Air Force Academy

Nov. 15, 2007

The Air Force wrestling team is back in action this weekend, Nov. 17, as it heads to the Kaufman-Brand Open, hosted by Nebraska-Omaha.

Scouting the Falcons...
The Falcons, who finished with five placewinners at last weekend's Cowboy Open, will send 22 wrestlers to this weekend's Kaufman-Brand Open. Slated to compete in the Elite Division are Zach Valdez (125), Jake Kriegbaum (141), Stephen Makuka (141), Chris Szabolcs (149), Tony Dorward (157), Stephen Crozier (165), Justin Shadrix (165), Duane Miller (174), Tyler French (174), James Ciccone (184), Jacob Devlin (184), Jordan Tribble (197) and Anthony Stegeman (HWT).

Meanwhile, scheduled to compete in the Amateur Division are Andrew Zwirlein (125), Samuel Sheppard (125), Derek Gillespie (133), Kurt Spranger (133), Matt Torrence (149), Michael Erickson (157), Joseph Stafford (165), Chris Thomas (184) and Kazden Ikehara (HWT).

In the Elite Division, senior Jake Kriegbaum took second place at 141 pounds, going 4-1 on the day. Senior Anthony Stegeman finished third at heavyweight, compiling a 6-1 record, while Jacob Devlin took fourth place at 197 pounds, ending the day with a 3-2 record. Also placing for Air Force was freshman Joseph Stafford, who took third place at 165 pounds in the Amateur Division with a 6-1 record.

About the Kaufman-Brand Open...
The Kaufman-Brand Open, being held at the Sapp Fieldhouse on the campus of Nebraska-Omaha, is the nation's largest single-day collegiate meet in the nation. At least 42 teams are expected to send more than 650 athletes to compete in the meet, which includes some of the top teams in the nation.

The first matches will get underway at 9 a.m. in two divisions, the Elite and Amateur Divisions. The meet will proceed with no set times for semifinals or finals until its conclusion.

Among the teams expected to compete this weekend are top-ranked Minnesota, No. 2 Iowa State, No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 4 Iowa, No. 11 Wisconsin, No. 14 Nebraska and No. 15 Ohio State.

Up Next...
The Falcons return to action on Dec. 1, when they take part in the Fort Hays Open, hosted by Fort Hays State.

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