Air Force Academy

Feb. 3, 2007

RENO, Nev. - Senior Trevor Cook and junior Daryn Nelson picked up victories as the Air Force boxing team wrapped up competition at the University of Nevada Invitational in Reno, Nev., on Friday, Feb. 2.  As a team, the Falcons went 2-6 against several teams from the western region of the National Collegiate Boxing Association.

Cook picked up a 160-pound decision over Chad Ederlin of UNLV, while Nelson's 156-pound victory by decision came over UNLV's Matt Spellman.

Six Falcons suffered losses to their NCBA counterparts. Chris Johnson opened the night's festivities with a decisional loss to Chris Roesch at 195 pounds, before junior Clifford Moore fell to Nevada's Francisco Torres at 160 pounds. Junior Ryan Price fell to Nevada's Thomas Gennarro at 150 pounds, while senior Evin Negron dropped a 175-pound decision to Kenny Dryer-Redner, also of Nevada. Jesse Horton lost to Cal's Finley Wise in the night's lightest bout at 125 pounds.

Senior Mark Ruther, who dropped a close 158-pound decision to Nevada's Ryan Kotey, was named the Academy's Boxer of the Week, as he displayed the best overall boxing skills.

"He boxed really well," Air Force head coach Eddie Weichers said of Ruther. "He showed tremendous tenacity, while displaying good boxing skills."

Kotey kept Ruther in the corners throughout the first round, but Ruther responded in the next two rounds, with straight punching and a counteracting jab. Ruther's hard right hand jab gave Kotey a standing-eight-count, but ultimately lost the judge's decision by a close margin.

Air Force returns to the Academy next week to begin the annual Wing Open Tournament. The preliminary round of action is slated for 4:30 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 8.

AIR FORCE RESULTS FROM NEVADA INVITATIONAL

195-lbs.: Chris Roesch (UNLV) dec. Chris Johnson (Air Force)

156-lbs.: Daryn Nelson (Air Force) dec. Matt Spellman (UNLV)

158-lbs.: Ryan Kotey (Nevada) dec. Mark Ruther (Air Force)

160-lbs.: Trevor Cook (Air Force) dec. Chad Ederlin (UNLV)

160-lbs.: Francisco Torres (Nevada) dec. Clifford Moore (Air Force)

150-lbs.: Thomas Gennarro (Nevada) dec. Ryan Price (Air Force)

175-lbs.: Kenny Dryer-Redner (Nevada) dec. Evin Negron (Air Force)

125-lbs.: Finley Wise (Cal) dec. Jesse Horton (Air Force)