Boxing: Hard-hitting bouts highlight Wing Open quarterfinals

  • Published
  • By Valerie Perkin
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNEWS) --  The Wing Open Tournament continued Feb. 15 as the Air Force boxing team hosted the quarterfinal round of action in the Upper Boxing Room of the Cadet Gym. There were 11 bouts that featured experienced veterans and tough newcomers, as each contender vied for a spot in the next round.

The Falcons opened action with the only 139-pound bout of the night, as freshman Seth Gunn took a decision from sophomore Daniel Montilla. Freshman Ken Kaczmarek decisioned sophomore Nathan Liptak in a 147-pound bout - the only other single weight class bout of the night.

Three bouts were contested at 156 pounds. Senior Mark Ruther took a unanimous decision from freshman John Doeseckle, en route to picking up his third Academy's Boxer of the Week honor. Using sharp combinations to the head and body, Ruther applied pressure throughout the bout and kept Doeseckle against the ropes to claim his second title in three weeks.

Junior Daryn Nelson took a decision from classmate Dominic Foglia at 156 pounds, while fellow junior Clifford Moore defeated freshman Matt Lundquist in a referee-stopped bout in the third round. Moore caused Lundquist four standing-eight counts en route to the victory.

Two of the three bouts at 165 pounds were also decided by maxing out the standing-eight-counts. Senior Joe Conrad earned a referee-stopped, third-round victory over freshman Quinton Croff, while junior James Dunn won his bout with sophomore Hyongdong Kim when the referee stopped their bout in the third round. Sophomore Austin Almand picked up a decision over freshman Robert Steigerwald in the final bout of that weight class.

Sophomore Lucas Gagliardi earned a unanimous decision over senior Patrick Wanko at 175 pounds, while junior Bruce Jamison battled out a hard-fought decision over sophomore Jon Andresen. Sophomore Andrew Catoire, last year's Wing Open champion at 195 pounds, dropped two weight classes and took a victory by decision over classmate Elon Brumfield.

"Tonight allowed some of the more experienced boxers to showcase their talents, while the newer boxers impressed the crowd with the newfound skills and abilities," the Air Force coaching staff said. "Many of the boxers stepped up their attack early and often, applying relentless pressure on their opponents, while other were able to win close decisions by scoring well-placed punches."

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