Air Force Academy

Dec. 15, 2010

Watch live video of this match beginning at 5:55 p.m.

The Air Force wrestling team is back in action this weekend, Dec. 17, as it hosts 14th-ranked Oregon State in dual competition. The match is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. in Clune Arena.

Falcons on the Web...

Fans who are unable to make it to Clune Arena on Friday can still catch all of the action on the web. Live video streaming, as well as live stats, will be available free of charge on goairforcefalcons.com.

Last Time Out...

The Falcons opened their 2010-11 dual slate last Friday with a pair of home victories, defeating Coe, 21-13, and Western State, 26-12.

Four Air Force wrestlers won both of their matches, led by sophomore Cole VonOhlen (141), who posted a 4-0 decision in his first match, while registering an 18-2 technical fall in his bout versus Western State.

Also going 2-0 against Coe and Western State were Tyler Untrauer (133), Josh Kreimier (149) and Clayton Gable (165). Meanwhile, Alec Williams (157), Joseph Stafford (174), Kazden Ikehara (184), Josh Mohr (184), Neil Delaney (197) and Jared Erickson (HWT) each earned a win. Stafford scored the lone fall of the day for the Falcons, pinning Western State's Zach Frazier in a time of 1:55.

Air Force's win over Western State broke a five-match losing streak to the Mountaineers, which dated back to the 2005-06 season.

Scouting the Falcons...

Air Force enters this week's dual with a 2-0 overall record, following its wins over Coe and Western State last weekend.

Six Falcons are currently undefeated in dual action so far, with Tyler Untrauer (133), Cole VonOhlen (141), Josh Kreimier (149) and Clayton Gable (165) each holding 2-0 records. VonOhlen also leads the team in overall wins with 16, while two others­^­­--Jesse Stafford and Alec Williams--have each notched 15 wins on the year.

Scouting the Beavers...

Oregon State, ranked 14th in the latest NWCA Coaches Poll, currently holds a 3-1-2 dual mark and will face Wyoming on Thursday evening. The Beavers are coming off a narrow 17-16 loss to then-15th-ranked Nebraska.

Five Oregon State wrestlers are currently ranked in their respective weight classes by Intermat, led by No. 6 Colby Covington at 174 pounds. Also ranked for the Beavers are No. 12 Mike Mangrum (141), No. 12 Clayton Jack (HWT), No. 13 Jason Lara (125) and No. 15 Kelly Kubec (133).

A Key Match-Up...

Perhaps the most intriguing match-up in this weekend's dual will be at 141 pounds, where Air Force's 11th-ranked Cole VonOhlen will face off against 12th-ranked Mike Mangrum. VonOhlen posted the Falcons' only win in a 43-3 loss to Oregon State last season, earning an 8-5 decision over Mangrum.

WWC Wrestler of the Week...

Sophomore Cole VonOhlen was named the Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week on Dec. 14, following his performance in a pair of dual victories for the Falcons.

VonOhlen outscored his opponents 22-2 in his two bouts against Coe and Western State on Friday. After scoring a 4-0 decision over Coe's Chris LeClere (ranked sixth in Division III), VonOhlen posted an 18-2 technical fall over Western State's Jesse Cruz. His five team points against Western State helped Air Force break a five-match losing streak to the Mountaineers.

In the National Rankings...

Sophomore Cole VonOhlen, the Falcons' lone returning NCAA qualifier, is currently ranked 11th in the nation at 141 pounds in the latest Intermat poll. In addition, VonOhlen is rated 10th by Amateur Wrestling News, 14th by WrestlingReport.com, 15th by The Open Mat, 17th by D1 College Wrestling and 18th by WIN Magazine.

Up Next...

Following the holiday break, the Falcons return to action Dec. 29-30, as they travel to Greensboro, N.C., for the Southern Scuffle.

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