Air Force Academy

March 2, 2007

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Under the lights of Clune Arena, the Air Force boxing team hosted 11 intense bouts in the 49th-annual Wing Open Championships on Friday, March 2, at the Academy. Eight former champions returned to the winner's circle, including senior Willie Lloyd, who became just the 11th boxer in Academy history to claim four consecutive Wing Open titles.

Lloyd defeated sophomore Dean Chuva in the first bout of the night at 112 pounds. Lloyd escaped his younger foe in a hard-hitting affair, to win his fourth title in as many years. With the win, Lloyd joins James Ingram (1961-64), Gary Vasek (1965-68), "Buzz" Dyre (1966-69), Charlie Stallworth (1970-73), Alex Cline (1977-80), Ricky Graham (1980-83), Joseph Dunn (1990-93), Mike Benza (1997-2000), Joel Rivera (1998-01) and Darren Smith (2002-05) as the program's only four-time champions.

Senior Ezekiel Ignaco regained his Wing Open title, claiming the 119-pound bout in a referee-stopped-contest. Ignaco, a Wing Open champion as a freshman and sophomore, took back the title after defeating sophomore Jesse Horton. Using a flurry of hard shots, Ignaco caused the referee to call the bout in the first round.

The next two bouts featured four newcomers to the ring at Clune. Sophomore Harvey White took a split decision from freshman Matthew McPhail at 125 pounds, while freshman Alexander Shin picked up a unanimous decision from sophomore David Simon.

Sophomore Nicholas Goc, who won last year's title at 132 pounds, took the honor this year at 139 pounds. Facing a freshman in Seth Gunn, Goc used some powerful shots to earn a victory by referee-stopped-contest.

The 147-pound bout also saw another repeat champion, as senior Jahmil Edwards claimed his second straight title with a unanimous decision over junior Ryan Price. It was the second straight season that these two contenders had met in the ring for finals. Junior Clifford Moore picked up his second consecutive Wing Open title, as he earned a tough, hard-fought split decision victory over senior Mark Ruther in the 156-pound bout.

Senior Joe Conrad successfully defended his Wing Open title, as he earned the victory over junior James Dunn in the 165-pound contest. Using several strong body shots, Conrad caused the referee to call the bout in the second round.

At 175 pounds, senior Evin Negron won his second straight Wing Open championship by picking up a split decision from junior Bruce Jamison. Like the 112- and 147-pound bouts, this was a rematch of last year's final bout.

Competing in just his fourth bout ever, sophomore Boyce Loomis took a unanimous decision from senior Colin LaFavor in the night's hard-hitting 185-pound bout.

In the final contested bout of the night, junior John Quinn earned his first Wing Open title, as he defeated senior Eric Garcia in the 195-pound contest. Using relentless pressure on Garcia, Quinn caused the referee to stop the bout in the third round.

Senior Ian Tuznik earned his third straight Wing Open title as he won by walkover in the heavyweight division.

For just the second time in the 28-year history of the Clune Outstanding Boxer Award, a pair of Falcons earned the honor. The coaching staff and judges deemed Lloyd and Conrad as the night's top boxers. The duo joined Jeff Moore and Russ Balka as the only co-winners in Academy history.

Action for the new "Dirty Dozen" continues March 29-31 when the Falcons travel to the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) Western Regional Championships in Las Vegas, Nev.

RESULTS FROM WING OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

112-lbs.: Willie Lloyd (CS-32) dec. Dean Chuva (CS-24)

119-lbs.: Ezekiel Ignaco (CS-12) rsc-1 Jesse Horton (CS-11)

125-lbs.: Harvey White (CS-20) dec. Matthew McPhail (CS-10)

132-lbs.: Alexander Shin (CS-06) dec. David Simon (CS-40)

139-lbs.: Nicholas Goc (CS-31) rsc-3 Seth Gunn (CS-27)

147-lbs.: Jahmil Edwards (CS-37) dec. Ryan Price (CS-24)

156-lbs.: Clifford Moore (CS-19) dec. Mark Ruther (CS-15)

165-lbs.: Joe Conrad (CS-36) rsc-2 James Dunn (CS-33)

175-lbs.: Evin Negron (CS-33) dec. Bruce Jamison (CS-25)

185-lbs.: Boyce Loomis (CS-08) dec. Colin LaFavor (CS-07)

195-lbs.: John Quinn (CS-06) rsc-3 Eric Garcia (CS-16)

Hywt.: Ian Tuznik (CS-07) (unopposed)