Air Force Wrestling
2014-15 Schedule
DATE
Oct. 30
DAY
Thurs.
OPPONENT
Black & Blue Intrasquad
LOCATION
USAFA
TIME
6:30 pm
Nov. 8
Nov. 15
Nov. 22
Sat.
Sat.
Sat.
Cowboy Open
MINNESOTA
Holiday Inn Open
Laramie, WY
USAFA
Kearney, NE
9 am
10 am
9 am
Dec. 5
Dec. 6
Dec. 11
Dec. 29
Dec. 30
Fri.
Sat.
Thurs.
Mon.
Tues.
Cliff Keen Vegas Invite
Cliff Keen Vegas Invite
at Wyoming
Midlands Championships
Midlands Championships
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Laramie, WY
Evanston, IL
Evanston, IL
9 am
10 am
7 pm
9 am
9 am
Jan. 10
Jan. 16
Jan. 18
Jan. 23
Jan. 30
Sat.
Fri.
Sun.
Fri.
Fri.
Borah Duals
Gunnison, CO
at Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo, CA
at Stanford
Palo Alto, CA
at Utah Valley
Orem, UT
NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS/NORTH DAKOTA STATE
USAFA
10 am
7 pm
5 pm
7 pm
7/8:30 pm
Feb. 1
Feb. 7
Feb. 15
Feb. 18
Feb. 22
Sun.
Sat.
Sun.
Wed.
Sun.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE/GRAND CANYON
USAFA
All Academy Championship
Kings Point, NY
OREGON STATE
USAFA
NORTHERN COLORADO
USAFA
U.S. WESTERN OPEN
USAFA (Center Gym)
11 am/1pm
10 am
12:30 pm
7 pm
10 am
March 7
Sat.
March 19-21 Fri.-Sun.
Western Wrestling Conference
NCAA Championships
Fargo, ND
10 am
St. Louis, MO 10 am/11 am/10 am
HOME DUALS are at Clune Arena, USAFA unless otherwise notated (Wrestling Room or Center Gym).
All times are local to site
Dates and times subject to change.
TABLE OF CONTENTS/QUICK FACTS
QUICK FACTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location ......................................................................... USAF Academy, Colo.
Founded .........................................................................................................1954
Enrollment ....................................................................................................4,000
Nickname ..................................................................................................Falcons
Colors ........................................................................................... Blue and Silver
Affiliation .................................................................................. NCAA Division I
Superintendent ............................................. Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson
Athletic Director....................................................................Dr. Hans J. Mueh
Table of Contents/Quick Facts ....................................................................... 1
Head Coach Sam Barber .................................................................................. 2
Assistant Coach Bart Horton .......................................................................... 3
Assistant Coach Chris Heilman ...................................................................... 4
2014-15 Roster .................................................................................................... 5
2013-14 Season Review ............................................................................... 6-9
2013-14 Records/Falls .....................................................................................10
2013-14 Dual Results.......................................................................................11
Year-By-Year Results/Coaching Records ...................................................12
All-Americans.....................................................................................................13
Honors & Awards ....................................................................................... 14-15
Air Force Legends .............................................................................................16
The Academy .............................................................................................. 17-20
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach ......................................................................................Sam Barber
Alma Mater .........................................................................Upper Iowa (1995)
Office Phone..............................................................................(719) 333-1751
Office Fax ....................................................................................(719) 333-2599
Coach’s E-mail: .................................................... [email protected]
Career Record (Yrs) .............................................................................First Year
Air Force Record (Yrs) ................................................................................Same
Assistant Coaches............................................Bart Horton, Chris Heilman
TEAM INFORMATION
Home Venue ................................................................................... Clune Arena
Conference.......................................................................... Western Wrestling
2013-14 Dual Record ...................................................................................11-6
2013-14 Conference Record ....................................................................... 2-3
2013-14 West Regional Finish ................................................................ Third
Letterwinners R/L .........................................................................................17/7
Starters R/L........................................................................................................ 6/4
2014 NCAA Qualifiers Returning...............................Josh Martinez (125)
2014 NCAA Qualifiers Lost ..............................................Greg Rinker (133)
................................................................................................Josh Kreimier (157)
........................................................................................ Devin Hightower (184)
ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Assoc. AD, Communications/Information ........................ Troy Garnhart
Asst. Media Relations Director (Wrestling SID) ................Nick Arseniak
Office Phone..............................................................................(719) 333-9251
Office Fax ....................................................................................(719) 333-3798
Cell Phone ..................................................................................(719) 510-2684
E-mail address .............................................. [email protected]
Official website ........................................................GoAirForceFalcons.com
CREDITS
The 2014-15 Air Force wrestling information guide was written
and designed by assistant media relations director Nick Arseniak. Photos courtesy of DenMar Services.
2013-14 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
1
2
HEAD COACH SAM BARBER
SAM BARBER
HEAD COACH | FIRST SEASON | (UPPER IOWA ‘95)
Sam Barber enters his first season as the head coach for the Air Force wrestling program. Barber has spent
the past five years as a full-time assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Falcons after serving as a
volunteer assistant during the 2008-09 season.
“Sam Barber is highly respected within the wrestling community and amateur sports world for his integrity,
class and inspiration to his athletes,” said Air Force director of athletics Dr. Hans Mueh, upon the hiring of
Barber. “I’m confident that the program will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
During Barber’s time at the Academy, he has coached 11 national qualifiers, while also making his mark as a
recruiter, bringing in one of the top 25 classes in the nation in 2012.
With more than 18 years of coaching experience, Barber’s resume also includes a pair of head coaching stints, as well as 10 years coaching at
the international level. He served as the head coach at his alma mater, Upper Iowa, and at perennial DIII powerhouse Augsburg College (Minn.).
Additionally, he coached 16 national champions and 60 All-Americans in 12 seasons at the Division III level.
Among Barber’s recent accomplishments on the international level include serving as the head coach of the 2012 FILA Cadet Pan American
freestyle team and the 2013 FILA Junior Pan American freestyle team, which both captured gold medals. Barber is also responsible for coaching
Jesus Wilson, who placed second in the 1999 World Team Trials.
Barber arrived at the Academy after working with USA Wrestling as the manager of the National Coaches Education Program. Prior to that, he
spent seven years with the wrestling program at Augsburg College, spending four seasons as the head assistant coach before being promoted
to associate head coach in 2005 and taking 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.
A 1995 graduate of Upper Iowa University, Barber 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.
Barber and his wife, Danielle, currently reside in Colorado Springs, with their one-year-old daughter, Aven.
What They’re Saying:
“The Air Force Academy made a great hire
in their selection for their new wrestling
coach. Sam Barber exemplifies all the values that the Academy looks for in a role
model and leader for their cadets: honor,
perseverance and integrity, with a deep
seated belief that he is there to help each
cadet be the best they can be. Sam’s total
commitment to the Academy and its value
system will be a role model for cadets to admire and follow.”
-J Robinson, Head Coach, University of Minnesota
“The United States Air Force Academy
made a exceptional decision in its selection
of Sam Barber to be the next leader of its
program. Sam is an exceptional coach and
a wonderful leader of men. Sam’s passion
for wrestling and desire to help athletes
achieve their goals is unmatched. USA
Wrestling is looking forward to working
with Coach Barber and his staff as they continue to improve the program.”
-Rich Bender, Executive Director, USA Wrestling
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
ASSISTANT COACH BART HORTON
3
BART HORTON
ASSISTANT COACH | EIGHTH SEASON | (IOWA STATE ‘97)
Bart Horton is now in his eighth year as an assistant wrestling coach for the Academy.
Horton has been a significant contributor to the program’s continued progress throughout the past seven
seasons. After a sixth-place finish at the NCAA West Regional in 2007, the Falcons turned things around in
2008, capturing a second-place finish at the 2008 NCAA West Regional. Air Force’s finish matched their bestever showing at the tournament (as they also placed second in 2003).
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 twotime 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 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 letterwinner and a two-time freestyle All-American for the Cyclones under head coach Bobby Douglas. Horton was also named a High School AllAmerican in 1992, while attending high school in Dubuque, Iowa.
Horton and his wife, Lorna, reside in Monument, Colo., with their sons, Max (9) and Oliver (6).
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
4
ASSISTANT COACH CHRIS HEILMAN
CHRIS HEILMAN
ASSISTANT COACH | FIRST SEASON | (CORNELL COLL. ‘08)
Chris Heilman enters his first year as an assistant wrestling coach at Air Force. Heilman comes to Air Force
from Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he was named 2014 NCAA DIII Midwest Regional Assistant Coach of the
Year.
Heilman led UW-Whitewater to the DIII Runner-up finish in the 2014 and third-place finish 2013 during his
two years there.
Prior to his tenure at UW-Whitewater, Heilman spent two seasons as the head coach at Davenport West High
School, in Davenport, Iowa. Heilman also spent two years as a graduate assistant at St. Cloud State University, helping the team to two top 10 team finishes. The 2010 team at St. Cloud posted the highest GPA amongst NCAA Div. II wrestling programs.
Heilman is a 2008 graduate of Cornell College (Iowa). He was a three-time All-American during his time at Cornell College.
Heilman resides in Colorado Springs with his wife, Jen, and dog Layla.
