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    Air Force wins All-Academy Championships

    KINGS POINT, N.Y. -- Air Force wrestling took first place the 2015 All-Academy Championships, hosted by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Saturday. The Falcons won the All-Academy Championships for the first time in 12 years.

    Air Force scored 90 points to beat out Army (86.5) and Navy (81.5), who finished behind the Falcons in the eight-team field.

    Nine of 10 wrestlers finished above their seedings and junior Josh Martinez claimed the title at 125 pounds to AFA's first All-Academy Championship since 2003. Air Force had all 10 wrestlers finish in the top four on the day.

    "It was a total team effort," head coach Sam Barber said. "To have 10 wrestler place in the top four is an outstanding team effort for us. We fought hard all day, from the first fight to the last."

    Martinez, ranked 14th in the nation, went 3-0 to claim the 125 pound title. Martinez opened with a fall in just 40 seconds and a decision to get into the title match. Martinez then defeated Joaquin Martinez of The Citadel by technical fall for title.

    Sophomore Anthony McHugh placed second at 133 pounds for the Falcons. After an opening round bye, McHugh defeated Zack Davis of Navy 3-0 before falling to Nate Georgio of the Coast Guard in the title bout.

    Senior Carter McElhany rallied to a fourth-place finish at 141 pounds. After a win an opening win by technical fall, McElhany dropped his semifinal bout. McElhany then defeated Issac Hammonds of the Merchant Marine Academy to get into the third place bout. McElhany lost the third place bout but was able to earn points with his win to get into the bout.

    Sophomore Jerry McGinty placed second at 149 pounds. McGinty got to the title bout with a major and decision. He dropped the title bout to Matt Frisch of The Citadel.

    Freshman Sam Kreimier also took second at 157 pounds for the Falcons. Kreimier won by fall and earned a decision to get into the title bout. He lost the title bout to Russ Parsons of Army.

    Senior Jesse Stafford gave Air Force its third second place finish in four bouts at 165 pounds. Stafford, ranked 18th in the nation, got to the title bout with a technical fall and major. He dropped the title bout to Peyton Walsh of Navy.

    Freshman Michael Billingsley placed fourth at 174 pounds. After dropping his opening bout, Billinglsey rallied with a pair of wins to get into the third place match. Billingsley lost both of his bouts with Mike Shermot of the Coast Guard Academy.

    Freshman Zen Ikehara placed third at 185 pounds, going 3-1 on the day. Ikehara won by major and two decisions. He won the third place bout over Pat Rooney of the Merchant Marines.

    Senior Jack Carda rallied to a third place finish at 195 pounds. After a win and loss, Carda rallied with a tie-breaker win and a sudden victory win in the third place bout over Stevie Cervantes of Navy.

    Junior Marcus Malecek finished second at 285 with a 2-1 mark on the day. Malecek got to the title bout with a pair of decisions. He dropped the title match to Juan Adams of VMI.

    "It's a huge honor for our program and to represent the Air Force Academy so well," Barber said. "This was a big deal for us. Winning the All-Academy Championships propels us forward as we prepare for the WWC Championships and qualifying for the NCAAs."

    Air Force returns to action next Sunday, Feb. 15, hosting a dual against Oregon State. The action starts at 12:30 pm at Clune Arena.

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