North Dakota State Holds On For 20-17 Victory Over Air Force
February 15, 2008
Fargo, ND - North Dakota State
jumped out to an early lead against the Air Force Academy, then held on
late to earn a crucial 20-17 victory over the Falcons at the Bison
Sports Arena on Friday, Feb. 15. NDSU improves to 10-8 on the season
and 4-1 in Western Wrestling Conference action.
The senior Erics got the Bison off to a fast start, as Eric Hoffman
earned a 9-0 major decision at 125, followed by a pin by Eric Sanders
at the 1:56 mark at 133. After a 4-2 Air Force victory at 141,
sophomore Ryan Adams recorded his first dual win of the year with a 9-4
decision at 149 to give the Bison a 13-3 advantage.
But Air Force (7-9, 1-2 WWC) roared back in the middle weights, with
Tony Dorward taking a 4-3 victory in the second tiebreaker against
junior Adam Aho at 157, and a pair of major decisions at 165 and 174
put the Falcons on top 14-13.
Redshirt freshman Kenny Moenkedick recorded the gut-check victory of
the night for NDSU at 184. Trailing 3-0 heading into the 3rd period,
Moenkedick overpowered Jacob Devlin in the final two minutes to earn
the 6-5 victory which seemed to energize the Bison. Junior Jacob Bryce
then took a 19-9 major decision at 197 to put North Dakota State on top
20-14, and that would be enough for NDSU to tally its 10th dual meet
victory of the season.
The Bison have won six straight meets against Air Force, and improve to
6-1 all-time against the Academy. The victory also moves NDSU into a
tie with Northern Colorado for second in the Western Wrestling
Conference at 4-1.
North Dakota State hosts its final home dual meet of the season on
Saturday, Feb. 16, when Portland State visits the Bison Sports Arena.
The dual with the Vikings is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.
North Dakota State 20, Air Force 17
125 - Eric Hoffman (NDSU) maj. dec. Zach Valdez 9-0
133 - Eric Sanders (NDSU) fall Samuel Sheppard 1:56
141 - Jake Kriegbaum (AFA) dec. Gabriel Mooney 4-2
149 - Ryan Adams (NDSU) dec. Chris Szabolcs 9-4
157 - Tony Dorward (AFA) dec. Adam Aho 4-3 (TB-2)
165 - Stephen Crozier (AFA) maj. dec. Vince Salminen 17-6
174 - Tyler French (AFA) maj. dec. Shannon Fettig 19-8
184 - Kenny Moenkedick (NDSU) dec. Jacob Devlin 6-5
197 - Jacob Bryce (NDSU) maj. dec. James Ciccone 19-9
Hwt - Anthony Stegeman (AFA) dec. Tyler Hemmesch 7-4