Air Force Academy

Feb. 23, 2011

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - With a spot in the Wing Open Championship finals on the line, 26 members fo the Air Force boxing team brought their best effort to the Cadet Gym this evening (Feb. 23) during semifinal action of the 53rd annual Wing Open Tournament. Junior Casey Habluetzel was named the Academy's Boxer of the Week for the second consecutive week.

Facing Patrick Ryan in the only 165-pound bout of the night, Habluetzel used his reach advantage and excellent movement to keep his shorter opponent away.

Senior Joe Silvio advanced to his fourth Wing Open finals at 156 pounds after defeating sophomore Mike Leland by unanimous decision. Silvio used good ring generalship and controlled all three rounds, en route to the decision. Silvio will face junior Tyrus Korecki in a rematch of last year's finals, as Korecki easily won his 156-pound bout with James Livingstone when the referee stopped the contest in the first round.

Three freshmen advanced to the Wing Open finals. Andrew Munoz won his 132-pound bout with Danny Acero, when the referee stopped their contest in the second round. Denis Vorobyov decisioned Derek Demyanek at 175 pounds, while Zak Spranger won his 195-pound bout with Marcus Hill.

"All three of them looked great in their victories," assistant coach Capt Blake Baldi said. "They were tough and earned their spot in the finals."

Senior Michael Mizes and sophomore Will Petersen won their respective bouts to guarantee a rematch from last year's Wing Open at 132 pounds. Mizes forced the referee to stop his bout with David Leeds in the third round, while Petersen earned the judges' decision in his bout with Julian Gluck.

Junior Rainer Caparas decisioned Vincente Vasquez in the 125-pound bout, while senior Reggie Howard advanced to his second Wing Open finals with a decision over Cooper Zielinkski at 185 pounds. Senior Matt Coates closed out the night with a 195-pound win over Zach Vaughn, when the referee stopped their bout in the second round.

The victors from tonight's action advance to the main ring, under the lights of Clune Arena from the championship round of the Wing Open Tournament. The finals will be held on Thursday, March 3, at 7 p.m., and admission is free.

Bout Results
125-lbs.: Rainer Caparas (CS-21) dec. Vincente Vasquez (CS-05)
132-lbs.: Michael Mizes (CS-32) rsc-3 David Leeds (CS-23)
132-lbs.: Will Petersen (CS-02) dec. Julian Gluck (CS-09)
132-lbs.: Andrew Munoz (CS-02) rsc-2 Danny Acero (CS-31)
147-lbs.: Glenn Miltenberg (CS-27) rsc-2 Sean Cork (CS-18)
147-lbs.: Craig Spranger (CS-18) dec. John Alora (CS-29)
156-lbs.: Joe Silvio (CS-21) dec. Mike Leland (CS-21)
156-lbs.: Tyrus Korecki (CS-24) rsc-1 James Livingstone (CS-18)
165-lbs.: Casey Habluetzel (CS-32) dec. Patrick Ryan (CS-05)
175-lbs.: Denis Vorobyov (CS-06) dec. Derek Demyanek (CS-24)
185-lbs.: Reggie Howard (CS-12) dec. Cooper Zielinski (CS-19)
195-lbs.: Matt Coates (CS-14) rsc-2 Zach Vaughn (CS-09)
195-lbs.: Zak Spranger (CS-02) dec. Marcus Hill (CS-37)