Bears Collect Six Wins, Hold Off Falcons for 19–17 Dual Win

Sunday, February 22

USAF Academy, Colo.

1 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

Air Force

Ally McCutchen | UNC Athletics

2/22/2026 3:15:00 PM | Wrestling

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Northern Colorado wrestling closed the regular season on a high note Sunday afternoon, earning a 19–17 road dual victory over Big 12 opponent Air Force in regular season finale.

Northern Colorado collected six individual victories in the dual and used a balanced performance throughout the lineup to pull out the narrow team win in a tightly contested dual.

After Air Force opened the dual with a major decision win at 125, the Bears answered immediately. No. 11 Dominick Serrano set the tone with a hard-fought 13–12 decision over Bubba Wright at 133 to put Northern Colorado on the board and spark a run of key results for the Bears. With the win, Serrano finished the regular season with an impressive 14-1 overall record.

Following a setback at 141, the Bears steadied themselves through the middle of the lineup. KJ Evans earned a 6–3 decision at 149, while Daishun Powe followed with an 8–2 victory at 157. Kilian Schultz continued the momentum at 165 with a 7–2 decision before Northern Colorado created separation at 174, where Murphy Menke posted a 15–4 major decision to add critical bonus points to the team total.

At 184, Mahonri Rushton delivered one of the most pivotal wins of the dual, edging Brian Burburija, 5–4, in a tightly contested bout to keep the Bears in control of the team score heading into the final two weights.

Air Force closed strong with wins at 197 and heavyweight, but Northern Colorado's earlier bonus points and clutch victories across the lineup proved to be the difference as the Bears secured the 19–17 road decision.

The victory provides a strong finish to the regular season for the Bears and builds valuable momentum heading into the Big 12 Wrestling Championship, as Northern Colorado looks to carry its late-season confidence into postseason competition.

UP NEXT: The Bears will turn their focus to postseason play, preparing for the Big 12 Conference Championships, set to begin March 6 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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