Boxing: Air Force boxing finalizes wing open roster

  • Published
  • By Valerie Perkin
  • Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNEWS) --  The final pairings of the 2007 Wing Open Championships have been decided, thanks to 14 action-packed bouts of Air Force boxing semifinal action on Feb. 21 in the Upper Boxing Room of the Cadet Gym. With a trip to Clune Arena and the Wing Open finals on the line, everyone brought their "A" game to the ring.

"There were some extremely close and exciting bouts that came down to the narrowest of margins for many decisions," the Air Force coaching staff said. "The cadets showed that they had internalized the teachings over the past month and put those lessons together in their bouts over the course of the night."

Sophomore Dean Chuva earned his second trip to the finals, as he defeated freshman Kanit Dararutana in the night's only 112-pound bout.

Sophomore Nicholas Goc also earned a repeat trip to the championship round, as he ousted freshman Kevin Jerde in a referee-stopped-contest (third round) at 139 pounds. Freshman Seth Gunn also advanced to the finals, after he earned a decision over sophomore Mike Nettis.

The 147-pound defending champion, senior Jahmil Edwards, held off 2005 Wing Open champion Brian Navin to advance by decision in the first bout, while junior Ryan Price, who was the runner-up one year ago, decisioned freshman Ken Kaczmarek in the second bout.

At 156 pounds, junior Clifford Moore punched a return ticket to Clune Arena, as the 2006 Wing Open champ handed classmate Daryn Nelson his first loss of the season. Senior Mark Ruther decisioned classmate Trevor Cook in the other 156 pound bout, en route to his fourth Boxer of the Week honor of the season. Putting together hard, fast combinations, Ruther was able to earn points throughout the bout, before gutting out an extremely close victory.

Senior Joe Conrad will look to defend his 165-pound title, as he defeated sophomore Justin Lee in the first semifinal bout at that weight class. Junior James Dunn picked up a victory by decision over sophomore Austin Almand in the second bout.

The 175-pound championship bout will be a rematch from last year, as both senior Evin Negron and junior Bruce Jamison advanced by decision tonight. Negron outlasted sophomore Lucas Gagliardi in a decision victory, while Jamison earned the judges' vote in a showdown with sophomore Andrew Catoire.

Senior Colin LaFavor will also return to the ring at Clune Arena, as he narrowly decisioned classmate Dustin Mayne in the first 185-pound bout. In just his third collegiate bout, sophomore Boyce Loomis picked up a decision from junior Chris Johnson in the night's other bout.

Just one bout was contested at 195 pounds, as junior John Quinn won by walkover. In the final bout of the night, senior Eric Garcia claimed a decision over fellow senior Adam Merello to advance to his second consecutive Wing Open.

The winners from the contests will compete in the Wing Open Championships on Friday, March 2. The Falcons will compete in 11 weight classes, ranging from 112- to 195-pounds. Action begins at 7 p.m., in Clune Arena.

RESULTS FROM WING OPEN SEMIFINALS

112-lbs.: Dean Chuva (CS-16) dec. Kanit Dararutana (CS-11)

139-lbs.: Nicholas Goc (CS-31) rsc-3 Kevin Jerde (CS-37)

139-lbs.: Seth Gunn (CS-27) dec. Mike Nettis (CS-36)

147-lbs.: Jahmil Edwards (CS-37) dec. Brian Navin (CS-12)

147-lbs.: Ryan Price (CS-24) dec. Ken Kaczmarek (CS-06)

156-lbs.: Clifford Moore (CS-19) dec. Daryn Nelson (CS-26)

156-lbs.: Mark Ruther (CS-15) dec. Trevor Cook (CS-34)

165-lbs.: Joe Conrad (CS-36) dec. Justin Lee (CS-39)

165-lbs.: James Dunn (CS-33) dec. Austin Almand (CS-31)

175-lbs.: Evin Negron (CS-33) dec. Lucas Gagliardi (CS-09)

175-lbs.: Bruce Jamison (CS-25) dec. Andrew Catoire (CS-40)

185-lbs.: Colin LaFavor (CS-07) dec. Dustin Mayne (CS-17)

185-lbs.: Boyce Loomis (CS-08) dec. Chris Johnson (CS-14)

195-lbs.: John Quinn (CS-06) w/o Charles Arden (CS-37)

195-lbs.: Eric Garcia (CS-16) dec. Adam Merello (CS-32)

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