TABLE OF CONTENTS/QUICK FACTS

AIR FORCE QUICK FACTS GENERAL INFORMATION Location ...... USAF Academy, Colo. Founded ...... 1954 Enrollment ...... 4,400 Nickname ...... Falcons Colors ...... Blue and Silver Affiliation ...... NCAA Division I Superintendent ...... Lt. Gen. John F. Regni Athletic Director ...... Dr. Hans J. Mueh COACHING STAFF Head Coach ...... Joel Sharratt Alma Mater ...... Iowa (1995) Office Phone ...... (719) 333-2811 Office Fax ...... (719) 333-2599 Coach’s E-mail: ...... [email protected] Career Record (Yrs) ...... 15-19/2 Air Force Record (Yrs) ...... Same Assistant Coaches ...... Bart Horton ...... Maj. Tom Tingley Volunteer Assistant Coach ...... Sam Barber

TEAM INFORMATION Home Venue ...... Clune Arena Conference ...... Western Wrestling 2007-08 Dual Record ...... 9-9 2007-08 Conference Record ...... 3-2 2007-08 West Regional Finish ...... Second Junior Tyler French, 2008 West Regional champion and Letterwinners R/L ...... 10/8 NCAA qualifier at 174 pounds Starters R/L ...... 4/6 NCAA Qualifiers Returning ...... Stephen Crozier (165), TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... Tyler French (174) NCAA Qualifiers Lost ...... Jake Kriegbaum (141), Table of Contents/Quick Facts...... 1 ...... Jacob Devlin (184) Head Coach Joel Sharratt...... 2 Assistant Coach Bart Horton ...... 3 ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Assistant Coach Maj. Tom Tingley...... 3 Assoc. Athletic Director, Communications . . . .Troy Garnhart Support Staff...... 4 Wrestling Contact ...... Melissa McKeown 2008-09 Roster ...... 5 Office Phone ...... (719) 333-9025 2008-09 Season Outlook...... 6 Office Fax ...... (719) 333-3798 Meet The Falcons ...... 7-11 E-mail address ...... [email protected] 2007-08 Season Review...... 12-13 Official website ...... GoAirForceFalcons.com 2007-08 Dual Results ...... 14 Year-By-Year Results...... 15 Western Wrestling Conference ...... 16 All-Americans ...... 17 Honors & Awards ...... 18 Air Force Legends...... 19 Wrestling Facilities...... 20 CREDITS The Academy...... 21-24 The 2008-09 Air Force wrestling media guide was written and designed by assistant media relations director Melissa McKeown, using QuarkXPress. Editorial assistance provided by the Air Force ath- letic media relations office, as well as the Air Force wrestling staff. Photos courtesy of DenMar Services, Ken Mellott, Ralph Clark and David Lipp. Printing by Madeline McGuire, Air Force Athletic Communications.

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 1 COACHING STAFF JOEL SHARRATT HEAD COACH • THIRD SEASON • IOWA (‘95)

Joel Sharratt is currently in his 2006. "My goals for the Air Force wrestling program are for every athlete third season at the helm of the Air Force to graduate and be commissioned as an Air Force officer, for our wrestlers wrestling program. to be leaders in the Cadet Wing, and for each individual to reach his full In just two years, Sharratt has potential on the mat." already made his mark on the Falcons’ Sharratt came to the Academy after spending six seasons as the head program. Last season, Air Force, which assistant wrestling coach at the United States Naval Academy. In 2005-06, put together a 9-9 overall dual record, Sharratt helped lead the Midshipmen to a 13-2 dual record, their best win had a solid season. The Falcons captured a second-place finish at the 2008 total since the 1990-91 season, while also sending five wrestlers to the NCAA West Regional, matching their best-ever showing at the tourna- NCAA Championships. Sharratt was also a tenured assistant professor at ment (also finishing second in 2003). Jake Kriegbaum, named the the Naval Academy, teaching physical education courses in wrestling, Outstanding Wrestler at the West Regional, and Tyler French both won martial arts, judo and hand-to-hand combat, while additionally serving as their respective weight classes at the NCAA West Regional/WWC the faculty chair of the USNA combative courses. Championships, while three others—Jacob Devlin, Stephen Crozier and A 1995 graduate of the University of Iowa, Sharratt was a three-time Tony Dorward—placed second. All-American, earning three trips to the NCAA Finals, winning the cham- For helping orchestrate Air Force’s remarkable turnaround, Sharratt pionship in 1994. Training under the tutelage of legendary coach Dan was named the Western Wrestling Conference Coach of the Year. Gable during his college career, Sharratt was a four-year letterwinner for Kriegbaum and French were honored as first-team All-WWC selections, the Hawkeyes, and was twice selected as the team captain. Sharratt led his while Devlin, Crozier and Dorward were named to the second team. team to the 1995 Big Ten and NCAA titles, winning the Big Ten individ- To cap off the season, the Falcons also sent four wrestlers— ual championship that season. Sharratt also competed as a member of the Kriegbaum, French, Devlin and Crozier—to the NCAA Championships 1993 and 1994 Big Ten Championship teams, as well as the 1992 and 1994 for the third time in the past NCAA Championship teams. THE SHARRATT FILE four seasons. All four won at Following his college career, Sharratt was a two-time member of the least one match at the national U.S. National Team, earning the bronze medal at both the 1996 Olympic HOMETOWN meet, with Kriegbaum and Trials and 1997 Pan American Championships. While competing on the Bloomington, Minn. Devlin each bringing home international level, Sharratt represented the United States around the two victories. world including trips to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Italy, EDUCATION Although faced with a France and Canada. Accomplishments as a coach in the freestyle arena Undergraduate: rebuilding task in his first sea- included cadet national champions and junior national champions, as well Iowa, 1995 son as head coach, Sharratt as multiple national team members and world medalists. B.S. in Leisure Studies helped lead Air Force to a 3-1 Sharratt has also served as a graduate assistant at the University of Graduate: mark in its inaugural season in Minnesota, where he earned his master’s degree in sports administration Minnesota, 2000 the Western Wrestling in 2000, serving a two year position as the Developmental Freestyle Coach M.Ed.. in Sports Administration Conference. With the Falcons for the state of Minnesota. Sharratt also worked as an assistant coach at earning a sixth-place team fin- Lehigh from 1996-98 and as a graduate assistant at his alma mater during COLLEGE ATHLETICS ish at the NCAA West the 1995-96 season. University of Iowa Regional, Crozier and Devlin Sharratt and his wife, Jamie, live in Monument, Colo., with their • NCAA champion led Air Force as third-team all- three daughters, Tori (5), Taylor (3) and Carly, who was born in January • Two-time NCAA runner-up conference selections. 2008. • Three-time All-American Sharratt’s influence has • Big Ten champion been notable off the mat as well. The Falcons are in the top OTHER WRESTLING 10 percent of the NCAA APR EXPERIENCE (Academic Progress Rate) • Two-time USA National team rankings among all Division I member (1996-97) wrestling institutions. Air Force’s top student-athlete, COACHING EXPERIENCE team captain Stephen Crozier, Iowa was named to the NWCA All- Grad. Asst. Coach (1995-96) Academic team in 2008 and is Lehigh also a two-time member of the Assistant Coach (1996-98) WWC All-Academic team. Minnesota Already, the goals that Grad. Asst. Coach (1998-2000) Sharratt set upon his arrival U.S. Naval Academy seem to be coming to fruition. Head Asst. Coach (2000-06) "Air Force has a great program U.S. Air Force Academy and a great staff and I'm look- Head Coach (2006-pres.) ing forward to the chance to get it going," said Sharratt in 2 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING COACHING STAFF BART HORTON ASSISTANT COACH • SECOND SEASON • IOWA STATE (‘97)

Bart Horton is now in his second year as an assistant wrestling coach for the Academy. Horton, the newest member of the Air Force wrestling staff, was an direct contributor to the program’s- success during the 2007-08 season. His contribution has surged with his impact on the recruiting coordination and communication. After a sixth-place finish at the NCAA West Regional in 2007, the Falcons turned things around last year, capturing a second-place finish at the 2008 NCAA West Regional. Air Force’s finish matched their best-ever showing at the tournament (as they also placed second in 2003). In addition, the Falcons sent four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships for the third time in the past four seasons. Horton arrived at the Academy in the summer of 2007 after spending nine years as the first assistant at the University of Missouri. In his tenure at Missouri, Horton helped the Tigers continuously improve, culminating in a banner year in 2007. In addition to taking home the team trophy at the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Missouri, led by two-time national champion Ben Askren, finished third at the NCAA Championship. The Tigers' showing in 2007 marked the program's highest-ever placing at the national tournament. Horton has also proven his value as a recruiter, helping Missouri land a pair of top-10 recruiting classes and an additional four top-15 recruiting classes in the past six years. A 1997 graduate of Iowa State University, Horton was an All-American at 167-pounds in his senior campaign. He was also a four-year letterwin- ner and a two-time freestyle All-American for the Cyclones under head coach Bobby Douglas. Horton was named a High School All-American in 1992, while wrestling at Wahlert High School in Dubuque, Iowa, where he was also a state champion and runner-up. Horton and his wife, Lorna, reside in Colorado Springs with their sons, Max (3) and Oliver, born in June 2008.

MAJ. TOM TINGLEY ASSISTANT COACH • THIRD SEASON • USAFA (‘90)

Maj. Tom Tingley enters his third season as an assistant wrestling coach at the Academy. In addition to his coaching duties, he is a combat- ives course director and instructor, as well as Chief of the Scheduling and Grading Division. Tingley has been recognized by head coach Joel Sharratt as a signifi- cant contributor to the program's success during the 2007-08 season. After a sixth-place finish at the NCAA West Regional in 2007, the Falcons turned things around last year, capturing a second-place finish at the 2008 NCAA West Regional. Air Force's finish matched their best-ever showing at the tournament (as they also placed second in 2003). In addition, the Falcons sent four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships for the third time in the past four seasons. Tingley was a four-year varsity starter and letterwinner at USAFA. He was team captain his senior year, Western Athletic Conference (WAC) champion at 118 pounds and NCAA qualifier in 1990. While on active duty, Tingley continued to wrestle for the All-Air Force team between 1991- 1996, winning multiple medals at the U.S. Armed Forces Championship. Tingley placed four times at the U.S. National Championship and competed for the U.S. Armed Forces at the Counseil International Sport Militaire (CISM) - military world championship. Tingley also competed at the U.S. World Team Trials in 1993-95 and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 1992. From 1998-2006, Tingley served as the assistant coach of the All-Air Force Wrestling team, coaching several Armed Forces gold medalists and one U.S. National champion. He also represents the United States on the CISM wrestling committee and served as the liaison/coach of the U.S. team at the 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2008 CISM World Championships. Since his graduation from the Academy, Tingley has completed many different assignments. After attending Communications Officer training school at Keesler AFB, Miss., he became an intelligence analyst at the National Air Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He has also served as classified network manager at USSPACECOM/NORAD at Peterson AFB and Cheyenne Mountain AS, Colo., as test planner/director at the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M., and a communications flight commander at Buckley AFB, Colo. While at Buckley, he deployed to US Central Command in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and later went to Europe to serve as a division chief and the US sen-

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 3 SUPPORT STAFF SAM BARBER VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH

Sam Barber enters his first season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Air Force wrestling program. An experienced collegiate coach, Barber has coached 16 national champions and 60 All-Americans in 12 seasons at the Division III level. Barber currently works with USA Wrestling as the manager of the National Coaches Education Program. Barber previ- ously served on the staff of the Minnesota/USA Wrestling program from 1997-2008, as FILA Junior/University Director, Junior National Freestyle head coach, and as the assistant coach for the Senior Athlete Program. In addition to his duties with Minnesota/USA Wrestling, Barber spent seven years with the wrestling program at Augsburg College (Minn.). After four seasons as the head assistant coach, Barber was promoted to associate head coach in 2005 and took over the reins as head coach in 2007. During his tenure at Augsburg, the Auggies never finished below third place at the NCAA Division III championships, winning national titles in 2002, 2005 and 2007. In 2006, Barber was named the Division III Co-National Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Barber, a 1995 graduate of Upper Iowa University, served as the head assistant coach at his alma mater from 1995-99 before being named the head coach in 1999. Barber also spent the 2000-01 season as a graduate assistant coach at Minnesota State-Mankato, where he earned his master’s degree in educational leadership and experiential education in 2004. While there, Barber helped lead the Mavericks to a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Division II Championships in 2001. COL. WILLIAM WALKER DEPUTY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Col. William Walker is the Deputy Athletic Director, as well as the professor and head of the Physical Education Department, at the Air Force Academy. One of his many duties includes managing the Academy's NCAA intercollegiate sports program. A native of Hartland, Wis., Walker, captain of the varsity wrestling team his senior year, graduated from the Academy in 1983. He later served as an assistant coach of the wrestling team. Walker was also the chair of the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee and serves as the commissioner of the Western Wrestling Conference.

