Air Force Academy

USAFA, Colo. - Able to get wins in just four of nine contested bouts, the Air Force wrestling team fell short against Division II Adams State Saturday, losing by a final margin of 27-15. The Falcons fall to 2-2 on the young dual season, while the Grizzlies improve to 1-1 on the year.
The action began at 165 pounds, where Adams State got out to a 6-0 lead after Dusty Vaughan recorded a fall in 1:29 over the Falcons' Tony Dorward (So. Seattle, Wash.). The Grizzlies' advantage was extended to nine points with a decision at 174 pounds, as James Reynolds, ranked seventh in the weight class at the D-II level, picked up a 14-9 win over Air Force's Stephen Crozier (Fr., Monona, Iowa).
At 184 pounds, Air Force senior Zane Hershey (Hugoton, Kan.) suffered his first dual loss of the season, giving up a 6-3 decision to Adams State's Josh Vialpando.
Senior Brenden McLean, rated 18th among the Division I ranks at 197 pounds, was the first to put the Falcons on the scoreboard against Adams State, picking up a 5-3 decision over Casey Woodall to remain undefeated on the season. Freshman heavyweight Frank McGrath posted another Air Force win after posting a narrow 3-2 decision in the next weight class.
Unfortunately, the Falcons were not helped at 125 pounds, where they were forced to cede six team points after giving up a forfeit in the weight class. Senior co-captain Brandon Strong, wrestling at 133 pounds, helped cut Air Force's deficit in half after recording a fall over Raymond Dunning in a time of 2:53, and suddenly the Falcons trailed just 18-12.
Air Force was able to get within three points after sophomore Jake Kriegbaum (Abilene, Kan.) captured a 5-3 decision over Brian Pitts at 141 pounds, but that was as close as the team would come. At 149 pounds, junior Matt Crippes (Cloverdale, Calif.) was pinned by his opponent, Dave Welanko, in a time of 1:25, and it was enough to secure the win for the Grizzlies, who also won the final bout, a 4-2 decision by Scott Cleve over Zach Lord at 157 pounds.
Air Force returns to action this weekend, Saturday, Jan. 21, when they head back to Alamosa, Colo., for the annual Colorado Collegiate Championships.
Adams State 27, Air Force 15165 - Dusty Vaughan (ASC) fall Tony Dorward (1:29)174 - James Reynolds (ASC) dec. Stephen Crozier, 14-9184 - Josh Vialpando (ASC) dec. Zane Hershey, 6-3197 - Brenden McLean (AF) dec.Casey Woodall, 5-3285 - Frank McGrath (AF) dec. Heath Soderstom, 3-2 125 - Rob McCabe (ASC) wins by forfeit133 - Brandon Strong (AF) fall Raymond Dunning (2:53)141 - Jake Kriegbaum (AF) dec. Brian Pitts, 5-3149 - Dave Welanko (ASC) fall Matt Crippes (1:25)157- Scott Cleve (ASC) dec. Zach Lord, 4-2