Air Force Academy

Jan. 14, 2009

The Air Force wrestling team opens its 2008-09 home slate this weekend, Jan. 16-17. First, the Falcons will host Stanford on Friday at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, Air Force welcomes 22nd-ranked Northern Iowa in a 7:30 p.m. conference dual. Both matches will take place in Clune Arena, with live stats and video streaming available on goairforcefalcons.com.

Meanwhile, 10 other Air Force wrestlers will head to Omaha, Neb., on Saturday for the annual Glen Brand Open, hosted by Nebraska-Omaha.

Last Time Out...
The Falcons went 1-2 in a trip to California last weekend, defeating Cal Baptist, 23-15, while falling to Cal State Fullerton, 39-7, and San Francisco State, 26-13.

Senior Stephen Crozier, wrestling at 165 pounds, was the top performer for Air Force last weekend, winning all three of his bouts. In addition, junior Tyler French (174) and sophomore Joseph Stafford (157) each tallied two wins on the weekend, while Derek Gillespie (133), Stephen Makuka (141), Sterling Tribble (184) and Josh Larson (HWT) all posted victories against Cal Baptist.

Scouting the Falcons...
Air Force enters this weekend's meets with 1-5 dual record. Leading the Falcons in total wins for the season is senior captain Stephen Crozier who has 14 victories on the year and a team-best 5-1 dual record.

Seventeen different Air Force wrestlers have recorded falls so far this season, led by junior Stephen Makuka, who has registered six pins on the year, just one short of the team leader for the 2007-08 season. Meanwhile, sophomore Wade Stowe holds the fastest fall of the year, getting the pin in a time of 0:57.

Jake Johnson (184) leads the Cardinal with 22 total wins on the season, followed by Lucas Espericueta (157) with 20 victories. Meanwhile, Stanford's lone senior, Luke Feist (197), has a team-best eight falls on the year.

Scouting the Panthers...
Northern Iowa, tied for 22nd in the USA Today/NWCA/InterMat Coaches Poll, enters this weekend with a 4-4 dual record. The Panthers, who are coming off a pair of losses to No. 5 Ohio State and No. 17 Michigan, will visit fellow conference opponent Northern Colorado on Friday before heading to the Academy.

Northern Iowa has four wrestlers ranked nationally in their respective weight classes, led by senior Moza Fay, currently ranked second at 165 pounds. Senior Alex Dolly is rated 14th at 184 pounds, senior Andrew Anderson is ranked 15th at 197 pounds and freshman heavyweight Christian Brantley is ranked 16th in his weight class.

About the Glen Brand Open...
The Glen Brand Open, in its 20th year, will be held at Sapp Fieldhouse on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The double-elimination tournament is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. (CT). Awards will be given to the top-four placewinners at each weight class.

Up Next...
The Falcons are back on the road next weekend, Jan. 24, when they head to Gunnison, Colo., for the Borah Duals, hosted by Western Colorado.

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