Life at the United States Air Force Academy feels like 2023 and 2024.

At least for Air Force head coach Sam Barber. 

The 2022-23 version of the Falcons, with star heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson at the forefront, led a contingent of five qualifiers to 18th at the 2023 NCAA Championships, as Hendrickson became the squad’s first All-American since 2003.

The Falcons then placed 21st in 2024 as Hendrickson repeated in third.

Despite no NCAA qualifiers and a winless Big 12 slate in 2024-25, Barber feels a flashback with his young squad that includes seven returning starters as the dual season begins at 1 p.m. MT Sunday when the Falcons host Division II Colorado State Pueblo.

“We have that same special thing going on in our team right now,” Barber said. “It is just going to be the idea of doing things the right way and one, it starts with doing them for the right amount of time, which I think we are getting really close to. 

“I think we are going to be back to looking like the team we looked like in 2023 and 2024 because we have the same type of athletes in our program right now. These last two years are very similar to Sam Wolf and Wyatt Hendrickson’s freshman and sophomore years.”

A performance that included five placers at the Clarion Open this past weekend reinforced Barber’s beliefs.

Brian Burburija, a sophomore 184-pounder, led with a runner-up finish. 

He notched a ranked 4-2 win over Buffalo’s Marcus Petite in the semifinals before a 21-5 tech fall finals loss to Ohio State’s Dylan Fishback.

“We think (Burburija) is a guy that should be at the national tournament,” Barber said. “Just gotta keep wrestling that way and growing each week.”

Burburija earned sixth at the 2025 Big 12 Championships, becoming the first AF freshman to medal since teammate Tucker Owens in 2023.

Burburija spent his freshman year at 197 then trimmed to make room for freshman Karson Tompkins, who rattled off two ranked wins en route to third at 197 in his college debut.

Tompkins clipped Ohio State’s Seth Shumate, 5-3, then grabbed a 15-3 major decision over Patrick Brophy, who announced his transfer to North Carolina State after three years at The Citadel but is currently not on NC State’s roster.

“It is a little bit better for our team to make space for Karson, who is obviously pretty good,” Barber said. “I think we are going to have two really strong weight classes.”

Carter Nogle took third at 141. Tucker Owens — team captain and one of AF’s four seniors — finished fourth at 125 and Bubba Wright occupied sixth at 133. 

“Just really feel like it was a strong start for us,” Barber said. “Excited to see us go up from here.”

Branching Out

An event fit for a service academy will occur Nov. 15.

The Falcons will battle The Citadel and Gardner-Webb in the Throwdown on the Yorktown, where eight other squads will wrestle on the deck of the USS Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. 

It becomes the latest event in a growing trend of duals in nontraditional settings. 

Air Force wrestled Fresno State on the USS Midway in 2017. 

“We are always looking for marquee events, different events where we can take these guys and provide unique experiences that they are not going to have at any other place,” Barber said. “There is nothing cooler than wrestling on the deck of an aircraft carrier. For us, being a military service academy, to be in that environment wearing the flag on our back and Air Force on our chest, it just makes it a little bit more special.

Maryland, Division II Lander, Campbell, Penn, the Iowa women, Presbyterian women and Presbyterian men will also compete. 

Delaware State, the first historically Black college to offer Division I women’s wrestling, will also make its program debut in the event. 

Built Not Bought

What some may view as a major obstacle in the modern landscape in college athletics is a luxury to Barber.

Air Force — in a transfer portal-filled world of college athletics where rosters are operated on a year-to-year basis — doesn’t play that game. 

AF’s rigorous academic standards, paired with a commitment to military service and no offerings for NIL because the cadets are considered employees of the U.S. Air Force, create an environment where the Falcons focus solely on development. 

“It is not a difficulty for us at all,” Barber said. “We actually really embrace and enjoy the fact that we don’t have to play that game. Our system is built off recruiting, retention and development. 

“So, go get the very best guys that we can find that want a world-class education and be a part of something bigger than themselves and compete at a high level in the Big 12 Conference. Keep those guys here by providing a great experience for them.”

The Falcons added 13 freshmen this season.

“Once we make a commitment to recruit you and make you a part of our program, we are also committed to keeping you here and developing you,’ Barber said.

Catch Air Force home dual meets live this season on Flowrestling.