Air Force Academy

Jan. 20, 2010

The Air Force wrestling team heads to Gunnison, Colo., this weekend, Jan. 23, for the Borah Duals, hosted by Western State. The Falcons will face CSU-Pueblo at 10:00 a.m., Mesa State at 12:00 p.m., and the host Mountaineers at 2:00 p.m.

Last Time Out...
The Falcons went 1-2 at the Lone Star Duals last weekend, defeating Brown, 18-15, while falling to Northwestern and 23rd-ranked Arizona State.

Leading Air Force at the Lone Star Duals were freshman Cole VonOhlen (141) and senior Stephen Larson (HWT), who each posted a 2-1 record on the day.

Meanwhile, in other action, nine Falcons were placewinners at the Glen Brand Open in Omaha, Neb. Leading the way were senior Samuel Sheppard (125) and junior Joseph Stafford (165), who each placed second in their respective weight classes.

Scouting the Falcons...
Air Force enters this weekend with a 2-5 overall dual record.

Freshman Cole VonOhlen, currently ranked 16th in the nation at 141 pounds, has posted a team-best 17 victories in his rookie campaign, while six other Falcons--Tyler Spangler (16), Tyler French (13), Derek Gillespie (12), Neil Delaney (11), James Ciccone (10) and Dake Williams (10)--have won at least 10 matches each.

VonOhlen has also posted eight falls so far this season, already surpassing the team-leading total from the 2008-09 season. Meanwhile, sophomore Tanner Weltzin has registered the fastest fall of the year, recording his only pin in a time of 37 seconds.

In the National Rankings...
With an overall record of 17-5, freshman Cole VonOhlen is currently ranked 16th in the nation at 141 pounds in the latest Intermat poll. VonOhlen is also rated 22nd by WrestlingReport.com.

Quick Hits...
• Air Force holds a 5-2 record over the past two seasons at the Borah Duals, its only losses coming to host Western State
• Of freshman Cole VonOhlen's five losses this season, four have come against ranked wrestlers (including a nationally ranked Division II wrestler)

Scouting the Thunderwolves...
CSU-Pueblo enters this weekend with a 6-3 dual record. The Thunderwolves last competed at the Mile High Open, hosted by Embry-Riddle.

Among the leaders for CSU-Pueblo is Tony Chavarria, who is currently ranked eighth in Division II at 197 pounds. Meanwhile, heavyweight Patrick Carey has a team-best 19-7 record on the season.

Scouting the Mavericks...
Mesa State, receiving votes in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll, enters this weekend with a 1-2 overall record. The Mavericks are coming off a 35-6 loss to Fort Hays State.

Leading Mesa State is Chase Walker, ranked fifth in Division II at 157 pounds with a 10-3 overall record.

Scouting the Mountaineers...
Western State, currently ranked 13th in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll, enters this weekend with a 2-3 dual record. The Mountaineers are coming off a 24-18 loss to Grand Canyon.

Three Western State wrestlers are listed in the latest Division II individual rankings, led by Charlie Pipher, who is second at 184 pounds. Pipher, who has not competed since early December due to injury, currently holds a 10-4 overall record. Charlie Alexander, the fourth-ranked heavyweight, has a 19-4 overall ledger, while Donovan McMahill, ranked fifth at 197 pounds, holds an 18-4 overall record and has won 11 of his last 12 matches.

Up Next...
The Falcons are busy next weekend, hosting Utah Valley on Jan. 28, before hitting the road for a pair of conference duals versus South Dakota State (Jan. 30) and North Dakota State (Jan. 31). In addition, another group of wrestlers will take part in the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Colorado School of Mines on Jan. 30.

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