ERICK KOZLOWSKI ATHLETIC TRAINER

Erick Kozlowski is in his 11th year as an athletic trainer for the Air Force wrestling team. His other duties include work- ing with the varsity and junior varsity football teams, while also serving as medical director for the USAFA Sports Camps since 2004. Kozlowski came to the Academy in 1998 from the University of New Mexico, where he was the assistant athletic train- er and director of the undergraduate athletic training program. In 1995, he received his master’s degree in sports adminis- tration from UNM after receiving his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from New Mexico in 1989. Kozlowski has also served as head athletic trainer at Santa Fe (N.M.) High School and worked with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club (rookie league) in Port Charlotte, Fla. He has been a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) since 1989 and is a current member of USA Wrestling and the Volunteer Sports Medicine Program with the United States Olympic Committee. He received advanced education as a Performance Enhancement Specialist (2005) and a Corrective Exercise Specialist (2007) from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF:

Senior Administrator: George Nelson Officer Representatives: Maj. Hall Sebren, Maj. Dominick Martin Eligibility Committee Representative: Maj. Grant T. Weller, Department of History Cadet Wing Representative: Maj. Steve Harrold, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Cadet Squadron 10 Team Physician: Dr. J.T. Tokish Managers: Joseph Brock, Casey Butikofer, Joseph Cook, Chris Jimenez, Zac Pendleton

4 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 2008-09 ROSTER

Name Yr. Wt. Hometown (High School) Brett Boyce So. 184 Brigham City, Utah (Box Elder) BY YEAR James Ciccone Jr. 197 Mentor, Ohio (Lake Catholic) Stephen Crozier Sr. 165 Monona, Iowa (MFL Mar Mac) Neil Delaney So. 197 Grand Rapids, Mich. (Forest Hills Central) SENIORS (3) FRESHMEN (16) Stephen Crozier Caleb Egli Caleb Egli Fr. 197 Colorado Springs, Colo. (Air Academy) Juancarlos Pino Ryan Fountain Michael Erickson Jr. 157 Springfield, Va. (Robert E. Lee) Sterling Tribble Robert Gonzaga Alex Flori So. 165 Eagle River, Alaska (Emerald Ridge) Bobby Gulla Ryan Fountain Fr. 149 Frederick, Colo. (Frederick) JUNIORS (10) David Heitstuman Tyler French Jr. 174 Malta, Mont. (Malta) James Ciccone John Lovvorn Derek Gillespie So. 133 Chesapeake, Va. (Great Bridge) Michael Erickson Samuel Mitchel Robert Gonzaga Fr. 133 Atwater, Calif. (Buhach Colony) Tyler French Karl Oeser Thomas Gorry Jr. 149 Hickory, N.C. (Patch American [Germany]) Thomas Gorry Mengyuan Qiu Bobby Gulla Fr. 141 Levittown, Pa. (Neshaminy) Stephen Makuka Erik Red David Heitstuman Fr. 149 Sasebo, Japan (E.J. King) Randall Mitchner Juan Rodriguez Kazden Ikehara So. 197 Mililani, Hawaii (Kamehameha) Akira Nervik Craig Spranger Josh Larson So. HWT Windsor, Colo. (Windsor) Justin Shadrix Wesley Stowe Samuel Sheppard Tyler Untrauer John Lovvorn Fr. 125 Washington, Ga. (Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive) Joshua Smith Tanner Weltzin Stephen Makuka Jr. 141 Columbus, N.J. (Northern Burlington County Regional) Alec Williams Samuel Mitchel Fr. 157 Peru, Ind. (Peru) SOPHOMORES (12) Randall Mitchner Jr. 165 Cordova, Tenn. (Cordova) Brett Boyce Akira Nervik Jr. 184 Bellflower, Calif. (Mayfair) Neil Delaney Karl Oeser Fr. 184 Wichita, Kan. (Maize) Alex Flori Juancarlos Pino Sr. 141 Yuma, Ariz. (Kofa) Derek Gillespie Mengyuan Qiu Fr. 125 Glendale, Ariz. (Ironwood) Kazden Ikehara Erik Red Fr. 184 Mechanicsburg, Pa. (Cumberland Valley) Josh Larson Juan Rodriguez Fr. 149 Chicago, Ill. (Northside College Preparatory) Carlos Sandoval Carlos Sandoval So. 133 Colorado Springs, Colo. (Harrison) Joseph Stafford Justin Shadrix Jr. 174 Bremen, Ga. (Bremen) Wade Stowe Samuel Sheppard Jr. 125 Ramstein AB, Germany (Ramstein American) Chris Thomas Matt Torrence Joshua Smith Jr. 174 Orem, Utah (Timpanogos) Andrew Zwirlein Craig Spranger Fr. 149 Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Jesuit) Joseph Stafford So. 157 Loomis, Calif. (Del Oro) Wade Stowe So. 157 The Colony, Texas (The Colony) Wesley Stowe Fr. 174 The Colony, Texas (The Colony) Chris Thomas So. 184 San Diego, Calif. (Valhalla) Matt Torrence So. 149 Tulsa, Okla. (East Central) Sterling Tribble Sr. 184 Midwest City, Okla. (Midwest City) Tyler Untrauer Fr. 133 Midwest City, Okla. (Midwest City) Tanner Weltzin Fr. 149 Alexandria, Minn. (Jefferson) Alec Williams Fr. 149 Birmingham, Ala. (Fultondale) Andrew Zwirlein So. 125 Nashotah, Wis. (Arrowhead)

BY WEIGHT CLASS

125 (4) 141 (3) 157 (4) 174 (4) 197 (4) John Lovvorn Bobby Gulla Michael Erickson Tyler French James Ciccone Mengyuan Qiu Stephen Makuka Samuel Mitchel Justin Shadrix Neil Delaney Samuel Sheppard Juancarlos Pino Joseph Stafford Joshua Smith Caleb Egli Andrew Zwirlein Wade Stowe Wesley Stowe Kazden Ikehara 149 (8) 133 (4) Ryan Fountain 165 (3) 184 (6) HWT (1) Derek Gillespie Thomas Gorry Stephen Crozier Brett Boyce Josh Larson Robert Gonzaga David Heitstuman Alex Flori Akira Nervik Carlos Sandoval Juan Rodriguez Randall Mitchner Karl Oeser Tyler Untrauer Craig Spranger Erik Red Matt Torrence Chris Thomas Tanner Weltzin Sterling Tribble Alec Williams

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 5 2008-09 OUTLOOK

STEPHEN CROZIER powerhouse Augsburg, currently works with USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Education Program. “We have a dedicated and well-rounded staff that is capa- ble of helping everyone in our program achieve their full potential on the mat, while being competitive in the class- room and in their military development,” said Sharratt. The season starts in mid-November at the annual Cowboy Open, hosted by Wyoming, while the Falcons also compete in the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and Midlands Championships in the fall semester. Air Force rings in the new year at the Lone Star Duals, where it will meet the Big Ten’s Minnesota, along with Appalachian State and Brown, while also heading to the annual All-Academy Championships in early February. In addition, the Falcons have a strong home slate, starting in January with consecu- tive matches against Stanford and nationally ranked confer- ence opponent Northern Iowa. Air Force will also host WWC foes North Dakota State and South Dakota State, before wrapping up the home schedule against in-state con- ference rival Northern Colorado. Air Force then closes out Over the past two seasons under head coach Joel Sharratt, the Air the regular season with two road WWC duals, followed by the NCAA Force wrestling team has continued to make great strides in its success on West Regional in Greeley, Colo. There, the Falcons will compete for their the mat. In 2007-08, the Falcons finished second at the NCAA West shot to qualify for the NCAA Championships, slated for March in St. Regional, a huge turnaround from its sixth-place showing a year before, Louis, Mo. and sent four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. As a result, All of this year’s home meets will be held in Clune Arena, which will Sharratt, who coached two conference champions last season, including open up the action to nearly 6,000 fans, while also offering video stream- tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler Jake Kriegbaum, was named the ing capabilities for fans at home. The move to Clune Arena, as well as Western Wrestling Conference Coach of the Year. Now, the Falcons will additional facility enhancements scheduled over the next four years, look to sustain their success, despite losing six of 10 starters to gradua- point to a program that is on the rise. tion. “The momentum established over the last two years has been built on Leading the way for the returners is senior captain Stephen Crozier, the bedrock principles that ring throughout our program and institu- an NCAA qualifier at 165 pounds in 2008. Crozier, who has also been tion,” said Sharratt. “They are principles that are embodied within our recognized for his accomplishments in the classroom, finished second at athletes and practiced every time they put on the Blue and Silver singlet the West Regional last season, and looks to bring home the title this sea- of the United States Air Force Academy. Our program is focused on pro- son. Joining him is junior Tyler French, the West Regional champion and ducing young men who lead from the front and aspire to the most chal- NCAA qualifier at 174 pounds last season. Both Crozier and French won lenging career paths in the Air Force upon graduation. Above all, they are matches at the NCAA Championships, and, according to Sharratt, “have leaders of character.” rededicated themselves to the training regimen required to put them- It is these leaders who will strive to make the 2008-09 season even selves and this program on track with where we want to be in March.” more successful than the last. Other returning starters include sophomore Derek Gillespie (133), who missed a great deal of action prior to the West Regional due to injury, and senior Sterling Tribble, a two-year starter at 197 pounds. The Falcons expect all four returning starters to set the pace for the young team that has been assembled for this season. There are also several underclassmen who have TYLER FRENCH acquired a great deal of competition experience. Among them are sophomore Andrew Zwirlein, who looks to be the top performer at 125 pounds, junior Stephen Makuka, who has seen action in the past few years at both 133 and 141 pounds, and junior James Ciccone, who saw valuable time in at 184 and 197 pounds last season and will be a con- tender again this season. Along with its returning starters and experienced underclassmen, Air Force will look to its staff and return- ing leadership to continue its ascent up the collegiate wrestling ranks. Sharing coaching duties with Sharratt are Bart Horton and Maj. Tom Tingley, along with first-year volunteer assistant Sam Barber. Horton, in his second year with the program, was an All-American at Iowa State and helped coach a rising pro- gram at Missouri prior to his arrival at the Academy. Tingley, a 1990 Air Force graduate, is in his third year with the program, and provides a wealth of international experi- ence, both as a coach and a wrestler with the All-Air Force team. Meanwhile, Barber, a former coach at Division III

