2010-11 air force men's swimming & diving media guide

2010-11 Air Force Men’s Swimming & Diving 1 GoAirForceFalcons.com

QUICK FACTS/TABLE OF CONTENTS

Media GuideThe 2010-11 Air Force men’s swimmingand diving media guide is produced as asource of information for the media. Othermaterials may be obtained by contactingthe athletic media relations office:

Air Force Athletic Media Relations2169 Field House Dr.USAF Academy, CO 80840Phone: 719-333-2313Fax: 719-333-3798

Working Press CredentialsPress and photograph credentials are is-sued to members of the working mediaonly. These credentials may be obtained bycontacting the athletic media relations of-fice. Upon acceptance of applications, ap-propriate passes can be picked up at theAthletic Media Relations office.

Press ParkingThere is no press parking available. The

earlier you arrive, the betterparking you’ll find.

Air Force PracticesAll Air Force practices, bothhome and on the road, areopen to the media. Mediamembers wishing to filmpractice must make arrange-ments with the athleticmedia relations office to at-tend practice. A representa-tive from the athletic mediarelations office must accom-pany you.

Post-Meet ProceduresHead swim coach Rob Clayton and headdiving coach Stan Curnow will be available10 minutes following the end of the meeton the pool deck. Swimmers and divers willbe available immediately after. The AirForce locker room and training room areclosed to all media.

Final results are available following themeet upon request.

In-Season InterviewsAll Air Force athletes and coaches are avail-able for interviews with the followingguidelines: All interviews must be set upthrough the athletic media relations officeat 719-333-9251 or 719-333-2313. All in-terview requests must be made at leastone day in advance so that the athlete orcoach can be properly notified.

CreditsThe 2010-11 Air Force men’s swimmingand diving guide was written and designedby assistant athletic media relations direc-tor Nick Arseniak. Editoral assistance pro-vided by the Air Force athletic mediarelations office and the men’s swimmingand diving staff. Photos courtesy of Den-Mar Services; Josh Duplechian, TrevorBrown, Jr., and Stephen Nowland of NCAAPhotos; and the men’s swimming and div-ing staff. Clayton family photo courtesy ofphotosbydill. Cover background photocourtesy of Freestockimages.org .

On the CoverFeatured on the front cover is senior Benjamin Gunn.

QUICK FACTS

GENERAL INFORMATIONLocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .USAFA, Colo.Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue & SilverNickname . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FalconsEnrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,400Founded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1954Affiliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NCAA Div. IConference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mountain WestHome Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cadet NatatoriumSuperintendent . . . . . . . . . . . .Lt. Gen. Michael GouldAthletic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Hans MuehVice Athletic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brad DeAustin

COACHING STAFFHead Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rob ClaytonAlma Mater/Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wyoming/1991Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .719-333-4726E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Record/Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99-52-1/11School Record/Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SameHead Diving Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stan CurnowAsst. Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Capt. Charlie Toth

TEAM INFORMATION2009-10 Dual Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-42009-10 Conference Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-32009-10 Conference Finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2ndLetterwinners Returning/Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22/10Newcomers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONSAssoc. AD/Communications . . . . . . . . . . . .Troy GarnhartAsst. AD/Media Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dave TollerAsst. Director (Swimming SID) . . . . . . . .Nick ArseniakOffice Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .719-333-9251Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .719-333-3798E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Address Athletic Media Relations

2169 Field House DriveUSAFA, CO 80840

Web Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .GoAirForceFalcons.com

Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFCTable of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Quick Facts/Media Information . . . . . . .1

THE STAFFHead Coach Rob Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . .2Diving Coach Stan Curnow . . . . . . . . . . .3Assistant Coach Capt. Charlie Toth . . . .3Assistant Diving Coach Lt. Lauren Bursey . . .4Academic Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . .4

MEET THE FALCONSSeason Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Athlete Bios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-20

HISTORY2009-10 Season Review . . . . . . . . . . . .21Swimming History . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-23Diving History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Honors and Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-25Air Force Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Service Academy Records . . . . . . . . . .27Letterwinners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-29

LIFE AFTER THE ACADEMYWorld Class Athlete Program . . . . . . . .30Where Are They Now . . . . . . . . . . .31-32

THE ACADEMYThe Air Force Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Academy Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Director of Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Air Force Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

TABLE OF CONTENTS


AIR FORCE

Head coach RobClayton enters

his 13th season as the Academy's head men'sswimming coach. After 12 years, his enthusiasmfor the Academy and Falcon swimming hasn'tdiminished a bit. "I love coaching at the AirForce Academy. It is the perfect school for theyoung man who is serious about pursuing ex-cellence in school, swimming and life. I'mthrilled to wake up and go to work in the morn-ing," said Clayton.

Clayton has led the Falcons to a 102-56-1overall dual record and eight top-three finishesin the MWC. After a sixth-place league finish hisfirst season, Clayton led the Falcons to third-place finishes in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006 and2007. In 2003, 2004 and, most recently, 2009,the Falcons finished second at the MWC Cham-pionships. In addition, Clayton was namedMWC Men’s Coach of the Year in 2007 and2010.

At USAFA, Clayton has coached men to 19individual conference championships and tworelay conference championships. Eight of hisswimmers have competed in the Olympic Trials,including in 2008 when five former and currentFalcons participated in the Trials. In addition tothe team's success in the pool, Clayton’s swim-mers have earned more than 123 academic all-conference honors and 20 MWCScholar-Athlete selections, while six otherswere both designated Scholar All-Americans bythe College Swimming Coaches Association ofAmerica. Clearly, Clayton expects excellence inthe classroom as well as the pool.

"The Academy is the number one under-graduate school in the country," the coach said."The men come here primarily to get the besteducation possible and to prepare for a fabu-lous career in the Air Force and beyond. While

we desire success in the pool, we insist on suc-cess in the classroom." Not surprisingly, the Fal-con swimmers and divers were the recipients ofthe Academy's Team Excellence Award for the2003-04 school year.

Clayton is a 1991 graduate of Wyomingwhere he earned a bachelor's degree in chem-ical engineering. While at Wyoming, Claytonwas one of the premier swimmers in the West-ern Athletic Conference.

A four-year letterman, Clayton swam in theNCAA Championships in the 200 freestyle, 200IM and 400 IM. He stole the show at the 1991conference championships, winning the 200and 400 individual medley, becoming only thesecond Cowboy to ever win an IM conferencetitle. His time in the 400 IM set a conferencechampionship record.

Clayton excelled outside the pool as well.His 3.75 grade point average in chemical engi-neering helped earn him Academic All-Ameri-can honors. He received the WAC's Stan BatesAward in 1991, as the league's most outstand-ing student-athlete. The Bates Award is themost prestigious award an athlete in the con-ference can win.

Following college, Clayton served as an agegroup coach for the Fort Collins Area SwimTeam (FAST).

In the fall of 1991, he began a six-year stintas the men's assistant coach at Brigham YoungUniversity. While at BYU, Clayton was instru-mental in building one of the most successfulswimming programs in the region. The Cougarswon the 1996 WAC title, their first since 1979.During Clayton's tenure in Provo, BYU never fin-ished below third at the WAC Championships.

Clayton helped coach 11 individual WACchampions and several WAC champion relayteams at BYU. Additionally, he coached an

NCAA finalist and an athlete to a spot onthe U.S. National team in the summer of1997. He was very active in USA Swimmingduring his time in Utah, serving as a seniorcoach with Hilltop Aquatic Swim Team inAmerican Fork, Utah.Clayton came to the Academy in 1997 andmade an immediate impact on the pro-gram. He worked with women's coachCasey Converse to coach the Academy'sfirst woman to qualify for the NCAA Divi-sion I Championships. Clayton then tookover the reins of the men's program for the

1998-99 season. In addition to his coaching duties, Clayton

also instructs cadets in swimming and watersurvival classes. He was recognized for histeaching accomplishments by being named the2003-04 Department of Athletics Civilian In-structor of the Year and was recently namedthe Aquatics Instructor of the Semester. Clay-ton comments on his teaching duties, "I enjoyteaching aquatics classes. It provides me withopportunity to interact with the rest of thecadets at the Air Force Academy."

Originally from Fort Collins, Colo., Claytonwas a standout swimmer at Rocky MountainHigh School where he was a four-year letter-man. The 40-year-old Clayton is married to theformer Kelly Costigan, a 1992 graduate of theAcademy who competed for the women's ten-nis team. They have three sons, Robert, Danieland Joshua, and two daughters, Noel and Anna.The Claytons are very active in their church, In-ternational Anglican Church, and live in Monu-ment.

THE CLAYTON FILEFull Name: Robert Clayton IIIHometown: Fort Collins, Colo.High School: Rocky Mountain, four-year let-terman in swimming.College: Wyoming, 1991 graduate with abachelor’s in chemical engineering with a3.75 GPA. Academic All-American, individualconference champion and winner of the1991 Stan Bates Award as the league’s mostoutstanding student-athlete.

Inside the Numbers with ClaytonYear W L T Pct. Finish 1999 11 2 .846 6th2000 8 3 .727 3rd2001 9 4 .692 3rd2002 6 4 .600 3rd2003 12 2 .857 2nd2004 8 4 .667 2nd2005 13 7 .650 5th2006 8 4 1 .654 3rd2007 13 3 .813 3rd2008 4 7 .364 4th2009 7 12 .368 2nd2010 3 4 .429 2ndTotals 102 56 1 .645 --

ROB CLAYTONHEAD SWIMMING COACH

13TH SEASON

WYOMING (1991)


COACHING STAFF

Capt. CharlieToth enters his

fourth season as the Air Force men’s swimmingassistant coach.

A 2001 graduate of the Academy, Tothearned four letters as a sprinter and four lettersas a goalie for the water polo team. Toth be-came Air Force’s first Mountain West Confer-ence champion when he won the 100 freestylein 2000. Toth still holds school records in the 50and 100 freestyle and was a member of the 200freestyle, 400 freestyle and 200 medley relayrecord-setting teams. He swam at the 2001NCAA Championships and the 2000 Olympic Tri-als.

As a cadet, Toth was named the most valu-able swimmer in 2000 and 2001 and the mostvaluable water polo player in 2001. “The Acad-emy was the perfect setting and enabled me torealize my potential and far exceed my expec-

tations in the pool and beyond,” said Toth. Ad-ditionally, he was an All-American water poloplayer in 2000 and was awarded an NCAA Post-graduate Scholarship and the Academy’s Ath-letic Excellence Award in 2001.

Toth received his master’s degree inmanagement/business administration in2005 and served as an Air Force bioenvi-ronmental engineer for six years. Prior toreturning to the Academy, Toth was sta-tioned at Aviano AB, Italy. During thattime, he was a swimmer/coach for theAIRNORTH Swimming Championships heldannually in Europe.

In addition, Toth was deployed to Iraqfrom January 2007 to May 2007, where heserved as the Bioenvironmental Engineer-ing Flight Commander. “My experience inthe Air Force has been amazing,” saidToth. “I have done so many things and

been to so many places.”Toth is married to the former Alessia An-

noni of Tradate, Italy, and they have a daughter,Isabel.

