
Photo by: Trevor Cokley
Falcon Wrestling Returns to Clune Arena for a Pair of Big 12 Duals
2/12/2026 3:53:00 PM | Wrestling
Air Force (4-6, 0-5 Big 12) vs. Utah Valley (3-7, 1-4 Big 12)
7 p.m. MT, Friday, February 13
Clune Arena, USAF Academy
Faculty Appreciation Night
Air Force vs. California Baptist (2-9, 0-6 Big 12)
12 p.m. MT, Sunday, February 15
Clune Arena, USAF Academy
Follow Along Wrestling fans can tune into both dual meets on FloWrestling.com. Live results will be updated through the TrackWrestling.com platform. Fans can also follow @AF_Wreslte on the X platform for live updates.
Base Access
Access procedures at the U.S. Air Force Academy continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, anyone without a DoD ID card must obtain a visitor pass to enter the base.
New this year: Passes will now be issued monthly instead of requiring a separate submission for each event. This means ticket holders only need to complete the form once per month to gain access to all events during that time. Ticket holders can request a base pass using the link provided below.
After registering, you will receive a message on our phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans must also present their game tickets at each venue. All tickets and credentialed attendees can enter through the North or South gate. North gate is recommended for access to athletic fields; while fans are encouraged to use the North and South gates for football games.
Note: When completing the information from the link, please use the information directly from your driver's license (Robert vs. Bob). Your ID must also be REAL ID compliant. Anyone under 18 will not be required to do a QR code.
Intercollegiate Athletics Access Link, Feb. 2 - March 1, Click HERE.
In the National Rankings
At the first RPI ranking, four Falcons sit among the top 33 of their respective divisions. Senior team captain Tucker Owens has the highest RPI ranking of No. 15 in the 125 division. Sohpomore 141-poundr Carter Nogle checked in at No. 25 while C3C teammate Brian Burburija is No. 32 in the 184 division. Force C4C Karson Tompkins, who is No. 31 in the second NCAA Coaches' rankings, checks in at No. 29 in the 197 division RPI rankings.
Tompkins, holding the highest rank of No. 19 by Intermat, now sits at No. 30 in the FloWrestling poll and No. 32 in The College Wrestling Report.
A Word with Coach Barber
A Look at the Lineups
Air Force
125: Tucker Owens (16-5)
133: Gavin Caprella (10-9)
141: Carter Nogle (15-5)
149: Bryce Shelton (14-12)
157: Lincoln Gregersen (13-5)
165: Logan Fowler (11-6)
174: Gunner Cramblett (11-13)
184: Brian Burburija (10-5)
197: #30 Karson Tompkins (14-5)
285: Ryan Kuhn (13-8) or Antonio Ramos (7-4)
Utah Valley
Air Force and UVU have met 19 times in prior dual with Falcons holding an 11-8 series lead. The Wolverines won 24-15 in 2025 to end what was a stretch of five straight Air Force wins. UVU is 1-7 on the road at Air Force.
125: #25 Bridger Ricks (10-10)
133: Geronimo Rivera (7-10) or Jake Castagneto (13-9)
141: #17 Haiden Drury (18-5) | 2022 NCAA Qualifier
149: #7 David Evans (12-4) | Penn State transfer or Jason Worthley (6-7)
157: Ian Fritz (8-5) or Mark Takara (13-15)
165: Zyon Trujillo (7-14)
174: Hudson Rogers (10-10) or Trevor Frank (3-4)
184: Caleb Uhlenhopp (12-11) or Christian Smoot (11-11)
197: #28 Kael Bennie (11-12)
285: #27 Jack Forbes (17-9) or Levi Kovacs (3-3)
California Baptist
CBU is 2-5 against Air Force, winning the last two meetings (28-3 in 2025/ 21-15 in 2024). The Falcons and Lancers are 2-2 in dual meets since joining the Big 12.
125: Cooper Shore or Mitchell Neiner
133: #31 Remy Murillo
141: Jesse Vasquez
149: Paul Kelly or Matthew Buck
157: Drayden Morton
165: Gabe Schumm or Tim Cowan
174: Mason Espinoza or Luke James
184: Adonis Bonar
197: Eli Sheeren
285: Tristan Kemp
Coming Up
Air Force closes out the 2025-26 campaign with a three-meet home stint. Utah Valley comes to the historic Clune Arena on February 13, followed by California Baptist on February 15, and Northern Colorado for Senior Day on February 22.
Youth Wrestling Day for Young Falcons
Air Force is proud to host a free youth clinic (K-8) prior to the February 15 Big 12 dual against California Baptist. Aspiring young athletes can join the Band of Birds in the wrestling room starting at 10:30 a.m. Clinic check-in beings at 10:15 while the clinic concludes at 11:30 a.m. The Falcon youths are encouraged to stay after the dual for an autograph signing.
Last Weekend
Air Force battled tough in the 36-9 loss to Big 12 rival No. 25 Wyoming at the UniWyo Sports Complex. The Falcons posted bonus points in their two wins. Wyoming, brandishing six nationally ranked wrestlers, picked up bonus points in six bouts.
Falcon team captain Tucker Owens (125) and freshman standout Karson Tompkins (197) had their hands raised in the cordially hostile gym.
Owens, notching his 17th win this season, went big with a seven-point score against Sefton Douglas in the first period. Owens from the top position in period two, turned Douglas at will, scoring 11 nearfall points to secure the decisive 18-1 technical fall.
C4C Tompkins, the 30th ranked wrestler in the 197 division, met with Brett Mcintosh in lieu of All-American Joey Novak. Tompkins dominated his way to an 11-1 major decision at the final whistle.