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
2014-15 ROSTER
Name
Willie Baker
Michael Billingsley
Jack Carda
Jeremy Delzer
John Diekel
Demarko Dixon
Jeremy Etling
Dani Fischer
John Hagey
Tanner Hahn
Cody Hancock
Connor Hedash
Parker Hines
Zen Ikehara
Noah Irons
Adam Jackson
Jared Koch
Sam Kreimier
Marcus Malecek
Josh Martinez
Carter McElhany
Jerry McGinty
Anthony McHugh
Kyle Morse
Conor O’Hara
Cassidy Oshiro
Lyle Plummer
Rip Price
Scott Reilly
Dane Robbins
Drew Romero
Haden Ryals
Jesse Stafford
Zach Stepan
Evan Ulinski
Stephan Turner
Ryan VanGuilder
David Walker
Robert Walker
Garrett Wells
Jordan Wengreen
Konner Witt
Yr.
Jr.
Fr.
Sr.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
So.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
So.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
Jr.
Sr.
Fr.
Jr.
Jr.
Sr.
So.
So.
Sr.
So.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
Jr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
Jr.
Fr.
Fr.
Jr.
So.
Fr.
Sr.
Fr.
Jr.
Wt.
174
157
197
165
141
165
157
149
174
197
141
157
197
184
157
174
174
157
HWT
125
133
141
141
125
141
125
133
HWT
174
149
125
157
165
141
125
133
157
141
149
184
174
174
Hometown (High School)
Jackson, Minn. (Jackson County Central)
Winnemucca, Nev. (Lowry)
Kimball, S.D. (Kimball)
Altus, Okla. (Altus)
Whitehall, N.Y. (Whitehall Central)
Baxley, Ga. (Appling County)
Auburn Township, Ohio (Kenston)
Gillette, Wyo. (Campbell County)
Nashville, Tenn. (Father Ryan)
Greensburg, Pa. (Greensburg-Salem)
Wrightwood, Calif. (Serrano/Martin Luther King)
Slatington, Pa. (Bethlehem Catholic)
Ellsworth, Wis. (Ellsworth)
Mililani, Hawaii (Kamehameha)
Lake Mills, Iowa (Lake Mills)
Rosemount, Minn. (Rosemount)
Lake in the Hills, Ill. (Marian Central Catholic)
Fort Collins, Colo. (Loveland)
Hammond,Wis. (St. Croix Central)
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Pine Creek)
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Coronado)
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Pine Creek)
Lewis Center, Ohio (The Culver Academies)
Barre, Vt. (Spaulding)
Farmingville, N.Y. (Sachem East)
Aiea, Hawaii (Maryknoll)
Dayton, Ohio (Chaminade Julienne)
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Air Academy)
Stafford, Va. (Colonial Forge)
Fairfax, Va. (Robinson)
La Junta, Colo. (Broomfield)
Rainbow City, Ala. (Southside)
Loomis, Calif. (Del Oro)
Zimmerman, Minn. (Zimmerman)
Elmore, Ohio (Woodmore)
Coloradp Springs, Colo. (Discovery Canyon)
Bradford, Pa. (Bradford Area)
St. Marys, Iowa (Martensdale-St. Marys)
St. Marys, Iowa (Martensdale-St. Mary’s)
Corvallis, Ore. (Crescent Valley)
Paradise, Utah (Mountain Crest)
Oak Harbor, Ohio (Oak Harbor)
Head Coach:
Assistant Coach:
Assistant Coach:
Vol. Assistant Coach:
Sam Barber (Upper Iowa ’95) – First Season
Bart Horton (Iowa State ’97) –Eighth Season
Chris Heilman (Cornell College ‘08) –First Season
Moza Fay (Northern Iowa) – First Season
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
5
6
2013-14 SEASON REVIEW
Meanwhile, a group of unattached wrestlers competed at
the Colorado Mesa Doubletree Open on Nov. 9. with three
individuals coming back as placewinners. McHugh took
third place at 141 pounds, while Barringer and junior Jack
Carda placed fourth at 174 and 197 pounds, respectively.
Josh Kreimier
The Falcons had a much more successful outing at the Augustana Duals on Nov. 15, going 3-0 with wins over Chadron State (28-6), Morningside (37-3) and the host Vikings
(30-13).
The 2013-14 Air Force wrestling team had a solid season, finishing the
year with an 11-6 overall dual record, including a 2-3 mark in the Western Wrestling Conference. The Falcons took third place at the NCAA
West Regional, led by senior Greg Rinker, who brought home the individual title at 133 pounds.
Four different Air Force wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships, with nationally ranked sophomore Josh Martinez competing
as the fourth-seed at 125 pounds in his second NCAA appearance.
Senior captain Josh Kreimier qualified for the national tournament at
157 pounds for the third-straight year, while Rinker and senior captain
Devin Hightower (184) each competed at the NCAA Championships
for the first time.
The Falcons began the 2013-14 season on Nov. 2 at the Cowboy Open,
coming home with 12 placewinners, including three individual champions. Sophomore Marcus Malecek (HWT) and freshmen David Walker
(141) and Parker Hines (197) each won individual titles in the Amateur
Division, while Rinker and sophomore Konner Witt (174) were the top
Air Force finishers in the Elite Division, each placing second.
Also in the Elite Division, junior Carter McElhany (133) and sophomore
Scott Reilly (174) placed third in their respective weight classes, while
seniors Dan Barringer (174) and Evan Gros (197) each placed fourth.
In the Amateur Division, freshmen Anthony McHugh (141) and Connor Hedash (157) both placed fourth, while classmate Jerry McGinty
registered a fourth-place showing at 149 pounds.
For his performance at the Cowboy Open, Walker was named the Air
Force Co-Athlete of the Week. The freshman won his first collegiate
title, compiling a 5-0 record on the weekend. After beginning the day
with a fall, Walker recorded a pair of decisions and a pair of major decisions, including a 14-4 major decision in the championship bout.
Eight Air Force wrestlers won their bouts versus Chadron
State, led by Witt, who scored a major decision. Kreimier
was awarded a forfeit win, while Walker, Natrelle Demison
(149), Jesse Stafford (165), Reilly (184), Greg Isley (197)
and Malecek (HWT) all won decisions. Against Morningside, Air Force won nine of its 10 matches, with McElhany,
Stafford and Witt all earning falls. Demison added a major
decision, while Cassidy Oshiro (125), Walker, Hedash (157),
Barringer (184) and Hines (197) all scored decisions. In the
final dual of the day, the Falcons earned wins in six of their
bouts, led by falls from Rinker, Stafford and Witt. Walker and Isley both
earned decisions, while Malecek was awarded a forfeit victory.
Next up for the Falcons was a trip to Kearney, Neb., for the UNK Holiday Inn Open on Nov. 23. Eighteen Falcons finished as placewinners,
led by five individual champions. Twelve Falcons, including four
champions, placed in the top six in the Elite Division, while six others were placewinners in the Amateur Division. Capturing individual
titles for Air Force in the Elite Division were Martinez, Stafford, Witt
and Isley, while Demison claimed his first collegiate title in the Amateur Division.
Finishing as runners-up were sophomore Willie Baker (174 - Elite),
Hightower (184 - Elite), Hines (197 - Elite), Walker (141 - Amateur)
and McGinty (149 - Amateur). Meanwhile, other placewinners included McElhany (third/141 - Elite), Carda (third/197 - Elite), senior
Daniel Baucke (fourth/157 - Elite), Hedash (fourth/157 - Amateur),
Reilly (fifth/174 - Elite), senior Evan Gros (fifth/197 - Elite), McHugh
(sixth/141 - Amateur) and Malecek (sixth/HWT - Amateur).
For his performance at the UNK Holiday Inn Open, Stafford was named
the Air Force Co-Athlete of the Week. Stafford compiled a 4-0 record
to claim his first individual title of the season. One of five Falcons to
earn an individual title at the event, Stafford opened the day with a
fall in a time of 1:27, while scoring a 13-2 major decision in his next
bout. In the semifinals, he added his second first-period fall of the day
with a time of 1:40 before winning the championship with a 5-3 decision over Wyoming’s Zach Beard.
At the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Dec. 6-7, Martinez
led nine Air Force competitors, placing third in his weight class for the
second-straight season. He was joined on the second day of action by
Demison, Stafford and Hightower.
The next weekend, Air Force opened its dual slate with a pair of nonconference duals, taking on 21st-ranked Northwestern in Broomfield, Colo., on Nov. 8, while hosting Stanford on Nov. 10. The Falcons
dropped both duals, falling to the Wildcats, 28-15, and the Cardinal,
30-4.
Meanwhile, five Falcons were placewinners at the FHSU-Bob Smith
Open on Dec. 7, led by Baucke, who captured the first individual title
of his career. McElhany placed second at 133 pounds, Hines finished
third at 197 pounds and Hedash (157) and Baker (174) placed fourth
in their respective weight classes.
Kreimier and Witt led the way for Air Force against Northwestern,
both recording falls, while Martinez added a decision for the Falcons.
Meanwhile, Martinez was the lone Air Force wrestler to come away
with a win against Stanford, scoring a major decision.
Following the CKLV Invitational, Martinez was tabbed the Air Force
Co-Athlete of the Week, as well as the WWC Wrestler of the Week. Martinez, who entered the tournament seeded fifth and ranked eighth
nationally, posted a 7-1 record on the weekend, with four major decisions and three decisions.