Stan Curnow be-gins his 17th

year with the Falcons as head diving coach, thelongest tenure in Academy history for a divingcoach.

During his first 16 years, Curnow has con-tinued Air Force’s proud tradition in diving.Three women have earned first-team All-Amer-ican honors at the Division II level while themen annually place among the conference’selite. For the last four years, a Falcon has wonthe men’s platform dive at the MWC Champi-onships (Brady Lindberg in 2006 and 2007, KyleVan Valkenburg in 2008 and 2009).

Outside of the pool, Curnow has been anasset to the Academy as well, being named the1998 athletic department Instructor of the Year.

Curnow came to Air Force from BYU,where he coached for 14 years. His record therewas impeccable, including 26 conference titles,17 All-Americans and two NCAA Division I

champions.A native of Denver, Colo., Curnow was

named a high school All-American in div-ing and was a champion performer on thetrampoline. He attended BYU and gradu-ated in 1977 with a degree in physical ed-ucation. He completed his master’s degreein the same field in 1978. As a competitorat BYU, Curnow was the Western AthleticConference diving champion three out offour years and earned All-American honorsin 1972 and 1974. He was also a finalist inthe 1972 Olympic Trials.

Curnow was named the MountainWest Conference’s diving coach of the yearin 2001, 2002 and 2006, and was formerlya member of the NCAA Diving Rules Com-mittee.

STAN CURNOWHEAD DIVING COACH

18TH SEASON

BYU (1997)

Curnow, shown with his family, is a three-time Moun-tain West Conference Diving Coach of the Year.

CAPT. CHARLIE TOTHASSISTANT COACH

FOURTH SEASON

USAFA (2001)


COACHING STAFF/SUPPORT STAFF/FAQ

Lt. Lauren Bursey enters her first year as the assistant diving coach for both men's and women's diving teamsat Air Force. In addition to diving coach duties, Bursey works in the Academy athletic department assisting in manag-

ing the scheduling and grading office. Bursey is a 2007 graduate of USAFA. The Englewood, Colo., native was a four-year letter winner in diving and team captain as a junior while at

the Academy. Bursey was a standout in the classroom at the Academy, earning Mountain West Conference All-Academic honors all four years. Bursey received her commission through the United States Air Force Academy in May 2007. Upon receiving her commission, she received her

first assignment and moved to Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, where she assumed her duties with the 33rd Network Warfare Squadron.

LT. LAUREN BURSEYASSISTANT DIVING COACH

FIRST SEASON

USAFA (2007)

LT. COL. SARAHSTRACHAN

MAJ. MICHAEL MAY

MAJ. MARCIA QUIGLEY

MAJ. MELISSA MAY

MAJ. JASON RENTER

2010-11 OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES

� WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING PHILOSOPHY AT AIR FORCE? We are a military acad-emy, so there is a balance between academics, athletics and military. However, weare a Division I program and train accordingly. We compete in the Mountain WestConference (BYU, UNLV, Utah, TCU and Wyoming) and continually strive to qualifyguys for the NCAA Championships.

� HOW MANY DIFFERENT COACHES AND TRAINERS DO YOUR SWIMMERSWORK WITH? I have been at the Academy for 11 years and Charlie Toth, the assis-tant coach and 2001 graduate, has been back at the Academy since September 2007.We also have a strength and conditioning coach and a full-time athletic trainer as-signed to our team. In addition, the women’s team has a head coach and an assis-tant coach but we generally train as men’s teams and women’s teams.

� WHAT IS THE TEAM ATMOSPHERE LIKE? (i.e. Does the team do random ac-tivities outside of swimming just to hang out with each other? Do swimmers roomwith other swimmers? etc.) The team atmosphere is a complete cohesive unit. Theteam goes to football games as a team, camping trips as a team and many other ac-tivities. Because of the challenges that are involved with a military academy, theteam forms a very tight bond. The pool is the place where they come together, workhard and achieve goals together. In regards to the question about rooming together,each student is put into a squadron (roughly 100 students per squadron, 40squadrons, total student body of approximately 4000) randomly, so most of theswimmers do not room with other swimmers. Last year, we had two freshmen roomtogether.

� WHAT IS AN AVERAGE WEEK OF TRAINING LIKE IN TERMS OF PRACTICE TIME,YARDAGE, DRYLAND, ETC.? We train every other morning (lift and swim) and everyafternoon for roughly 2.5 hours (to include dryland). The distance varies by workoutbut usually it is about 6000 yards for our middle distance group. However, when wedo power days, we swim much less. Our weight room training is designed especiallyfor swimmers by our strength and conditioning coach. Additionally, we TIVO nor-mally every other day before practice for about 30 minutes and concentrate onstarts/turns/strokes. As far as our regimen is concerned, during our off-season, we

generally train as one team but our distance guys frequently receive additional train-ing. Then during the season, we have different groups (distance, middle distance,strokes, sprinters, IM) that will have individualized workouts.

� WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT OF THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OFFUNDING FOR TRAVEL, EQUIPMENT, ETC.? We have unsurpassed support from ourathletic department. We normally travel 16-20 guys on our trips and everything ispaid for. We also take a winter training trip (San Diego, Fort Lauderdale, Hawaii, Tuc-son) every year and everything is paid for there as well. There is no cost put on theswimmers and there is NO fundraising. Additionally, we are sponsored by Nike, soevery swimmer receives a good supply of Air Force Swimming gear every year. Weswim in Nike suits during the season and then compete in Speedo for the Champi-onship meets.

� WHAT IS YOUR TEAM'S AVERAGE GPA? Our team’s average GPA this year was3.0 and usually hovers right around there.

� IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL ME ABOUT YOURPROGRAM THAT I HAVE FAILED TO ASK ABOUT ABOVE? I just wanted to explain theAcademy and how things work. No one here is on an “athletic scholarship.” Everyonereceives an appointment and everything is paid for while you are here (room, board,meals, etc). In fact, the students receive a monthly stipend in addition that starts atabout $120/month as a freshman and goes up to about $800/month as a senior. Allstudents are undergraduate students. There are 32 different majors that range inmany possibilities. The big difference is that when you graduate, you are commis-sioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. About half (about 500) of the graduateswill go off to pilot training. The other half will go off to various other jobs to includeadditional schooling. Think of an Air Force base as a little community and all the jobsthat are required. The Air Force requires doctors, civil engineers, meteorologists, po-lice officers, etc. If you decide not to fly, the service commitment is five years; for fly-ers, the commitment is 10 years. You can think of that in one of two ways—as aservice commitment, or as a guaranteed job that pays you a competitive salary andincludes unsurpassed benefits.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...Head coach Rob Clayton answers some frequently asked questions about the Air Force swimming program:


2010-11 SEASON OUTLOOK

On the heels of back-to-back second placefinishes at the Mountain West Conferencechampionships, the Air Force men’s swimming& diving team looks to con�nue a strong run ofperformances as its enters the 2010-11 season.Guided by a deep senior class, and the return ofsix all-conference honorees across eight indi-vidual events and four relay teams, reigningMountain West Conference Men’s SwimmingCoach of the Year Rob Clayton envisions anotherstrong season.

Air Force will lean heavily on its seniorclass, led by Benjamin Gunn, the reigning con-ference champion and record-holder in the 200individual medley. Gunn holds four Air Forcerecords (200 IM, 100 fly, 200 fly, 100 back) andwas all-Mountain West in three individualevents (100 & 200 back, 200 IM) and three relayevents (400 free, 200 & 400 medley). In addi-�on to Gunn, senior Robert Dawson is a mul�-ple all-conference honoree earning All-MWCrecogni�on in the 100 free and four relay events(200 & 400 free, 200 & 400 medley).

Seniors Tom Hansen and Eric Robin-son are also returning all-conference selec�ons.Hansen was All-MWC and Air Force’s top swim-mer in the 400 IM. He has also finished at thetop of the conference in both the 500 free and200 Back. Robinson, who is the Air Force Acad-emy’s top ranked student in terms of academ-ics, was part of the all-conference 200 freesquad and will provide valuable leadership thisyear as the team captain. He will also lead theFalcons in the 200 fly.

Josh Hammervold, Air Force’s fi�h senior,will specialize in the 200 breaststroke and willalso look to contribute in the medley events aswell.

“This senior class has been one of the mostproduc�ve groups we’ve ever had at the con-ference championships,” Clayton said. “Eachand every one of them have swam in the cham-pionship finals at the MWC Championships.They have accomplished incredible things forour swimming program, and we expect greatthings from them this season.”

Air Force’s junior class will be led by Cory-don Butler and Cody Deacon. Butler is a dis-tance specialist who earned All-MWC honorsand ranks in the Air Force Top-10 in the 500 and1650 free. Deacon specializes in the breast-

stroke events, ranking in theAcademy Top-10 in both the100 and 200 breaststroke.Deacon is also a returning All-MWC selec�on in the 200medley relay. Joining Butlerand Deacon are fellow jun-iors Nate Roesler and ColeSmith. Roesler will be calledupon to contribute in the 100and 200 bu�erfly events andSmith will specialize in thesprint-freestyle events.

“The class of 2012 will becri�cal to our success this

season,” Clayton said. “We expect each of themto be MWC finalists in their events.”

A large sophomore class, featuring eightswimmers, looks to increase their contribu�onin their second year of compe��on. Paul Youngis coming off a solid freshman campaign thatsaw him earn all-conference honors in the 200backstroke. Young, who will also see ac�on inthe 200 IM, already ranks in AFA’s top-10 in the100 and 200 backstroke events. Anthony Chiaroand Jake Stronko will both swim the freestyleand bu�erfly events. Ryan Brigman, Jon Jonesand Tim Mar�nelli will see ac�on in thefreestyle events. Mark Hansen, youngerbrother of senior Tom, will see ac�on in the themedley and bu�erfly events. Ma� Millikin hasthe ability to swim the back, fly and free events.Ryan Si�g is another versa�le swimmer thatwill see ac�on in the free, fly and medleyevents. Weston Walker will look to add depth inthe bu�erfly and sprint freestyle events.

“We look for our sophomores to take thenext step in their development,” Clayton said.“We have some very talented swimmers in theClass of 2013. We’re excited for the great �medrops that we expect to see from them this sea-son.”

Air Force features five talented freshmenjoining the team in 2010-11 and Clayton fore-sees the group making an immediate impact.Paul Leonhardt will bolster the Falcons in sev-eral events, specializing in the medley and but-terfly events. Leonhardt will also contribute inall the relay events. AngusMacDonald is another ac-complished newcomer thatwill support the team in sev-eral events, with the abilityto swim the backstroke, but-terfly and sprint freestyleevents. Micah Newmannwill also be an instant con-tributor in the bu�erfly andfreestyle events.

In addi�on, Kyle Evanswill see ac�on in the bu�er-fly and Billy Ross in thebreaststroke events.

“We have an extremelytalented freshman class,”

Clayton said. “Not only will they immediatelyhelp us in all our individual events, they will bekey addi�ons to our relay teams.”

One of Air Force’s team strength’s this yearwill be its relay teams. Clayton envisions the800 free relay and 400 medley relay teams couldchallenge for MWC �tles.