6 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING MEET THE FALCONS

STEPHEN STERLING CROZIER TRIBBLE SR. • 165 SR. • 197 MONONA, IOWA MIDWEST CITY, OKLA. (MFL MAR MAC) (MIDWEST CITY)

Team captain for the 2008-09 season. 2007-08: One of four NCAA quali- 2007-08: Put together a 14-10 overall record and 8-2 ledger in dual action fiers for the Falcons ... went 1-2 at the national meet ...put together a 28- ... finished fourth at the NCAA West Regional. 2006-07: Compiled a 13- 15 overall record, leading the team in total wins on the season ... owned a 16 overall record on the season and 3-7 mark in dual action … captured .651 winning percentage ... captured second-place at the NCAA West second place at 184 in the Amateur Division at the Cowboy Open … Regional ... went 4-1 at the West Regional, his only loss coming to All- placed fourth at 197 at the All-Academy Championships … took fourth American Moza Fay of Northern Iowa ... put together a 10-6 dual mark place at the NCAA West Regional … recorded two falls on the season. and went 2-3 in WWC action ... avenged all three conference dual losses 2005-06: Did not compete. High School: Coached by Mike Clark and with wins at the West Regional ... finished first at both the FHSU-Bob Jodie Marple ... state champion and state runner-up... all-state and all- Smith Open and All-Academy Championships ... twice named WWC conference selection ... named to Who’s Who in High School Sports. Wrestler of the Week ... second-team All-WWC honoree ... named to Personal: Member of cadet squadron 24 ... son of Jimmie and Karen WWC All-Academic team and NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Tribble. Association All-Academic team ... recipient of Falcons’ Scholar-Athlete award and Commitment to Excellence Award ... moved to 165 pounds after wrestling at 174 his first two years. 2006-07: Put together an 11-25 JOSEPH overall record and 4-11 mark in dual action … went 1-3 in WWC com- petition … captured fourth place at the Oklahoma Open … finished BROCK fourth at the NCAA West Regional, earning third-team All-WWC hon- ors … recorded three falls on the year … named to the WWC All- SR. • MANAGER Academic team. 2005-06: Compiled an 11-22 overall record and 2-7 dual mark ... finished third at the NCAA West Regional ... notched three pins on the year, with a fastest fall of 55 seconds. High School: Four-year wrestling letterwinner … coached by Chet Bachman ... third-place fin- isher at state tournament ... freestyle and Greco state champion CASEY ... cadet Greco All-American ... also earned three letters in football BUTIKOFER and two in track and field ... first- team all-district selection in foot- SR. • MANAGER ball ... class salutatorian. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 4 ... son of Dale Crozier and Jill Zalesny ... siblings are Rob (22) and Jenny (17) ... nickname is Steve the Pirate ... hobbies include unicycling and ZAC wakeboarding ... craziest ambition is to "make pottery when I'm an PENDLETON old man." SR. • MANAGER JUANCARLOS PINO SR. • 141 YUMA, ARIZ. (KOFA)

2007-08: Compiled an 0-2 record, wrestling at 133 pounds. 2006-07: Went 1-7 on the season, competing at 133 and 141 pounds. 2005-06: Did not compete. High School: Coached by Marty Dillon ... finished third in regionals ... state qualifier. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 31 ... parents are Raul and Luz Elena Pino.

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 7 MEET THE FALCONS

JAMES STEPHEN CICCONE MAKUKA JR. • 197 JR. • 141 MENTOR, OHIO COLUMBUS, N.J. (LAKE CATHOLIC) (N. BURLINGTON COUNTY)

2007-08: Put together a 12-11 overall record (5-3 in dual action), 2007-08: Put together a 6-8 overall record and 1-0 mark in dual action ... wrestling at 184 and 197 pounds ... recorded two falls on the season. registered three falls, including a fastest time of 1:40. 2006-07: Compiled 2006-07: Compiled a 6-9 overall record and 0-1 mark in dual action … an overall record of 7-23 and dual mark of 4-11 … notched two falls on notched two falls on the year with a fastest time of 1:19. High School: the season. High School: Coached by Jule Dolci. Personal: Member of Coached by Jack Mulhall ... finished fifth in the state ... district and sec- cadet squadron 21 ... parents are Stephen and Susan Makuka. tional champion ... placed third (freestyle) in the Midwest regional. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 1 ... son of Jim and Jean Ciccone. JUSTIN MICHAEL SHADRIX ERICKSON JR. • 174 BREMEN, GA. JR. • 157 (BREMEN) SPRINGFIELD, VA. (ROBERT E. LEE) 2007-08: Had a 7-8 overall record and 1-2 dual mark, competing at 165 and 174 pounds ... recording one fall on the season ... recipient of the 2007-08: Compiled a 1-8 overall record, wrestling at 157 and 165 pounds Coaches Appreciation Award. 2006-07: Compiled a 9-11 overall record ... went 0-2 in dual action. 2006-07: Went 0-2 on the season. High and 1-0 mark in dual action … notched three falls on the season, record- School: Coached by Brandon Rushing ... finished second in the district ... ing a fastest time of 1:54. High School: Coached by Tony Armas ... four- placed sixth in the Virginia Northern Region. Personal: Member of cadet time state finalist ... two-time state champion ... two-time Brute/Adidas squadron 35 ... son of Lee and Carol Erickson. All-American ... finished third at NHSCA nationals. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 10 ... son of Brian and Kimberly Shadrix.

TYLER SAMUEL FRENCH SHEPPARD JR. • 174 JR. • 125 MALTA, MONT. RAMSTEIN AB, GERMANY (MALTA) (RAMSTEIN AMERICAN) 2007-08: Put together a 26-12 overall record ... led the team with a .684 2007-08: Went 4-10 overall on the season, with an 0-4 mark in dual winning percentage ... earned his first NCAA Championships appearance action ... wrestled at 125 and 133 pounds ... notched one fall on the year with a first-place finish at the West Regional ... first-team All-Western ... placed fourth at the Glen Brand Open at 125 pounds. 2006-07: Posted Wrestling Conference performer ... compiled an 8-2 dual record, includ- a 5-11 overall record and 1-3 mark in dual action … recorded one fall on ing a 4-1 ledger in WWC action ... ranked second on the team with six the season. High School: Coached by Dave Izzo and Gary Steffinmeyer falls on the season ... finished third at the All-Academy Championships ... two-time champion at Europeans ... had an undefeated club season in and fourth at the Kaufman-Brand Open .. recipient of the Wayne freestyle and Greco. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 30 ... parents Baughman/A-10 Wart Hog Award. 2006-07: Put together a 16-13 overall are Andrew and Eileen Sheppard. ledger and 0-1 mark in dual action … tallied five falls on the season, recording a fastest time of 0:06 … captured fifth place in the Amateur Division at the Kaufman/Brand Open … finished third at the Tournament of Champions. High School: Coached by Craig French ... state champion. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 38 ... son of Craig and Conni French.

8 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING MEET THE FALCONS

JOSH KAZDEN SMITH IKEHARA JR. • 174 SO. • 197 OREM, UTAH MILILANI, HAWAII (TIMPANOGOS) (KAMEHAMEHA)

Has spent the past two years on an LDS mission. 2005-06: Compiled a 3- 2007-08: Put together a 1-6 overall record, competing at heavyweight. 5 overall record ... notched one fall on the year. 2004-05: Had an overall High School: Lettered in wrestling for three years … coached by Charles record of 0-6. High School: Lettered in wrestling two years ... coached by Barton … state champion … three-time conference all-star … two-time McKell Sanderson ... qualified for state tournament as a junior, his first state placer … two-time conference champion … National Merit Scholar season wrestling ... a two-time state qualifier ... academic all-state selec- … member of National Honor Society. Personal: Member of cadet tion ... Academic Athlete for Timpanogos High School ... graduated first squadron 1 … son of Adrian and Iolani Ikehara ... has three siblings, ages in his class. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 11 … son of Paul and 17, 13 and 11 … plans to major in aeronautical engineering … hobbies Terri Smith … siblings are Allison (19), Jacob (16) and Benjamin (12) … include reading. hobbies include martial arts, computer games, reading and piano ... holds a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a second-degree black belt in Omega Tao. JOSH NEIL LARSON SO. • HWT DELANEY WINDSOR, COLO. SO. • 197 (WINDSOR) GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (FOREST HILLS CENTRAL) 2007-08: Went 3-3 on the season ... brought home a sixth-place finish at the Glen Brand Open. High School: Lettered in wrestling for four years … coached by Dave Nicholl … state runner-up in 2006 … fifth-place 2007-08: Saw limited action at 184 and 197 pounds ... went 2-4 on the state finisher in 2007 … regional champion in 2007 … two-time third- year. High School: Three-time varsity letterwinner ... coached by Brad place regional finisher … three-time all-conference selection … all-state Anderson ... district and regional champion ... all-state honoree. selection … set school record for most team points scored in a season … Personal: Member of cadet squadron 29 ... son of Brian and Julie Delaney also lettered four years in football and one year in track … named 2006- ... has three siblings, Jessica (22), Brian (21) and Alan (19) ... majoring in 07 male athlete of the year … student body president. Personal: Member systems engineering management. of cadet squadron 31 … son of Bill and Linda Larson … has two siblings, Sara (16) and Connor (15) … hobbies include Xbox, music, writing, painting, reading and "chillaxin." DEREK GILLESPIE JOSEPH SO. • 133 STAFFORD CHESAPEAKE, VA. SO. • 157 (GREAT BRIDGE) LOOMIS, CALIF.

2007-08: Starter at 133 pounds ... compiled an 18-13 overall record and (DEL ORO) 3-7 mark in dual action ... missed action in February due to injury ... placewinner in the first three tournaments of the season ... began the sea- 2007-08: Compiled a 10-7 overall record, wrestling at 165 pounds ... son with a first-place finish at the Cowboy Open (Amateur Division) ... placed third at the season-opening Cowboy Open (Amateur Division) ... finished third in the Amateur Division at the Kaufman-Brand Open ... notched four falls on the year, including a fastest fall of 1:21. High School: placed second at the FHSU-Bob Smith Open ... placed fourth at the Lettered four years in wrestling … coached by Dave Sanchez and Clint NCAA West Regional ... recorded four falls on the season, with a fastest Madden … SFL league champion in 2006 and 2007 … sectional champi- fall of 1:36. High School: Three-year wrestling letterwinner … coached on in 2007 … top 12 finisher at CIF state meet … also lettered in cross by Norman Smith and David Hall … named to the honor roll. Personal: country three years and track one year. Personal: Member of cadet Member of cadet squadron 14 … son of Franky Gillespie and Shirley squadron 39 … son of Michael and Christine Stafford … has three sib- Whitehurst … has a sister, Corrine (20) … would like to become a para- lings, Sarah (24), Aaron (22) and Jesse (16) … future plans are to fly and rescuer … craziest ambition is to jump from 35,000 feet … greatest then attend medical school … craziest ambition is to become an NCAA moment in sports was competing in the USMC Ultimate Challenge … champion. loves Taco Bell.

