Jan. 17, 2013

THIS WEEK: The Stanford wrestling team (4-10, 0-1 Pac-12) will play host to No. 25 Air Force (6-5) on Friday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Ford Center. The Cardinal will then travel to Corvallis, Ore., for a Pac-12 dual at No. 9 Oregon State on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.

Stanford's Probable Line-Up:
125: Evan Silver, RS FR (18-10)
133: Peter Russo, FR (4-12) OR Alex Manley, SO (0-4)
141: Josh Lauderdale, SO (4-14)
149: Colton Dempsey, FR (0-3)
157: Kyle Meyer, JR (6-6) OR Timmy Boone, SR (16-13)
165: Bret Baumbach, JR (15-8)
174: Thomas Kimbrell, FR (10-13)
184: Ryan Davies, FR (7-11) OR Alan Yen, JR (1-10)
197: Michael Sojka, RS FR (11-11)
HWT: Dan Scherer, JR (15-7)

CATCH THE CARDINAL: Fans can keep up with Stanford throughout the season by liking the team on Facebook (Stanford Wrestling) or following them on Twitter (@CardWrestling) for updates and unique content. All home Stanford wrestling duals are free to the public.

ABOUT AIR FORCE: Air Force enters the week ranked No. 25 in the InterMat team poll and having won its last three duals. The Falcons have to wrestlers ranked in the top-10 in the nation at their respective weight classes. Senior 149-pounder Cole VonOhlen (21-2) comes in at No. 4, while rookie Josh Martinez (18-6) is No. 10 at 125 pounds. VonOhlen is a three-time NCAA qualifier for the Falcons. Junior Josh Kreimier, a 2012 NCAA qualifier, is also doing well this season with a12-3 record.

ABOUT OREGON STATE: Ninth-ranked Oregon State (4-3, 1-1 Pac-12) is the highest-ranked Pac-12 squad in the latest InterMat team poll. The Beavers boast five wrestlers ranked in the top-10 of their individual weight classes. Seniors Chad Hanke (heavyweight) and Mike Mangrum (141 pounds) lead the way at No. 4. Junior 149-pounder Scott Sakaguchi and sophomore 197-pounder Taylor Meeks both come in at No. 8, while junior RJ Pena (157 pounds) is No. 10.

TOP PERFORMERS: Despite Stanford going 0-4 as a team last weekend on the East Coast, there were some bright spots in the Cardinal line-up. Junior Bret Baumbach (165 pounds) went undefeated, posting three wins at his traditional weight and also recording a fall at 174 pounds. It marked his third fall of the season, which ties for the team lead. Redshirt freshman Evan Silver (125 pounds) and junior heavyweight Dan Scherer racked up three wins apiece. Silver's most impressive win came over 17th-ranked Shane Gentry of Maryland. Junior Kyle Meyer also had a solid weekend with a 2-1 record.

LOOKING AHEAD: Stanford returns to The Farm next weekend for a Pac-12 dual against Cal Poly. The Cardinal and Mustangs will square off at 2 p.m.in Burnham Pavilion. Stanford defeated Cal Poly, 23-17, last season in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

NCAA TOP-10: Three-time Stanford All-American Nick Amuchastegui has been announced as one of 10 student-athletes who will be honored in January 2013 as Today's Top 10 Award winners by the NCAA. The award recognizes student-athletes, who completed their athletic eligibility during the 2011-12 academic year, for their success during competition, in the classroom and within the community. Award recipients will be recognized at the Honors Celebration on Jan. 18, 2013, during the NCAA Convention in Grapevine, Texas. A mechanical engineering major with a 3.91 cumulative GPA, Amuchastegui completed his career as the only wrestler in school history to reach the NCAA finals twice. He ranks fourth in all-time wins at Stanford with 118, was named the 2011-12 Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year and captured two Pac-12 championships during his career. He was also a three-time Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American, including a two-time Men's At-Large Academic All-American of the Year.

HEAD COACH Jason Borrelli: Stanford is under the guidance of a fifth-year head coach Jason Borrelli. During his time on The Farm, Borrelli has accrued a 40-47-3 record and sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Championships a total of 12 times. Borrelli, a former Central Michigan standout, first came to The Farm as an assistant coach in 2007 and quickly helped guide the Cardinal to one of its most successful seasons in school history. Since then, Stanford has finished in the top 20 at the NCAA Championships the past two seasons, including a program-best 11th at the 2011 tournament in Philadelphia, Pa.