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
2013-14 SEASON REVIEW
TOURNAMENT PLACEWINNERS
Cowboy Open - Elite
Greg Rinker, 2nd (133)
Konner Witt, 2nd (174)
Carter McElhany, 3rd (133)
Scott Reilly, 3rd (174)
Dan Barringer, 4th (174)
Evan Gros, 4th (197)
Cowboy Open - Amateur
David Walker, 1st (141)
Parker Hines, 1st (197)
Marcus Malecek, 1st (HWT)
Anthony McHugh, 3rd (141)
Connor Hedash, 3rd (157)
Jerry McGinty, 4th (149)
Colorado Mesa Doubletree Open**
Anthony McHugh, 3rd (141)
Dan Barringer, 4th (174)
Jack Carda, 4th (197)
UNK Holiday Inn Open - Elite
Josh Martinez, 1st (125)
Jesse Stafford, 1st (165)
Konner Witt, 1st (174)
Greg Isley, 1st (197)
Willie Baker, 2nd (174)
Devin Hightower, 2nd (184)
Parker Hines, 2nd (197)
Carter McElhany, 3rd (133)
Jack Carda, 3rd (197)
Daniel Baucke, 4th (157)
Scott Reilly, 5th (174)
Evan Gros, 5th (197)
UNK Holiday Inn Open - Amateur
Natrelle Demison, 1st (149)
David Walker, 2nd (141)
Jerry McGinty, 2nd (149)
Connor Hedash, 4th (157)
Anthony McHugh, 6th (141)
Marcus Malecek, 6th (HWT)
Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational
Josh Martinez, 3rd (125)
FHSU-Bob Smith Open
Daniel Baucke, 1st (157)
Carter McElhany, 2nd (133)
Parker Hines, 3rd (197)
Connor Hedash, 4th (157)
Willie Baker, 4th (174)
Southern Scuffle
Josh Martinez, 3rd (125)
All-Academy Championships
Josh Martinez, 1st (125)
Marcus Malecek, 1st (HWT)
Greg Rinker, 2nd (133)
Devin Hightower, 2nd (184)
Natrelle Demison, 3rd (149)
Konner Witt, 3rd (174)
Greg Isley, 3rd (197)
Josh Kreimier, 4th (157)
Rocky Mountain Collegiate Open**
Carter McElhany, 1st (133)
Chris Morales, 1st (184)
Jack Carda, 3rd (197)
Brent Matherne, 4th (149)
Rip Price, 4th (197)
Vance Hawk, 5th (184)
U.S. Western National Open
Anthony McHugh, 1st (141)
Scott Reilly, 1st (174)
Parker Hines, 2nd (197)
Conor O’Hara, 3rd (141)
Zach Stepan, 3rd (149)
Jeremy Delzer, 3rd (165)
Jack Carda, 3rd (197)
Kyle Morse, 4th (133)
Vance Hawk, 4th (184)
Brent Matherne, 5th (149)
Connor Watson, 5th (157)
Jason Mossing, 5th (174)
Micah Blakely, 6th (165)
Josh Durbin, 6th (184)
**wrestlers competed unattached
7
Among Martinez’s victories were three wins against nationally ranked opponents, including a 14-1 major decision over 10th-ranked Tim Lambert of Nebraska, a 10-7
decision over Northern Iowa’s seventh-ranked Dylan Peters and a 4-1 decision over No. 20 David Terao of American in the third-place match.
The next event for Air Force was another major tournament, as the Falcons headed to Chattanooga, Tenn., for
the annual Southern Scuffle, Jan. 1-2. Again, Martinez led
the Falcons with a third-place finish, posting a 6-1 record
for the tournament.
Martinez was joined on the second day of action by eight
other Falcons, including Stafford, Witt and Hightower,
who all posted winning records for the tournament. Stafford and Hightower both posted marks of 3-2, while Witt
went 4-2 over the two-day event. Also advancing to the
second day of competition were McElhany and Rinker at
133 pounds, Kreimier at 157 pounds, Reilly at 174 pounds
and Isley at 197 pounds.
For the second time on the season, Martinez earned both
Air Force Co-Athlete of the Week and WWC Wrestler of the
Week honors for his performance at the Southern Scuffle.
Ranked sixth in the nation, Martinez posted two falls, a
technical fall and three decisions in the tournament.
After winning his first four matches, Martinez suffered his
only loss of the tournament in the semifinals, dropping
a 7-2 decision to second-ranked Nico Megaludis of Penn
State. He bounced back in the consolation bracket with
two more wins, including a 6-0 decision over No. 14 David
Terao of American in the third-place match.
Air Force returned to dual action on Jan. 11, as they traveled to Gunnison, Colo., for the 24th-annual Tracy Borah
Duals, hosted by Western State Colorado. The Falcons
went 4-0 on the day, posting a 26-9 victory over the host
Mountaineers, while also defeating Embry-Riddle (37-12),
Colorado Mesa (36-9) and Simon Fraser (51-0).
Just four Falcons wrestled in all four duals, with Walker,
Demison and Stafford all posting perfect records, while
Reilly (174/184) went 3-1 on the day. Meanwhile, Martinez, Rinker and Kreimier all registered 3-0 marks.
With his performance at the Borah Duals, Stafford earned WWC Wrestler of the Week honors. In Air Force’s 26-9 win over the host Mountaineers,
Stafford scored a 16-0 technical fall over Jorge Benitez. He then followed with a pair of first-period falls over Embry-Riddle’s Taylor Damico (1:47)
and Colorado Mesa’s Jessie Hoffschneider (2:06), while also scoring a 16-2 major decision against Brock Lamb in Air Force’s 51-0 rout of Simon
Fraser.
On Jan. 18, Air Force competed in a pair of non-conference duals in Corvallis, Ore., dropping a 30-3 decision to 20th-ranked host Oregon State,
while defeating Southern Oregon, 23-14. Martinez led the way for the Falcons with a 2-0 record, including the lone Air Force win versus Oregon
State, while McElhany, Walker, Demison, Kreimier and Baucke (165) earned victories against Southern Oregon.
Air Force opened its conference slate on Jan. 24 with a trip to 23rd-ranked North Dakota State. The Falcons were unable to get past the Bison,
dropping a 41-6 decision. Kreimier was the lone Air Force victor against NDSU, scoring a fall.
The Falcons wrapped up their weekend with a road dual against conference foe South Dakota State on Jan. 26. In a close battle, Air Force fell
short in an 18-14 loss to the Jackrabbits. Martinez and Rinker both scored major decisions for the Falcons against SDSU, while Walker and Isley
added decisions.
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
8
2013-14 SEASON REVIEW
On Feb. 1, the Falcons competed in the 20th-annual All-Academy
Championships, hosted by the Coast Guard Academy. Air Force took
third place in the team standings, scoring 83 points. Leading the way
were Martinez and Malecek, who each captured individual titles,
while Rinker and Hightower were both second-place finishers. Demison, Witt and Isley all placed third in their respective weight classes,
while Kreimier took fourth place.
Martinez, who earned his second All-Academy title in as many seasons, earned Air Force Co-Athlete of the Week honors for his performance.
Air Force returned home for a dual meet versus conference foe Wyoming on Feb. 11, dropping a 28-14 decision to the Cowboys. Rinker
and Demison each picked up major decisions against Wyoming, while
Martinez and Witt earned decisions.
The Falcons closed out their home slate with two more duals on Feb.
14, picking up wins over New Mexico Highlands (41-0) and Utah Valley (24-13). In the rout of the Cowboys, Rinker, Witt and Isley all scored
falls, Martinez and Demison added major decisions and Walker,
Baucke, Hedash, Hightower and Cody Davis (HWT) earned decisions.
In their conference dual against the Wolverines, Rinker added another fall, Martinez scored a win by forfeit, and McElhany, Witt, Isley and
Malecek picked up decisions.
Air Force wrapped up the regular season with a road dual at Northern
Colorado on Feb. 23, earning a 26-16 victory over the Bears. Demison
and Witt each scored falls to lead the Falcons, while Rinker added a
technical fall. Also picking up wins for Air Force were Walker, Hightower and Isley, who all registered decisions.
Meanwhile, several Falcons competed unattached in U.S. Western National Open, held at the Academy on Feb. 23. Fourteen Air Force wrestlers finished as placewinners, led by individual champions McHugh
and Reilly (174), and runner-up Hines.
With the regular season slate completed, the Falcons headed to Orem,
Utah, for the 2014 NCAA West Regional. Led by an individual title from
Rinker, Air Force placed third in the team standings with 50 points.
Rinker scored a pair of decisions, including a sudden victory win in
the semi-finals.
Heading into the NCAA Championships, Martinez entered as the
fourth seed at 125 pounds, while Rinker, Kreimier and Hightower
were all unseeded going into the competition.
On the first day of action, Martinez and Hightower led the way for
Air Force, each posting 1-1 records. Martinez opened the day with an
8-4 victory over North Carolina’s Nathan Kraisser, but dropped an 8-1
decision to Iowa State’s Earl Hall. Meanwhile, Hightower scored a 5-1
upset over 16th-seed Nick Vetterlein of Virginia Tech, but lost a 4-0 decision to top-seeded (and undefeated) Jimmy Sheptock of Maryland.
