McKenna Lifts Cardinal

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A late fall by freshman Joey McKenna propelled the Stanford wrestling team to a 23-16 win over Air Force, Saturday, at Discover Canyon High School. 

Stanford scored bonus points in three bouts, including major decisions by Nathan Butler and Garet Krohn, to move to 10-3 on the season. 

Butler, ranked 20th nationally, started things off for the Cardinal with a 9-0 major decision over Marcus Malecek at heavyweight. There was no score after the opening period and Malecek elected to go down to start the second. The redshirt sophomore was able to record four nearfall points in the second as he remained on top for the duration of the period. Butler then got the escape to start the third and tacked on a stalling point, a takedown and riding time for his 22nd win of the season.

Redshirt sophomore Connor Schram picked up his second win of the week with an 8-4 decision over Issac Jimenez at 125 pounds. Ranked No. 17, Schram led 4-3 after two periods and chose to start down for the third. After securing the escape, he recorded a takedown with 35 seconds left and notched riding time for the win. He moves to 16-4 overall and 6-2 in duals this season. 

After sophomore Mason Pengilly was shut out 4-0 by Josh Martinez at 133 pounds, McKenna recorded his fourth pin of the season to push Stanford's lead in the dual to 13-3. The true freshman was leading 7-2 late in the third against Dylan Hyder at 141 pounds and looking to get the major decision as he registered a late takedown which he turned into a fall. McKenna is now 18-1 overall and 10-0 in duals.

Redshirt sophomore Tommy Pawelski added to the Cardinal lead with a 3-1 sudden victory over Jerry Mcginty at 149 pounds. Tied 1-1 going into overtime, Pawelski recorded a takedown with 13 seconds left to improve to 6-8 on the year.

Leading 16-9 after having to forfeit at 157 pounds, Stanford's Jim Wilson posted a 5-1 decision over Alex Lopouchanski at 165 pounds. Ranked 18th nationally, Wilson led 3-1 in the third and secured a late takedown to seal the win. He move to 20-5 overall and 12-1 in duals this season.

Krohn's major decision over Zen Ikehara at 184 pounds solidified the dual win for the Cardinal, leading 23-12 with one bout left. The redshirt sophomore, who hails from Arvada, Colorado, recorded a quick takedown in the first and was able to remain on top for the remainder of the period. An escape and another takedown pushed Krohn's lead to 5-0 after two. Two more takedowns, two nearfall points and riding time gave Krohn his 13th win of the season.

Stanford returns to The Farm next week to host Boise State on Thursday, Feb. 11. It will be Senior Night in Burnham Pavilion, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

No. 18 Stanford 23, Air Force 16