Air Force Academy

Jan. 16, 2009

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - The Air Force boxing team returned to the ring for the fifth installment of the 2009 Friday Night Fights on Jan. 16. The lineup included 28 boxers in 13 different weight classes. Senior Dave Simon picked up the first Boxer of the Week award of his career with a victory in the 132-pound weight class.

Simon opened the night against classmate Jesse Horton, who returned to the program this month after spending the fall semester in Japan with the Academy's exchange program. Using strong conditioning and a good jab, Simons was able to claim the decision from the judges.

Fellow senior Sean May took a decision from Rudy Bowen in the 159-pound division, while Nathan Liptak defeated sophomore Michael Dunn in the 153-pound bout.

In the first of two heavyweight bouts on the night, senior Boyce Loomis came back from a standing eight count in the first round to earn the victory junior Cory Tintzman. Senior Lucas Gagliardi defeated classmate Andrew Catoire in the 194-pound bout, while fellow senior Dena Chuva claimed a decision over sophomore Michael Mizes at 134 pounds.

In the 160-pound contest, Joseph Silvio decisioned Tyrus Korecki, while Justin Lee received the favorable vote over Fred Diederich at 169 pounds. Nick Cataldo earned the only victory of the night that did not go to the final bell, as he defeated Ryan Wilkinson in the 168-pound bout when the referee stopped the bout in the first round.

Dave Miller decisioned Mike Chambers in the night's other heavyweight bout, while Michael McLain earned a victory over Logan Brandt in the 185-pound bout. Casey Habluetzel decisioned Luke Dugger in a 166-pound bout, while John Baucke and Eathan Salgado claimed victories in the final two bouts. Baucke claimed his first collegiate victory in a 193-pound bout over Reggie Howard and Salgado defeated Trever Symalla in the 140-pound bout.

The Falcons leave the Academy next weekend, when they travel to Seattle, Wash., for the WAC Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 24. Action is slated to begin at 8 p.m. (PST) at the Washington Athletic Club.

RESULTS FROM FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
132-lbs.: Dave Simon (CS-40) dec. Jesse Horton (CS-11)
159-lbs.: Sean May (CS-37) dec. Rudy Bowen (CS-16)
153-lbs.: Nathan Liptak (CS-09) dec. Michael Dunn (CS-01)
Hywt.: Boyce Loomis (CS-08) dec. Cory Tintzman (CS-36)
194-lbs.: Lucas Gagliardi (CS-09) dec. Andrew Catoire (CS-40)
134-lbs.: Dean Chuva (CS-24) dec. Michael Mizes (CS-40)
160-lbs.: Joseph Silvio (CS-21) dec. Tyrus Korecki (CS-20)
169-lbs.: Justin Lee (CS-39) dec. Fred Diederich (CS-29)
168-lbs.: Nick Cataldo (CS-13) rsc-1 Ryan Wilkinson (CS-31)
Hywt.: Dave Miller (CS-23) dec. Mike Chambers (CS-16)
185-lbs.: Michael McLain (CS-28) dec. Logan Brandt (CS-31)
166-lbs.: Casey Habluetzel (CS-38) dec. Luke Dugger (CS-24)
193-lbs.: John Baucke (CS-18) dec. Reggie Howard (CS-31)
140-lbs.: Eathan Salgado (CS-16) dec. Trever Symalla (CS-03)