“Our 800 free has a good chance to be oneof the best ever here and challenge for an NCAAspot,” Clayton said. “In addi�on, we feel our400 medley relay team will be very strong aswell. Our relays should be strong across theboard.”

The Air Force diving team will consist offive divers that will be looking to replace a pairof standouts in Kyle VanValkenburg and DavidArlington, who graduated last year. VanValken-berg was an All-MWC performer in the pla�ormand 3-meter springboard events and Arlingtonwas a solid four-year contributor.

Senior Nathaniel Gilbert, junior CheyneClark, and sophomore Brent White are thethree returning members of the diving team.Freshmen Peter Cialkowski and Alexander Peccijoin the team and look to add depth.

“We are pre�y young and unproven in thediving events right now,” Clayton said. “We losta couple solid divers in Kyle and David and welook for some new faces to step up and con-tribute.”

With a nice balance of senior leadership,infused with young, but up-and-coming talent,the Falcons have the ingredients in place for an-other successful season. The Falcons face an-other strong non-conference season,highlighted by the Arena Invita�onal in LongBeach, Calif. The Mountain West Conferenceslate is always compe��ve with meets againstTCU, UNLV, BYU, Utah and Wyoming. The Fal-cons look to build towards its goal of anotherstrong showing at the Mountain West Confer-ence Championships in February.

“This senior class is hungry to cement theirlegacy as one of our best groups,” Clayton said.“If we maintain our focus and intensity duringworkouts, we feel we have the pieces in placeto have a very successful season.”

BENJAMIN GUNN

ERIC ROBINSON


2010-11 ROSTER

Name Class Height Events Hometown (High School)Ryan Brigman So. 5-9 Free Las Vegas, NV/Bishop GormanCorydon Butler Jr. 6-3 Free Williamsburg, VA/JamestownAnthony Chiaro So. 6-0 Free Tucson, AZ/SahuaroPeter Cialkowski Fr. 5-10 Diving Allentown, PA/SalisburyRobert Dawson Sr. 6-1 Free Colorado Springs, CO/RampartCody Deacon Jr. 5-9 Breast/IM Portland, OR/Lake OswegoKyle Evans Fr. 5-5 Fly Poway, CA/PowayNathaniel Gilbert Sr. 5-10 Diving River Falls, WI/River FallsBenjamin Gunn Sr. 6-1 Fly/Back/IM Gainsville, GA/Riverside Military AcademyJosh Hammervold Sr. 6-2 Breast/IM Sugar Land, TX/HightowerMark Hansen So. 5-9 IM/Fly Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor LivingstonTom Hansen Sr. 6-0 Free/Back/IM Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor LivingstonJon Jones So. 6-3 Free Highlands Ranch, CO/HeritagePaul Leonhardt Fr. 5-9 IM/Fly Plano, TX/Plano SeniorAngus MacDonald Fr. 6-1 Back/Fly/Sprint Woodbridge, VA/Bishop IretonTim Mar�nelli So. 6-6 Free Vero Beach, FL/Sebas�an RiverMa� Millikin So. 6-0 Back/Fly/Free Pi�sburgh, PA/CarlyntonMicah Newmann Fr. 5-10 Fly/Free Duncanville, TX/HomeschooledAlexander Pecci Fr. 6-1 Diving Oviedo, FL/Trinity PrepEric Robinson* Sr. 6-0 Free/Fly Lakewood, CO/D’EvelynNate Roesler Jr. 6-1 Fly Has�ngs, MN/Has�ngsBilly Ross Fr. 6-0 Breast Pickerington, OH/Pickerington NorthRyan Si�g So. 6-3 Free/Fly/IM Aus�n, TX/LASACole Smith Jr. 6-1 Free/IM Charlo�e, NC/Hickory Grove Chris�anJake Stronko So. 5-11 Free/Fly Woodbridge, VA/Osbourn ParkWeston Walker So. 6-3 Fly Arlington, TX/PantegoBrent White So. 5-6 Diving Loveland, CO/HomeschooledPaul Young So. 5-11 Back/IM Lakeville, MN/Lakeville North

* Captain

Head Coach: Rob Clayton (Wyoming 1991) 13th seasonDiving Coach: Stan Curnow (BYU 1997) - 18th seasonAssistant Coach: Capt. Charlie Toth (USAFA 2001) - 4th seasonAssistant Diving Coach: Lt. Lauren Bursey (USAFA 2007) - 1st season


MEET THE FALCONS

2009-10 Highlights: All-MWC in fiveevents; the 100 freestyle, 200 free relay,200 medley relay, 400 free relay and 400medley relay ... swam the team’s fastest100 free time of 44.73, which is fourth all-time at AFA ... swam the team’s second-fastest 50 free time (20.72) ... swam theanchor on the four all-conference relay groups .2008-09 Highlights: Earned all-conference honors as a member of the 200medley relay, 400 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay, all of which setnew school records … anchored the 400 medley relay team, which placedsecond with an Academy record time of 3:15.01 … also anchored the 400free relay and 200 medley relay, which both finished third with marks of2:58.63 and 1:28.68, respectively … consolation finalist in the 50 free, 100free and 100 butterfly … won the consolation finals of the 100 fly with amark of 49.23, which ranks as the sixth-fastest in school history … toptimes in the 50 free (20.44) and 100 free (45.56) rank sixth and 10th, re-spectively, in Academy history.2007-08 Highlights: Consolation finalist in the 50 freestyle at the MWCChampionships … held the Falcons’ second-fastest 50 free time for theseason. High School: Lettered four years in swimming ... coached by Ron Lock-wood … team captain … two-time all-area selection … named an All-Amer-ican … swam for the Falfins club team, coached by Scott Allen … memberof National Honor Society. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 35 ... son of Greg and Monica Daw-son … has a sister, Gina … nickname is “Stiffler” … majoring in engineeringmanagement … plans to attend pilot training after leaving the Academy …greatest moment in sports was USA’s victory over France in the men’s 400freestyle relay … favorite food is barbecue … hobby is cars … favorite movieis The Fifth Element … person in history he’d like to meet is his grandma,because “I never had the opportunity” … something not many peopleknow about him is that he has a fear of boats … on his iPod: British punkrock … if he could trade places with one of his teammates for a day, itwould be Ben Gunn, “so I could see what it’s like to be the best” … favoritequote: “I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.” –Ian Fleming.

ROBERT DAWSONSR. • 6-1 • FREE

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.(RAMPART)

NATHANIEL GILBERT

SR. • 5-10 • DIVINGRIVER FALLS, WISC.

(RIVER FALLS)

At AFA: Has competed in several dualmeets … named to MWC All-Academicteam in 2008, 2009 and 2010 ... scored aseason-best 218.33 points vs. BYU in the1-meter diving ... scored a season-best223.13 points vs. Utah in the 3-meter div-ing.High School: Lettered two years in diving ... coached by Roxanne VanDe-Water … recorded a pair of top 10 finishes at state championships … alsolettered a year in wrestling.Personal: Member of cadet squadron 3 ... son of William and DeannaGilbert … majoring in electrical engineering … named to superintendent’slist his first semester at the Academy … plans to become a pilot … personin history he’d most like to meet is Vince Lombardi … one noteworthy thingabout his hometown is that the Kansas City Chiefs have training campthere … favorite athlete is Brett Favre, because “he is incredibly passion-ate about doing what he loves” … if he could be on any reality TV show, itwould be Survivor … if he could trade places with one of his teammates fora day, it would be Kyle Van Valkenburg, because “he is actually good atwhat he does” … favorite quote: “Life is not a journey to the grave with theintention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but ratherto skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaim-ing—WOW—what a ride!”

personal bests

50 free 20.44100 free 44.73100 fly 49.23

personal bests

1m 218.333m 229.51Platform 143.95


MEET THE FALCONS

2009-10 Highlights: MWC Champion in the200 individual medley for the second-con-secutive season, setting a conference andschool record with a time of 1:47.22 ... All-MWC in three individual and three relayevents ... All-MWC in the 100 back, 200back, 200 IM, 400 free relay, 200 medleyrelay and 400 medley relay ... swam theteam’s fastest times in the 100 back (48.64),200 back (1:46.28) and 200 IM ... set aschool record in the 100 back and swam thesecond-fastest 200 back ... swam the lead-off leg of the 400 free relay ... anchored theteam’s 800 free relay team ... led-off the200 and 400 medley relay groups. 2008-09Highlights: Named team MVP … set three in-dividual school records at the MWC Championships (200 IM – 1:47.52, 100butterfly – 47.83, 200 butterfly – 1:46.40) … won his first conference title in the200 IM … all-conference performer in both the 100 and 200 butterfly events,finishing sixth and fourth, respectively … posted NCAA ‘B’ standard marks inboth the 200 IM and 200 butterfly … also swam on three relays which earnedall-conference honors and set new school records … anchored the 800 freerelay which finished second with a mark of 6:32.32 … swam the third leg on the400 medley relay (3:15.01) and the 400 free relay (2:58.63), which placed sec-ond and third, respectively … honored as the Air Force Athlete of the Week onMarch 2. 2007-08 Highlights: Earned all-conference accolades in both the 100and 200 butterfly, finishing sixth and third, respectively, in the events … markof 49.11 in the 100 fly ranked fourth in Air Force history, while time of 1:48.14in the 200 fly was tied for fourth in the Falcons’ record books … also swam onthe all-conference 800 free relay team, which placed second … finalist in the200 backstroke at the MWC Championships, finishing seventh … ranks fifth inAir Force history in the 200 back (1:48.57) and ninth in the 100 back (51.05) …qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, competing in the 100 butterfly. HighSchool: Lettered two years in swimming ... coached by Marc Paglia … eight-time all-state selection … two-time All-American as a senior … swam for theLanier Aquatics club team, coached by Jim Young … also lettered two years intennis … member of National Honor Society … class salutatorian. Personal:Member of cadet squadron 30 ... son of Joe and Jo Gunn … has three siblings,Alison, Jerry and Max … nickname is Tanto Sr. ... majoring in foreign area stud-ies … plans to become a pilot … hobbies include whitewater kayaking, guitarand relaxing … favorite food is sushi … favorite movie is Robin Hood: Men inTights … favorite quote: “My religion is kindness.” -Buddha.

BENJAMIN GUNN

SR. • 6-1 • FLY/BACK/IMGAINESVILLE, GA.

(RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY)

JOSH HAMMERVOLD

SR. • 6-2 • BREAST/IMSUGAR LAND, TEXAS

(HIGHTOWER)

009-10 Highlights: Swam the team’sfastest 200 breaststroke with a time of2:01.13, which is the second-fastest markin school history ... swam the team’s third-fastest 100 breast and fourth-fastest 200IM.2008-09 Highlights: Posted Academy top10 marks in both the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke … time of55.54 in the 100 breast is fourth-fastest in school history, while his markof 2:02.84 in the 200 breast ranks sixth in the Air Force record books … fi-nalist in the 200 breast at the MWC Championships, finishing eighth …won the consolation finals of the 100 breaststroke. 2007-08 Highlights: Posted the team’s third-fastest time on the season inthe 200 breaststroke and 200 and 400 IM events … named to MWC All-Academic team. High School: Lettered three years in swimming … coached by Jeff Bonser… state champion in the 100 breaststroke in 2007 … competed for the Si-enna Plantation Aquatics club team, coached by Bill Bailey … named theOutstanding Engineering Computer Design Student … earned the Aca-demic Excellence award for four years. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 32 ... son of Jerry and Sue Ham-mervold … has a sister, Christina … majoring in computer engineering … fa-vorite movie is Shawshank Redemption … favorite food is orange chicken… enjoys rock climbing, going to the beach, playing Xbox and watchingmovies … favorite athlete is Tom Wilkins, because “he went from a no-name swimmer to the Olympics” … club coach Bill Bailey has had thebiggest influence on his sports career.

personal bests

100 free 44.90200 IM*^ 1:47.22100 fly* 47.83200 fly* 1:46.40100 back* 48.64200 back 1:46.28400 free relay* 2:58.63800 free relay* 6:32.32*school record^MWC record

personal bests

200 IM 1:52.04 100 breast 55.54200 breast 2:01.13


MEET THE FALCONS

2009-10 Highlights: All-MWC in the 400individual medley with a time of 3:58.15,which is eighth-fastest mark in school his-tory ... swam the teams’ third-fastest 500free and 200 back. 2008-09 Highlights:Earned all-conference honors in the 500freestyle and the 200 backstroke, finish-ing fifth and sixth, respectively … nowholds the fourth-fastest time in Academyhistory in the 500 free (4:26.70) and fifth-fastest mark in the 200 back(1:48.49) … also swam the lead-off leg on the school-record-setting 800freestyle relay team (6:32.32) which placed second to earn all-conferencehonors … his time of 1:39.47 on that lead-off leg is the seventh-fastest 200free mark in school history … also ranks in the Falcons’ top 10 in the 1000free (seventh, 9:29.80) and 1650 free (ninth, 15:46.60) … named to theMWC academic all-conference team. 2007-08 Highlights: Reached the fi-nals in the 500 freestyle at the MWC Championships, finishing eighth …also finished 12th in the 1650 free … posted the Falcons’ second-fastesttimes of the season in the 500, 1000 and 1650 free events … moved intothe Academy’s record books in the 500 and 1650 free, ranking sixth and10th, respectively … named to the MWC All-Academic team. High School:Swam for the Berkeley Aquatic Club … coached by Jim Wood … three-timeUSA Swimming Scholastic All-American … received the N.J. Swimming HighPoint Award in 2006 … member of National Honor Society and FrenchHonor Society … received a National Merit letter of commendation. Per-sonal: Member of cadet squadron 26 ... son of Paul and Theresa Hansen… has four siblings, Laura, Kate, Mark and Julie … father, Paul, graduatedfrom the Coast Guard Academy in 1981 ... sister, Laura, is a 2005 graduateof the Air Force Academy … younger brother, Mark, is a freshman on theAcademy swim team … hobbies include sports, reading, music and relax-ing … favorite food is his mom’s homemade stuffing … favorite movie is Cit-izen Kane … person in history he’d most like to meet is Jesus Christ … mostnoteworthy things about his hometown are the pizzerias … pre-race ritualis to wait to put his goggles on until the last possible opportunity … on hisiPod: alternative rock, classic rock, jazz and Christian music … favorite ath-lete is Sean O’Keefe … favorite quote: “The true soldier fights not becausehe hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”–G.K. Chesterton.

TOM HANSEN

SR. • 6-0 • FREE/BACK/IMBERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J.(GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON)

ERIC ROBINSON

SR. • 6-0 • FREE/FLYLAKEWOOD, COLO.

(D’EVE;LYN)

2010-11: Team captain. 2009-10 High-lights: Swam third-leg of MWC All-Con-ference 200 free relay group ... swam theteam’s second-fastest 200 butterfly, third-fastest 200 IM and fourth-fastest 200 freetimes ... named to the MWC All-Academicteam, as well as an MWC Scholar-Athlete… second-team CoSIDA/ESPN the Maga-zine Academic All-American .. a first-teamselection to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Maga-zine Academic All-District team. 2008-09 Highlights: Earned all-conference honors as a member of the 800free relay which finished second with a school-record (and NCAA ‘B’ stan-dard) mark of 6:32.32 … conference finalist in the 200 freestyle, placingeighth … won the consolation finals of the 200 butterfly … also advancedto the consolation finals of the 500 free … owns the fifth-fastest time inschool history in the 200 free (1:38.98) … also ranks eighth in Air Forcehistory in the 200 butterfly (1:49.51) … named to the MWC All-Academicteam, as well as an MWC Scholar-Athlete … a first-team selection to theCoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District team … also named anhonorable mention CSCAA Scholar All-American. 2007-08 Highlights: Con-solation finalist in the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly at the MWC Cham-pionships … named to the MWC All-Academic team … also named anMWC Scholar-Athlete. High School: Lettered four years in swimming ...coached by Josh Griffin … four-time team MVP … second-team all-confer-ence as a sophomore … two-time first-team all-conference … all-state andAll-America as a senior … set league record in 500 freestyle in senior sea-son … competed for the North Jeffco club team, coached by Brett Stoyell… member of National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta … class vale-dictorian. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 5 ... son of John Robinsonand Susan Smith … has a sister, Kimberly … major is mathematics ... spentsummer working on the Space Situational Awareness program atLawrence Livermore National Laboratory, in addition to flying planes ...plans to attend pilot training after leaving the Academy … hobbies includehiking and camping … favorite movie is The Dark Knight … something notmany people know about him is that he used to skateboard … favorite ath-lete is John Elway, because “he is amazing and won two Super Bowls forthe Broncos” … the biggest influence on his sports career has been histeammates here, because “I am constantly reminded that we are allfriends working toward the same goal” … favorite quote: “Fear not, for Ihave redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” –Isa-iah 43:1.

personal bests

200 free 1:39.48500 free 4:26.701000 free 9:29.80200 back 1:48.49400 IM 3:58.15

personal bests

100 free 46.89200 free 1:38.98500 free 4:31.87200 fly 1:49.51200 IM 1:51.58


MEET THE FALCONS

2009-10 Highlights: All-MWC in the 500and 1650 freestyle ... cracked the AirForce top 10 in the 500 and 1650 freeevents....swams the team’s fastest 1650free time of 15:31.09, which is the fifth-fastest in school history ... swam second-fastest 500 free time on the season(4:29.46), which is the seventh-fastest atAFA ... also swam the second-fastest 1000free (9:26.61 split in 1650) on the season, which is fifth-fastest in schoolhistory...swam the second-fastest 200 free time (1:39.20) on the season,which is sixth all-time at AFA.2008-09 Highlights: One of the Falcons’ top distance swimmers … postedthe team’s second-fastest time in both the 1000 free and 1650 free … fin-ished seventh at the MWC Championships in the 1650 free, while ad-vancing to the consolation finals in the 500 free … won the consolationfinals in the 400 IM … ranks fifth in the Academy record books in the 1000free and 1650 free with marks of 9:26.12 and 15:34.14, respectively … alsoholds the seventh-fastest time in Air Force history in the 500 free (4:30.50).High School: Lettered two years in swimming ... coached by Molly San-dling and Matt Dryden … swam for the Williamsburg Aquatic Club,coached by Harold Baker. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 39 ... son of Cory and Allison Butler… has three siblings, Cameron, Dane and Mason … major is systems engi-neering management ... nickname is Bleu ... plans to become a pilot …hobbies include fishing and sailing … favorite food is fettucine alfredo withchicken … favorite athlete is Brett Favre, because “he reigns supreme in thefootball world” … most noteworthy things about his hometown (Williams-burg, Va.) are Jamestown 1607 and the “757 athletes” … if he could tradeplaces with any of his teammates for a day, it would be any retired swim-mer that madeit all four years … pre-race ritual is to stretch and listen tosome relaxing music … favorite quote: “Rule number 76: No excuses, playlike a champion.”

CORYDON BUTLER

JR. • 6-3 • DISTANCE FREEWILLIAMSBURG, VA.

(JAMESTOWN)

CODY DEACON

JR. • 5-9 • BREAST/IMPORTLAND, ORE.

(LAKE OSWEGO)

2009-10 Highlights: Swam the second-legof all-conference 200 medley realy team... swam team’s second-fastest 100 breas-troke and third-fastest 200 breast times ...clocked a 55.76 mark in the 100 breast atMWC Championships, for the seventh-fastest time in school history ... clocked a2:03.72 in the 200 breast at MWC Championships, for the eighth-fastestmark in school history ... also swam the medley events in several meets ...named to the MWC All-Academic team … also named an MWC Scholar-Athlete. 2008-09 Highlights: Consolation finalist in the 100 breaststroke at theMountain West Conference Championships … ranks sixth in the Air Forcerecord books in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 56.05 … named to theMWC All-Academic team … also named an MWC Scholar-Athlete. High School: Lettered four years in swimming for coach Don King ... teamcaptain in junior and senior seasons … four-time state finalist … All-Amer-ican in the 100 breaststroke as a senior … Academic All-American in sen-ior year … four-year member of National Honor Society … also swam forTualatin Hills Swim Club, coached by Linck Bergen. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 34 ... son of Gregg and Shauna Dea-con … has one brother, DJ … major is aeronautical engineering … plans tobecome a pilot … nickname is peanut ... hobbies include SCUBA, skydiving,snowboarding and traveling … greatest moment in sports was Jason Lezakfinishing the 400 free relay in Beijing … favorite movie is anything withBruce Willis or Angelina Jolie ... biggest influence on his career have beenhis parents, because “they allowed me to participate in any sport I wantedand always provided positive motivation” … credits Eric Robinson as hav-ing biggest influence on his sports career because, “he showed me how tojet JACK3D!” … if he could be on any reality TV show, it would be JerseyShore, because “those are my bros” … if he could trade places with a team-mate for a day it would be 6-foot-6 Tim Martinelli because, “he can see somuch more of the world from up there.”

personal bests

200 free 1:39.20500 free 4:29.461000 free 9:26.121650 free 15:31.09400 IM 4:06.02

personal bests

100 breast 55.96200 breast 2:03.72200 IM 1:58.15


MEET THE FALCONS

2009-10 Highlights: Swam the team’sfourth-fastest 100 butterfly with a time of49.61 ... swam the team’s sixth-fastest200 fly with a time of 1:54.15 ... alsoswam the 50 and 100 free and 100 back inmeets ... consolation champion in the 100fly at the MWC Championships.2008-09 Highlights: Competed in several dual meets throughout the sea-son.High School: Lettered six years in swimming for coach Jerry Rupp ... two-time All-American in the 100 butterfly … three-time all-state honoree …five-time all-conference performer … holds school record in 100 fly and200 medley relay … team captain in junior and senior seasons … named toacademic honor roll all four years of high school … member of NationalHonor Society … also swam for the Black Dog club team, coached by RockyO’Neill. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 4 ... son of Mark and Laura Roesler… has three siblings, Carl, Leah and Telma … sister, Leah, is a freshmanswimmer at Wyoming ... majoring in political science … hobbies includeBubble Shooter and Bubble Spinner … favorite movie is Slumdog Million-aire … most noteworthy thing about his hometown is that it used to havea spiral bridge … favorite athlete is Kirby Puckett … pre-race ritual is put-ting on his goggles … favorite quote: “I love the smell of napalm in themorning. It’s the smell of victory.” –Apocalypse Now.

