficit, Owens finished on top, 7-4, to advance to the next consolation. Owens met with 2024 National Champion (1) Richard Fugueroa who was upended in the first round. Figueroa came out with the intention of rectifying the loss, pinning Owens in just 21 seconds.
Caprella dropped his opening bout against 2024 NCAA qualifier (8) Kade Moore (Missouri) by major decision, 15-3. In the first consolation, Caprella scored the first and last takedowns besting Stockton O'Brien (Wyoming) wire-to-wire, 8-3. Caprella met with 2024 NCAA qualifier (7) Derrick Cardinal (South Dakota State) in the second consolation dropping the bout, 7-0. Caprella capped the 2025 campaign with 18 overall wins.
Falcon heavyweight Antonio Ramos entered the consolation bracket after falling to former teammate two-time All-American Wyatt Hendrickson by pin. Ramos had a dominant performance in the first consolation as he pinned Brian Finnerty (WVU) in just 42 seconds. In the second consolation, Ramos took on (7) Luke Rasmussen (SDSU), losing to the Jackrabbit by technical fall, 15-0.
C4C Carter Nogle concluded the season in with 22 wins after losing to a pair of 2024 NCAA qualifiers in (4) Tagen Jamison (Oklahoma State) and Jordan Titus (West Virginia). Nogle entered the championship tournament ranked ninth in Div. I pins.
C1C Alec Viduya brought his Air Force career to a close in the wake of a pair of losses to (8) Benji Alanis (Northern Colorado) and Sam Hillegas (West Virginia) in the 149 division. Viduya will begin his career as a Space Force officer upon graduation.
C3C Bryce Shelton concluded the season with a pair of losses in the 157 division, falling to 2024 NCAA qualifier (1) Cody Chittum (Iowa State) and Drayden Morton (CBU).
C4C Logan Fowler left it all on the mat in Big 12 Championship debut, dropping a pair of matches to (6) Nico Ruiz (Arizona State) and Clayton Ulrey (UNC). Fowler concluded his freshman campaign with 12 wins.
C1C Jack Ganos brought his collegiate wrestling career to a close with 40 career wins. Ganos fell to (8) Riley Davis (WYO) in the first round and Carter Schmidt (CBU) in the first consolation of the 174 division. Ganos' next mission will be a special tactics pipeline as the senior looks towards an Air Force Special Operations career after graduation.
Senior team captain Gage Musser concluded his Air Force wrestling career with 37 career wins in the wake of a pair of losses to three-time NCAA qualifier (4) Evan Bockman (Iowa State) and Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming). Musser will continue into blue skies as he heads to pilot training after graduation.
"There is a debt of gratitude to our three seniors who are here with us and wrestled their final matches in an Air Force singlet—a debt of gratitude for what they've done for our program and their leadership and role modeling for this young team. I think a lot of the young guys are going to be back here next season with this valuable experience under their belts and they are only going to get better."
"We still have to wait and see what happens with the at-large process and see if there's going to be another opportunity for Gage Musser to make it to Philadelphia, so we're going to keep a close eye on that process and keep him in a competition mindset." Barber said.
Next up, Burburija attacks the consolation semifinals for a chance to punch his ticket to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Sunday morning, in the BOK Center. Burburija will take on the fourth seeded senior No. 15 Zach Glazier of South Dakota State. Session III action is slated for 12pm CT.
Air Force Results
Tucker Owens
(7) Trever Anderson (UNI) over Tucker Owens (AF), 8-1
Tucker Owens (AF) over Bridger Ricks (UVU), SV-1 7-4
(1) Richard Figueroa over Tucker Owens (AF), Fall (0:21)
Gavin Caprella
(8) Kade Moore (Mizzou) over Gavin Caprealla (AF), MD 15-3
Gavin Caprella (AF) over Stockon O'Brien (WYO), 8-3
(7) Derrick Cardinal (SDSU) over Gavin Caprella (AF), 7-0
Carter Nogle
(4) Tagen Jamison (OSU) over Carter Nogle (AF), MD 16-4
Jordan Titus (WVU) over Carter Nogle (AF), 12-6
Alec Viduya
(8) Benji Alanis (UNC) over Alec Viduya (AF), 8-2
Sam Hillegas (WVU) over Alec Viduya (AF), TF 2:18 (15-0)
Bryce Shelton
(1) Cody Chittum (ISU) over Bryce Shelton (AF), MD 13-3
(8) Drayden Morton (CBU) over Bryce Shelton (AF), 5-1
Logan Fowler
(6) Nico Ruiz (ASU) over Logan Fowler (AF), MD 12-1
Clayton Ulrey (UNC) over Logan Fowler (AF), 7-3
Jack Ganos
(8) Riley Davis (WYO) over Jack Ganos (AF), 6-2
Carter Schmidt (CBU) over Jack Ganos (AF), 4-3
Gage Musser
(4) Evan Bockman (ISU) over Gage Musser (AF) TF 6:33 (19-4)
(6) Eddie Neitenbach (WYO) over Gage Musser (AF) MD 14-3
Brian Burburija
(7) Brian Burburija (AF) over Andrew Donahue (UNC), 5-0
(2) Joey Novak (WYO) over (7) Brian Burburija (AF), 4-3
(7) Brian Burburija (AF) over (8) Bradley Hill (OU), SV-1 4-1
(7) Brian Burburija (AF) over (6) Nate Schon (ISU), 6-4
Antonio Ramos
(1) Wyatt Hendrickson (OSU) over Antonio Ramos (AF), Fall (2:01)
Antonio Ramos (AF) over Brian Finnerty (WVU), Fall (0:42)
(7) Luke Rasmussen (SDSU) over Antonio Ramos (AF), TF 7:00 (15-0)
Players Mentioned
197
/ Wrestling
133
/ Wrestling
165
/ Wrestling
165
/ Wrestling
HWT
/ Wrestling
174
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
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HWT
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141
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