Air Force Academy

March 17, 2008

The Air Force wrestling team heads to the NCAA Championships, being held in St. Louis, Mo., this week, March 20-22. Representing the Falcons are senior Jake Kriegbaum (141), junior Stephen Crozier (165), sophomore Tyler French (174) and senior Jacob Devlin (184).

About the NCAA Championships...
The 78th-annual NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships return to St. Louis, Mo., for the third time in the past five years. Minnesota will look to defend its title from 2007, while four individual champions and five runner-ups from last season return to this year's tournament.

TV Coverage...
The quarterfinals of this year's championships will be broadcast live by ESPNU/ESPN360.com at 11 a.m. (ET) on Friday, March 21. ESPNU will be producing and syndicating live coverage of the semifinals beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) that same day. On Saturday, ESPNU will carry the medal rounds live at 11 a.m. (ET), while ESPN/ESPN360.com will air the championships live later that evening at 8:30 (ET).

Last Time Out...
Air Force finished second at the 2008 NCAA West Regional, scoring 64.5 points to place behind Northern Iowa, which captured its 23rd-consecutive regional title. Senior Jake Kriegbaum (141) and sophomore Tyler French (174) each won their respective weight classes, while Tony Dorward (157), Stephen Crozier (165) and Jacob Devlin (184) all finished second.

While Kriegbaum and French were named automatic qualifiers to the NCAA Championships by virtue of their regional titles, Crozier and Devlin were named wild card selections and Dorward was designated an alternate selection.

Major Awards...
Air Force came away with two of the three individual awards handed out at the NCAA West Regional. Senior Jake Kriegbaum, who knocked off a pair of ranked wrestlers en route to the 141-pound title, was named Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament. Meanwhile, head coach Joel Sharratt was named Coach of the Year, leading the Falcons to a second-place finish in just his second season at the helm.

Repeat Qualifier...
Senior Jake Kriegbaum is the lone Falcon with previous experience at the NCAA Championships. An at-large qualifier in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, Kriegbaum returns to the NCAA Tournament as the West Regional champion at 141 pounds.

AF All-time All-Americans...
This year, Jake Kriegbaum, Stephen Crozier, Tyler French and Jacob Devlin will strive to join the ranks of such decorated individuals as Don Henderson, Terry Isaacson, Kirt Donaldson, Ken Donaldson, Bob Orwig, Terry Parham, Scott Frohardt and Kevin Hoy--Air Force's All-American wrestlers.

Among the group of eight All-Americans in Air Force history are one national champion (Henderson), three NCAA runners-up (Isaacson, Ken Donaldson and Hoy) and two multiple All-America performers (Isaacson and Hoy).

On a Hot Streak...
Senior Jake Kriegbaum has been on quite a streak for the Falcons, winning 13 of his last 14 matches and posting a 7-0 mark against WWC competition, including the NCAA West Regional.

Meanwhile, sophomore Tyler French has put together a streak of his own, winning 12 of his last 13 bouts.

Air Force Wrestling Banquet...
This year, the Air Force wrestling team will hold its annual awards banquet on Wednesday, April 30. To make reservations or receive more information, please contact Air Force assistant coach Maj. Tom Tingley at (719) 333-9265.

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