Rinker and Kreimier both went 0-2 on the first day of action to end
their NCAA competition. Rinker lost by technical fall to sixth-seeded
Mason Beckman of Lehigh before dropping a decision against Rider’s
Chuck Zeisloft. Kreimier faced top-seeded James Green of Nebraska
in his first match, losing by major decision, while coming up short
against NC State’s Thomas Gantt in his second bout.
The Falcons struggled on day two of competition, with Martinez and
Hightower both dropping their matches in the consolation bracket.
Martinez came up just short in a 4-3 loss to Lehigh’s Darian Cruz,
while Hightower lost an 8-0 major decision to 15th-seed Ryan Loder
of Northern Iowa.
At the conclusion of the season, Martinez was tabbed the program’s
Most Outstanding Wrestler. The sophomore, who was named the
College Wrestler of the Year by the Colorado Chapter of the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame, finished the season with a 33-5 overall record,
earning his second-consecutive NCAA bid. The NCAA West Region
runner-up at 125 pounds, Martinez claimed a pair of titles, winning
at the UNK Holiday Inn Open and All-Academy Championships, while
placing third at two other prestigious events, the Cliff Keen Las Vegas
Invitational and the Southern Scuffle.
Several awards were handed out at the team’s end of year banquet.
The Coaches Appreciation Award, bestowed upon an individual
who has displayed great dedication to the program, teammates and
coaching staff, was presented to senior Vance Hawk. Meanwhile,
sophomore Adam Jackson was honored with the Commitment to Excellence Award, which is granted to the cadet with the best all-around
performance at the Academy (academics, military and athletics).
Two other Falcons were finalists in their respective weight classes,
earning second-place finishes. Martinez picked up a decision
in his first match before losing the title contest by injury default. Meanwhile, Demison, the fifth seed in his weight class,
scored a pair of upsets before dropping a decision to secondseed Alex Kocer (SDSU) in the finals.
Kreimier, Witt and Hightower each placed third in the respective weight classes, while Walker and Isley each finished
fourth.
With his first-place finish at 133 pounds, Rinker secured his
first trip to the NCAA Championships. Kreimier and Hightower, despite placing third in their respective weight classes,
both earned automatic bids by winning true second-place
matches, marking the third-straight NCAA appearance for
Kreimier and the first NCAA bid for Hightower. Meanwhile,
Martinez lost the automatic bid at 125 pounds with a medical
forfeit in his true second-place match, but will await at-large
selections for his second-straight trip to the national tournament.
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
Josh
Martinez
2013-14 SEASON REVIEW
Earning Most Improved honors for the Falcons were Hightower and
Rinker. Hightower, one of Air Force’s team captains, ended the year
with an 18-13 overall record at 184 pounds, and despite missing part
of the season due to injury, was able to earn his first NCAA bid by winning the true second-place match at the NCAA West Regional. Meanwhile, Rinker, the Falcons’ starter at 133 pounds, posted a 19-13 overall record in 2013-14. After a slow start to the year, Rinker won nine
of his last 10 bouts heading into the NCAA Championships, claiming
the individual title at the NCAA West Regional to become a national
qualifier for the first time in his career.
Malecek earned a pair of honors, capturing the Scholar-Athlete
Award, while also receiving the Iron Bolt Award, given to the team’s
top performer in the strength and conditioning program. In addition,
Witt as recognized with the Most Falls Award, after leading the team
with 13 falls on the year.
Also handed out was the Wayne Baughman/A-10 Wart Hog Award.
Named in part for the Falcons’ former head coach, the award is earned
by the wrestler who, like Coach Baughman and the A-10 Wart Hog, is
relentless and aggressive, demonstrates an unwavering determination to succeed and who embodies good sportsmanship and team
spirit. The recipient of the award for the second straight season was
Kreimier, who battled through adversity, including injuries, all season
to earn his third-straight NCAA appearance.
At the end of the year, Hines, Malecek, McHugh and Stafford were
named to the WWC All-Academic Team, while Barringer, Carda, Cody
Hancock, Vance Hawk, Adam Jackson, Tyler Mergen, Chris Morales, Jason Mossing and Garrett Wells were all named to the WWC Coaches’
Honor Roll.
Special recognition also went to Hightower, who was named the recipient of the Academy’s Athletic Leadership Award, one of the highest honors given by the Falcons’ athletic department.
TEAM CAPTAINS: Devin Hightower, Josh Kreimier
MVP: Josh Martinez
ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP (TOP SIX): Devin Hightower
MOST FALLS: Konner Witt
MOST IMPROVED: Devin Hightower, Greg Rinker
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AWARD: Adam Jackson
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD: Marcus Malecek
COACHES APPRECIATION AWARD: Vance Hawk
WAYNE BAUGHMAN/A-10 WARTHOG AWARD: Josh Kreimier
IRON BOLT AWARD: Marcus Malecek
ALL-WWC (FIRST TEAM): Greg Rinker
ALL-WWC (SECOND TEAM): Josh Martinez, Natrelle Demison
ALL-WWC (THIRD TEAM): Josh Kreimier, Konner Witt, Devin Hightower
WWC ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM: Parker Hines, Marcus Malecek, Anthony McHugh, Jesse Stafford
WWC COACHES’ HONOR ROLL: Dan Barringer, Jack Carda, Cody Hancock, Vance Hawk, Adam Jackson, Tyler Mergen, Chris Morales, Jason
Mossing, Garrett Wells
WWC ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Josh Martinez (Dec. 10/Jan. 7); Jesse
Stafford (Jan. 14)
AIR FORCE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: David Walker (Nov. 4); Jesse Stafford (Nov. 25); Josh Martinez (Dec. 9/Jan. 6); Greg Rinker (March 10)
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
9
10 2013-14 INDIVIDUAL RECORDS/FALLS
Overall Dual
125
Josh Martinez
Kyle Morse
Cassidy Oshiro
33-5
0-5
4-7
11-0
0-1
1-3
133
Carter McElhany
Kyle Morse
Greg Rinker
18-5
0-1
19-13
3-0
—
9-5
141
Cody Hancock
Carter McElhany
Anthony McHugh
Conor O’Hara
David Walker
1-6
1-1
18-4
11-10
22-13
—
1-1
—
—
11-4
149
Natrelle Demison
Dani Fischer
Brent Matherne
Jerry McGinty
Zach Stepan
Connor Watson
23-13
7-8
6-4
14-7
14-7
1-2
9-7
—
—
1-0
—
—
157
Daniel Baucke
Connor Hedash
Josh Kreimier
Jerry McGinty
Connor Watson
Johnny Wells
11-7
17-6
14-10
0-2
0-2
3-6
2-1
1-1
7-3
0-2
—
—
Overall Dual
165
Daniel Baucke
Micah Blakely
Jeremy Delzer
Connor Hedash
Tyler Mergen
Jesse Stafford
2-4
8-7
4-7
1-5
0-2
18-9
1-2
—
—
1-3
—
7-3
174
Willie Baker
Dan Barringer
Vance Hawk
Adam Jackson
Jason Mossing
Scott Reilly
Konner Witt
9-5
12-8
2-6
8-6
2-4
16-7
27-10
—
—
—
—
—
3-2
9-3
184
Willie Baker
Dan Barringer
Josh Durbin
Vance Hawk
Devin Hightower
Chris Morales
Scott Reilly
Garrett Wells
Konner Witt
1-0
1-2
0-7
5-5
18-13
4-0
1-6
1-5
1-0
1-0
1-2
—
—
2-2
—
1-6
0-1
1-0
197
Jack Carda
Evan Gros
Parker Hines
Greg Isley
Rip Price
17-9
5-5
13-8
17-11
2-2
2-0
0-1
1-5
6-2
—
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
Falls
Baker
Barringer
Baucke
Blakely
Carda
Delzer
Demison
Gosch
Gros
Hedash
Hightower
Hines
Isley
Kreimier
Martinez
Matherne
McElhany
McGinty
McHugh
O’Hara
Rinker
Stafford
Stepan
Walker
Watson
J. Wells
Witt
No. (Fastest)
3 (4:48)
4 (0:44)
4 (0:51)
2 (1:56)
8 (0:19)
1 (6:00)
7 (1:56)
1 (1:26)
1 (3:32)
2 (5:37)
1 (0:45)
1 (4:45)
3 (1:50)
3 (1:51)
5 (1:14)
4 (0:13)
3 (2:38)
2 (1:45)
11 (1:18)
3 (0:43)
6 (0:53)
6 (1:27)