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 9 MEET THE FALCONS

WADE ANDREW STOWE ZWIRLEIN SO. • 157 SO. • 125 THE COLONY, TEXAS NASHOTAH, WIS. (THE COLONY) (ARROWHEAD)

2007-08: Did not see any varsity competition. High School: Lettered in 2007-08: Put together a 7-12 overall record and 2-2 mark in dual action wrestling for three years … coached by Steve Davis … two-time district ... notched one fall on the season. High School: Lettered four years in champion … two-time regional and state qualifier … notched a 50-5 wrestling … coached by John Mesenbrink … placed second in the state record in senior season. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 12 … son as a junior … won the Bi-State Classic and Cheesehead Invitational tour- of Robert and Terri Stowe … has two siblings, ages 18 and 13 … brother, naments in senior season … also lettered two years in soccer. Personal: Wesley, is a freshman on the Air Force wrestling team ... attended Marion Member of cadet squadron 38 … son of Judy Zwirlein … has two sisters, Military Institute … hobbies include wrestling and fishing … craziest Kristin (22) and Emily (15) … nickname is "Z" … hobbies include soccer, ambition is to become a fighter pilot. rock climbing and fishing … craziest ambition is to win the lottery and forever live as a beach or mountain bum. CHRIS KARL THOMAS SO. • 184 OESER EL CAJON, CALIF. FR. • 184 (VALHALLO) WICHITA, KAN. (MAIZE) 2007-08: Put together a 6-8 overall record and 0-2 dual mark, wrestling at 184, 197 and heavyweight ... placed fifth at 184 pounds at the Glen High School: Lettered three years in wrestling ... coached by Roy Oeser Brand Open ... recorded one fall on the season. High School: Lettered in ... state and regional champion ... runner-up at Mid-American Nationals wrestling for coach Mark Gerardi … league champion and CIF champi- ... also lettered two years in football. Personal: Member of cadet on … finished first at El Dorado Invitational … also lettered in football squadron 39 ... son of Roy and Kari Oeser ... has one sister, Samantha (18) and baseball. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 2 … son of Dan and ... attended the Academy Prep School ... majoring in systems engineering Avis Thomas … has a brother, Pete (17) … plans to become an Air Force management ... hobbies include hunting and skiing ... would like to pararescuer or Army Ranger … hobbies include wakeboarding, snow- become an A-10 pilot following graduation from the Academy. boarding and weightlighting … craziest ambition is to meet Jose Canseco. ALEC MATT WILLIAMS TORRENCE FR. • 149 SO. • 149 BIRMINGHAM, ALA. TULSA, OKLA. (FULTONDALE) (EAST CENTRAL) High School: Lettered four years in wrestling ... coached by Billy Joe 2007-08: Compiled a 6-8 overall record ... notched one fall on the season. Hughes ... three-time state champion ... placed seventh at NHSCA Open High School: Coached by Gary Roberts. Personal: Member of cadet Nationals ... ranked 23rd-best senior by W.I.N. Magazine ... also lettered squadron 25 … son of Boston Torrence and Cindy Parker ... attended the two years in football and one year in both golf and track ... starting offen- Academy Prep School ... competed in the All-Service Tournament. sive lineman and second-team linebacker ... state qualifier in the two-mile run ... class president and valedictorian ... member of National Honor Society. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 33 ... son of Charles Van Williams ... has two brothers, Kevin Williams (21) and Andrew Weldon (10) ... majoring in systems engineering management ... hobbies include swimming, hiking and fighting ... craziest ambition is to win NCAA’s three-times and the Dan Hodge trophy twice.

10 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING MEET THE FALCONS

Thomas Gorry Randall Mitchner Akira Nervik Brett Boyce Alex Flori Carlos Sandoval Jr. • 149 Jr. • 165 Jr. • 184 So. • 184 So. • 165 So. • 133 Hickory, N.C. Cordova, Tenn. Bellflower, Calif. Brigham City, Eagle River, Alaska Colorado Springs, (Patch American) (Cordova) (Mayfair) Utah (Emerald Ridge) Colo. (Box Elder) (Harrison)

Caleb Egli Ryan Fountain Robert Gonzaga Bobby Gulla David John Lovvorn Fr. • 184 Fr. • 149 Fr. • 133 Fr. • 141 Heitstuman Fr. • 125 Colorado Springs, Frederick, Colo. Atwater, Calif. Levittown, Pa. Fr. • 149 Washington, Ga. Colo. (Frederick) (Buhach Colony) (Neshaminy) Sasebo, Japan (Washington-Wilkes (Air Academy) (E.J. King) Comprehensive)

Samuel Mitchel Mengyuan Qiu Erik Red Juan Rodriguez Craig Spranger Wesley Stowe Fr. • 157 Fr. • 125 Fr. • 184 Fr. • 149 Fr. • 149 Fr. • 197 Peru, Ind. Glendale, Ariz. Mechanicsburg, Pa. Chicago, Ill. Tampa, Fla. The Colony, Texas (Peru) (Ironwood) (Cumberland (Northside College (Tampa Jesuit) (The Colony) Valley) Preparatory)

Tyler Untrauer Tanner Weltzin Joseph Cook Chris Jimenez Fr. • 133 Fr. • 149 Manager Manager Midwest City, Alexandria, Minn. Okla. (Jefferson) (Midwest City)

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 11 2007-08 SEASON REVIEW

In its second season under the direction the annual Midlands Invitational. Eleven Air The Falcons managed just one victory in a 39-3 of head coach Joel Sharratt, the Air Force Force wrestlers competed, with Kriegbaum loss to the host Hoosiers, with a decision from wrestling team made great strides, finishing and Devlin (184) leading the way, as each fin- sophomore James Ciccone at 197 pounds. Air the 2007-08 year with a 9-9 dual record. In ished the weekend with a 3-2 record. Force grabbed its first dual victory of the week- addition, the Falcons put together a 3-2 mark Following the Midlands Invitational, Air end with a 36-6 decision over Gardner-Webb. in the Western Wrestling Conference and fin- Force opened up its dual slate at the Lone Star Valdez and Stegeman led the way by registering ished second at the NCAA West Regional, Duals in Grand Prairie, Texas. The Falcons a fall each, Gillespie and Crozier scored tech sending four wrestlers to the NCAA went 0-3 in competition, falling to Eastern falls, senior captain Chris Szabolcs (149) and Championships. Michigan, Appalachian State and Brown. In a Dorward each notched a major decision and The Falcons began the year on Nov. 10 at 20-12 loss to Eastern Michigan, Kriegbaum, Kriegbaum and Ciccone both won decisions. the annual Cowboy Open, hosted by Crozier, Jordan Tribble (197) and Stegeman While the majority of the team was com- Wyoming. Seniors led the way for Air Force in all picked up decisions for the Falcons. Air peting in Indiana, another group of Falcons was the Elite Division, with Jake Kriegbaum tak- Force then dropped a 25-9 contest to taking part in the last open tournament of the ing second place at 141 pounds, Anthony Appalachian State, with Justin Shadrix (174), season, the Glen Brand Open. Sophomore Stegeman finishing third at heavyweight and Tribble and Stegeman winning decisions. Samuel Sheppard was the top performer, plac- Jacob Devlin placing fourth at 197 pounds. Finally, the day ended with a match against ing fourth at 125 pounds. Freshman Chris Meanwhile, freshman Derek Gillespie was the Brown, as the Bears avenged last year’s contest Thomas took fifth place at 184 pounds, while top placewinner overall for the Falcons, win- with a 19-15 victory. The Falcons won five French and freshman Josh Larson (197) each ning the 133 lb. weight class in the Amateur decisions in the match, as Valdez, Tony placed sixth. Division. In addition, classmate Joseph Dorward (157), Crozier, Devlin and Tribble The Falcons were at home for their next Stafford placed third at 165 pounds in the each won their bouts. two dual meets, hosting Colorado School of Amateur Open. A dual against in-state rival Adams State Mines and conference foe Utah Valley State in The next weekend, the Falcons competed was next on the schedule for the Falcons. back-to-back matches. Air Force secured a 39-3 at the Kaufman/Brand Open. Once again, Despite winning just one contested match, a victory over Colorado School of Mines, as Gillespie was the top overall finisher for Air major decision by Stegeman, Air Force was Szabolcs, Devlin and Stegeman all scored falls Force, taking third in the Amateur Division, able to take the 22-21 victory with three wins for the Falcons. Crozier added a tech fall, while sophomore Tyler French placed fourth by forfeit. For his part in the Falcons’ victory, Dorward scored a major decision and Valdez, at 174 pounds in the Elite Division. Stegeman was named the Air Force Male Kriegbaum, French and Tribble each registered Next on the schedule for the Falcons was Athlete of the Week. decisions in the win for Air Force. the Fort Hays Open, where four Air Force The Falcons had a tough road ahead of Meanwhile, the Falcons opened up their wrestlers were finalists in their respective them, traveling to the Big Ten’s Purdue before conference slate against Utah Valley State, tak- weight classes. Zach Valdez (125) and Stephen competing in the Hoosier Quad, hosted by ing the 33-6 victory. Air Force was awarded for- Crozier (165) each won their weight classes, 17th-ranked Indiana. Air Force dropped a 35- feits at 133 and 165 pounds, Ciccone registered while Gillespie and Stegeman both placed sec- 6 decision to Purdue, its lone victory a fall a fall and Kriegbaum, Szabolcs, Dorward, ond. With his performance, Crozier became from Kriegbaum in a time of 2:17. The week- Devlin and Stegeman all picked up decisions in the first Air Force wrestler of the season to end did not get any easier, as the Falcons the win. earn WWC Wrestler of the Week honors. opened the Hoosier Quad with a 21-14 loss to Air Force continued a stretch of six dual With a dual meet against Western State Indianapolis. Crozier and Devlin each tallied meets in two days as it traveled to the Borah cancelled due to weather conditions, the major decisions for Air Force, while the Duals in Gunnison, Colo. The Falcons opened Falcons had a few weeks off before heading to Falcons picked up a forfeit win at 197 pounds. the day with a 25-11 loss to host Western State. 2008 NCAA RESULTS

141 Kriegbaum maj. dec. Koehler (Maryland), 11-2 #2 Griffin (Hofstra) dec. Kriegbaum, 5-2 Kriegbaum dec. Lashaway (Kent State), 2-0 In 2008, four Air Force wrestlers—Jake Kriegbaum, Stephen Crozier, Tyler Drouin (Arizona State) dec. Kriegbaum, 3-1 French and Jacob Devlin—headed to the NCAA Championships, held in St. Louis, Mo. It marked the third time in the past four years that the Falcons sent four wrestlers to the 165 national tournament. Kriegbaum made his third trip to the NCAAs in four years, while Crozier dec. Sigmon (UNC-Greensboro), 12-7 Crozier, French and Devlin were all first time qualifiers. #2 Perry (Iowa) maj. dec. Crozier, 12-2 Each Air Force wrestler won at least one bout in St. Louis. Kriegbaum, the lone return- Headlee (Pittsburgh) fall Crozier, 1:14 ing qualifier, opened the tournament with a major decision over Maryland’s Jon Koehler, before dropping a 5-2 decision to second-seed Charles Griffin of Hofstra. He then moved on 174 in the consolation bracket with a 2-0 decision over Drew Lashaway of Kent State, but his run #7 Stolpinski (Navy) dec. French, 8-1 was ended with a 3-1 loss to Chris Drouin of Arizona State. Crozier also won his first bout, French dec. Clum (Wisconsin), 7-6 winning a 12-7 decision over UNC Greensboro’s Byron Sigmon, but lost his next two, #9 Mason (Oklahoma State) maj. dec. French, 8-0 including a 12-2 major decision to eventual champion Mark Perry of Iowa. French opened with an 8-1 loss to seventh-seeded Matt Stolpinski of Navy, but rebounded with a close 7-6 184 decision over Wisconsin’s Dan Clum before his tournament was ended by ninth-seeded #10 Smith (Boise State) maj. dec. Devlin, 11-3 Brandon Mason of Oklahoma State. Finally, Devlin shook off an 11-3 loss to 10th-seed Kirk Devlin dec. Schubert (Lehigh), 3-2 Smith of Boise State with a pair of decisions, defeating Lehigh’s Manuel Schubert and Charlie Devlin dec. Pienaar (Eastern Michigan), 5-1 Pienaar of Eastern Michigan. However, a tech fall by Wisconsin’s Trevor Brandvold ended Brandvold (Wisconsin) tech fall Devlin, 16-0 (7:00) Devlin’s weekend. With their performance, these four Falcons helped Air Force to a 44th- place team finish, scoring 5.0 points.