NATE ROESLERJR. • 6-1 • FLY

HASTINGS, MINN.(HASTINGS)

COLE SMITH

JR. • 6-1 • FREECHARLOTTE, N.C.

(HICKORY GROVE CHRISTIAN)

2009-10 Highlights: Swam team’s fourth-fastest 50-freestyle with a time of 21.66... 100 free time of 47.64 was sixth-fasteston team ... also swam the 200 and 500free events.2008-09 Highlights: Advanced to the con-solation finals of the 400 IM at the MWCChampionships … also competed in the 500 free and 200 butterfly at theconference championships.High School: Lettered four years in swimming for coach David Haynes ...state champion in the 200 and 500 freestyle events as a senior … alsoswam for the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, coached by David Marsh, ThadSchultz and Kathy McKee … class president freshman through junior years… student body president as a senior … Eagle Scout.Personal: Full name is Warren Cole Smith … member of cadet squadron

8 ... son of Warren and Anna Marie Smith … has three siblings, Brittany,Walker and Morgan … major is English ... aspires to become an astronaut... nickname is “Gerber” for his baby face ... favorite movie is Mega Sharkvs Giant Octopus … if he could be on any reality TV show, it would be Jer-sey Shore so, “I could fist pump all night long with the Situation” ... hasplayed the piano for 11 years and guitar and drums for five years … on hisiPod: Conway Twitty and Roy Orbison ... person in history he’s like to meetis Chris Farley.

personal bests

100 fly 49.61200 fly 1:55.14

personal bests

50 free 21.66100 free 47.64200 free 1:43.10


MEET THE FALCONS

2009-10 Highlights: Competed in severaldual meets throughout the season ... spe-cialties are the 500, 1000 and 1650freestyle events ... also swam the 200 but-terfly and the 200 and 400 individualmedley events last season.High School: Lettered four years in swim-ming for coach Ron Aitken … All-American in the 500 freestyle … regionalchampion in the 500 free ... four-time state qualifier in the 200 and 500free ... also swam for the Boulder City Henderson club team, coached byMike Polk … member of National Honor Society … Scholastic All-Ameri-can. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 33 ... son of Michael and NadineBrigman … has two siblings, Taylor and Kyleigh … major is foreign areastudies with a minor in German ... plans to become a pilot … nickname isbleeps ... hobbies include Xbox, TV and anything outdoors … favorite foodis steak … favorite movie is Inception … most notable thing about hishometown is The Strip … person in history he’d like to meet is TheodoreRoosevelt … biggest influence on his sports career has been his mother ...if he could be on any reality TV show, it would be Pawn Stars ... favoritequote is: “If you’re not first, you’re last.” Ricky Bobby.

RYAN BRIGMAN

SO. • 5-9 • DISTANCE FREELAS VEGAS, NEV.(BISHOP GORMAN)

personal bests

500 free 4:45.071000 free 9:51.811650 free 16:26.03

2009-10 Highlights: Ranked in the team’stop five in the 50 & 100 freestyle and 100& 200 butterfly events ... best times were21.89 in the 50 free, 47.63 in the 100 free,50.77 in the 100 fly and 1:53.87 in the 200fly.High School: Lettered four years in swim-ming for coach Lou Sassi … state cham-pion in the 500 freestyle in 2007 … statechampion in the 200 free in 2008 … three-time All-American ... broke the400 free national age group record at 2:58.33 … also swam for the TucsonFord club team, coached by Roric Fink … member of National Honor Soci-ety … three-time USA Swimming Academic All-American. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 30 ... son of Ken Chiaro and DonnaDrilling … has an older sister, Celeste … major is management ... careerplans are to become a pilot ... nickname is cheese ... favorite foods arepizza and wings … favorite movie is Zoolander … hobbies are bro-ing out,shooting and hanging out with friends ... person in history he’d like to meetis Billy Mays … something not many people know about him is that hewishes he was a professional badminton player … favorite athlete is T.J.Tollakson, a “great triathlete, friend, and the hardest worker I’ve had thechance to train with.” ... credits his club coach Roric Fink as having thebiggest influence on his sports career ... if he could be on any reality TVshow, it would be Jersey Shore.

ANTHONY CHIARO

SO. • 6-0 • FREE/FLYTUCSON, ARIZ.

(SAHUARO)

personal bests

50 free 21.89100 free 47.63200 free 1:44.06100 fly 50.77200 fly 1:53.87


MEET THE FALCONS

MARK HANSEN

SO. • 5-9 • IM/FLYBERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J.(GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON)

2009-10 Highlights: Ranked in team’s topfive in the 200 freestyle, 200 butterfly and200 and 400 individual medley events ...time of 1:52.48 in the 200 IM was third-fastest on team ... time of 4:02.22 in 400IM was also third-fastest on team ...recorded both top times in the IM eventsin the MWC Championship finals.High School: Swam for the Berkeley Aquatic Club, coached by Jim Wood… New Jersey Junior Olympics champion in the 200 IM in 2009 … memberof Mu Alpha Theta.Personal: Member of cadet squadron 23 ... son of Paul and TheresaHansen … has four siblings, Laura, Kate, Tom and Julie … older brother,Tom, is also a member of the Air Force swim team … major is military his-tory ... plans to become a pilot … hobbies are camping, hiking, watchingmovies, anime, comics and video games ... favorite food is pulled pork …favorite movie is Gladiator … person in history he’d like to meet is GeorgeWashington … favorite athlete is Manchester United defender NemanyaVidic … pre-meet ritual is to listen to Arctic Monkeys … his iPod includesMuse, Metallica, Arctic Monkeys and British rock …credits high school clubcoach Jim Wood as having the biggest influence on his sports career ... fa-vorite quote: “Death is nothing. But to live defeated and inglorious is to diedaily.” – Napoleon Bonaparte.

personal bests

100 breast 1:00.06200 fly 1:52.48200 IM 1:53.50400 IM 4:02.22

2009-10 Highlights: Ranked in the team’stop five in the 200, 500, 100 and 1650freestyle events ... time of 1:39.27 in the200 free is the seventh-fastest in schoolhistory ... swam the third-leg of team’sfastest 800 free relay group, whichclocked a time of 6:45.11.High School: Lettered four years in swim-ming for coaches Bob Schlegel and Tom Bynek … six-time All-American …school record-holder … Junior Nationals qualifier … also swam for the ACESclub team, coached by Eric Craven.Personal: Member of cadet squadron 23 ... son of Robert and MarciaJones … has a sister, Sharayah … attended the Academy Prep School …greatest moment in sports was winning the 400 free relay at states … hob-bies include hunting, climbing 14ers and biking … favorite movie is FightClub … person in history he’d like to meet is Lance Armstrong … biggest in-fluence on his sports career has been his parents.

JON JONES

SO. • 6-3 • DISTANCE FREEHIGHLANDS RANCH, COLO.

(HERITAGE)

personal bests

200 free 1:39.27500 free 4:36.741000 free 9:45.361650 free 16:35.87


MEET THE FALCONS

TIM MARTINELLI

SO. • 6-6 • SPRINT FREEVERO BEACH, FLA.(SEBASTIAN RIVER)

2009-10 Highlights: Competed in severaldual meets throughout the season ... spe-cialiazes in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyleevents.High School: Lettered four years in swim-ming for coach Scott Barlow … two-yearteam captain … All-American in the 100and 200 freestyle … also swam for Treasure Coast Swimming, also coachedby Scott Barlow … named Treasure Coast Swimmer of the Year … team co-MVP … finished third at the state championships in the 100 and 200 free. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 6 ... son of Frank and Joan Martinelli… has five sisters, Melissa, Melanie, Micaela, Marina and Mia … plans tomajor in aerospace engineering and become a pilot … hobbies include eat-ing, movies, playing sports and swimming … favorite movie is Dodgeball …biggest influence on his sports career has been his dad … pre-race ritualsare to listen to music and stretch … favorite quotes: “If winning isn’t every-thing, why do they keep score?” and “Never take life too seriously, no onegets out alive anyway.”

personal bests

50 free 22.25100 free 48.23200 free 1:45.44

2009-10 Highlights: Swam the team’sthird-fastest 100 backstroke (52.08) andfourth-fastest 200 back (1:53.70) ... alsoswam the 100 fly.High School: Lettered four years in swim-ming for coach Mike Schneiderlochner …two-time All-American (in the butterflyand backstroke) … WPIAL record-holder … three-time WPIAL champion …four-time all-state honors recipient … academic All-American … memberof National Honor Society. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 4 ... son of Sam and Diane Millikin… has a younger sister, Danielle … major is mechanical engineering ... hobbies include watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins and sleep-ing … favorite movie is Inglourious Bastards … person in history he’d liketo meet is Chuck Yeager … biggest influence on his sports career has beenhis dad because “he was my second coach and always went the extra milefor me” … pre-race rituals are stretching, listening to music and visualizing… listens to classic and modern rock on his Zune … if he could trade placeswith one of his teammates for a day, it would be Robert Dawson because,“Who doesn’t want to be a sprinter? Can’t beat those workouts.” ... fa-vorite quote is: “Never doubt in the dark, what you knew in the light.”

MATTMILLIKIN

SO. • 6-0 • BACK/FLYPITTSBURGH, PA.

(CARLYNTON)

personal bests

100 back 52.08200 back 1:53.70100 fly 53.17


MEET THE FALCONS


RYAN SITTIG

SO. • 6-3 • FREE/IMAUSTIN, TEXAS

(LASA)

2009-10 Highlights: Competed in severaldual meets throughout the season ... spe-cialiazes in the 500, 1000 and 1650freestyle events.... also swam the 200back and 200 & 400 medley events.High School: Lettered four years in swim-ming for coach Lee Willing … state cham-pion in the 500 freestyle … three-timeNISCA All-American … lettered in baseball one year … also swam for theLonghorn Aquatics Club, coached by Doug Rusk … member of the NationalHonor Society. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 35 ... son of Loren and Maureen Sit-tig … major is biochemistry ... aspires to become a doctor or pilot … nick-names is patches ... on the commandant’s list both semesters as afreshman ... hobbies include shooting, US History and boating … favoritefood is fajitas … favorite movie is Master and Commander … person in his-tory he’d like to meet is Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson … biggest in-fluence on his sports career has been his father … favorite athlete is VinceYoung … if he could be on any reality TV show, it would be The DeadliestCatch … on his iPod: Alan Jackson, Kevin Fowler, George Strait, Wiz Khal-ifa and Lil’ Wayne … Favorite quote is: “To be prepared for war is one ofthe most effective means of preserving peace.” -George Washington.

personal bests

500 free 4:52.451000 free 10:09.801650 free 16:51.96400 IM 4:17.09

2009-10 Highlights: Competed in severaldual meets throughout the season ... spe-cialiazes in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyleevents.... also swam the 100 and 200backstroke events.High School: Lettered four years in swim-ming for coach Kate Thomas … All-Ameri-can in the 200 freestyle … three-timeall-area first team … All-Metro honorable mention selection in 2009 … alsoswam for the QDD Swim Team, coached by Rick Benner … graduatedsumma cum laude. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 15 ... son of Gary and Lesli Stronko… has two siblings, Sam and Kylie … major is foreign area studies … aspiresto work for the office of special investigations or become a diplomat ...nickname is Dolce ... hobbies include traveling, foreign language and try-ing new things … favorite foods are Italian, Mexican, sushi and Pad Thai …favorite movie is The Godfather and Get Him to the Greek … credits hismother has having the biggest influence on his sports career … favoriteathlete is Casey Converse, because “he’s a swimming legend” … on hisiPod: anything that makes you want to fist bump like you’re on JerseyShore.

