It seems that Air Force is in the same predicament they are in every season. Injuries effecting some of their best wrestlers & two of their best wrestlers at the same weight class. Realistically I think Air Force sends 3 to the NCAA tournament this season, with one contending for both a BIG 12 title and All American honors. I'd like to see Air Force qualify more, but at most I see 4.
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| 125 Cody Phippen Junior BIG 12: 20'5th, 21'7th |
One match away from qualification in 2020 and one match away from qualification in 2021. If you want my opinion (which you must, you're reading this) Phippen has twice been the victim of a shortened season. Had Air he wrestled a full season in 2020 and 2021, we'd be looking at a wrestler going for his third qualification. Victories such as a 10-3 decision over four time NCAA qualifier Christian Moody of Oklahoma & a 4-2 decision over three time NCAA qualifier Jay Schwarm stand out on his resume. He lost two close matches to Oklahoma State's Trevor Mastrogiovanni, that I believe can turn into wins. A full season in 2021-2022? NCAA qualifier.
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| 133 Jared Van Vleet OR Sidney Flores Senior OR Senior NCAA: 21'NQ OR BIG 12: 21'WC OR |
This is going to be a great wrestle-off and unfortunately the loser of this match most likely spends his final season as a backup. I don't think either one of these guys has the size to be competitive at 141 lbs. As to Vleet, he's already been an NCAA qualifier. Impressive victories include Reece Witcraft of Oklahoma State, Zach Price of South Dakota State, Mosha Schwartz of Northern Colorado & Mario Guillen of Ohio. Flores hasn't made the NCAA tournament yet, but I blame that more on injury than I do anything else. Few results thus far at 133 lbs, at 125 he defeated four time NCAA qualifier Elijah Oliver of Indiana, two time SOCON champion Korbin Meink of Campbell as well as NCAA qualifiers Jonathan Tropea of Rider, Jake Allen of Navy and Cole Verner of Wyoming.
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| 184 Jake Thompson Senior Record: 29-30 BIG 12: 20'8th |
Sometimes you go out on a limb. Other times, you go out on a twig. It's a long shot, but I do think that Thompson is one of those guys that could possibly rack up enough wins for a top 33 showing. Add in that even if he doesn't, he could wrestle well enough at the BIG 12's to steal someone else's spot. From my analysis, his best win a 6-3 victory over NCAA qualifier Charles Small of Hofstra.
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| HWT Wyatt Hendrickson Sophomore Record: 30-7 NCAA: 21'R12 BIG 12: 21'3rd |
I do see some good things out of Phippen as well as Van Vleet and/or Flores this season, but the real highlight for the Falcons will be Hendrickson. After a phenomenal freshman campaign that saw a 3rd place finish at the BIG 12's and one match from All American at the NCAA's, I think he's poised for even more this year. Two 11-5 decisions over Josh Heindselman of Oklahoma, a 13-3 major decision over Austin Harris of Oklahoma State & sticking Brad Metz of North Dakota State twice in the first period suggest that a BIG 12 title is certainly doable. What sticks out most to me is Hendrickson defeating EIWA king Jordan Wood of Lehigh 7-6. An All American hopeful.
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125 - NQ
133 - NQ
141 - DNQ
149 - DNQ
157 - DNQ
165 - DNQ
174 - DNQ
184 - Small chance at qualification
197 - DNQ
HWT - All American
Again a shame that both Flores and Van Vleet are both at 133 lbs. Hate seeing that, especially since they're both seniors. Yet, that is a part of the sport. May the best man win!
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