12 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 2007-08 SEASON REVIEW

JAKE KRIEGBAUM 2007-08 AWARDS

TEAM CAPTAINS Chris Szabolcs MVP Jake Kriegbaum NCAA PARTICIPANTS Jake Kriegbaum (141); Stephen Crozier (165); Tyler French (174); Jacob Devlin (184) WEST REGIONAL/WWC CHAMPION Jake Kriegbaum (141); Tyler French (174) WWC COACH OF THE YEAR Joel Sharratt WEST REGIONAL OUTSTANDING WRESTLER Jake Kriegbaum ALL-ACADEMY CHAMPION Stegeman paced Air Force with a tech fall, while Kriegbaum and Crozier each picked Stephen Crozier (165) up decisions. The Falcons then won their next three matches, defeating Grand MOST FALLS Canyon, 42-12, Mesa State, 37-6, and New Mexico Highlands, 36-7. Chris Szabolcs Against Grand Canyon, five Air Force victories came by forfeit, while Andrew MOST IMPROVED Zwirlein (125) and French each registered falls. The Falcons had two more wins by Jacob Devlin forfeit against Mesa State, while Valdez and French both scored tech falls. Stephen Makuka (141), Ciccone (184) and Stegeman all recorded major decisions, while COACHES APPRECIATION AWARD Dorward picked up a decision for Air Force. The New Mexico Highlands match fea- Ajvish Varatharaj/Justin Shadrix tured just one win by forfeit, while Kriegbaum, Crozier and Devlin all notched falls for WAYNE BAUGHMAN/A-10 WART HOG AWARD the Falcons. In addition, Valdez (wrestling at 133), Dorward, French and Stegeman all Tyler French scored decisions in the Air Force victory. ALL-WWC (FIRST TEAM) The Falcons then headed to the All-Academy Championships, being hosted by Jake Kriegbaum/Tyler French Army. Finishing third overall, Air Force had six placewinners, led by Crozier, the ALL-WWC (SECOND TEAM) champion at 165 pounds. Kriegbaum took second place, French and Stegeman placed Tony Dorward/Stephen Crozier/Jacob Devlin third and Szabolcs and Devlin each placed fourth. Crozier earned his second WWC WWC WRESTLER OF THE WEEK Wrestler of the Week honors of the season following his performance at the All- Academy Championships. Stephen Crozier (Dec.5/Feb. 6); Air Force went on the road for its next three conference meets, first visiting Jake Kriegbaum (Feb. 20) Northern Colorado. Despite leading 14-9 after six bouts, the Falcons dropped the final WWC ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM four matches in a 25-14 loss to the Bears. Kriegbaum scored a fall to lead Air Force, Stephen Crozier while French and Devlin each added major decisions. NWCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM Next up on the slate for Air Force was a dual against North Dakota State. Despite Stephen Crozier a close match, the Falcons fell, 20-17. Crozier and French led the way with major deci- AIR FORCE MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK sions, while Kriegbaum, Dorward and Stegeman all scored decisions for the Falcons. Anthony Stegeman (Jan. 14) The next evening, Air Force headed to South Dakota State for another conference Jake Kriegbaum (Feb. 18) match. This time, the Falcons came out victorious, picking up a 26-10 victory. In addi- tion to a heavyweight forfeit victory, the Falcons received major decisons from Ciccone (197) and Kriegbaum, along with decisions by Valdez, Szabolcs, Dorward and French. With his two wins on the weekend, Kriegbaum became the second Air Force wrestle of the season to earn WWC Wrestler of the Week honors and the second wrestler to earn Air Force Male Athlete of the Week recognition. The team wrapped up its dual slate with a home meet versus Wyoming. After trading decisions for the first six bouts, Air Force won three of the last four matches en route to a 21-12 Senior Day victory. French recorded a fall in the Falcons’ win, while Valdez, Kriegbaum, Dorward, Devlin and Tribble each picked up decisions. Finished with the regular season schedule, Air Force headed to the 2008 NCAA West Regional, hosted by North Dakota State. The Falcons, who had taken sixth place in 2007, brought home a second-place finish behind perennial champion Northern Iowa. Kriegbaum, the champion at 141 pounds, knocked off a pair of nationally ranked wrestlers en route to his title, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors. French also won a title at 174 pounds, while Dorward (157), Crozier (165) and Devlin (184) all placed second in their respective weight classes. Meanwhile, placing fourth were Valdez, Gillespie, Tribble and Stegeman. Head coach Joel Sharratt was named the West Regional/Western Wrestling Conference Coach of the Year for helping orchestrate the Falcons’ turnaround, as Kriegbaum, French, Crozier and Devlin all earned spots at the NCAA Championships. Each wrestler won at least one match at the national meet, with Kriegbaum and Devlin each bringing home two victories. With their performances at the NCAA West Regional, Kriegbaum and French were each named first-team All-WWC selections, while Dorward, Corzier and Devlin were all named to the All-WWC second team. Crozier also earned a bevy of academic honors, as he was named to the WWC All- Academic Team and the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team.

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 13 2007-08 DUAL RESULTS

Jan. 5 - EASTERN MICHIGAN 20, Air Force 12 Jan. 19 - No. 17 INDIANA 39, Air Force 3 Jan. 26 - AIR FORCE 37, Mesa State 6 125 Novak (EMU) dec. Valdez, 9-7 (OT) 125 Escobedo (IU) fall Valdez, 2:24 125 Valdez (AF) tech fall Blasdel, 20-5 133 Clair (EMU) maj. dec. Gillespie, 13-3 133 Hernandez (IU) dec. Gillespie, 12-6 133 Spranger (AF) win by forfeit 141 Kriegbaum (AF) dec. D. Pienaar, 5-0 141 Kelly (IU) dec. Kriegbaum, 4-2 141 Makuka (AF) maj. dec. K. Johnson, 13-5 149 Lesko (EMU) dec. Szabolcs, 4-2 (OT) 149 Kinser (IU) tech fall Szabolcs, 25-5 149 Szabolcs (AF) win by forfeit 157 Mancuso (EMU) dec. Dorward, 2-1 157 Becker (IU) maj. dec. Dorward, 9-0 157 Dorward (AF) dec. Torisk, 6-4 (SV) 165 Crozier (AF) dec. Brandel, 9-4 165 Coughlin (IU) dec. Crozier, 12-6 165 C. Johnson (MSC) dec. Erickson, 8-2 174 Fore (EMU) dec. Miller, 8-5 174 Perry (IU) fall Miller, 1:54 174 French (AF) tech fall Stout, 21-3 (6:22) 184 C. Pienaar (EMU) maj. dec. Devlin, 13-2 184 Cameron (IU) dec. Devlin, 7-1 184 Ciccone (AF) maj. dec. Laiminger, 16-4 197 Tribble (AF) dec. McClure, 7-1 197 Ciccone (AF) dec. Fagiano, 9-2 197 Mohr (MSC) dec. Thomas, 4-1 HWT Stegeman (AF) dec. Wade, 6-2 HWT Sandberg (IU) fall Stegeman, 1:07 HWT Stegeman (AF) maj. dec. Alexander, 9-1

Jan. 5 - APPALACHIAN STATE 25, Air Force 9 Jan. 19 - AIR FORCE 36, Gardner-Webb 6 Jan. 26 - AIR FORCE 36, New Mexico Highlands 7 125 Celorrio (ASU) dec. Valdez, 9-3 125 Valdez (AF) fall Bennett, 4:04 125 Zwirlein (AF) win by forfeit 133 Williams (ASU) dec. Gillespie, 7-5 133 Gillespie (AF) tech fall Featherston, 18-3 133 Valdez (AF) dec. Troup, 10-6 141 Cox (ASU) dec. Kriegbaum, 11-10 141 Kriegbaum (AF) dec. Ballantyne, 7-2 141 Kriegbaum (AF) fall Montour, 5:56 149 Ervin (ASU) maj. dec. Szabolcs, 14-3 149 Szabolcs (AF) maj. dec. Lowe, 11-0 149 Sanchez (NMSU) maj. dec. Szabolcs, 19-11 157 E. Hutchinson (ASU) dec. Dorward, 4-1 157 Dorward (AF) maj. dec. Reece, 14-6 157 Dorward (AF) dec. Saxon, 5-4 165 T. Hutchinson (ASU) fall Crozier, 1:47 165 Crozier (AF) tech fall Couture, 15-0 165 Crozier (AF) fall Riding, 2:51 174 Shadrix (AF) dec. Houghton, 11-6 174 Davis (GWU) dec. Miller, 6-4 174 French (AF) dec. Feinsod, 15-10 184 Trotman (ASU) dec. Devlin, 9-2 184 Piasecki (GWU) dec. Devlin, 7-2 184 Devlin (AF) fall Pacheco, 0:53 197 Tribble (AF) dec. Griswold, 3-1 197 Ciccone (AF) dec. Porter, 6-3 197 Saguil (NMSU) dec. Tribble, 4-3 HWT Stegeman (AF) dec. Campbell, 3-0 HWT Stegeman (AF) fall Rhodes, 4:41 HWT Stegeman (AF) dec. Boggs, 7-6

Jan. 5 - BROWN 19, Air Force 15 Jan. 25 - AIR FORCE 39, Colorado School of Mines 3 Feb. 10 - NORTHERN COLORADO 25, Air Force 14* 125 Valdez (AF) dec. Piccirillo, 8-4 125 Valdez (AF) dec. Lousberg, 11-4 141 Kriegbaum (AF) fall Lohr, 4:02 133 Schell (BU) maj. dec. Gillespie, 10-1 133 Costelow (CSM) dec. Gillespie, 10-8 149 Prater (UNC) dec. Szabolcs, 5-1 141 Savino (BU) dec. Kriegbaum, 3-1 141 Kriegbaum (AF) dec. Weitzel, 3-1 (SV) 157 DePaolo (UNC) dec. Dorward, 5-3 149 Bloom (BU) dec. Szabolcs, 7-6 149 Szabolcs (AF) fall Sprackling, 5:51 165 Lewis (UNC) dec. Crozier, 7-4 157 Dorward (AF) dec. Fazio, 4-3 157 Dorward (AF) maj. dec. Brown, 16-5 174 French (AF) maj. dec. Johnson, 9-1 165 Crozier (AF) dec. Musser, 6-4 165 Crozier (AF) tech fall McClain, 17-0 (6:13) 184 Devlin (AF) maj. dec. Matthews, 12-0 174 Crudden (BU) dec. Shadrix, 11-4 174 French (AF) dec. Cornett, 3-2 197 Carey (UNC) dec. Harris, 9-6 184 Devlin (AF) dec. Gevelinger, 7-4 184 Devlin (AF) fall Strain, 1:54 HWT Hopkin (UNC) fall Stegeman, 1:42 197 Tribble (AF) dec. Stearns, 7-5 197 Tribble (AF) dec. Knerr, 2-0 125 Mustari (UNC) maj. dec. Zwirlein, 17-3 HWT Mock (BU) fall Stegeman, 4:19 HWT Stegeman (AF) fall Stansbury, 4:48 133 Bahe (UNC) dec. Sheppard, 5-4