JAKE STRONKO

SO. • 5-11 • FREE/FLYWOODBRIDGE, VA.

(OSBOURN PARK)

personal bests

200 free 1:43.65500 free 4:55.43100 fly 53.03200 fly 1:56.45


MEET THE FALCONS


WESTON WALKER

SO. • 6-3 • FREE/FLYARLINGTON, TEXAS

(PANTEGO)

2009-10 Highlights: Competed in severaldual meets throughout the season ... spe-cialiazes in the sprint freestyle events.High School: Lettered four years in swim-ming for coach Ron Forrest … state 5Aqualifier as a junior … Tapps Division IIIstate champion and record holder …swam for the Fort Worth Area Swim Team (FAST). Personal: Member of cadet squadron 21 ... son of Randall and KendraWalker … has a sister, Keilah … major is systems engineering management... aspires to become a pilot ... nickname is Goober ... earned his jumpwings this past summer ... also on the commandant’s and athletics list ...favorite food is pizza … favorite movie is For A Few Dollars More … hobbiesare outdoors stuff, hiking, running and frisbee ... favorite athlete and per-son’ who’s had the biggest influence on his sports career is Dana Vollmer... if he could be on any reality TV show, it would be Dog the Bounty Hunter... on his iPod: Country, the good Texas stuff ... favorite quote: “I can’t takeyou seriously with a Crystal Light in your hand.”

personal bests

50 free 22.15100 free 48.39100 fly 54.24

2009-10 Highlights: Competed in allthree-diving events ... had a career-high249.60 points in the 1-meter springboardagainst BYU ... had a career-high 223.13points in the 3-meter springboard againstUtah ... had a career-high 175.15 points inthe platform dive at the AF Diving Invita-tional ... Mountain West Conference all-academic.High School: Lettered three years in diving for coaches Amon McCraryand Randy Huff at Thompson Valley High School … placed 13th in the state4A meet as a sophomore, sixth as a junior and third as a senior … letteredone year in soccer and one year in basketball … also competed for FortCollins Dive Club, coached by Kevin Witt … named to President’s List atFront Range Community College in Fort Collins in spring 2008 … memberof National Honor Society.Personal: Member of cadet squadron 38 ... son of John and SharlaneWhite … has a younger sister, Kirsten … would like to become a pilot …hobbies include ultimate Frisbee, climbing, rappelling, skiing, catching rep-tiles and amphibians, hiking, paintball and playing guitar … most note-worthy thing about his hometown is that it holds the second-largestcommunity of artists in the nation … things most people don’t know abouthim is that he has rappelled into an occupied eagle’s nest, lassoed a wildiguana and been to most of the continental United States.

BRENT WHITE

SO. • 5-6 • DIVINGLOVELAND, COLO.(HOMESCHOOLED)

personal bests

1m 249.603m 223.13Platform 175.15


MEET THE FALCONS


PAUL YOUNG

SO. • 5-11 • BACK/IMLAKEVILLE, MINN.(LAKEVILLE NORTH)

2009-10 Highlights: All-Mountain WestConference in the 200 backstroke ...clocked a time of 1:48.05 in the 200 backat the MWC Championships for the sixth-fastest time in school history ... also swamthe team’s second-fastest 100 back timeof the season (50.97), which is the ninth-fastest in school history ... also swam the100 free, 100 breast, 100 fly and 200 IM in meets last season ... MWC all-academic.High School: Lettered two years in swimming for coach Dan Schneider …state champion in the 100 backstroke … qualified for the Olympic Trials …swam for the Black Dog club team, coached by Alfred O’Neill … graduatedsumma cum laude.Personal: Member of cadet squadron 33 ... son of Paul and Ruth Young …has two siblings, Christen and Ryan … major is biology ... hobbies includehunting, coin collecting and farming … favorite movie is The Patriot … per-son in history he’d like to meet is Albert Einstein … favorite athlete is LennyKrayzelburg, because “he was a backstroke god” … if he could be on anyreality TV show, it would be Wipeout … if he could trade places with anyof his teammates for a day, it would be Sean O’Keefe, because “he is myidol.”

personal bests

100 back 50.97200 back 1:48.05100 fly 53.08200 IM 1:55.77

HIGH SCHOOL (Salisbury): Lettered four years in diving ... two-time NISCAAll-American ... two-time all-state ... four-time PIAA District 11 medalist... finished fourth in states as a senior ... helped lead Salisbury to districtrunner-up finish... high school diving coach was Amy Simpson ... also dovefor Parkland Aquatic Club and was coached by Cary Lehman ... NationalHonors Society member.

PERSONAL: Member of cadet squadron 20 ... has two siblings, Matt andKatie ... hobbies are playing frisbee and listening to music ... favorite movieis Caddyshack ... most noteworthy thing about his town is that its the oneBilly Joel sang about ... credits his father as having the biggest influence onhis sports career ... favorite athlete is Phil Mickelson ... if he could tradeplaces with a teammate for one day it would be Nate Gilbert because,“he’s a firstie” ... son of Edward and Mary Cialkowski.

PETER CIALKOWSKIFR. • 5-10 • DIVING

ALLENTON, PA.(SALISBURY)


MEET THE FALCONS

KYLE EVANS

FR. • 5-5 • FLYPOWAY, CALIF.

(POWAY)

HIGH SCHOOL (Poway): Lettered fouryears in swimming ... three-time All-American ... set three school records ...first-team all-league, first-team all-CIF andfirst-team All-North County ...junior na-tionals qualifier ... junior Olympic Cham-pion ... helped lead Poway to three leaguetitles and three CIF runner-up finishes ... high school swimming coach wasTim Fuller ... also swam for North Coast Aquatics, coached by Jeff Pease ...National Honors Society member ... AP Scholar with Distinction ... CSF re-cipient ... scholastic All-American ... first-team academic All-CIF.

PERSONAL: Member of cadet squadron 27 ... has one sister, Breanne ...nickname is Tanto ... hobbies are surfing, skim boarding, and running toclass carrying a backpack in the left hand ... favorite foods are In-N-Outburgers, fries, and shakes ... something not many people know about himis that he got to ride Shamu at Sea World once ... most noteworthy thingabout his hometown is that Blink-182 went to his high school and severalSan Diego Chargers live there ... If he could trade places with one of histeammates for day, it would it be Micah “T.” Newmann because of his sickdance moves ... favorite quote is: “Push your competitor to the pointwhere HE HAS TO GIVE UP” –Alberto Salazar, marathon runner ... son ofson of David and Margie Evans.

HIGH SCHOOL (Plano Senior): Letteredfour years in swimming ... three-time All-American in 100 butterfly, 100 and 200freestyle ... Texas State Champion in the100 fly ... on the Texas state record-set-ting 400 free relay team ... National relayrecord holder ... Junior nationals runnerup ... also swam at the National selectcamp ... high school swimming coachwas Philip Wiggins.

PERSONAL: Member of cadet squadron 37 ... has two siblings, Melissaand Joshua ... loves history and his German heritage ... favorite sport issoccer and follows the German national team ... son of Michael Leonhardt.

PAUL LEONHARDT

FR. • 5-9 • IM/FLYPLANO, TEXAS(PLANO SENIOR)

personal bests

100 fly 51.50200 fly 1:53.12200 IM 1:56.23

personal bests

50 free 20.50100 free 44.53200 free 1:36.87100 fly 48.38200 fly 1:47.68200 IM 1:49.86200 back 1:49.82


MEET THE FALCONS

ANGUS MACDONALD

FR. • 6-1 • BACK/FLY/FREEWOODBRIGE, VA.(BISHOP IRETON)

HIGH SCHOOL (Bishop Ireton): Letteredfour years in swimming and two years inwater polo ... All-American in 100 back-stroke ... All-American consideration inthe 50, 100 and 200 free and 100 fly ...Virginia Independent Schools State Cham-pion in the 100 back ... four-time all-state... two-time all-league ... school recordholder in the 100 and 200 free, 100 fly and 100 back ... two-time teamcaptain ... two-time team captain in water polo ... school single-seasonrecord holder with 55 goals in water polo ... was on the first-ever waterpolo team at Biship Ironton ... high school swimming coach was John Gul-lickson ... also swam club for Occoquan Swimming Inc., coached by AaronDean.

PERSONAL: Member of cadet squadron 9 ... has four siblings, Alexis, Nikki,Jackie and Alexander ... favorite movie is Dirty Harry ... something mostpeople don’t know about him is that he is sarcastic all the time ... personin history he’d like to meet is Tom Brady ... favorite athlete is Usain Bolt ...son of Angus and Gail MacDonald ... favorite quote: “Never take life too se-riously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.” -Anonymous.

Prior to AFA: Swam for South WestAquatics of Texas (SWAT) junior nationalteam ... MVP and team captain ... wasthe high point swimmer for Team NorthTexas at the 2009 Southern Zones cham-pionships ... swimming coach was JasonChagnon ... National Honor Societymember.

PERSONAL: Member of cadet squadron 13 ... has three siblings, Scott, Jor-dan and Noah ... brother, Scott, swam at Texas A&M from 2002-06 andearned All-American honors ... also attended Cedar Valley College ... hob-bies are video games, movies with his family, golf with his dad and swim-ming ... credits brother, Scott, as having biggest influence on his sportscareer ... favorite athlete is Jason Lezak ... son of Scott and Lori Newmann.

MICAH NEWMANN

FR. • 5-10 • FLY/FREEDUNCANVILLE, TEXAS

(HOMESCHOOLED)

personal bests

50 free 20.94100 fly 50.15200 back 50.41200 back 1:51.03

personal bests

50 free 21:35100 free 45.75200 free 1:41.84100 fly 50.68


MEET THE FALCONS

ALEX PECCI

FR. • 6-1 • DIVINGOVIDEO, FLA.(TRINITY PREP)

HIGH SCHOOL (Trinity Prep - Winter Park, FL): Lettered four years in div-ing ... finished third in state on the 1-meter springboard as a senior ... dovefor back-to-back state champion The Bolles School in Jacksonville, FL, as afreshman and sophomore ... diving MVP as a senior ... set school 1-meterdiving record ... high school diving coach was Katie Adams ... also dove forteam Orlando and was coached by Jay Lewer ... National Honors Societymember.

