Air Force Academy

Nov. 3, 2011

Weekly Release #1

The Air Force wrestling team officially begins the 2011-12 season this weekend, Nov. 6, when it travels to Salem, Va., for the Hokie Open, hosted by Virginia Tech.

SCOUTING THE FALCONS...
This year, the Air Force wrestling team enters its sixth season under the guidance of head coach Joel Sharratt. Last season, the Falcons finished the year with a 12-5 overall dual record and 3-3 mark in the Western Wrestling Conference, as well as a third place finish at the NCAA West Regional. Air Force notched its first winning season since 2003, while its 12 dual wins were the most for the program since 1984.

The Falcons return eight letterwinners from the 2010-11 season, including five who competed at last year's NCAA West Regional. Leading the way is junior Cole VonOhlen, a two-time NCAA qualifier with a career record of 75-18.

ABOUT THE HOKIE OPEN...
The Hokie Open, currently in its fourth season, will feature athletes from 20 collegiate teams, including three nationally ranked squads. Among the schools that are expected to compete on Sunday are Air Force, No. 11 American, Appalachian State, The Citadel, Duke, Gardner-Webb, King College, Liberty, North Carolina, Ohio, Ohio Valley, Old Dominion, Chattanooga, No. 22 Virginia, VMI and 14th-ranked host Virginia Tech.

The double-elimination tournament is slated to begin at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on Sunday, with six placewinners awarded at each weight class. Live coverage of the event will be available at hokieopen.com.

IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS...
While he is planning to wrestle at 149 pounds this weekend, junior co-captain Cole VonOhlen, a two-time NCAA qualifier, has been recognized by several wrestling publications in their preseason rankings at 141 pounds. VonOhlen was rated seventh in the nation by Intermat, eighth by Amateur Wrestling News, ninth by The Open Mat and 10th by W.I.N. Magazine and WrestlingReport.com. Meanwhile, DI College Wrestling rates VonOhlen seventh at 149 pounds in their latest individual rankings.

2011 BLUE-SILVER INTRASQUAD MATCH...
Air Force gave its fans a preview of the season to come with the annual Blue-Silver Intrasquad Match, held Oct. 26 in Clune Arena. Following are complete results from the Blue-Silver Match:

125 - Greg Rinker (Silver) dec. Steven Joseph, 1-0
133 - Dylan Hyder (Blue) dec. Cody Hancock, 5-0
141 - Tyler Untrauer (Blue) dec. Carter McElhany, 4-3
149 - Cole VonOhlen (Blue) maj. dec. Daniel Baucke, 8-0
157 - Josh Kreimier (Silver) dec. Alec Williams, 9-3
165 - Colby Kluesner (Blue) dec. Tanner Weltzin, 6-4
174 - Clayton Gable (Silver) maj. dec. Garrett Wells, 12-2
184 - Dalton Henderson (Blue) dec. Greg Isley, 15-10
197 - Josh Mohr (Silver) fall Brook Gosch, 3:45
HWT - Jared Erickson (Blue) dec. Cody Davis, 6-3

UP NEXT...
The Falcons are back in action Nov. 19 as they compete at the Holiday Inn Open, hosted by Nebraska-Kearney, and the Old Chicago Open, hosted by Northern Colorado.