Air Force Academy

Feb. 23, 2008

USAFA, Colo. - Capturing three of the last four bouts, the Air Force wrestling team picked up a 21-12 victory over conference rival Wyoming Saturday afternoon at the Cadet East Gym. The Falcons move to 9-9 overall, 3-2 in the Western Wrestling Conference, while the Cowboys fall to 3-9, 2-3 in the WWC.

On a day when Air Force honored the class of 2008, senior Zach Valdez (Parker, Colo.) got the Falcons out to a solid start, registering a 7-4 decision over Cody Grant at 125 pounds. Wyoming tied the team score with a win at 133 pounds, before senior Jake Kriegbaum (Abilene, Kan.) put the Falcons back on top with a victory at 141. Kriegbaum, who picked up a 6-0 decision over Brandon Gifford, continued his hot streak, remaining undefeated in the WWC at 5-0 and winning for the 11th time in his last 12 bouts.

The two teams again traded decisions, with Wyoming picking up wins at 149 and 165 pounds, while senior Tony Dorward (Seattle, Wash.) scoring a crucial takedown in overtime to win a 3-1 decision over Cody Chipperfield at 157 pounds.

With the score tied at 9-9 going into the 174-pound match, sophomore Tyler French (Malta, Mont.) was able to give the Falcons the upper-hand once more, registering a fall over Kyle Morrow in a time of 3:30. Air Force never trailed again, winning decisions at 184 and 197 pounds. Senior Jacob Devlin (Livingston, N.J.) picked up the win at 184 pounds with an 8-5 decision over Mikel Hoopes, while junior Jordan Tribble (Midwest City, Okla.) scored all three of his points in the final period in a 3-0 decision over Dan Barrone at 197.

While the outcome of the dual was already decided going into the final bout, the heavyweight match between Air Force's Anthony Stegeman (Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio) and Wyoming's Jason Still was tightly contested. Each wrestler was able to score an escape in regulation, with the score tied 1-1 after three periods. After a scoreless sudden victory period, Still escaped to take a 2-1 lead and held on for the win in the tiebreaker, bringing the final team score to 21-12, in favor of the Falcons.

Air Force 21, Wyoming 12
125 - Zach Valdez (AF) dec. Cody Grant, 7-4
133 - Cory VomBaur (UW) dec. Samuel Sheppard, 6-5
141 - Jake Kriegbaum (AF) dec. Brandon Gifford, 6-0
149 - Cole Dallaserra (UW) dec. Chris Szabolcs, 6-0
157 - Tony Dorward (AF) dec. Cody Chipperfield, 3-1 (SV)
165 - Eric Coxbill (UW) dec. Stephen Crozier, 6-5
174 - Tyler French (AF) fall Kyle Morrow, 3:30
184 - Jacob Devlin (AF) dec. Mikel Hoopes, 8-5
197 - Jordan Tribble (AF) dec. Dan Barrone, 3-0
HWT - Jason Still (UW) dec. Anthony Stegeman, 2-1 (TB)