7 (1:15)
3 (2:02)
1 (2:23)
1 (5:00)
13 (1:06)
Overall Dual
HWT
Cody Davis
1-4
1-4
Brook Gosch
3-4
—
Marcus Malecek
16-16
5-7
*dual records only include varsity duals
2013-14 DUAL RESULTS
11
Nov. 8 - #21 Northwestern 28, Air Force 15
125 #10 Martinez (AF) dec. White, 7-3
133 Malone (NU) dec. Rinker, 5-2
141 Greco (NU) maj. dec. Walker, 17-7
149 #9 Tsirtis (NU) fall Demison, 4:57
157 #15 Kreimier (AF) fall Sullivan, 4:56
165 #10 Harger (NU) dec. Stafford, 5-3
174 Witt (AF) fall Helmer, 2:30
184 Berkowitz (NU) dec. Reilly, 3-1 (SV)
197 Polizzi (NU) tech fall Gros, 15-0 (4:04)
HWT #2McMullan (NU) maj. dec. Malecek, 10-2
Jan. 11 - Air Force 37, Embry-Riddle 12
125 Martinez (ERAU) fall Oshiro, 3:57
133 Rinker (AF) maj. dec. Saldana, 12-2
141 Walker (AF) dec. King, 6-1
149 Demison (AF) dec. Merkley, 8-4
157 Kreimier (AF) fall Coultas, 1:51
165 Stafford (AF) fall Damico, 1:47
174 Reilly (AF) dec. Cruz III, 12-6
184 Wiley (ERAU) fall Wells, 4:32
197 Carda (AF) fall Killgore, 6:26
HWT Malecek (AF) win by forfeit
Jan. 26 - South Dakota State 18, Air Force 14
165 Brewster (SDSU) dec. Baucke, 8-4
174 Nething II (SDSU) dec. Witt, 6-2
184 Schwery (SDSU) dec. Reilly, 8-6
197 Isley (AF) dec. Hable, 8-1
HWT Everard (SDSU) dec. Davis, 6-4 (SV)
125 #5 Martinez (AF) maj. dec. Gillette, 11-3
133 Rinker (AF) maj. dec. Simms, 10-2
141 Walker (AF) dec. EOrozco, 2-1 (TB)
149 Kocer (SDSU) dec. Demison, 7-4
157 #18 Pack (SDSU) dec. Kreimier, 8-5
Nov. 10 - Stanford 30, Air Force 4
149 Hvolbek (SU) fall Demison, 6:46
157 Baumbach (SU) dec. #15 Kreimier, 6-4
165 Wilson (SU) dec. Stafford, 5-1
174 Meyer (SU) dec. Witt, 5-0
184 Kimbrell (SU) dec. Reilly, 7-4
197 Scherer (SU) dec. Isley, 3-1 (TB1)
HWT Marchok (SU) dec. Malecek, 3-2
125 #10 Martinez (AF) maj. dec. Silver, 9-1
133 #3 Mango (SU) dec. Rinker, 8-2
141 Russo (SU) dec. Walker, 7-5
Jan. 11 - Air Force 36, Colorado Mesa 9
125 #6 Martinez (AF) maj. dec. Vargas, 10-0
133 Rinker (AF) fall Stelling, 4:01
141 Walker (AF) dec. Salazar, 10-3
149 Demison (AF) dec. Martinez, 9-5
157 Kreimier (AF) tech fall Schumacher, 18-2 (5:30)
165 Stafford (AF) fall Hoffschneider, 2:06
174 Reilly (AF) dec. Granard, 5-2
184 Konner Witt (AF) win by forfeit
197 Retana (CMU) fall Hines, 5:59
285 Passehl (CMU) dec. Malecek, 3-0
Feb. 11 - Wyoming 28, Air Force 14
174 Konner Witt (AF) dec. Brent Havlik, 4-0
184 #18 Stroh (UW) fall Hightower, 0:36
197 Woods (UW) dec. Isley, 6-3
HWT Pfeifer (UW) dec. Davis, 5-1
125 #4 Martinez (AF) dec. #8 Cox, 2-1
133 Rinker (AF) maj. dec. Woodburn, 8-0
141 Mendenhall (UW) fall McElhany, 3:33
149 Demison (AF) maj. dec. Breckenridge, 21-7
157 McCulley (UW) fall McGinty, 1:28
165 Friesth (UW) maj. dec. Hedash, 10-1
Nov. 15 - Air Force 28, Chadron State 6
125 Summers (CS) dec. Oshiro, 6-4
133 Stodola (CS) dec. Rinker, 9-3
141 Walker (AF) dec. Stine, 8-5
149 McGinty (AF) dec. Anderson, 3-1
157 #18 Kreimier (AF) win by forfeit
165 Stafford (AF) dec. Copeland, 10-4
174 Witt (AF) maj. dec. Dylan Fors, 10-2
184 Reilly (AF) dec. Smart, 6-2
197 Isley (AF) dec. Devan Fors, 4-0
HWT Malecek (AF) dec. Taylor, 4-2
Jan. 11 - Air Force 51, Simon Fraser 0
125 #6 Martinez (AF) fall Davis, 1:14
133 McElhany (AF) tech fall Chahal, 17-0
141 Walker (AF) fall Hume, 2:02
149 Demison (AF) fall Seppala, 1:56
157 Baucke (AF) fall Punzo, 1:46
165 Stafford (AF) maj. dec. Lamb, 16-2
174 Reilly (AF) dec. Watkins, 6-3
184 Baker (AF) dec. Kim, 6-1
197 Carda (AF) fall Yewchin, 2:08
HWT Malecek (AF) win by forfeit
Feb. 14 - Air Force 41, New Mexico Highlands 0
197 Isley (AF) fall Terrazas, 1:50
HWT Davis (AF) dec. Marquez, 5-3
125 #4 Martinez (AF) maj. dec. Rangel, 11-1
133 Rinker (AF) fall Humphrey, 1:47
141 Walker (AF) dec. Gaylor, 5-0
149 Demison (AF) maj. dec. Stowman, 15-3
157 Baucke (AF) dec. Martinez, 9-5
165 Hedash (AF) dec. Alvarado, 4-1
174 Witt (AF) fall Bechtloff, 1:32
184 Hightower (AF) dec. Gomzin, 3-1
Nov. 15 - Air Force 37, Morningside 3
125 Oshiro (AF) dec. Curtis, 7-3
133 McElhany (AF) fall Tegeler, 4:15
141 Walker (AF) dec. Olson, 4-2
149 Demison (AF) maj. dec. Lashbrook, 12-1
157 Hedash (AF) dec. Langley, 9-3
165 Stafford (AF) fall Johnson, 4:15
174 Witt (AF) fall Olson, 1:30
184 Barringer (AF) dec. Pederson, 12-5
197 Hines (AF) dec. McCoy, 6-4
HWT Kacmarynski (MC) dec. Malecek, 5-2
Jan. 18 - #20 Oregon State 30, Air Force 3
125 #6 Martinez (AF) dec. Palmer, 11-6
133 Van Anrooy (OSU) dec. Rinker, 8-2
141 Delgado (OSU) dec. Walker, 3-2
149 #11 Sakaguchi (OSU) dec. Demison, 10-4
157 #13 Pena (OSU) dec. Kreimier, 11-8
165 Chay (OSU) dec. Stafford, 8-3
174 Latham (OSU) maj. dec. Reilly, 24-14
184 Morehead (OSU) maj. dec. Barringer, 9-0
197 #14 Meeks (OSU) dec. Hines, 13-10
HWT #16 Dhesi (OSU) maj. dec. Malecek, 17-5
Feb. 14 - Air Force 24, Utah Valley 13
197 Isley (AF) dec. Thomas, 4-3
HWT Malecek (AF) dec. Larsen, 6-1
125 #4 Martinez (AF) win by forfeit
133 Rinker (AF) fall Tolbert, 1:28
141 McElhany (AF) dec. Garner, 7-5
149 Willson (UVU) dec. Demison, 5-2 (SV)
157 Culbertson (UVU) maj. dec. McGinty, 10-2
165 Addis (UVU) dec. Hedash, 6-5
174 Witt (AF) dec. Schmalhaus, 4-3
184 Smith (UVU) dec. Hightower, 3-1
Nov. 15 - Air Force 30, Augustana 13
125 North (AC) maj. dec. Oshiro, 12-4
133 Rinker (AF) fall Chesnut, 2:20
141 Walker (AF) dec. Anderson, 3-2
149 Hatlestad (AC) dec. Demison, 3-1
157 Rechtzigel (AC) dec. Hedash, 7-0
165 Stafford (AF) fall Swanson, 2:35
174 Witt (AF) fall Nielsen, 2:08
184 Derry (AC) dec. Reilly, 11-5
197 Isley (AF) dec. Fanslau, 6-1
HWT Malecek (AF) win by forfeit
Jan. 18 - Air Force 23, Southern Oregon 14
125 #6 Martinez (AF) maj. dec. Stigall, 11-1
133 McElhany (AF) dec. Hancock, 7-4
141 Walker (AF) dec. Gay, 6-0
149 Demison (AF) fall Cowger, 6:07
157 Kreimier (AF) maj. dec. Patrick, 12-3
165 Baucke (AF) dec. Urrutia, 3-0
174 Gutches (SOU) maj. dec. Reilly, 12-1
184 Abrams (SOU) maj. dec. Barringer, 14-4
197 Johnson (SOU) dec. Hines, 7-2
HWT Burtis (SOU) dec. Davis, 2-1
Feb. 23 - Air Force 26, Northern Colorado 16
141 Walker (AF) dec. Adams, 3-2
149 Demison (AF) fall Roberts, 5:12
157 Polkowske (UNC) maj. dec. Baucke, 14-4
165 McMartin (UNC) dec. Hedash, 4-2
174 Witt (AF) fall Van Tine, 1:26
184 Hightower (AF) dec. Bayer, 11-4
197 Isley (AF) dec. Briegel, 6-2
HWT Chirino (UNC) dec. Malecek, 7-4
125 Andrews (UNC) fall Morse, 0:32
133 Rinker (AF) tech fall Espinoza, 20-4
Jan. 11 - Air Force 26, Western State Colorado 9
125 #6 Martinez (AF) dec. Heard, 10-5
133 Rinker (AF) dec. Shank, 5-4
141 Walker (AF) dec. Bennetts, 4-3
149 Demison (AF) maj. dec. Bunker, 8-0
157 Kreimier (AF) maj. dec. Adams, 12-2
165 Stafford (AF) tech fall Benitez, 16-0 (5:55)
174 Witt (AF) maj. dec. Olearnick, 9-0
184 Piatt (WSCU) dec. Reilly, 10-6
197 Mangum (WSCU) dec. Hines, 6-0
HWT Stuht (WSCU) dec. Malecek, 4-2 (SV)
Jan. 24 - #23 North Dakota State 41, Air Force 6
125 Palmer (NDSU) win by forfeit
133 LaValle (NDSU) dec. Rinker, 9-7
141 Cathey (NDSU) dec. Walker, 3-2
149 Diamond (NDSU) dec. Demison, 8-4
157 Kreimier (AF) fall Olejnik, 6:07
165 #3 Monk (NDSU) fall Baucke, 4:30
174 #11 Zillmer (NDSU) maj. dec. Witt, 19-5
184 Julson (NDSU) fall Reilly, 3:48
197 Lehmann (NDSU) fall Hines, 2:52
HWT Knutson (NDSU) maj. dec. Davis, 11-1
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
OVERALL RECORD: 11-6
*WWC RECORD: 2-3/3RD
12 YEARLY RECORDS
YEAR
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
W-L-T
4-4
5-7
5-6
4-6
4-5
8-3-1
7-3
4-5
2-7
9-3
9-3
4-7
7-3
10-2
10-1
4-8
5-4
6-5
10-1-1
7-6
3-7
6-6-1
5-4
13-7
7-6
6-13
6-8
12-3
10-7
3-12
10-2
9-4
7-7
4-6-1
10-3
6-3-1
10-1
8-2
8-1
6-3
5-4
8-2
5-7-1
7-6
7-2
11-3
6-2
3-7
5-7
2-8
6-10
9-9
4-12
6-11
12-5
8-5
11-4
11-6
TOTAL:
PCT.
