Bears Come-From-Behind to Top Air Force in Dual

Feb. 23, 2006

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GREELEY, Colo. - Shawn Hart pinned Air Force's Stephen Crozier 3:21 into the final bout of the evening to help the University of Northern Colorado wrestling team to a 22-18 come-from-behind victory over their in-state rival on Thursday night at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.

Air Force (2-8), who fell 24-20 to Utah Valley State in a dual held prior to their match with Northern Colorado, built an 18-9 lead following Chris Nissen's victory at 149 pounds. But Northern Colorado (7-8) would fight back, winning each of its last three matches to defeat their rival for the second consecutive year.

Senior Nathan Gerrard, wrestling in the last two duals of his career, got it started with a 10-0 major decision at 157 pounds. He has now won three matches in a row.

The key victory of the stretch came from true freshman Devan Lewis, who had a takedown late in the third period of his 165-pound match, which lifted him to a 6-4 victory over Air Force's Zach Lord.

It was then Hart who finished off the match, dispatching of Crozier in quick fashion. Hart improved to 24-5 on the season and 12-2 in dual bouts.

Earlier in the match, sophomore Reece Hopkin, ranked 20th nationally, scored a 2-0 victory over Brenden McLean to improve to 26-6 (13-2 in duals) on the season.

Sophomore Beau Hessler was the only other Bear victorious on the night, as he won by forfeit at 125 pounds.

Northern Colorado is back in action at 8 p.m. tonight when they host fellow Division I Independent Utah Valley State (8-9) for their final match of the season.

Match Results
Northern Colorado 22, Air Force 18
184 - Zane Hershey (AF) dec. Tim Sexton (NCOL), 8-6
197 - #20 Reece Hopkin (NCOL) dec. Brenden McLean (AF), 2-0
HWT - Frank McGrath (AF) pins Justin Tuell (NCOL), 3:40
125 - Beau Hessler (NCOL) wins by forfeit
133 - Brandon Strong (AF) dec. Kyle Swenson (NCOL), 7-0
141 - Jake Kreigbaum (AF) dec. Richard Lohr (NCOL), 5-3
149 - Chris Nissen (AF) dec. Kyle LeValley (NCOL), 7-1
157 - Nathan Gerrard (NCOL) maj. dec. Bridger Lord (AF), 10-0
165 - Devan Lewis (NCOL) dec. Zach Lord (AF), 6-4
174 - Shawn Hart (NCOL) pinned Stephen Crozier (AF), 3:21