Air Force Academy

Feb. 17, 2010

The Air Force wrestling team wraps up its dual slate this week with a pair of conference matches. The Falcons host Wyoming in their home finale on Thursday, Feb. 18, at 7:00 p.m., while traveling to Northern Iowa on Sunday, Feb. 21.

Falcons on the Web...
Fans who are unable to make it to Clune Arena for Thursday's match can still catch all of the action on the web. Live video streaming with audio commentary will be available free of charge on goairforcefalcons.com.

Last Time Out...
The Falcons split a pair of dual meets last week, falling to WWC rival Northern Colorado, 24-13, while defeating non-conference opponent Cal State Fullerton, 22-19.

Senior James Ciccone (184) led Air Force last week, winning both of his matches by major decision, while Neil Delaney (197) also went 2-0 for the weekend. Also winning against Northern Colorado was Tyler French (174), while Derek Gillespie (133), Cole VonOhlen (141), and Joseph Stafford (165) added victories against Cal State Fullerton.

Scouting the Falcons...
Air Force enters this weekend with a 6-9 overall dual record and 1-3 mark in the WWC.

Leading the Falcons is freshman Cole VonOhlen, who has posted a team-best 27 victories in his rookie campaign. Also reaching the 20-win threshold for the Falcons are senior Tyler French (21) and freshman Tyler Spangler (20).

VonOhlen has also registered a team-high 12 falls so far this season, doubling the team-leading total (six) from the 2008-09 season. Meanwhile, sophomore Tanner Weltzin has registered the Falcons' fastest fall of the year, recording a pin in a time of 37 seconds.

Three Cowboys are currently ranked nationally in their respective weight classes. Shane Onufer (165) and Joe LeBlanc (184) are each rated ninth by Intermat, while Michael Martinez is ranked 12th at 125 pounds. LeBlanc, a returning All-American, has registered a team-best 31 victories on the year, while Onufer and Martinez have posted 23 and 26 wins, respectively.

Scouting the Panthers...
Northern Iowa enters this weekend's dual with a 9-12 overall ledger and 3-2 record in the WWC.

Among the leaders for the Panthers are Christian Brantley, Jarion Beets and Tyson Reiner, who are all rated in the latest coaches panel rankings. Brantley has posted a 20-9 overall record, while Beets and Reiner have notched 15 and 14 wins, respectively, this season.

Saying Goodbye to the Seniors...
Thursday evening's match versus Wyoming will be Senior Night for the Air Force wrestling program. The team will honor 11 seniors prior to their final home meet.

The Falcons' Class of 2010 includes James Ciccone, Michael Erickson, Tyler French, Thomas Gorry, Stephen Larson, Stephen Makuka, Akira Nervik, team captain Justin Shadrix, Samuel Sheppard, Joshua Smith and Steven Suhrie.

NCAA Rankings...
Freshman Cole VonOhlen was ranked 18th at 141 pounds in the second coaches' panel rankings for the 2009-10 wrestling season, and is ranked eighth in the first Rating Percentage Index (RPI) of the season. The final rankings and RPI are two of the tools used as part of the selection process to determine the qualifiers for the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships.

Wrestlers in each weight class will be measured by winning percentage, rating percentage index (RPI) and coaches' rankings to earn spots for the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The coaches' rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches across the nation. Each qualifying tournament has five coaches rank the top 33 wrestlers in two weight classes. For ranking purposes, coaches must select a wrestler as a starter at a designated weight class. In addition, coaches may only select one wrestler per weight class.

To be eligible for an RPI ranking, a wrestler must have a minimum of 15 Division I matches at a given weight class.

Up Next...
With the dual schedule complete, the Falcons will take a brief rest from competition before heading to Brookings, S.D., for the NCAA West Regional on March 6. The regional, which acts as the qualifying tournament for the NCAA Championships, will also double as the Western Wrestling Conference Championships.

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