Jan. 12 - AIR FORCE 22, Adams State 21 Jan. 25 - AIR FORCE 33, Utah Valley State 6* Feb. 15 - NORTH DAKOTA STATE 20, Air Force 17* 165 Crozier (AF) win by forfeit 125 Kjar (UVSC) dec. Valdez, 10-4 125 Hoffman (NDSU) maj. dec. Valdez, 9-0 174 Copeland (ASC) dec. Shadrix, 7-2 133 Gillespie (AF) win by forfeit 133 Sanders (NDSU) fall Sheppard, 1:56 184 Jared Deaguero (ASC) dec. Devlin, 6-0 141 Kriegbaum (AF) dec. Newby, 7-3 141 Kriegbaum (AF) dec. Mooney, 4-2 197 Tribble (AF) win by forfeit 149 Szabolcs (AF) dec. Gardner, 8-1 149 Adams (NDSU) dec. Szabolcs, 9-4 HWT Stegeman (AF) maj. dec. Schossow, 11-1 157 Dorward (AF) dec. Kearsley, 8-5 157 Dorward (AF) dec. Aho, 4-3 (TB2) 125 Barksdale (ASC) dec. Valdez, 9-3 165 Crozier (AF) win by forfeit 165 Crozier (AF) maj. dec. Salminen, 17-6 133 Gillespie (AF) win by forfeit 174 Fenwick (UVSC) dec. French, 8-1 174 French (AF) maj. dec. Fettig, 19-8 141 Hensley (ASC) dec. Kriegbaum, 2-0 184 Devlin (AF) dec. Eldredge, 10-8 184 Moenkedick (NDSU) dec. Devlin, 6-5 149 Joey Deaguero (ASC) fall Szabolcs, 2:01 197 Ciccone (AF) fall Williams, 6:48 197 Bryce (NDSU) maj. dec. Ciccone, 19-9 157 Jones (ASC) dec. Dorward, 8-2 HWT Stegeman (AF) dec. Green, 2-1 HWT Stegeman (AF) dec. Hemmesch, 7-4

Jan. 18 - PURDUE 35, Air Force 6 Jan. 26 - WESTERN STATE 25, Air Force 11 Feb. 16 - AIR FORCE 26, South Dakota State 10* 125 Eren (PU) dec. Valdez, 5-4 (TB) 125 Lopez (WSC) dec. Valdez, 7-6 184 Sorenson (SDSU) dec. Devlin, 11-4 133 Schmaltz (PU) dec. Gillespie, 5-3 133 Cruz (WSC) fall Spranger, 1:02 197 Ciccone (AF) maj. dec. Swier, 12-0 141 Kriegbaum (AF) fall Redmond, 2:17 141 Kriegbaum (AF) dec. Francis, 8-4 HWT Stegeman (AF) win by forfeit 149 J. Patacsil (PU) tech fall Szabolcs, 17-0 149 DuPont (WSC) dec. Szabolcs, 9-6 125 Valdez (AF) dec. Marvin, 6-4 157 S. Patacsil (PU) maj. dec. Dorward, 15-3 157 Samples (WSC) dec. Dorward, 4-3 133 Kulseth (SDSU) maj. dec. Sheppard, 11-1 165 Manuel (PU) dec. Crozier, 3-1 165 Crozier (AF) dec. Lee, 7-5 141 Kriegbaum (AF) maj. dec. Everson, 16-5 174 Corpe (PU) maj. dec. Miller, 19-7 174 Wilbanks (WSC) dec. French, 11-7 149 Szabolcs (AF) dec. Flynn, 8-2 184 Kissel (PU) fall Ciccone, 6:24 184 Lueders (WSC) dec. Devlin, 5-4 157 Dorward (AF) dec. Blasius, 2-1 197 Brown (PU) maj. dec. Tribble, 12-3 197 McMahill (WSC) maj. dec. Ciccone, 13-4 165 Meyer (SDSU) dec. Crozier, 5-3 HWT Kasten (PU) dec. Stegeman, 4-2 (SV) HWT Stegeman (AF) tech fall Skinner, 16-0 (5:56) 174 French (AF) dec. Retallic, 8-2

Jan. 19 - INDIANAPOLIS 21, Air Force 14 Jan. 26 - AIR FORCE 42, Grand Canyon 12 Feb. 23 - AIR FORCE 21, Wyoming 12* 125 Nichols (UI) dec. Zwirlein, 6-2 125 Zwirlein (AF) fall Covert, 4:18 125 Valdez (AF) dec. Grant, 7-4 133 Perkey (UI) dec. Gillespie, 14-12 133 Spranger (AF) win by forfeit 133 VomBaur (UW) dec. Sheppard, 6-5 141 Irwin (UI) dec. Kriegbaum, 1-0 141 Kriegbaum (AF) win by forfeit 141 Kriegbaum (AF) dec. Gifford, 6-0 149 Woods (UI) dec. Szabolcs, 10-8 149 Szabolcs (AF) win by forfeit 149 Dallaserra (UW) dec. Szabolcs, 6-0 157 Horton (UI) dec. Dorward, 4-2 (TB) 157 Townes (GCU) dec. Erickson, 7-4 157 Dorward (AF) dec. Chipperfield, 3-1 (SV) 165 Crozier (AF) maj. dec. Garner, 10-0 165 Grayson (GCU) dec. Steppe, 7-5 165 Coxbill (UW) dec. Crozier, 6-5 174 Flinn (UI) dec. Miller, 5-0 174 French (AF) fall Porter, 4:45 174 French (AF) fall Morrow, 3:30 184 Devlin (AF) maj. dec. Smith, 13-3 184 Devlin (AF) win by forfeit 184 Devlin (AF) dec. Hoopes, 8-5 197 Tribble (AF) win by forfeit 197 Tribble (AF) win by forfeit 197 Tribble (AF) dec. Barrone, 3-0 HWT Panko (UI) dec. Stegeman, 3-2 HWT Jobe (GCU) fall Thomas, 1:10 HWT Still (UW) dec. Stegeman, 2-1 (TB)

OVERALL RECORD: 9-9 *WWC RECORD: 3-2

14 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING YEAR-BY-YEAR RESULTS

Year W-L-T Pct. Coach Captain(s) 1957 4-4 .500 1Lt Bob Karnes Charles Zaleski COACHING RECORDS 1958 5-7 .417 Karl Kitt Charles Zaleski 1959 5-6 .454 Karl Kitt Charles Zaleski 1960 4-6 .400 Karl Kitt Wayne Kendall KARL KITT 1961 4-5 .444 Karl Kitt Terry Jorris 1962 8-3-1 .607 Karl Kitt Joe Zaleski 1958-1975 (18 years) 1963 7-3 .700 Karl Kitt DeVere Henderson 113-79-2 (.587 pct.) 1964 4-5 .444 Karl Kitt Thad Wolfe 1965 2-7 .222 Karl Kitt Al Pfeltz 1966 9-3 .750 Karl Kitt Bob Englebretson 1967 9-3 .750 Karl Kitt Bob Englebretson JIM OESER 1968 4-7 .364 Karl Kitt Don Henderson 1969 7-3 .700 Karl Kitt Mike Grenard 1985-1987 (3 years) 1970 10-2 .833 Karl Kitt Richard Christy/Felix Sanchez 23-21 (.523 pct.) 1971 10-1 .909 Karl Kitt Jim Scrabeck 1972 4-8 .333 Karl Kitt John Black 1973 5-4 .555 Karl Kitt Jim Callard 1974 6-5 .545 Karl Kitt George Lawrence DON MABRY 1975 10-1-1 .875 Karl Kitt Bob Orwig 1976 7-6 .538 Maj. W. Baughman Al Nuytten 1988 (1 year) 1977 3-7 .300 Maj. W. Baughman Monroe Ratchford 9-4 (.692 pct.) 1978 6-6-1 .500 Maj. W. Baughman Greg Bush 1979 5-4 .555 Maj. W. Baughman Lowell Tenpas 1980 13-7 .650 Maj. W. Baughman Paul Feliz 1981 7-6 .538 Maj. W. Baughman Gary Chadwick WAYNE 1982 6-13 .316 Maj. W. Baughman Dale Walters 1983 6-8 .423 Maj. W. Baughman Billy Walker BAUGHMAN 1984 12-3 .800 Maj. W. Baughman Dave Stark 1976-1984 (9 years) 1985 10-7 .571 Capt. Jim Oeser Tony Seeley/Doug Wells 1989-2006 (18 years) 1986 3-12 .200 Maj. Jim Oeser Kevin Houdek 183-134-4 (.574 pct.) 1987 10-2 .833 Maj. Jim Oeser Steve Turner 1988 9-4 .692 Capt. Don Mabry Scott Smith JOEL SHARRATT 1989 7-7 .500 Wayne Baughman Scott Ulrich 1990 4-6-1 .409 Wayne Baughman Tom Tingley 2007-08 (2 years) 1991 10-3 .769 Wayne Baughman Mark Lindow 15-19 (.441 pct.) 1992 6-3-1 .650 Wayne Baughman Brook Leonard 1993 10-1 .909 Wayne Baughman Jon Erickson/Wes Winterstein 1994 8-2 .800 Wayne Baughman Brett Machovina 1995 8-1 .889 Wayne Baughman Frank Bryant 1996 6-3 .666 Wayne Baughman Dax Cornelius 1997 5-4 .555 Wayne Baughman Chris Kretsinger/Jeremy Potvin 1998 8-2 .800 Wayne Baughman Kirk Eknes/Jake Sherer 1999 5-7-1 .417 Wayne Baughman Luke Bindreiff/Chris Sample 2000 7-6 .538 Wayne Baughman Patrick Brady-Lee/Phil Johnston 2001 7-2 .778 Wayne Baughman Scott Jenkins/Alex Pelbath 2002 11-3 .785 Wayne Baughman Scott Frohardt/Terry Parham 2003 6-2 .750 Wayne Baughman Kevin Hoy/Sam Sherertz 2004 3-7 .300 Wayne Baughman Blaine Brown/Heath McKim 2005 5-7 .416 Wayne Baughman Luke Lefever/Josh Peterson 2006 2-8 .200 Wayne Baughman Brandon Strong/Beau Tresemer 2007 6-10 .375 Joel Sharratt Bridger Lord/Zach Lord 2008 9-9 .500 Joel Sharratt Chris Szabolcs TOTALS: 347-261-6 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 15 WESTERN WRESTLING CONFERENCE

The Western Wrestling Conference, an NCAA Division I wrestling-only alliance, will begin its third season of competition in 2008-09. Western Wrestling Conference 2007-08 Final Standings The WWC sent 20 wrestlers to the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships in St. Louis and saw the league’s first All-American crowned when the University of Team Conf. (W-L/Pct.) Overall (W-L/Pct.) Northern Iowa’s Moza Fay captured fifth-place honors in the 165-pound weight Northern Iowa 4-0 1.000 7-5-1 .542 class. Northern Colorado 4-2 .667 6-7 .462 North Dakota State 4-2 .667 11-9 .550 The 2008 NCAA West Regional, which was held in the Bison Sports Arena on Air Force 3-2 .600 9-9 .500 the campus of North Dakota State, served as the conference tournament for the Wyoming 3-3 .500 4-9 .308 second straight season. UNI was crowned the team champion, while Air Force Utah Valley State 1-4 .200 9-11 .450 head coach Joel Sharratt was named the league’s Coach of the Year. The goal of South Dakota State 0-6 .000 2-9 .182 the league is to replace the West Regional with the conference tournament, which would then serve as the NCAA qualifier.