.500
.417
.454
.400
.444
.607
.700
.444
.222
.750
.750
.364
.700
.833
.909
.333
.555
.545
.875
.538
.300
.500
.555
.650
.538
.316
.423
.800
.571
.200
.833
.692
.500
.409
.769
.650
.909
.800
.889
.666
.555
.800
.417
.538
.778
.785
.750
.300
.416
.200
.375
.500
.250
.353
.706
.615
.733
.647
COACH
1Lt Bob Karnes
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Karl Kitt
Maj. W. Baughman
Maj. W. Baughman
Maj. W. Baughman
Maj. W. Baughman
Maj. W. Baughman
Maj. W. Baughman
Maj. W. Baughman
Maj. W. Baughman
Maj. W. Baughman
Capt. Jim Oeser
Maj. Jim Oeser
Maj. Jim Oeser
Capt. Don Mabry
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Wayne Baughman
Joel Sharratt
Joel Sharratt
Joel Sharratt
Joel Sharratt
Joel Sharratt
Joel Sharratt
Joel Sharratt
Joel Sharratt
CAPTAIN(S)
Charles Zaleski
Charles Zaleski
Charles Zaleski
Wayne Kendall
Terry Jorris
Joe Zaleski
DeVere Henderson
Thad Wolfe
Al Pfeltz
Bob Englebretson
Bob Englebretson
Don Henderson
Mike Grenard
R.Christy/F. Sanchez
Jim Scrabeck
John Black
Jim Callard
George Lawrence
Bob Orwig
Al Nuytten
Monroe Ratchford
Greg Bush
Lowell Tenpas
Paul Feliz
Gary Chadwick
Dale Walters
Billy Walker
Dave Stark
T. Seeley/D. Wells
Kevin Houdek
Steve Turner
Scott Smith
Scott Ulrich
Tom Tingley
Mark Lindow
Brook Leonard
J. Erickson/W. Winterstein
Brett Machovina
Frank Bryant
Dax Cornelius
C. Kretsinger/J. Potvin
K. Eknes/J. Sherer
L. Bindreiff/C. Sample
P. Brady-Lee/P.Johnston
S. Jenkins/A. Pelbath
S. Frohardt/T. Parham
K. Hoy/S. Sherertz
B. Brown/H. McKim
L. Lefever/J.Peterson
B. Strong/B. Tresemer
B. Lord/Z. Lord
Chris Szabolcs
Stephen Crozier
Justin Shadrix
Joseph Stafford
A. Williams/C. VonOhlen
Cole VonOhlen
D. Hightower/J. Kreimier
Coaching Records
398-304-6 (.566)
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
KARL KITT
1958-1975 (18 years)
113-79-2 (.587 pct.)
JIM OESER
1985-1987 (3 years)
23-21 (.523 pct.)
DON MABRY
1988 (1 year)
9-4 (.692 pct.)
WAYNE
BAUGHMAN
1976-1984 (9 years)
1989-2006 (18 years)
183-134-4 (.574 pct.)
JOEL
SHARRATT
2007-14 (8 years)
67-62 (.5019pct.)
AIR FORCE ALL-AMERICANS
13
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 performance with a fourthplace finish in 1963 and a sixth-place finish in 1964, becoming Air Force’s first and only three-time All-American.
While Issacson was the first All-American, Don Henderson was the first national champion for the Falcons. A three-time MIWA champion, Henderson won the title at 145 pounds in 1967.
Twins Ken and Kirt Donaldson were next to garner All-America honors in 1971. Ken became the next runner-up, finishing second at 126 pounds,
while Kirt took fifth place at 118 pounds that season. Four years later, Bob Orwig became the next All-American, finishing fifth at 190 pounds.
It was almost 30 years before another Air Force wrestler would earn All-America honors, but the Falcons came on strong in 2002. Three Air Force
wrestlers finished as All-Americans that year. Scott Frohardt took seventh place at 149 pounds, while Kevin Hoy (HWT) and Terry Parham (174)
each finished eighth at the NCAA Championships.
Hoy had an even more impressive finish in 2003, placing second. He became just the third national runner-up in Air Force history, and just the
second wrestler to earn All-America accolades in more than one season.
TERRY
ISAACSON
DON
HENDERSON
KEN
DONALDSON
KIRT
DONALDSON
• Three-time (1962-64)
All-American (167 lbs)
• 1962 NCAA Runner-up
• 1967 National Champion
(145 lbs)
• Three-time MIWA champion
• 1971 All-American (126 lbs)
• 1971 NCAA Runner-up
• 1971 All-American (118 lbs)
BOB
ORWIG
SCOTT
FROHARDT
TERRY
PARHAM
KEVIN
HOY
• 1975 All-American (190 lbs)
• 2002 All-American (149 lbs)
• 2002 All-American (174 lbs)
• Two-time (2002-03) AllAmerican (HWT)
• 2003 NCAA Runner-up
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14 HONORS/AWARDS
MIWA Champions
Name
George Bruns
Terry Isaacson
Don Henderson
Don Henderson
Don Henderson
Bob Pavalko
Jack Thrasher
Jim Callard
Jim Callard
Ken Donaldson
Jim Callard
Steve Campbell
Russ Casella
Steve Campbell
Lowell Tenpas
Gary Chadwick
Gary Chadwick
Dale Walters
Yr.
1963
1964
1965
1967
1968
1968
1969
1970
1971
1971
1973
1974
1974
1976
1979
1980
1981
1981
Wt.
177
167
145
145
145
123
171
150
150
126
150
167
177
177
190
177
177
167
WAC Champions
Name
Dale Walters
Gary Chadwick
Terry Maki
J.B. Waltermire
Scott Ulrich
Tom Tingley
Thad Allen
Jon Erickson
Matt Ciccarello
Brian McGill
Johnny Harrison
Wes Winterstein
Jeremy Potvin
Shawn Finnicum
Mike Kallai
Jake Sherer
Scott Frohardt
Shawn Finnicum
Yr.
1981
1981
1985
1987
1989
1990
1991
1991
1991
1991
1992
1992
1994
1998
1998
1998
1999
1999
Wt.
167
177
HWT
158
HWT
118
126
134
142
158
190
150
158
177
150
190
149
177
West Regional Champions
Name
Scott Frohardt
Scott Frohardt
Terry Parham
Kevin Hoy
Heath McKim
Brandon Strong
Matt Benza
Jake Kriegbaum
Tyler French
Cole VonOhlen
Cole VonOhlen
Dylan Hyder
Josh Kreimier
Greg Rinker
Yr.
2001
2002
2002
2003
2003
2005
2005
2008
2008
2011
2012
2013
2013
2014
Wt.
149
149
174
HWT
125
125
133
141
174
141
149
133
157
133
WWC Freshman of the Year
Name
Cole VonOhlen
Josh Martinez
Year
2010
2013
Cole VonOhlen (‘13), a four-time NCAA qualifier, was a two-time West Regional
Champion, four-time All-WWC honoree andWWC Freshman of theYear in 2010. He
also set a school record with 51 career falls.
