Air Force Academy

April 4, 2003

Las Vegas, NV -- The Falcons are in second place after the first day of competition in the National Collegiate Boxing Association National Championships hosted by UNLV at the Cox Pavilion.

In Thursday's quarterfinal bouts the Falcons won five and lost three to tally eight team points. Navy won all five of its matches to score 11 points. Penn State, UNLV and Lock Haven (PA) are tied for third place with four points apiece and Army and Nevada are tied for sixth place with three points.

"I was very pleased with the first night of competition," said Air Force head coach Eddie Weichers, Jr. "All of our boxers fought with passion and heart and that's all you can ask for from any athlete."

Of the five Air Force victories, three of them came on the referee stopping the contest as the Falcons dominated their opponents. Those victories were by Frankie Woods (147-lbs.), Jake Hostetler (156-lbs.) and Clell Knight (165-lbs.). Darren Smith (119-lbs.) and Thomas Parker (139-lbs.) won their bouts on unanimous decisions.

"Knight was extremely sharp in his bout against Bradley Winans from the Coast Guard Academy," said Weichers. "He stopped Winans in the first round with a tremendous body attack. Clell scored early with a body shot that buckled Winans over and he was quick to take advantage of that attack."

Eliminated from the competition were Brett Hadley (125-lbs.), Geoff Woolf (132-lbs.) and Ryan Coates (185-lbs.).

Leif Nordhagen (175-lbs.) and heavyweight Brian Trumble drew first-round byes.

Thursday's Results:

119-lbs. -- Darren Smith, AFA, dec. Samuel Go, UNLV
125-lbs. - Lyle Nixon, UNLV, dec. Brett Hadley, AFA
132-lbs. - Gustavo Pugliese, Lock Haven, dec. Geoff Woolf, AFA
139-lbs. - Thomas Parker, AFA, dec. Joe Smith, Penn St.
147-lbs. - Frankie Woods, AFA, dec. Daniel Reese, UNLV
156-lbs. - Jake Hostetler, AFA, RSC (1) Mike Argadine, Miami
165-lbs. - Clell Knight, AFA, RSC (1) Bradley Winans, Coast Guard
185-lbs. - Preston Haliburton, Georgia, RSC (3) Ryan Coates, AFA

Friday's Semifinal Bouts:

119-lbs. - Darren Smith vs. Losahan Omo-Osagie, Lock Haven
139-lbs. - Thomas Parker vs. Mike Reel, Navy
147-lbs. - Frankie Woods vs. Anthony Peters, VMI
156-lbs. - Jake Hostetler vs. Miles Rivas, Penn State
165-lbs. Clell Knight vs. Agur Adams, Navy
175-lbs. Leif Nordhagen vs. Jude Leriche, Penn State
195-lbs. Ethan Sabin vs. Bobby Greer, Army
Hvwt - Brian Trumble vs. Rob Horton, Army