Air Force Academy

Feb. 2, 2011

SEATTLE, Wash. - Highlighted by six individual titles, the Air Force boxing team made an impressive return to National Collegiate Boxing Association action in Seattle, Wash., on Saturday, Jan. 29. Facing boxers from Army, Coast Guard, Lock Haven, Nevada and host Washington, the Falcons compiled a 6-1 record. Senior Joe Silvio was named the Academy's Boxer of the Week.

"Overall, this was a great trip for us," Air Force assistant coach Capt Blake Baldi said. "To go in and win six of seven was awesome. The boys came out fired up and won some decisive victories."

Competing at 159 pounds, Silvio faced a tough opponent in Nevada's Jeremy Catalano, a previously undefeated boxer in NCBA competitions. Using constant pressure and a good strategy, Silvio was able to earn the judges' votes and hand Catalano his first loss of the year.

Air Force took three victories from the host school, including two that were stopped by the referees before the final bell. Senior Dalton Hall came out strong in the first round of his 168-pound bout with Washington's Igor Cherney and connected on multiple combinations, forcing the referee to call the bout in the opening round. Classmate Mike McLain also earned a victory before the final bell, as the referee was forced to stop his 180-pound bout with Jesse Bernstein after McLain sent his opponent to the ground twice before the end of the second round.

Junior Tyrus Korecki also earned a win over a Washington boxer, decisioning David Bonicillo in a 162-pound bout. Fellow junior Dan Starr picked up a victory at 142 pounds, as the judges' awarded him the decision over Norberto Perez of Coast Guard.

Senior Brett Satterfield had a strong showing in a heavyweight bout that pitted him against Army's Andre Shinda. Despite being outweighed by 10 pounds, Satterfield was able to connect with hard left hands that made his opponent weary of coming inside.

The Falcons will travel to Reno, Nev., on Friday, Feb. 4, to close out the regular season with another showdown against NCBA opponents. Air Force will then return to the Academy to begin the 2011 Wing Open Tournament. Wing Open action will continue throughout the month of February, culminating with the Wing Open Championships on Thursday, March 4, at 7 p.m., in Clune Arena.

Bout Results
142-lbs.: Dan Starr (Air Force) dec. Norberto Perez (Coast Guard)
162-lbs.: Tyrus Korecki (Air Force) dec. David Bonicillo (Washington)
168-lbs.: Dalton Hall (Air Force) rsc-1 Igor Cherney (Washington)
159-lbs.: Joe Silvio (Air Force) dec. Jeremy Catalano (Nevada)
180-lbs.: Mike McLain (Air Force) rsc-2 Jesse Bernstein (Washington)
198-lbs.: Gary Miles (Lock Haven) dec. Zack Spranger (Air Force)
Hywt.: Brett Satterfield (Air Force) dec. Andre Shinda (Army)