All-WWC
Name
Stephen Crozier (third)
Jacob Devlin (third)
Jake Kriegbaum (first)
Tyler French (first)
Tony Dorward (second)
Stephen Crozier (second)
Jacob Devlin (second)
Stephen Crozier (second)
Cole VonOhlen (second)
Tyler French (second)
Stephen Larson (second)
Derek Gillespie (third)
Cole VonOhlen (first)
Joseph Stafford (second)
Derek Gillespie (third)
Clayton Gable (third)
Neil Delaney (third)
Jared Erickson (third)
Cole VonOhlen (first)
Clayton Gable (second)
Greg Rinker (third)
Tyler Untrauer (third)
Josh Kreimier (third)
Josh Mohr (third)
Dylan Hyder (first)
Josh Kreimier (first)
Josh Martinez (second)
Cole VonOhlen (second)
Devin Hightower (third)
Greg Rinker (first)
Josh Martinez (second)
Natrelle Demison (second
Josh Kreimier (third)
Konner Witt (third)
Devin Hightower
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Yr.
2007
2007
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2009
2010
2010
2010
2010
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
Wt.
174
184
141
174
157
165
184
174
141
174
HWT
133
141
174
133
165
197
HWT
149
174
125
133
157
197
133
157
125
149
184
133
125
149
157
174
184
HONORS/AWARDS
NWCA All-Academic
WWC Coaches’ Honor Roll*
Name
Beau Tresemer
Stephen Crozier
Dylan Hyder
Jesse Stafford
Name
Year
Samuel Sheppard
2007
Kurt Spranger
2007
Andrew Teigeler
2007
David Heitstuman
2009
Kazden Ikehara
2009-10
Samuel Mitchel
2009
Mengyuan Qiu
2009-12
Joseph Stafford
2009
Wesley Stowe
2009
Tanner Weltzin
2009
Caleb Egli
2010-11
Jared Erickson
2010
Michael Erickson
2010
Jonathan Fonbuena
2010
Thomas Gorry
2010
Josh Larson
2010-11
Stephen Larson
2010
Josh Mohr
2010
Brandon Mueller
2010-13
Daniel Nissen
2010-13
Dake Williams
2010
Lee Wise
2010
Dan Barringer
2011, 13-14
Daniel Baucke
2011
Evan Gros
2011
Vance Hawk
2011-14
Devin Hightower
2011-13
Colby Kluesner
2011
Max Piazza
2011
Jesse Stafford
2011
Jack Carda
2012, 14
Cody Hancock
2012-13
Dylan Hyder
2012
Trevor Moore
2012
Jason Mossing
2012-14
Garrett Wells
2012, 14
Adam Jackson
2013-14
Lucas Lambrecht
2013
Marcus Malecek
2013
Chris Morales
2013-14
Nathan Volk
2013
Cody Hancock
2014
Tyler Mergen
2014
*known as Commissioner’s Honor Roll prior to 2009
Year
2006
2008-09
2013
2013
Academic All-WAC
Name
Jon Erickson
Joe Heilhecker
Brook Leonard
A.J. Werner
Dan Bunts
Jason Arnold
Matt Warner
Chris Linberg
Luke Osborne
Chris Sample
Joseph Beauregard
Year
1991
1991
1991-92
1991-92
1992-94
1994
1996-98
1997-98
1997
1997-98
1998
MWC Scholar-Athlete
Name
Ryan Coates
Luke Vitolo
Luke Lefever
Andrew Teigeler
Stephen Crozier
Joshua LeMair
Brett Boyce
Mengyuan Qiu
Joshua Smith
Jared Erickson
Brandon Mueller
Daniel Nissen
Max Piazza
Jesse Stafford
Marcus Malecek
Year
2001
2001
2003-05
2004
2006-09
2008
2009
2009
2009-10
2010-13
2010-12
2010
2011
2011, 13
2013
Academic All-WWC
Name
Stephen Crozier
Brett Boyce
Neil Delaney
Joshua Smith
Jared Erickson
Kazden Ikehara
Dylan Hyder
Jesse Stafford
Parker Hines
Marcus Malecek
Anthony McHugh
Year
2007-09
2009
2009-11
2009-10
2011-13
2011
2013
2013-14
2014
2014
2014
15
NSCAA Strength & Conditioning
All-American
Name
Stephen Crozier
Year
2009
Stephen Crozier, a three-time AllWWC selection and NCAA qualifier in 2008, was also a three-time
Academic All-WWC selection,
a three-time Mountain West
Scholar-Athlete and a two-time
NWCA All-Academic honoree.
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16 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 (1959-1985)
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 leadership position and senior
ranking officer in the USAF. As chief, Fogleman was responsible 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 adviser 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.
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
AIR FORCE ACADEMY
The United States Air Force Academy offers a four-year
program of instruction and experience designed to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States
Air Force in service to our nation. Each cadet graduates
with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as
a second lieutenant in the Air Force.
Course of Study
Cadets are exposed to a balanced curriculum that
provides the knowledge, skills and responsibilities essential to a career Air Force officer. The entire USAFA
experience is integrated and mapped to achieve a set
of desired outcomes in every graduate.
The core academic curriculum includes courses in
basic sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. Cadets take additional elective courses to
complete requirements for one of 32 major areas of
study. About 50 percent of the cadets complete majors
in science and engineering; the remainder graduate in
the social sciences and humanities. Some of the most
popular majors include management, aeronautical
engineering, foreign area studies, history, behavioral
science, civil engineering, astronautical engineering,
electrical engineering and engineering mechanics.
Faculty Composition
The majority of the Academy’s faculty members,
more than 500 total, are Air Force officers. They are
selected primarily from career-officer volunteers who
have established outstanding records of performance
and dedication. Each has at least a master’s degree
and more than 55 percent have doctorates or other
terminal degrees in their field of study.
About 30 percent of the faculty are civilians who
bring great depth of disciplinary and educational expertise and provide academic stability and continuity.
Faculty members are intensely focused on cadet
learning as an integral part of their officer development. The Air Force Academy has been ranked No. 1
in the nation for the most accessible and involved faculty.
To provide greater contributions
by a diverse faculty, the Academy has several distinguished visiting professors and endowed professors
who serve one or more years. Officers from other services, as well as officers from allied countries are also
members of the faculty. Distinguished civilian and military lecturers also share their expertise
with the cadets during the academic
year.
of the cadet wing, while juniors and sophomores seek
to develop team and interpersonal leadership and
instructional skills. Cadets are projected into as many
active leadership roles as possible to prepare them to
be effective Air Force officers.
Fundamental concepts of military organization
-- drill, ethics, honor, Air Force heritage and physical
training -- are emphasized the first summer during
basic cadet training. Freshmen then study the military
role in United States society as well as the mission and
organization of the Air Force. Sophomores receive instruction in communication skills and juniors study the
combat and operational aspects of the Air Force.
The Academy offers courses in flying, navigation,
soaring and parachuting, building from basic skills to
instructor duties. Some cadets may fly light aircraft
with the Cadet Flying Team.
Summer training for cadets is divided into three,
three-week training periods. There are a variety of programs available and each cadet is required to complete
two training periods each summer with leave during
the other period. All new cadets take six weeks of basic
cadet training in their first summer.
Combat survival training is a required three-week
program during cadets’ second summer. For other
second-summer training periods, cadets have options
such as working with Airmen in an operational unit at
an Air Force installation, airborne parachute training,
soaring or basic free-fall parachute training.
During their last two summers, all cadets are offered leadership training as supervisors or instructors
in the summer programs listed above.
Extracurricular activities also are an integral part of
the education program. The cadet ski club, drum and
bugle corps, cadet chorale and forensics are a few of
the programs available.
Nominations
Nominations to the Academy may be obtained
through a congressional sponsor or by meeting
eligibility criteria in other categories of competition
established by law. For information on admission procedures, write to HQ USAFA/RRS; 2304 Cadet Drive,
Suite 200; USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025 or go to:
www.usafa.edu
Athletic Program
The Academy’s athletic program is
designed to improve physical fitness,
teach athletic skills and develop leadership qualities. To achieve its goals,
the Academy offers some of the most
extensive physical education, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletic
programs in the nation. Cadets take at
least three different physical education
courses each year.
17
History of
The Academy
In 1948, a board of
leading civilian and military
educators was appointed to
plan the curriculum for an
academy that would meet
the needs of the newly
established Air Force. The
board determined that Air
Force requirements could
not be met by expanding the
other service academies and
recommended an Air Force
Academy be established
without delay.
In 1949, then Secretary
of the Air Force W. Stuart
Symington appointed a
commission to assist in selecting a site and on April
1, 1954, President Dwight
D. Eisenhower authorized
creation of the United States
Air Force Academy. After
considering 580 sites in 45
states, the commission narrowed the choice to three
locations. The summer of
1954, Secretary of the Air
Force Harold Talbott selected a site near Colorado
Springs, Colo. Colorado contributed $1 million toward
purchase of the property.
In July 1955, the first
Academy class entered interim facilities at Lowry Air
Force Base, Denver, while
construction began. It was
sufficiently completed for
occupancy by the cadet wing
in late August 1958. Initial
construction cost was $142
million.
Women entered the
Academy on June 28, 1976,
as members of the class of
1980.