The WWC enjoyed plenty of success in its inaugural year of competition, which included sending 19 wrestlers to the 2007 NCAA Wrestling Championships. The first WWC tournament took place under the title of NCAA West Regional on March 3 in the McLeod Center on UNI’s campus.

The 2009 NCAA West Regional/Western Wrestling Conference tournament will be hosted by the University of Northern Colorado on March 7, 2009, and will take place in Butler-Hancock Hall.

The 2007 West Regional served as the first national qualifier for three schools making the move from Division II to Division I. North Dakota State, South Dakota State and Northern Colorado all sent wrestlers to the NCAA Championships for the first time since reclassifying to Division I. Utah Valley State is also a reclassifying institution but will not be eligible for the postseason until the 2009-2010 season.

With league members spread out over six states and two time zones, schools will only be required to compete against four league schools in dual action to be eligible for the regular season conference championship. Schools will be encouraged to schedule as many conference schools as possible.

The WWC recognizes student-athletes on both a weekly and full-season basis. Individual awards include Wrestler of the Week; All-Conference teams; an Academic All-Conference team; and Wrestler, Newcomer and Coach of the Year awards. The league also crowns a team champion follow- ing the conclusion of the regular season conference competition and the postseason tournament.

The governance of the Western Wrestling Conference will remain primarily with the member institutions. Scheduling of contests, assignment of offi- cials and certain media relations functions will remain with member institutions.

One of the major benefits of having a league spread out so far is the added exposure – both in terms of media and recruiting - in new destinations. The conference affiliation is also expected to generate much interest within the seven schools' substantial alumni base, which numbers nearly 800,000 combined.

Charter members of the Western Wrestling Conference include: the United States Air Force Academy, North Dakota State University, the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Northern Iowa, South Dakota State University, Utah Valley State College and the University of Wyoming.

16 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING AIR FORCE ALL-AMERICANS

The Air Force wrestling program boasts a proud history, with eight different wrestlers earning All-America accolades a combined 11 times.

Terry Issacson became the Falcons’ first All-American, finishing second at 167 pounds in 1962. He backed up that per- formance with a fourth place finish in 1963 and a sixth-place finish in 1964, In 1967, Don Henderson won the becoming Air Force’s first and only three- national championship at 145 time All-American. pounds. He was also a three-time MIWA champion. While Issacson was the first All- American, Don Henderson was the first national champion for the Falcons. A three-time MIWA champion, Henderson Kevin Hoy was a two-time All- American, finishing as runner-up at won the title at 145 pounds in 1967. heavyweight in 2003.

Twins Ken and Kirt Donaldson were next to garner All-America honors in 1971. DIVISION I Ken became the next runner-up, finishing second at 126 pounds, while Kirt took ALL-AMERICANS fifth place at 118 pounds that season. TERRY ISAACSON Four years later, Bob Orwig became the • Three-time (1962-64) All-American next All-American, finishing fifth at 190 (167 lbs) pounds. • 1962 NCAA Runner-up DON HENDERSON In 1971, Ken Donaldson finished as It was almost 30 years before another Air • 1967 National Champion (145 lbs) the NCAA runner-up at 126 Force wrestler would earn All-America • Three-time MIWA champion pounds. honors, but the Falcons came on strong in 2002. Three Air Force wrestlers fin- KIRT DONALDSON ished as All-Americans that year. Scott • 1971 All-American (118 lbs) Frohardt took seventh place at 149 KEN DONALDSON pounds, while Kevin Hoy (HWT) and • 1971 All-American (126 lbs) Terry Parham (174) each finished eighth • 1971 NCAA Runner-up at the NCAA Championships. BOB ORWIG • 1975 All-American (190 lbs) Hoy had an even more impressive finish in 2003, placing second. He became just TERRY PARHAM the third national runner-up in Air Force • 2002 All-American (174 lbs) history, and just the second wrestler to SCOTT FROHARDT earn All-America accolades in more than • 2002 All-American (149 lbs) one season. KEVIN HOY • Two-time (2002-03) All-American In 1971, Kirt Donaldson earned (HWT) All-America honors, finishing fifth • 2003 NCAA Runner-up at 118 pounds.

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 17 HONORS & AWARDS

MIWA Champions NWCA All-Academic Name Yr. Wt. Name Year George Bruns 1963 177 Beau Tresemer 2006 Terry Isaacson 1964 167 Stephen Crozier 2008 Don Henderson 1965 145 Don Henderson 1967 145 Academic All-WAC Don Henderson 1968 145 Bob Pavalko 1968 123 Name Year Jack Thrasher 1969 171 Jon Erickson 1991 Jim Callard 1970 150 Joe Heilhecker 1991 Jim Callard 1971 150 Brook Leonard 1991 Ken Donaldson 1971 126 A.J. Werner 1991 Jim Callard 1973 150 Dan Bunts 1992 Steve Campbell 1974 167 Brook Leonard 1992 Russ Casella 1974 177 A.J. Werner 1992 Steve Campbell 1976 177 Dan Bunts 1993 Lowell Tenpas 1979 190 Jason Arnold 1994 Gary Chadwick 1980 177 Dan Bunts 1994 Gary Chadwick 1981 177 Matt Warner 1996 Dale Walters 1981 167 Chris Linberg 1997 Luke Osborne 1997 WAC Champions Chris Sample 1997 Matt Warner 1997 Name Yr. Wt. Joseph Beauregard 1998 Dale Walters 1981 167 Chris Linberg 1998 Gary Chadwick 1981 177 Chris Sample 1998 Terry Maki 1985 Hwt. Matt Warner 1998 J.B. Waltermire 1987 158 Scott Ulrich 1989 Hwt. MWC Scholar-Athlete Tom Tingley 1990 118 Thad Allen 1991 126 Name Year Jon Erickson 1991 134 Ryan Coates 2001 Matt Ciccarello 1991 142 Luke Vitolo 2001 Brian McGill 1991 158 Luke Lefever 2003 Johnny Harrison 1992 190 Luke Lefever 2004 Wes Winterstein 1992 150 Andrew Teigeler 2004 Jeremy Potvin 1994 158 Luke Lefever 2005 Shawn Finnicum 1998 177 Stephen Crozier 2006 Mike Kallai 1998 150 Stephen Crozer 2008 Jake Sherer 1998 190 Joshua LeMair 2008 Scott Frohardt 1999 149 Shawn Finnicum 1999 177 Academic All-WWC Name Year West Regional Champions Stephen Crozier 2007 Name Yr. Wt. Stephen Crozier 2008 Scott Frohardt 2001 149 Scott Frohardt 2002 149 WWC Commissioner’s Honor Roll Terry Parham 2002 174 Name Year Kevin Hoy 2003 Hwt Samuel Sheppard 2007 Heath McKim 2003 125 Kurt Spranger 2007 Brandon Strong 2005 125 Andrew Teigeler 2007 Matt Benza 2005 133 Jake Kriegbaum 2008 141 Tyler French 2008 174

All-WWC Name Yr. Wt. Scott Frohardt, WAC champi- Stephen Crozier (third) 2007 174 on in 1999 and two-time Jacob Devlin (third) 2007 184 (2001-02) West Regional Jake Kriegbaum (first) 2008 141 champion. Tyler French (first) 2008 174 Tony Dorward (second) 2008 157 Stephen Crozier (second) 2008 165 Jacob Devlin (second) 2008 184

18 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING AIR FORCE LEGENDS

DICK CHRISTY (1946-1972)

Dick Christy was the USAFA wrestling team captain during the 1969-70 season. Although he was unable to retain his varsity spot, he remained on the team and his leadership was credited for one of the most successful seasons in Falcon wrestling history. Christy was loved and respected by all who knew him and represented the best of what the Academy is about.

The Most Valuable Wrestler Award is presented in Christy’s memory.

DALE WALTERS (1959-85)

Dale Walters held the Academy record for most single-season and career victories for many years. He was the Academy’s first-ever WAC Champion in any sport and was awarded the Academy’s Athletic Excellence Award in his senior year. In 1985, he was killed while flying a mission as a Euro- NATO Instructor Pilot at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

The Athletic Excellence Award is presented in Walters’ memory.

NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME OUTSTANDING AMERICAN

Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman (Ret.) was honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007, as a recipient of the Outstanding American Award. Fogleman, a 1963 graduate of the Academy, served as the 15th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, the highest lead- ership position and senior ranking officer in the USAF. As chief, Fogleman was responsi- ble for the organization, training and equipage of 750,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. Fogleman was the first Academy graduate to become Air Force chief of staff.

Fogleman also served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he functioned as a military advis- er to the secretary of defense, National Security Council and the president. He was a career officer in the Air Force from 1963-1997.

In his flight career, Fogleman received a rating as a Command pilot and parachutist. He logged more than 6,800 flight hours in fighter, transport, tanker and rotary wing aircraft. He flew 315 combat missions and logged 806 hours of combat flying in fighter aircraft.

Fogleman was a successful wrestler for Juniata High School in Mifflintown, Pa., where he was team captain as a senior and won regional and sectional tournaments. He was also a member of the varsity wrestling team as a cadet at the Academy.

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 19 WRESTLING FACILITIES

The Air Force wrestling room, located in Cadet Gym, has a 50 x 120 square-foot wrestling surface with double thick mats on a wood floor. It also includes over-head lad- ders, climbing ropes, two “Adam” takedown machines, two stationary bikes and a real runner exercise machine. The artwork, pictures and trophies in the room are dedicated in memory of 1st Lt. Dale Walters, class of 1982. Walters was killed in an aircraft accident while serving as a Euro-NATO Instructor pilot. The Academy’s first-ever WAC Champion in any sport, Walters is tied for the Academy record for most wins in a season and career.

AIR FORCE PRACTICE FACILITY

AIR FORCE MEET FACILITY

The Air Force wrestling team splits time between two facilities. Clune Arena (pictured left), the Falcons’ primary home for the 2008- 09 season, is a state-of-the-art facility which seats 5,939. Clune Arena, which also hosts the Falcons’ basketball and volleyball teams, was the site of two of Air Force inaugural WWC victories (South Dakota State and Northern Colorado).

The Falcons also compete in the Cadet East Gym, a facility which has hosted several major meets over the years, including the 2005 Colorado Collegiates and 2007 All-Academy Championships. The gym has been the host of three WAC Championships, as well as the West Regional Championships in 2004.

