Air Force Academy

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. -- The "Dirty Dozen" of the Air Force boxing team will set out to claim its 27th regional title as it takes on the top boxers in the region this weekend (March 23-25) at the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) West Regional Championships in Berkeley, Calif.

Air Force will be represented by 10 of this year's Wing Open champions, while two finalists will also take to the ring.

This group of athletes features four competitors with past regional experience and eight newcomers.

Defending regional and national champion Willie Lloyd will compete at 112 pounds, while classmate Ezekiel Ignaco, who has competed in the previous two regional contests as a 125-pound contender, dropped to the 119-pound weight class to fill the void left by 2005 national champion Darren Smith. In addition, a pair of regional finalists from one year ago will be returning to the ring, as senior Luis Pena will be making his third appearance at a regional meet and junior Ian Tuznik will be making his second.

The remaining eight boxers will all be making their regional debut. Senior Jeremy Homan will compete at 125 pounds, while freshman Nicholas Goc will be competing in the 132-pound weight class. Junior Jahmil Edwards and sophomore Clifford Moore will toe the line in the 147- and 156-pound bouts, respectively. Junior Joe Conrad will face off in the 165-pound weight class, while classmate Evin Negron will contend with competition in the 175-pound division and senior Oscar Casillas will take to the ring as a 185-pound contender. Sophomore John Quinn will represent the Falcons at 195 pounds, after dropping from the heavyweight division to win two box-offs over 2006 Wing Open champion, Andrew Catoire.

The squared-circle at Berkeley is one of three regional sites that will help determine the national card. The East Regional will be held at Army, while the Midwest Regional is taking place in Chicago. The top-two contenders from each regional site, as well as several at-large competitors, will advance to the NCBA National Championships, which will be held April 6-8 at the El Dorado Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nev.

THE CONTENDERS
112-lbs.: Willie Lloyd
119-lbs.: Ezekiel Ignaco
125-lbs.: Jeremy Homan
132-lbs.: Nicholas Goc
139-lbs.: Luis Pena
147-lbs.: Jahmil Edwards
156-lbs.: Clifford Moore
165-lbs.: Joe Conrad
175-lbs.: Evin Negron
185-lbs.: Oscar Casillas
195-lbs.: John Quinn
Hywt.: Ian Tuznik