Falcons Hold Off South Dakota State, 25-21, For First Conference Win
    Air Force picks up five individual wins over South Dakota State

    Junior Zach Valdez
    Junior Zach Valdez

    Feb. 10, 2007

    USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Holding off a furious comeback by South Dakota State, the Air Force wrestling team claimed the close 25-21 decision at Clune Arena on Saturday, Feb. 10. Claiming five victories over the visiting Jackrabbits, the Falcons earn their first victory in the WWC (1-1) and improve to 4-10 on the dual season.

     

    The meet started at 184 pounds. South Dakota State's Nate Althoff picked up the first victory, defeating freshman James Ciccone (Mentor, Ohio) by fall at 5:37.  The Jacks' Travis Gottschalk won the 197-pound match with sophomore Jordan Tribble (Midwest City, Okla.) by taking a 5-3 decision in overtime.

     


     

     

    Junior Tony Stegeman (Cincinnati, Ohio) claimed the first victory of the day for Air Force, picking up a major decision (13-0) from South Dakota State's Jason Stripling.  Stegeman's victory was the first of five straight for Air Force, who quickly increased their lead over the visiting Jackrabbits.

     

    Junior Zach Valdez (Parker, Colo.) earned a 125-pound victory-by-fall over SDSU's Marcus Waters at the 5:37 mark, while freshman Stephen Makuka won the 133-pound contest by forfeit. Junior Jake Kreigbaum (Abilene, Kan.) decisioned the Jacks' Derek Pirner at 141 pounds, while senior captain Bridger Lord (Missoula, Mont.) defeated Sean Flynn with a fall at the 1:33 mark.

     

    South Dakota State attempted to overtake the Falcons, by winning the final three sets. Andy Everson took a 9-6 decision from senior Zach Lord (Missoula, Mont.) in the 157-pound showdown, while Ryan Meyer won with a fall over junior Anthony Dorward (Seattle, Wash.) at 165 pounds. South Dakota State's Chris Moran picked up a 12-5 decision from sophomore Stephen Crozier (Monona, Iowa) at 174 pounds to close out the night.

     

    The Falcons return to action next weekend, with a pair of WWC matches. Air Force will travel to Wyoming on Feb. 16, before visiting Utah Valley State on Feb. 17

     

    AIR FORCE 25, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 21

    184-lbs.: Nate Althoff (SDSU) fall James Ciccone (AFA), 3:19

    197-lbs.: Travis Gottschalk (SDSU) dec. Jordan Tribble (AFA), 5-3 (OT)

    Hywt.: Tony Stegeman (AFA) maj. dec. Jason Stripling (SDSU), 13-0

    125-lbs.: Zach Valdez (AFA) fall Marcus Waters (SDSU), 5:37

    133-lbs.: Stephen Makuka (AFA) win by forfeit

    141-lbs.: Jacob Kriegbaum (AFA) dec. Derek Pirner (SDSU), 8-4

    149-lbs.: Bridger Lord (AFA) fall Sean Flynn (SDSU), 1:33

    157-lbs.: Andy Everson (SDSU) dec. Zach Lord (AFA), 9-6

    165-lbs.: Ryan Meyer (SDSU) fall Anthony Dorward (AFA), 2:59

    174-lbs.: Chris Moran (SDSU) dec. Stephen Crozier (AFA), 12-5

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