PERSONAL: Member of cadet squadron 33 ... has four siblings, Shayna,Brooke, Taylor and Skye ... hobbies are playing outdoors, hiking and tum-bling ... favorite movie is Empire Records ... credits his mother as havingthe biggest influence on his sports career ... most notable thing about hishometown is that Disney and Universal Studios are located there ... if hecould trade places with a teammate for one day it would be Nate Gilbertbecause, “he’s a senior and I’m a doolie” ... favorite quote is: “Don't crybecause it's over. Smile because it happened.” -Dr. Seuss ... son of Alexan-der and Leslie Pecci.

HIGH SCHOOL (Pickerington North): Let-tered four years in swimming ... first-teamAll-American ... USA Swimming All-Amer-ican ... four-time state finalist ... holds sev-eral school swimming records ... teamcaptain ... district champion ... academicAll-American ... high school swim coachwas Eric McFerin ... also swam for New Albany Aquatics Club, coached byBrad Burget.

PERSONAL: Member of cadet squadron 6 ... nickname is Bill ... has threesiblings, Jimmy, Durkin, and Wyatt ... hobbies are fly fishing, hiking andchillin out with the guys ... favorite movie is Star Trek ... credits his momas having the biggest influence on his sports career ... favorite athlete isRyan Lochte ... son of Donald and Lisa Ross ... favorite quote: “50 yearsfrom now, when you look back at your life, don't you want to say you hadthe guts to get in the car?” -Sam Whitwiky

BILLY ROSS

FR. • 6-0 • BREASTPICKERINGTON, OHIO(PICKERINGTON NORTH)

personal bests

50 free 21.45100 breast 57.80200 breast 2:11.49


2009-10 SEASON REVIEW

Date Opponent Results (3-4 overall, 2-3 MWC/2nd)10/16-17 Pacific Invitational+ 3rd/567 pts.10/23 TCU* L, 125-16910/30 Mesa State W, 162-9511/6-7 Trojan Diving Invitational% NTS11/19-21 Toshiba Classic+ 3rd/908 pts.11/20-22 Wildcat Diving Invitational% NTS1/2 Florida International Relays+ 1st/154 pts.1/9 Denver L, 97-1291/16 UNLV* L, 129-1641/21 BYU* W, 163-1321/23 Utah* W, 157-1431/29-30 Air Force Diving Invitational% NTS2/6 Wyoming* L, 133-1672/24-27 MWC Championships 2nd/600.5 pts.

SEASON IN REVIEW:The 2009-10 Air Force men’s swimming and diving team put together

a solid season, compiling a 3-4 dual record and 2-3 mark in the MWC,which included the first win over rival BYU during head coach Rob Clay-ton’s tenure. However, the highlight came at the Mountain West Confer-ence Championships, as the Falcons finished second for thesecond-straight season.

Junior Benjamin Gunn defended his title in the 200 IM with a school-and league-record time, while 12 different Falcons turned in a total of 20all-conference performances (16 individual, four relays). In addition, headcoach Rob Clayton was named the Mountain West Conference Men’sSwimming Coach of the Year.

2009-10 Air Force men’s swimming highlights:• Benjamin Gunn set school records in the 200 IM and 100 back andposted Air Force top�10 marks in the 200 back �second� and 100 free �fifth�• Chris Morin posted Air Force top�10 marks in the 200 IM �fifth�, 100 free�eighth� and 50 free �ninth�• Greg Edmonds posted Air Force top 10 marks in the 200 breast �third�and 100 breast �fifth�• Corydon Butler posted Air Force top�10 marks in the 1650 free �fifth�and 500 free �seventh� • Paul Young posted Air Force top�10 marks in the 200 back �sixth� and 100back �ninth�• Cody Deacon posted Air Force top�10 marks in the 100 breast �seventh�and 200 breast �eighth�• Josh Hammervold posted an Air Force top-10 mark in the 200 breast(second)• Robert Dawson posted an Air Force top-10 mark in the 100 free (fourth)• Jon Jones posted an Air Force top-10 mark in the 200 free (seventh)• Tom Hansen posted an Air Force top-10 mark in the 400 IM (eighth)• Benjamin Gunn (200 IM/100 back/200 back), senior Sean O’Keefe (500free/1650 free) and sophomore Corydon Butler (1650 free) recordedNCAA ‘B’ qualifying marks at the MWC Championships• 200 Medley Relay team (Gunn, Deacon, Morin, Dawson), 400 MedleyRelay Team (Gunn, Edmonds, Morin, Dawson) and 400 Freestyle RelayTeam (Gunn, O’Keefe, Morin, Dawson) recorded NCAA ‘B’ marks at theMWC Championships

HONORS AND AWARDS:MWC CHAMPION: • Benjamin Gunn (200 IM)ALL-MWC: • Corydon Butler (500/1650 free)• Robert Dawson (100 free)• Greg Edmonds (100 breast)• Benjamin Gunn (200 IM, 100/200 back)• Tom Hansen (400 IM)• Chris Morin (100 fly)• Sean O’Keefe (200/500/1650 free)• Kyle Van Valkenburg (3-meter dive, platform dive)• J.H. Vivadelli (200 fly)• Paul Young (200 back)• 200 free relay (Morin, O’Keefe, Robinson, Dawson)• 400 free relay (Gunn, O’Keefe, Morin, Dawson)• 200 medley relay (Gunn, Deacon, Morin, Dawson)• 400 medley relay (Gunn, Edmonds, Morin, Dawson)MWC COACH OF THE YEAR: Rob ClaytonMWC SENIOR RECONGITION AWARD: Kyle Van Valkenburg

AIR FORCE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:Benjamin Gunn �Nov. 23/March 2�, Chris Morin �Jan. 25�COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL�DISTRICT �FIRST TEAM�: Eric RobinsonCOSIDA ACADEMIC ALL�AMERICA �SECOND TEAM�: Eric RobinsonACADEMIC ALL�MWC: Cody Deacon, Nathaniel Gilbert, Beau Riebe, EricRobinson, Kyle Van Valkenburg, Brent White, Paul YoungMWC SCHOLAR�ATHLETE: Cody Deacon, Eric Robinson

TEAM CAPTAIN: Chris MorninTEAM MVP: Benjamin Gunn

Benjamin Gunn was named the Falcons’ most valuable athlete forthe second-straight season. For the second-consecutive year, Gunn gar-nered all-conference honors in three individual events. He defended hisMountain West Conference title in the 200 IM with a school- and con-ference-record time of 1:47.22. In addition, Gunn, a two-time All-MWCperformer in the butterfly events, competed in the backstroke eventsthis season, finishing as the conference runner-up in both the 100 and200 back. His mark of 48.64 in the 100 backstroke was a school record,while his time of 1:46.28 in the 200 back was just one one-hundredthoff the Air Force record.

Gunn, who now owns four school records, posted NCAA ‘B’ marks inall three of his individual events at the MWC Championships. He alsoearned all-conference honors on three relays (200 medley, 400 medleyand 400 free), recording NCAA provisional times in each of those eventsas well.


HISTORYThe Falcon swimming program had its begin-

nings in 1955 with the first Air Force Academy class.The Academy in Colorado Springs was not yet builtand the cadets attended school in Denver at LowryAFB. Dr. M.M. MacKenzie was the first head coachand compiled a 15-11 record during the first fouryears. The Cadet Natatorium was completed in1959 and the Falcons hosted their first home meetthat fall.

The 1960s were an exciting decade for the Fal-cons as Air Force swimmers qualified for the NCAAChampionships eight out of 10 years. Capt. PaulCleland was head coach for three years, achieving a25-10 record. Capt. Bob Nugent took over in 1963and went 23-19 in a three-year stint. BackstrokerBarry Beilinski became the swimming program'sfirst All-American in 1963.

In 1966, the NCAA brought the Division Ichampionships to the Academy. Swimming WorldMagazine complimented the meet organization:"The Academy, nestled in an 18,000 acre site at thefoot of the Rocky Mountains, matched its architec-tural grandeur with outstanding organizational ef-ficiency to make the championships one of thegreatest ever held."

Nugent and Colonel E.A. Rafalko, the Falcons'athletic director and meet director, were com-mended for their contributions, especially for se-curing electronic timing. Later, this proved that theequipment should be mandatory for all importantmeets. The "7,000 plus feet above sea level" con-ditions created comment and controversy ascoaches predicted and evaluated their swimmers'performance at the high altitude.

That year, breaststroker Steven Seigler was theswimming team's second All-American. He re-peated in 1967, the year Maj. Paul Arata began histenure as head coach. The final year of the 1960swas one of the highlight years of the decade as theFalcons were 19-0 in dual meets. One of the mostexciting dual meets came against Colorado State.The meet came down to the last relay. If the Fal-cons won, they would win the meet by a point. Thepacked stands cheered Bob Nieman, Warren Fla-herty, D.K. Martin and Bryan Rye to a victory andan NCAA qualifying time of 3:12.02 (fastest in thecountry up to that point) , four seconds ahead ofthe Rams. The Air Force team took nine to theNCAAs that year and the same relay team placed10th, good for All-American status.

Rye, a transfer from Colorado State, would godown in Falcon history after that year. In the meetversus the Rams, he won the 50 and 100 free andanchored the 400 free relay team with a 45.6 split,one of the fastest splits in the country. Rye also beatCSU's All-American sprinter, Dennis O'Connor, threetimes that day. After graduation, Rye flew helicop-ters and served in Vietnam where he was awardedthe Meritorious Service Medal for a successful res-cue mission. Rye was killed in action in 1975 andposthumously promoted to the rank of Captain.The Most Valuable Swimmer Award is named in hishonor and given each year at the Annual IndividualAwards Banquet.

In 1970, Nieman was an All-American in twoevents as he won the consolation heat in both the100 and 200 freestyle at the NCAAs. A few yearslater, Nieman would become the Academy's firstOlympian as he competed in the 1976 Games inmodern pentathlon. He would qualify for the teamagain in 1980.

The men entered the Western Athletic Con-ference (WAC) in 1981 and a period of adjustmentfollowed. The men had the depth to win dual meetsas they were 4-0 in WAC contests that first year buthad a tough time at the WAC Championships. In1981, John Sayre was the program's first WACchampion (200 IM) as he also qualified for theNCAAs. Mike Brown qualified for the Olympic trialsin the 200 meter butterfly, after placing ninth(2:03.71) at the NCAAs in 1984.

Arata, after 16 years at the helm, retired afterthe 1983 season. His record was 188-10 for themen and 113-5-1 for the women, a combined totalof 301-15-1, an unreal winning percentage of 95percent. The men also had an undefeated homevictory streak of 108, covering 16 years beginning in1967. During Arata's reign, there were six All-Amer-icans in eight events and one national champion onthe men's team. On the women's side there weresix national champions in 12 events with 27 differ-ent women achieving All-America honors in 112 dif-ferent events.

