Four Wrestlers Reach Finals At 2004 Oklahoma Open


    Norman, Okla. -
    Sophomore Matt Crippes (Cloverdale, Calif.) finished first, while three other Falcons reached the finals in their respective weight classes to lead the Air Force wrestling team Saturday at the Oklahoma Open. The tournament featured wrestlers from top-ranked Oklahoma State, No. 8 host Oklahoma, No. 10 Missouri and Central Oklahoma.
    Crippes earned a default victory over Oklahoma State's Ryan Davis to take the title at 141 pounds. Junior Brandon Strong (Albuquerque, N.M.), a 2004 NCAA qualifier, was the runner-up at 125 pounds, dropping a 9-4 decision to Oklahoma's Sam Hazewinkel, ranked No. 1 in the nation.
    Also finishing second for Air Force were freshman Steven Ratley (Arlington, Va.) and junior Brenden McLean (Grants Pass, Ore.). In the 165-pound weight class, Ratley suffered a 16-0 technical fall to Oklahoma State's Brandon Mason. Meanwhile, McLean took second place at 197 pounds after being pinned by Oklahoma's Joel Flaggart in a time of 34 seconds.
    Air Force returns to action next weekend for a pair of tournaments. The Falcons will begin first at the prestigious Las Vegas Invitational, Dec. 3-4. In addition, several of Air Force's second-teamers will compete at the Fort Hays Open on Dec. 4.
     

     

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