7 p.m. MT, Friday, February 13
Clune Arena, USAF Academy
Faculty Appreciation Night
Air Force vs. California Baptist (2-9, 0-6 Big 12)
12 p.m. MT, Sunday, February 15
Clune Arena, USAF Academy
Follow Along Wrestling fans can tune into both dual meets on FloWrestling.com. Live results will be updated through the TrackWrestling.com platform. Fans can also follow @AF_Wreslte on the X platform for live updates.
Base Access
Access procedures at the U.S. Air Force Academy continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, anyone without a DoD ID card must obtain a visitor pass to enter the base.
New this year: Passes will now be issued monthly instead of requiring a separate submission for each event. This means ticket holders only need to complete the form once per month to gain access to all events during that time. Ticket holders can request a base pass using the link provided below.
After registering, you will receive a message on our phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans must also present their game tickets at each venue. All tickets and credentialed attendees can enter through the North or South gate. North gate is recommended for access to athletic fields; while fans are encouraged to use the North and South gates for football games.
Note: When completing the information from the link, please use the information directly from your driver's license (Robert vs. Bob). Your ID must also be REAL ID compliant. Anyone under 18 will not be required to do a QR code.
Intercollegiate Athletics Access Link, Feb. 2 - March 1, Click HERE.
In the National Rankings
At the first RPI ranking, four Falcons sit among the top 33 of their respective divisions. Senior team captain Tucker Owens has the highest RPI ranking of No. 15 in the 125 division. Sohpomore 141-poundr Carter Nogle checked in at No. 25 while C3C teammate Brian Burburija is No. 32 in the 184 division. Force C4C Karson Tompkins, who is No. 31 in the second NCAA Coaches' rankings, checks in at No. 29 in the 197 division RPI rankings.
Tompkins, holding the highest rank of No. 19 by Intermat, now sits at No. 30 in the FloWrestling poll and No. 32 in The College Wrestling Report.
A Word with Coach Barber
A Look at the Lineups
Air Force
125: Tucker Owens (16-5)
133: Gavin Caprella (10-9)
141: Carter Nogle (15-5)
149: Bryce Shelton (14-12)
157: Lincoln Gregersen (13-5)
165: Logan Fowler (11-6)
174: Gunner Cramblett (11-13)
184: Brian Burburija (10-5)
197: #30 Karson Tompkins (14-5)
285: Ryan Kuhn (13-8) or Antonio Ramos (7-4)
Utah Valley
Air Force and UVU have met 19 times in prior dual with Falcons holding an 11-8 series lead. The Wolverines won 24-15 in 2025 to end what was a stretch of five straight Air Force wins. UVU is 1-7 on the road at Air Force.
125: #25 Bridger Ricks (10-10)
133: Geronimo Rivera (7-10) or Jake Castagneto (13-9)
141: #17 Haiden Drury (18-5) | 2022 NCAA Qualifier
149: #7 David Evans (12-4) | Penn State transfer or Jason Worthley (6-7)
157: Ian Fritz (8-5) or Mark Takara (13-15)
165: Zyon Trujillo (7-14)
174: Hudson Rogers (10-10) or Trevor Frank (3-4)
184: Caleb Uhlenhopp (12-11) or Christian Smoot (11-11)
197: #28 Kael Bennie (11-12)
285: #27 Jack Forbes (17-9) or Levi Kovacs (3-3)
California Baptist
CBU is 2-5 against Air Force, winning the last two meetings (28-3 in 2025/ 21-15 in 2024). The Falcons and Lancers are 2-2 in dual meets since joining the Big 12.
125: Cooper Shore or Mitchell Neiner
133: #31 Remy Murillo
141: Jesse Vasquez
149: Paul Kelly or Matthew Buck
157: Drayden Morton
165: Gabe Schumm or Tim Cowan
174: Mason Espinoza or Luke James
184: Adonis Bonar
197: Eli Sheeren
285: Tristan Kemp
Coming Up
Air Force closes out the 2025-26 campaign with a three-meet home stint. Utah Valley comes to the historic Clune Arena on February 13, followed by California Baptist on February 15, and Northern Colorado for Senior Day on February 22.
Youth Wrestling Day for Young Falcons
Air Force is proud to host a free youth clinic (K-8) prior to the February 15 Big 12 dual against California Baptist. Aspiring young athletes can join the Band of Birds in the wrestling room starting at 10:30 a.m. Clinic check-in beings at 10:15 while the clinic concludes at 11:30 a.m. The Falcon youths are encouraged to stay after the dual for an autograph signing.
Last Weekend
Air Force battled tough in the 36-9 loss to Big 12 rival No. 25 Wyoming at the UniWyo Sports Complex. The Falcons posted bonus points in their two wins. Wyoming, brandishing six nationally ranked wrestlers, picked up bonus points in six bouts.
Falcon team captain Tucker Owens (125) and freshman standout Karson Tompkins (197) had their hands raised in the cordially hostile gym.
Owens, notching his 17th win this season, went big with a seven-point score against Sefton Douglas in the first period. Owens from the top position in period two, turned Douglas at will, scoring 11 nearfall points to secure the decisive 18-1 technical fall.
C4C Tompkins, the 30th ranked wrestler in the 197 division, met with Brett Mcintosh in lieu of All-American Joey Novak. Tompkins dominated his way to an 11-1 major decision at the final whistle.
Players Mentioned
Sam Barber Interview February 10, 2026
Tuesday, February 10
Sam Barber Interview - February 3rd, 2026
Tuesday, February 03
Sam Barber Interview - January 27th, 2026
Tuesday, January 27
Sam Barber Interview January 20, 2026
Tuesday, January 20




