Military Education and Training
An air, space and cyberspace-oriented military education, training and
leadership program begins with basic
cadet training and continues throughout the four years. Seniors are responsible for the organizational leadership
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
18 SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson is Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. She directs
a four-year academic, military training, athletic and character development program leading to a bachelor’s degree and commission as an Air Force officer. The general is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 1981. After graduating from the Academy, she completed graduate studies as a Rhodes Scholar
before earning her pilot wings in 1984.
Johnson has held numerous command positions at the group, wing and numbered Air Force level, and
came to the Academy after serving as the Deputy, Chief of Staff, Operation and Intelligence, Supreme Headquarters Allies Powers Europe, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Casteau, Belgium. She has served in various assignments in air mobility, airlift and tanker flying operations and training, academic instruction and personnel. A
command pilot, the general has more than 3,600 flying hours in the C-141, T-41, KC-10, C-17, C-5 and the KC-14
aircraft.
The general’s military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf
cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal with oak
leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest
Asia Service Medal with bronze star and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Vice Superintendent
Colonel
Doug Lamberth
Commandant of Cadets
Brig. General
Stephen C. Williams
Dean of Faculty
Brig. General
Andrew Armacost
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Commander,
10th Air Base Wing
Col. Stacey Hawkins
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
selection in 1965.
Air Force Academy Director of Athletics Dr.
Hans J. Mueh has announced his retirement,
effective at the end of the 2014-15 academic
year, which will be his 11th as AD and 43rd
overall at the Academy.
Following graduation, Mueh completed
two assignments in intelligence before attending the University of Wisconsin where
he earned his master’s degree in chemistry
in 1970. He later earned a doctorate degree
in chemistry from Wisconsin in 1976 as a distinguished graduate. He has also completed
Squadron Officer School, Air Command and
Staff College and Air War College.
“I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity
to be in the chair as AD of the best Division
I program in the NCAA,” Mueh said. “These
10-plus years have flown by because athletics is a non-stop business, and we’ve had so
many changes in coaching staffs, construction
projects, a whole new corporation to help
keep us competitive, and thousands of home
contests.”
A retired Air Force brigadier general, Mueh
was vice dean of faculty for two years prior to
his retirement from active duty in the summer
of 2004 and his appointment as athletic director. Mueh was heavily involved in Academy
athletics before becoming director of athletics. He was the Academy’s faculty athletic
representative from 1996-2004 and was a
long-time member of the board of directors
for the Air Force Academy Athletics Association.
Since becoming the director of athletics,
Mueh has led the Academy to some remarkable feats. In 2007, the Academy was one of
only three schools (Michigan State and Boston
College) to reach post-season play in football (2007), men’s basketball and ice hockey
(2006-07). It marked the first time a service
academy has ever had a team compete in the
post-season in all three sports.
In addition, under his watch the men’s
basketball team has played in another NCAA
tournament and the National Invitational
Tournament’s Final Four. The ice hockey team
has won conference championships and advanced to the NCAA tournament five times.
Mueh was on the selection committee that
hired current head coach Frank Serratore
and led the Academy’s move into the Atlantic
Hockey Association.
The football program, the Academy’s flagship sport, has gone through a major overhaul
under Mueh. He led the transition from the
retirement of the legendary Fisher DeBerry
after 23 years at the helm to hiring current
head coach Troy Calhoun, a 1989 Academy
graduate. Calhoun’s impact was immediate,
leading the Falcons to a 9-4 overall mark and
a second-place finish in the Mountain West
Conference in 2007. The Falcons qualified for
their first bowl game in seven years, playing in
the Armed Forces Bowl in 2007. The program
has gone to a school-record six consecutive
bowl games and averaged over 9,000 bowl
tickets sold.
Mueh has been just as successful behind
the scenes with the administration of the
department. He restructured the department
with an internal/external model that has
19
streamlined resources and made the department more effective from top to bottom. In
addition, the athletic department made the
transition to a federally-chartered non-profit
organization in the summer of 2013, which
has led to more fund-raising opportunities.
Mueh was instrumental in the USAFA Endowment and the announcement of the Holaday Athletic Center, an indoor training facility.
The $15 million facility was completed in July
2011.
Mueh has also been active within the
conference and the NCAA. He was recently
selected to be part of the NCAA Division I
Amateurism Cabinet and has been active on
the NCAA’s academics/eligibility compliance
cabinet, the men’s golf committee and the
Region 7 postgraduate scholarship committee. Mueh has been equally active within the
conference on various leadership committees.
He is currently on the awards and recognition committee and has previously served on
the joint council executive committee, and
committees on championships, television and
sportsmanship.
Before assuming his duties as vice dean at
the Academy, Mueh was permanent professor
and head of the department of chemistry at
the Academy, a position he held since October
1987 where he oversaw the annual design and
instruction of 25 undergraduate courses for
1,500 cadets annually.
Mueh was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Celle, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in
1951. He entered the Air Force in 1962 as a
member of the Academy’s eighth graduating
class, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree
in chemistry in 1966. While at the Academy,
Mueh was a two-year letterman in soccer as
a goalie. He still holds the Academy record
for saves in a game with 30, accomplishing
it twice in 1965 against North Carolina and
Benedictine. In his junior and senior years,
Mueh helped the Falcons to the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Soccer League championship and quarterfinal berths in the NCAA
tournament. He was a first-team all-league
2014-15 AIR FORCE WRESTLING
Between earning the two degrees, Mueh
returned to the Academy as an instructor in
the department of chemistry from 1970-72.
He also served as assistant soccer coach and
played semi-pro soccer with the Aurora Internationals in Denver during those two years,
leading the Internationals to the Colorado
state title in 1971. He volunteered for duty
in Vietnam and served as an intelligence officer in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam and at
Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand, in 1972 and
1973.
After earning his doctorate degree, Mueh
returned to the Academy in 1976 as an associate professor of chemistry. He remained
at the Academy except for a stint in 1985-86
as the special assistant for technical matters at
the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon.
In 1986, he assumed the position of acting
head, department of chemistry, before being
selected for his position of permanent professor and head of the department of chemistry
in 1987. As faculty athletic representative,
he was active in both the Western Athletic
Conference and Mountain West Conference,
and was the Academy’s representative on the
transition team to form the new MWC, the
only faculty athletic representative on the
team. He competes in golf, racquetball, handball and tennis, and has promoted Air Force
Academy intercollegiate sports throughout
his tenure, beginning with work as chairman
of the hockey eligibility committee, officer
representative to the men’s golf team and
five years as the officer representative to the
football team.
Mueh is married to the former Sally Flax
of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children:
Kristine, Kurt and Deborah.
20 AIR FORCE ATHLETICS
Few schools in the country have an athle c program as
extensive as the Air Force Academy’s.
The goals of the athle c program are to enhance the
physical condi oning of all cadets, to develop the physical skills
necessary for officership, to teach leadership in a compe ve
environment and to build character. There are three subdivisions
of the athle c program: intercollegiate athle cs, intramurals and
physical educa on.
The intercollegiate program has 17 men’s and 10
women’s NCAA-sanc oned teams, facing some of the top compe on in the na on. Men’s teams are football, baseball, basketball,
ice hockey, cross-country, fencing, golf, gymnas cs, indoor and
outdoor track, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis,
water polo and wrestling. The Academy fields women’s teams in
basketball, cross-country, fencing, gymnas cs, rifle, indoor and outdoor track, swimming and diving, soccer, tennis and volleyball. In
addi on, the Academy sponsors two non-NCAA programs; boxing
and cheerleading.
The majority of the Academy’s men’s and women’s programs compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Mountain West
Conference. The Falcons compete in this conference against teams
from Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawai’i (football
only), Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV,
Utah State and Wyoming. All sports also compete against nonconference opponents, including many na onally ranked teams.
The football team competes annually for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, which is emblema c of service academy football supremacy. The Falcons have won the trophy 18 mes, which
is more than any other academy.
The USAFA Cadet Field House is one of the most impressive buildings in the country. It’s a modern, versa le structure with
seemingly endless uses. The $5.6 million building is five stories high
and 396 feet by 426 feet, the size of three football fields laid side
by side. The structure is divided into three areas--basketball arena,
ice hockey arena and mul purpose area. The three sec ons have a
combined sea ng capacity of more than 9,000.
Clune Arena seats 5,858. The Cadet Ice Rink has a sea ng
capacity of 2,470, while the mul purpose area seats 1,000 fans for
track and field compe ons.
The $4.1-million renova on to the Cadet Track Stadium,
the outdoor home of the Air Force track and field team, was completed in the fall of 2011 and is one of the premier track and field
facili es in the na on. The Holaday Athle c Center, a $15.5 million
completely donor funded indoor training facility, was completed in
July 2011. The Cadet Fitness Center, a $9.5 million, Military Construc on project, home of the Air Force Academy’s fencing prac ce
facility and aerobics/weight li ing facility that contains a nearly
33-foot climbing wall, opened in May 2012.
Col. Bart Weiss
Vice Athletic Director
Jim Trego
Senior Associate AD
Lt. Col. Brandon Doan
Associate AD
Head of Physical Education/Athletic Programs
William Carpenter
Associate AD
Recruiting Support
John Coulahan
Associate AD
Finance
Marti Gasser
Associate AD/SWA
Intercollegiate Programs
Troy Garnhart
Associate AD
Info./Communications
George Nelson
Associate AD
Athletic Programs
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Karen Warner
Associate AD
Human Resources
Nancy Hixson
COO, Air Force Academy
Athletic Corporation