20 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY

The United States Air Force Academy offers a four- sonal leadership and instructional year program of instruction and experience designed tasks. Cadets are projected into as to educate, train and inspire men and women to many active leadership roles as become officers of character, motivated to lead the possible to prepare them to be United States Air Force in service to our nation. effective Air Force officers. Each cadet graduates with a bachelor of science Fundamental concepts of mili- degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in tary organization -- drill, ethics, the Air Force. honor, Air Force heritage and physical training -- are empha- COURSE OF STUDY sized the first summer during Cadets are exposed to a balanced curriculum that basic cadet training. Freshmen provides the knowledge, skills and responsibilities then study the military role in essential to a career Air Force officer. The entire United States society as well as USAFA experience is integrated and mapped to the mission and organization of achieve a set of desired outcomes in every graduate. the Air Force. Sophomores The core academic curriculum includes courses in receive instruction in commu- basic sciences, engineering, social sciences and nicative skills and juniors study humanities. Cadets take additional elective courses the combat and operational to complete requirements for one of 32 major areas aspects of the Air Force. Military studies for the sen- of study. Over 50 percent of the cadets complete ior class focus on military thought. HISTORY OF majors in science and engineering; the remainder The Academy offers courses in flying, navigation, graduate in the social sciences and humanities. Some soaring and parachuting, building from basic skills THE ACADEMY of the most popular majors include management, to instructor duties. Cadets may fly light aircraft aeronautical engineering, foreign studies, history, with the Cadet Flying Team. In 1948, a board of leading behavioral science, civil engineering, astronautical Summer training for cadets is divided into three, civilian and military educators was engineering, electrical engineering and engineering three-week training periods. There are a variety of appointed to plan the curriculum mechanics. programs available and each cadet is required to for an academy that would meet complete two training periods each summer with the needs of the newly established FACULTY COMPOSITION leave during the other period. All new cadets take six Air Force. The board determined The majority of the Academy's faculty members, weeks of basic cadet training in their first summer. that Air Force requirements could more than 500 total, are Air Force officers. They are Combat survival training is a required three-week not be met by expanding the other selected primarily from career-officer volunteers program during cadets' second summer. For other service academies and recom- who have established outstanding records of per- second-summer training periods, cadets have mended an Air Force academy be formance and dedication. Each has at least a master's options such as working with young airmen in an established without delay. degree and more than 55 percent have doctorates or operational unit at an Air Force installation, airborne In 1949, then Secretary of the other terminal degrees in their field of study. parachute training, soaring or basic free-fall para- Air Force W. Stuart Symington Faculty members are intensely focused on cadets' chute training. appointed a commission to assist learning as an integral part of their officer develop- During their last two summers, all cadets are in selecting a site and on April 1, ment. The Air Force Academy has been ranked No. offered leadership training as supervisors or instruc- 1954, President Dwight D. 1 in the nation for the most accessible and involved tors in summer programs, such as basic cadet train- Eisenhower authorized creation of faculty for four years in a row. ing, survival training, freefall parachuting and soar- the United States Air Force To provide greater contributions by a diverse fac- ing. Academy. After considering 580 ulty, the Academy has several distinguished visiting Extracurricular activities also are an integral part sites in 45 states, the commission professors and associate professors who serve one or of the education program. The cadet ski club, drum narrowed the choice to three loca- more years. Officers from other services are mem- and bugle corps, cadet chorale and forensics are a tions. The summer of 1954, bers of the faculty and a small number of officers few of the programs available. Secretary of the Air Force Harold from allied countries teach as well. Distinguished civilian and military lecturers also share their expert- NOMINATIONS Talbott selected a site near ise with the cadets during the academic year. Nominations to the Academy may be obtained Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado through a congressional sponsor or by meeting eligi- contributed $1 million toward pur- ATHLETIC PROGRAM bility criteria in other categories of competition chase of the property. The Academy's athletic program is designed to established by law. For information on admission In July 1955, the first academy improve physical fitness, teach athletic skills and procedures, write to HQ USAFA/RRS; 2304 Cadet class entered interim facilities at develop leadership qualities. To achieve its goals, the Drive, Suite 200; USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025. Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Academy offers some of the most extensive physical while construction began. It was education, intramural sports and intercollegiate ath- sufficiently completed for occu- letic programs in the nation. Cadets take at least www.usafa.af.mil pancy by the cadet wing in late three different physical education courses each year. August 1958. Initial construction cost was $142 million. MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING Women entered the academy An air, space and cyberspace-oriented military on June 28, 1976, as members of education, training and leadership program begins the class of 1980. with basic cadet training and continues throughout the four years. Seniors are responsible for the organi- zational leadership of the cadet wing, while juniors and sophomores seek to develop team and interper-

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 21 ACADEMY LEADERSHIP

Lieutenant General John F. Regni is superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He directs a four-year academic, military training, athletic and character development program lead- ing to a bachelor's degree and commission as an Air Force officer.

The general was commissioned in the Air Force following graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1973. His career has encompassed a wide range of personnel, training and command assignments, and he has served at base, numbered air force, major command, Air Staff and joint unified command levels. Prior to his stint at the Academy, he served as Commander, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

The general’s military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster and Air Force Commendation Medal.

Vice Superintendent Commandant of Cadets Dean of Faculty Commander, Colonel Brig. General Brig. General 10th Air Base Wing Paul C. Ackerman Samuel D. Cox Dana H. Born Col. Jimmy McMillian

22 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DR. HANS MUEH

five years, playing in the Armed Forces Bowl Between earning the two degrees, Mueh last year. returned to the Academy as an instructor in the Mueh has been just as successful behind the department of chemistry from 1970-72. He scenes with the administration of the depart- also served as assistant soccer coach and played ment. Mueh restructured the department with semi-pro soccer with the Aurora Internationals an internal/external model that has stream- in Denver during those two years, leading the lined resources and made the department more Internationals to the Colorado state title in effective from top to bottom. In addition, he 1971. He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and has the department on course to become a fed- served as an intelligence officer in Saigon, erally chartered non-profit organization which Republic of Vietnam and at Nakhon Phanom will lead to more fund-raising opportunities. RTAB, Thailand, in 1972 and 1973. Mueh has also been active within the con- After earning his doctorate degree, Mueh ference and the NCAA. He was recently select- returned to the Academy in 1976 as an associ- ed to be part of the NCAA Division I ate professor of chemistry. He remained at the Dr. Hans J. Mueh is in his fifth year as the Amateurism Cabinet and has been active on Academy except for a stint in 1985-86 as the director of athletics at the Air Force Academy. the NCAA’s academics/eligibility compliance special assistant for technical matters at the A retired Air Force brigadier general, Mueh cabinet, the men’s golf committee and the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon. was vice dean of faculty for two years prior to region 7 postgraduate scholarship committee. In 1986, he assumed the position of acting his retirement from active duty in the summer Mueh has been equally active within the con- head, department of chemistry, before being of 2004. Mueh was heavily involved in ference on various leadership committees. He selected for his position of permanent profes- Academy athletics before becoming director of is currently on the awards and recognition sor and head of the department of chemistry in athletics. He was the Academy's faculty athlet- committee and has previously served on the 1987. As faculty athletics representative, he was ics representative from 1996-2004 and was a joint council executive committee, and com- active in both the Western Athletic Conference long-time member of the board of directors for mittees on championships, television and and Mountain West Conference, and was the the Air Force Academy Athletics Association. sportsmanship. Academy's representative on the transition Since becoming the director of athletics, Before assuming his duties as vice dean at team to form the new MWC, the only faculty Mueh has led the Academy to some remarkable the Academy, Mueh was permanent professor athletics representative on the team. He com- feats. In 2007, the Academy was one of only and head of the department of chemistry at the petes in golf, racquetball, handball and tennis, three schools (Michigan State and Boston Academy, a position he held since October and has promoted Air Force Academy intercol- College) to reach post-season play in football 1987 where he oversaw the annual design and legiate sports throughout his tenure, beginning (2007), men’s basketball and ice hockey (2006- instruction of 25 undergraduate courses for with work as chairman of the hockey eligibility 07). It marked the first time a service academy 1,500 cadets annually. committee, officer representative to the men's golf team and five years as the officer represen- has ever had a team compete in the post-season Mueh was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Celle, tative to the football team. in all three sports. Germany, and emigrated to the United States in In addition, under Mueh’s watch the men’s 1951. He entered the Air Force in 1962 as a Mueh is married to the former Sally Flax of basketball team has played in an NCAA tour- member of the Academy's eighth graduating Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children: nament and the National Invitational class, and graduated with a bachelor of science Kristine, Kurt and Deborah. Tournament’s Final Four. Mueh hired current degree in chemistry in 1966. While at the head coach Jeff Reynolds and helped him con- Academy, Mueh was a two-year letterwinner in tinue Air Force’s winning tradition last season. soccer as a goalie. He still holds the Academy The ice hockey team has won back-to-back record for saves in a game with 30, accomplish- conference championships and made two ing it twice in 1965 against North Carolina and straight appearances in the NCAA tourna- Benedictine. In his junior and sen- ment. Mueh was on the selection committee ior years, Mueh helped the Falcons that hired current head coach Frank Serratore to the Rocky Mountain and led the Academy’s move into the Athletic Intercollegiate Soccer League Hockey Association. The women’s basketball championship and quarterfinal program has shown steady improvement and berths in the NCAA tournament. tied a school record with four league wins in Following graduation, Mueh 2006-07. completed two assignments in The football program, the Academy’s flag- intelligence before attending the ship sport, went through a major overhaul. University of Wisconsin where he Mueh led the transition from the retirement of earned his master's degree in the legendary Fisher DeBerry after 23 years at chemistry in 1970. He later earned the helm to hiring current head coach Troy a doctorate degree in chemistry Calhoun, a 1989 Academy graduate. Calhoun’s from Wisconsin in 1976 as a dis- impact was immediate, leading the Falcons to a tinguished graduate. He has also 9-4 overall mark and a second-place finish in completed Squadron Officer the Mountain West Conference in 2007. The School, Air Command and Staff Falcons qualified for their first bowl game in College and Air War College.

2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING 23 AIR FORCE ATHLETICS

Few schools in the country have an athletic program as extensive as the Air Force Academy's. The goals of the athletic program are to enhance the physical conditioning of all cadets, to develop the physical skills necessary for officership, to teach leadership in a competitive environment and to build character. There are three subdivisions of the athletic program: intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and physical educa- tion. The intercollegiate program has 17 men's and 10 women's NCAA-sanctioned teams, facing some of the top competition in the nation. Men’s teams are football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, cross-country, fencing, golf, gymnastics, indoor and outdoor track, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, water polo and Navy combined. The winner of the annual rivalry visits the White House wrestling. The Academy fields women's teams in basketball, cross-coun- to have the trophy presented by the President of the United States. try, fencing, gymnastics, rifle, indoor and outdoor track, swimming and The USAFA Cadet Field House is one of the most impressive buildings diving, soccer, tennis and volleyball. In addition, the Academy sponsors in the country. It’s a modern, versatile structure with seemingly endless two non-NCAA programs; boxing and cheerleading. uses. The $5.6 million building is five stories high and 396 feet by 426 The majority of the Academy’s men’s and women’s programs compete feet, the size of three football fields laid side by side. The structure is at the NCAA Division I level in the Mountain West Conference. The divided into three areas--basketball arena, ice hockey arena and multi- Falcons compete in this conference against teams from Brigham Young, purpose area. The three sections have a combined seating capacity of New Mexico, Colorado State, San Diego State, TCU, Wyoming, Utah and 11,000. UNLV. All sports also compete against non-conference opponents, Clune Arena seats 5,834. The Cadet Ice Rink has a seating capacity of including many nationally-ranked teams. 2,502, while the multipurpose area seats 1,000 fans for track and field The football team competes annually for the Commander-in-Chief's competitions. Trophy, which is emblematic of service academy football supremacy. The Falcons have won the trophy 16 times, which is more than Army and

Vice Director Deputy AD Senior Associate AD of Athletics Head, Physical Education External Affairs Brad DeAustin Col. Billy Walker Jim Trego

Associate AD Associate AD Associate AD Associate AD/SWA Recruiting Support Finance Support Intercollegiate Programs William Carpenter John Coulahan Wayne Kellenbence Marti Gasser

24 2008-09 AIR FORCE WRESTLING