Air Force Academy

Jan. 11, 2008

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Following a month hiatus for finals and winter break, the Air Force boxing team returned to action for the Jan. 11 round of Friday Night Fights. Competing in the Upper Boxing Room of the Academy's Cadet Gym, 26 boxers took to the ring for 13-hard-hitting bouts.

"We had a goof night of Friday bouts," the coaching staff of Eddie Weichers and Capt. Erwin Vargas said following the bouts. "There was a change of leaders, as well as a shake-up of positions on the Champs and Challengers board. Several newcomers brought determination and sent a message to those in their respective weight divisions."

Senior Daryn Nelson was named the Boxer of the Week, after earning a hard-fought 168-pound decision from junior Austin Almand. Hailing from the same hometown, the duo opened the night's festivities with an intense six-minute exchange. Neither boxer would step back or give in. Nelson finally received the judges' votes after using a multitude of body shots to hand Almand his first loss of the season.

"Daryn's performance sent a message to those in his division that he is the man to beat," Vargas said.

Senior Clifford Moore decisioned classmate James Dunn at 170 pounds, while a pair of juniors battled it out at 130 pounds. Harvey White claimed a victory-by-decision over Jesse Horton, the defending national champion at 119 pounds.

Members of the senior class claimed the next five bouts. Brian Navin handed sophomore Bailey Ball his first defeat of the season at 147 pounds, while Bruce Jamison earned a victory over junior Travis Murray in a 175-pound contest. Ryan Price topped sophomore John Doeseckle in a 160-pound decision, while Mike Tolzein (172-pounds) and Chris Johnson (185-pounds) respectively defeated juniors Justin Lee and Matt Jensen.

Senior Clay Toerner made his Friday Night Fights debut with a 181-pound victory over freshman Matt Tasin, while junior Richard Kenny improved to 2-0 on the season after taking a decision over classmate Casey Butikofer in the 196-pound bout. Senior Jacob Lambach closed out the night with a second round referee-stopped victory over sophomore Robert Steigerwald in the second 170-pound match-up.

The Falcons close out the Friday Night Fights portion of the schedule on Jan. 18, when it host its final set of bouts at 4:30 p.m., in the Upper Boxing Room.

RESULTS FROM FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
168-lbs.: Daryn Nelson (CS-26) dec. Austin Almand (CS-31)
170-lbs.: Clifford Moore (CS-19) dec. James Dunn (CS-33)
130-lbs.: Harvey White (CS-20) dec. Jesse Horton (CS-11)
147-lbs.: Brian Navin (CS-12) dec. Bailey Ball (CS-04)
175-lbs.: Bruce Jamison (CS-25) dec. Travis Murray (CS-24)
160-lbs.: Ryan Price (CS-24) dec. John Doeseckle (CS-33)
172-lbs.: Mike Tolzien (CS-10) dec. Justin Lee (CS-39)
185-lbs.: Chris Johnson (CS-14) dec. Matt Jensen (CS-25)
134-lbs.: David Simon (CS-40) dec. Mike Mizes (CS-32)
156-lbs.: Mike Dunn (CS-13) rsc-1 Kevin Jerde (CS-23)
181-lbs.: Clay Toerner (CS-25) dec. Matt Tasin (CS-25)
196-lbs.: Richard Kenny (CS-37) dec. Casey Butikofer (CS-08)
170-lbs.: Jacob Lambach (CS-24) rsc-2 Robert Steigerwald (CS-27)