Owuama Picks Up Win In Dual At Air Force

Sunday, February 1

Colorado Springs, Colo.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Air Force

Freshman Uzo Owuama picked up a win at 141 against Air Force Sunday.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

2/1/2015 2:02:00 PM | Wrestling

Grand Canyon freshman Uzo Owuama picked up the lone victory in a 38-3 loss to Air Force in Clune Arena at the United States Air Force Academy just outside Colorado Springs, Colo., Sunday.

Owuama, at 141, earned a 5-3 decision over Carter McElhany to open the match. Two other wrestlers lost in overtime. Chayse Jackson, at 157, lost a 7-5 sudden-victory decision to Samuel Kreimier and AJ Salazar, at 133, dropped an 8-6 sudden-victory decision to Anthony McHugh.

Austin Trujillo, at 184, and Pierre Gaud, at 174, were both in the hunt before losing close decisions. Trujillo dropped a match 3-2 to Zen Ikehara. Gaud lost 7-5 to Michael Billingsley.

In his victory, Owuama got off to a strong start, picking up two takedowns in the first period.

Jackson had two first-period takedowns. Salazar had come back from a 2-0 deficit with a five-point second period, getting both reversal and near-fall points. Gaud had a late escape to cut his match to 6-5, but Billingsley benefitted from the riding-time bonus point. Gaud had three escapes and a takedown in his match. Trujillo was tied 2-2 heading into the third when Ikehara was able to earn an escape point.

"We were in a ton of matches that could have went either way," said GCU assistant coach Mark Ellis. "We have to continue to move forward and train."

The Lopes are off until their final home match of the season, Feb. 15 against Cal Poly. The first match is scheduled for 7 p.m. at GCU Arena.

AFA 38, GCU 3