2023 NCAA DI The Season: Air Force

 *NOTE* - I want to make it clear what this is and what this is not.  What this is NOT is an overview of the entire team. What this is, is a who’s who preview of THIS season 2022-2023. Meaning that I am going to talk about the starters who I feel will have an impact THIS year. Those who will win big matches in duals. Those who will earn placings in major tournaments like CKLV, RENO, MIDLANDS, MATMEN INVITE, SOUTHERN SCUFFLE, CONFERENCES & NCAA’s.  In some cases a weight class will have multiple talented wrestlers. I will note that & I will also be making posts later on about the best wrestle-offs to look forward to this season.  Then after that is determined I will make post later into the season of who our best backups are in the nation.

This post will NOT include redshirts. Those who are redshirting this season will be included in a separate post entitled “22’-23’ Best Redshirts.” 

 

The 2022-2023 season has the potential to be a one man show for the Falcons this season but I rest assure you, it doesn't have to be. While Wyatt Hendrickson is by far the star, Air Force has other individuals on the team more than capable of making some noise this year. 

133 lbs
Cody Phippen 

As I look at Cody Phippen I am reminded of one of my all time favorite Falcons, Alex Mossing. Phippen reminds me so much of Mossing. A guy full of talent & ability who has always been "right there" & "so close" so many times.  As the fates would have it, Mossing's final tournament of his collegiate career was his best as he wrestled an outstanding BIG 12 earning a 3rd place finish. I hope such accolades & more are in store for Phippen this season. 5th & 7th thus far in the BIG 12, he's been one match shy of NCAA qualification twice.  A couple of years at 125 & last season at 141, perhaps 133 is the magic he's been looking for. 

141 lbs
Dylan Martinez 

Is NCAA qualification in the future of senior Dylan Martinez? I don't know, but I do feel that we'll see some good things out of him this season.  6th in the BIG 12 last season, I'd look for him to earn another top 8 conference showing. 

174 lbs
Sam Wolf 

I think by the time Sam Wolf's collegiate career is said & done he will be a multiple time NCAA qualifier. One match shy last of making the dance last season, he had an assortment of impressive wins. This included a 5-4 decision of R.J. Mosley of Gardner Webb, Julian Broderson of Iowa State 6-4 s.v., Pat Schoenfelder 10-8 & Adam Kemp 3-1 s.v. Cal Poly. 

HWT
Wyatt Hendrickson 

The Falcons haven't had an All American since 2003. They haven't had a two time conference champion since 2012.  They could very well have both this season & the man to do it is Wyatt Hendrickson.  26-2 on the year, he was also a Southern Scuffle champion.