Wrestling: Academy Falcons in Cowboy Open

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  With 22 Falcons competing, the Air Force wrestling team got the 2006-2007 season off to an official start Saturday at the Cowboy Open, hosted by Wyoming. Sophomore Jordan Tribble, Midwest City, Okla., took second place for the Falcons in the 184-pound category in the Amateur (20 and under) Division.

Tribble began the day with a pin against Montana Tech's Vinnie Spaulding, getting the fall in a time of 1:51. He followed that up with a close 6-5 decision over Robert Hazenburg of the University of Great Falls. With a 10-4 decision over Northern Colorado's Patric Carey in the semifinals, Tribble moved on to the first-place match. There he suffered his first loss of the day, dropping a 10-4 decision to Western State's Donovan McMahill.

While no other Air Force wrestlers placed, three others also picked up three wins each. Freshman Justin Shadrix, Bremen, Ga., competing at 165 pounds in the Amateur Division, dropped a 15-7 decision to Adams State's Mike Gallegos to begin the day, but rebounded with a pin in 1:54 against Brett Melman of the CU Wrestling Club. Shadrix then picked up a 9-1 major decision over James Lucero of Adams State, followed by his second pin of the day, defeating New Mexico Highlands' Ray Carreon in a time of 4:31. However, Shadrix's day ended with an 8-1 loss to Northwest's Eric Coxbill.

In the Elite Division, senior Zach Lord, Missoula, Mont., and sophomore Stephen Crozier, Monona, Iowa, each picked up three wins. Lord, competing at 165 pounds, picked up a 17-2 tech fall victory over Kirby Beegles of the CU Wrestling Club, before dropping a 5-3 decision in the next round. Lord followed up his loss with an 8-2 victory over Nebraska-Kearney's Keenan McCurdy and then knocked out teammate Duane Miller with a 5-1 decision. Lord's day ended after dropping a close 2-1 decision to Boise State's Luke Smith.

Meanwhile, Crozier dropped his first match, losing a 9-4 decision to Western State's Larry Wilbanks. Crozier came back to win his next bout, pinning Chadron State's Tim Flick in a time of 1:34, followed by a 8-2 decision over Marc Fenwick of Utah Valley State. After defeating Adams State's Evan Copeland by injury default, Crozier dropped his final match, a 7-1 decision against Mike Kummer of the University of Great Falls.

The Falcons are back in action next weekend, Nov. 18, at the Kaufman-Brand Open, hosted by Nebraska-Omaha.