Air Force Academy

Nov. 11, 2009

The Air Force wrestling team opens the 2009-10 season this weekend, Nov. 14, as it travels to Laramie, Wyo., for the annual Cowboy Open, hosted by the University of Wyoming.

Scouting the Falcons...
This year, the Air Force wrestling team enters its fourth season under head coach Joel Sharratt. Last season, the Falcons finished the year with a 4-12 overall dual record and 1-5 mark in the Western Wrestling Conference.

The Falcons return 15 letterwinners starters from the 2008-09 season, including several who saw time in the starting lineup during the year. Four of this year’s wrestlers—junior Andrew Zwirlein (125), sophomore Alec Williams (149), senior captain Justin Shadrix (165) and senior Stephen Larson (HWT)—are returning at the same weight class in which they competed at last year’s West Regional. Meanwhile, also returning this year is senior Tyler French (174), an NCAA qualifier in 2008.

Last Year At The Cowboy Open...
At the 2008 Cowboy Open, a pair of Falcons finished as placewinners, one in the Elite Division and one in the Amateur Division. Senior captain Stephen Crozier was Air Force’s top finisher in the Elite Division, taking fourth place at 165 pounds. Meanwhile, freshman Karl Oeser, making his collegiate debut, brought home a second-place finish in the Amateur Division at 184 pounds.

The Lineup...
This weekend, 16 Falcons are slated to compete in the Elite Division, while eight others are scheduled to compete in the Amateur Division. Listed below is the tentative lineup for this weekend’s tournament:

125        Samuel Sheppard, Sr.

               Andrew Zwirlein, Jr.

133        Tyler Untrauer, So.

141        Derek Gillespie, Jr.

               Cole VonOhlen, Fr.

149        Tanner Weltzin, So.

               Alec Williams, So.

157        Wade Stowe, Jr.

165        Justin Shadrix, Sr.

               Joseph Stafford, Jr.

174        Tyler French, Sr.

               Joshua Smith, Sr.

184        James Ciccone, Sr.

197        Neil Delaney, Jr.

               Josh Larson, Jr.

HWT      Stephen Larson, Sr.

Amateur

125        Steven Joseph, Fr.

133        Ethan Martinez, Fr.

               Tyler Spangler, Fr.

157        Taylor Hollister, Fr.

184        Robert Isley, Fr.

               Josh Mohr, Fr.

HWT      Jared Erickson, Fr.

               Dake Williams, Fr.

2009 Blue-Silver Intrasquad Match...
Air Force gave its fans a preview of the season to come with the annual Blue-Silver Intrasquad Match, held Nov. 5 in Clune Arena. Bouts were contested in each of the 10 weight classes, giving the Falcons a preliminary lineup for the season. Following are complete results from the Blue-Silver Match:

125         A. Zwirlein dec. S. Sheppard, 4-3

133         T. Untrauer dec. E. Martinez, 8-7

141         C. VonOhlen dec. D. Gillespie, 4-2

149         A. Williams maj. dec. T. Weltzin, 9-1

157         T. Hollister dec. S. Mitchel, 10-3

165         J. Shadrix dec. J. Stafford, 4-3

174         T. French dec. J. Smith, 3-2

184         J. Ciccone dec. J. Mohr, 13-9

197         N. Delaney dec. J. Larson, 3-1

HWT      S. Larson dec. J. Erickson, 6-2

Up Next...
The Falcons return to action next weekend, Nov. 21, at the Kaufman-Brand Open, hosted by Nebraska-Omaha.

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