Air Force Academy

Feb. 20, 2004

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - The 2004 Air Force Boxing Wing Open Championships officially got underway with the quarterfinal round on Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Upper Boxing Room of the Cadet Gym. There were 15 quarterfinal bouts that were contested in the opening round of the championships.

"This is always an exciting time of the year," head boxing coach Eddie Weichers said. "All of the contestants bring a strong will to win. There were several tight matches with both boxers showing tremendous heart."

Junior Mike Sackenheim (Hamilton, Ohio) was named the Academy's Boxer of the Week after defeating Jeremy Marx in the 165-pound weight class. Using good jabs and combinations, Sackenheim was able to keep the aggressive Marx at bay. Sackenheim landed several hard rights in the third round causing the referee to issue two standing eight counts, before calling the bout.

This is Sackenheim's second weekly honor of the season, as he also earned the award following a Friday Night Fights match in December.

There were 14 other boxers that also claimed victories at the quarterfinals. Colt Schiefelbein won the 147-pound fight, while Jeremy Gideon, Leif Nordhagen and Brandon Galindo joined Sackenheim with wins in the 165-pound weight class. Four Falcons - Augustin Kamdem, Andrew Quijano, Joe Conrad and James Mitchell - earned victories in the 175-pound bouts. Ryan Coates, Dustin Mayne, Sean Mitchell and Chris Collins all advanced to the semifinals following decisions at 185-pounds. Chris Crouch advanced in the 195-pound division, while Overton Spence took the heavyweight bout.

Wing Open action continues next Wednesday (Feb. 25) with the semifinal rounds. There will be 18 bouts contested beginning at 4 p.m., in the Upper Boxing Room.

COMPLETE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
147-lbs. - Colt Schiefelbein (CS-20) dec. Ben Newman (CS-12)
165-lbs. - Mike Sackenheim (CS-23) dec. Jeremy Marx (CS-03)
165-lbs. - Jeremy Gideon (CS-24) dec. Geoff Cole (CS-27)
165-lbs. - Leif Nordhagen (CS-17) rsc-1 Anthony Patino (CS-13)
165-lbs. - Brandon Galindo (CS-33) dec. Ryan Regan (CS-34)
175-lbs. - Augustin Kamdem (CS-08) rsc-3 Mike Vogel (CS-24)
175-lbs. - Andrew Quijano (CS-21) dec. Jeff Aiello (CS-19)
175-lbs. - Joe Conrad (CS-11) dec. Patrick Wanko (CS-34)
175-lbs. - James Mitchell (CS-32) dec. Evin Negron (CS-14)
185-lbs. - Ryan Coates (CS-13) rsc-1 Steven Jimenez (CS-34)
185-lbs. - Dustin Mayne (CS-36) dec. Colin LaFavor (CS-05)
185-lbs. - Sean Mitchell (CS-10) dec. Dustin Long (CS-16)
185-lbs. -- Chris Collins (CS-30) rsc-2 James Brooks (CS-15)
195-lbs. - Chris Crouch (CS-09) dec. Joshua Rausch-Davis (CS-22)
HVWT - Overton Spence (CS-10) rec-1 Dave Bullock (CS-10)