Air Force Academy

Jan. 12, 2008

Alamosa, Colo. - Despite winning just one contested bout, the Air Force wrestling team escaped with a 22-21 victory over Adams State Saturday afternoon at Plachy Hall. The Grizzlies were forced to forfeit three different weight classes, giving the Falcons an automatic 18-point advantage. The win moves Air Force to 1-3 on the season, while Adams State, ranked fifth at the Division II level, fall to 1-1.

The Falcons opened the match with a 6-0 lead with a forfeit by ASC at 165 pounds. The Grizzlies were able to tie the score at 6-6 with a pair of decisions at the next two weight classes, before another forfeit by the Grizzlies at 197 pounds put Air Force up 12-6.

The Falcons extended their lead with a victory in the heavyweight match. After a scoreless opening period against Jeff Schossow, senior Anthony Stegeman (Cincinnati, Ohio) notched a pair of three-point near falls in the second period and continued the scoring in the final period, en route to the 11-1 major decision. Stegeman's win proved to be critical for the Falcons, whose only win for the rest of the match was a forfeit at 133 pounds.

The Air Force wrestlers are back in action next weekend, Jan. 18-19. On Friday evening, the Falcons will face Purdue in a dual matchup. Then on Saturday, Air Force will take part in the Hoosier Quad, along with Gardner-Webb, Indianapolis and host Indiana.

Air Force 22, Adams State 21
165 - Stephen Crozier (AF) win by forfeit
174 - Evan Copeland (ASC) dec. Justin Shadrix, 7-2
184 - Jared Deaguero (ASC) dec. Jacob Devlin, 6-0
197 - Jordan Tribble (AF) win by forfeit
HWT - Anthony Stegeman (AF) maj. dec. Jeff Schossow, 11-1
125 - Arsenia Barksdale (ASC) dec. Zach Valdez, 9-3
133 - Derek Gillespie (AF) win by forfeit
141 - Josh Hensley (ASC) dec. Jake Kriegbaum, 2-0
149 - Joey Deaguero (ASC) fall Chris Szabolcs, 2:01
157 - Noomis Jones (ASC) dec. Tony Dorward, 8-2