Maj. Kelly Kemp was the next head coach andremained in that position until 1987. Maj. Jim Hogue took over in 1988, while Lt. Col.Mikki King returned to coach the diving team. Thenext few years were diving dominant, as Hogue wasDivision II coach of the year in both 1987 and 1988.In the fall of 1988, Keith "Casey" Converse began

his first year as head coach. In 1990, the Falcons beat

WAC rivals BYU and Utah in homedual meets. That same year, DrewWhitting became the team's sec-ond WAC champion by winningthe 500 and 1,650 free and quali-fying for the NCAAs. The 1991WAC Championships saw the Fal-cons ascend to a second-place fin-ish behind Utah, their highestWAC finish ever. The team gar-nered four WAC individual titles,Whitting again in the 500 and1650 free, Bucky MacLaughlin inthe 50 free and Tony Bamsey inthe 100 breaststroke. The teamalso won its first-ever relay cham-pionship (200 free relay com-prised of Bamsey, MacLaughlin,

Sheesley and Squires). For this remarkable finish,Converse was named WAC Coach of the Year. Whit-ting also became the first All-American (HM) on themen's team since 1975 as he placed 13th in boththe 500 and the 1650 free at the NCAA Division IChampionships.

The men continued to fare well, going 7-2 indual meets in 1992 with Bamsey winning anotherWAC title (50 free). Joining him in the winner's cir-cle was Sam Chestnut (1650 free) as the Falconsplaced fifth at the WAC Championships. The fol-lowing year brought an end to one great swimmer'scareer but the beginning of another's. Whittingwon his third WAC title by winning a title in the 500meter free. His time of 4:20.09 is still the WACrecord. Freshman Matt Davis also won a WACchampionship in the 400 IM as the men went 6-3 indual meets.

Davis continued his excellence, as the Falcons'only WAC champion in 1994, repeating in the 400IM. Jon Kalberer (distance freestyle) joined Davison the All-WAC team. Davis won a total of threeWAC championships during his career (400 IM in1993 and 1994 and 200 fly in 1995).

The 1998-99 season saw Rob Clayton takeover as head coach. He replaced Converse, whomoved over to coach the women's program full-time. The team continued to climb up the ranks inthe conference standings. After finishing 11-2 indual meets, the team improved to a fifth-place fin-ish at the WAC Championships. With 11 dual wins,Air Force reached the double-figure mark in victo-ries for the second consecutive year and only thesecond time since 1986. The effort at the WACChampionships was one of the best ever for the Fal-cons, with seven records being established, threeof them in individual events and four in relayevents.

In the fall of 1999, the Academy joined theMountain West Conference as a founding institu-tion. Charlie Toth became the Academy's first MWCchampion in any sport when he won the 100freestyle at the 2000 MWC Championships. MattIhlenfeld added an individual title in the 200 breast,as the team moved up again in the conferencestandings to finish third.

The highlight of the 2001 MWC Champi-onships was the team's victory in the 200 medleyrelay. Paul Brehm, John Dayton, Nate Amidon andToth brought home the title in record-setting timeto claim the Academy's first relay championship in10 years. Ihlenfeld swept the breaststroke events,establishing new MWC records of 54.70 and1:58.67. The Falcons also sent two swimmers to theNCAA Championships (Toth and Ihlenfeld) for thefirst time since 1995.

At the 2002 MWC Championships, the Falconswon the 400 medley relay (Brehm, Dayton, EricPounds, Amidon) and Brehm won both the 100 and200 backstroke. For the third consecutive year, theFalcons finished third at the MWC Championships.

After a 12-2 season (3-1 in MWC) in 2002-03,the Falcons finished as conference runners-up at2003 MWC Championships. It marked just the sec-ond time in Academy history that the program hadfinished this high. Brehm again led the effort, as hesuccessfully defended his championship in the 200backstroke.

At the 2004 Championships, the Falcons re-peated as runners-up. This came on the heels of fin-

BRYAN RYEALL-AMERICA, 1969


HISTORYishing the regular season with an 8-4 record in dualmeets. Freshman Chris Knaute capped off a stellarrookie campaign by winning the 1650 free with atime of 15:28.21, then an MWC record and second-fastest mark in school history.

As a sophomore, Knaute dominated the 2005MWC Championships, winning the 500 and 1650free and 400 IM. His accomplishments led to hisbeing named MWC Swimmer of the Year. He be-came the first in the history of the program to re-ceive Conference Swimmer of the Year Honors.Joining him on the All-MWC team were sophomoreJustin Lapin and senior Evan Parr.

In 2006, the Falcons took third place at theMWC Championships, setting four school recordsin the process. Knaute defended his titles in the 500and 1650 free and 400 IM, while Paul Parmenterwon the 200 IM and Brady Lindberg won the plat-form diving event. Stan Curnow was named co-div-ing coach of the year. Knaute also participated inthe NCAAs, earning honorable mention All-Amer-ica honors in the 400 IM and 500 free.

Once again, the Falcons finished third in the

MWC in 2007. Knaute was named the MWC Men’sSwimmer of the Year for the second time, winningtwo more conference titles in the 400 IM and 500free. Parmenter and Lindberg defended their titlesin the 200 IM and platform dive, respectively, whileRob Clayton was honored as the men’s swimmingcoach of the year. In addition, the 800 free relayteam of Bryan Avery, T.J. Cowling, Parmenter andKnaute set a new school record, shattering the pre-vious mark by three seconds. Knaute went on tocompete at the NCAA Championships for a secondyear. Knaute and Parmenter also competed at theU.S. Open, both qualifying for the Olympic Trials.

The Falcons, who lost conference championsKnaute, Lindberg and Parmenter, were forced to re-build in 2008, but still finished fourth at the confer-ence championships. Sophomore Kyle VanValkenburg was the MWC champion in the platformdive, giving the Falcons the title in the event for thethird-straight season. In addition, Avery set a newschool record in the 100 fly, while he, fellow juniorJustin Day and freshman Benjamin Gunn all earnedqualifying marks for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Air Force managed to put together one of itsbest-ever MWC Championship finishes in 2009,placing second behind UNLV. The Falcons claimedtwo individual titles, with Gunn winning the 200 IMin school-record fashion and Van Valkenburg de-fending his championship in the platform. In addi-tion, a total of eight school records (four individual,four relay) were set during the conference meet.Gunn led the way by turning in Academy-bestmarks in the 200 IM, 100 fly and 200 fly, while Dayset the new standard in the 100 breast. The Falconsalso set new school records in the 400 and 800freestyle relays and the 200 and 400 medley relays.

In 2010, the Falcons followed up the stellar2009 season with another second place finish at theMWC Championships. Gunn won his second 200IM title, setting a new conference and schoolrecord. Gunn also set a school record in the 100back. Nine individuals earned all-conference hon-ors across 21 events. In addition, Clayton wasnamed MWC Coach of the Year for the third timein his career.

As with the Falcons’ swimming program, the AirForce diving team has also enjoyed enormous successover its history.

Air Force has had a total of 16 first-team All-Americans and three national champions (Division Iand Division II) in just over four decades of competi-tion.

The first great diver in Academy history was DonMcLean. A 1966 graduate, McLean was an All-Ameri-can in 1965 and placed ninth in the nation on one-meter and 12th on three-meter. He was the firstFalcon diver to qualify for the NCAAs and earn All-America status.

In the 1970s, the diving coach position was filledby Olympic diving coach Dick Smith, who began layinga solid foundation that would benefit future Air Forcedivers. He was replaced in 1973 by Capt. Micki King, aspringboard diving gold medalist in the 1972 OlympicGames. Included in this era is Rick McAlister, one ofthe best athletes to ever attend the Academy.Coached by both Smith and King, McAlister is themost successful diver in Academy history. In 1974, hewas the three-meter NCAA national champion andplaced fourth on one-meter, single-handedly scoring27 points as the Falcons placed 13th in the nation. Afour-time All-American, he won five national inde-pendent titles and took three second-place finisheson the one-meter board at the National AAUs.

In 1976, Chuck Kennedy replaced King as thecoach and a new era began as women entered theAcademy. Janet Peterson, class of 1981, was the Acad-emy’s first female All-American in diving. She won theaward eight times, twice each year on both boards,at the AIAW Division II National Championships.Shawn Whitson, an ‘82 graduate and another out-standing diver, was a seven-time All-American. In1982, Linda Telkamp became the first female diver toclaim a national title, winning the three-meter com-petition. Telkamp was also an eight-time All-Americanas the 1980s produced several diving legends includ-ing Nancy Burdick (‘83), a five-time All-American. In1983, Micki King returned to coach four more All-Americans. They were Tina Landschultz (five times),Dana Strong (three times), Pam Klein (one time) andMary Rainaldi (one time).

In 1990, King was replaced by Capt. Brian Shimel

and both had a hand in coaching the strongest duo ofwoman divers in the history of the Academy, KimDornburg and Dawn Dishner. Dornburg, a six-time All-American, was national champion on one-meter andthree-meter in 1988 and again won the one-metertitle in 1991. Dishner, a seven-time All-American, wasthe three-meter national champion in 1989. Dornburgwon the Academy’s Most Valuable Swimmer/Diveraward three times, while Dishner won it twice. Onlyone other women’s swimmer or diver (Patty Mar-tinez) has ever won the award more than twice. In ad-dition to the success of the women divers, the menalso fielded strong competitors. Jeff Faley qualified forthe NCAAs in 1987 on both boards.

In 1991, another great Academy diver, BoBloomer, became Air Force’s first WAC champion diverby winning the three-meter competition.

In 1992, Stan Curnow took over the diving reins.In his tenure at the Academy, he has produced sev-eral female All-Americans. In his first year, Sarah Saxer,class of 1993, earned All-American honors on bothboards while Rebecca Currie was an All-American inthe three-meter. The two repeated as All-Americansin 1993. With Saxer gone, Casey Cornish earned hon-orable mention on both boards in 1994 while Curriefinished out her career with her first top-eight finish inone-meter. In 1995, three women earned honorablemention All-American honors and helped the Falconsto the Division II national championship. They wereLauren Eckert, Cornish and Dawn McCown. Cornish,finishing out a brilliant career, was the only Falcon toscore on both boards at the 1996 NCAAs, a year thatbrought another national championship to Air Force.

Sophomore Elly Bunzendahl became the pro-gram’s first first-team All-American since Currie in1993 when she earned the honor by placing seventhin the three-meter.

As the Academy’s diving program forges ahead inthe new millenium, a commitment to improve on boththe men’s and women’s side has been evident. In theirfinal season competing in the WAC, the divers con-tributed to Air Force's fifth-place finish. Doug Hulseadded a top-eight finish on the platform while JimMarion placed in the one-meter.

After their strong showing at the WAC, thedivers went on to record impressive performances at

the NCAA Zone E Championships. Marion and Hulseeach placed in two events while Dave Devemarkplaced in the platform competition.

In 2002, Sarah Law won the one- and three-meter diving titles at the 2002 Mountain West Con-ference Swimming and Diving Championships. Law,who was also named the Diver of the Year, is a repeatwinner in the one-meter. The four-time conferencediving champion was also awarded with the confer-ence’s senior recognition award for excellence in andout of the pool. Jessica Williams won the 2002 MWCplatform title. She also holds the conference recordon platform (384.55).

In 2004, Ben Chapman earned a trip to theNCAA Zone E Diving Regionals with his win in thethree-meter dive at the AFA Diving Invitational.

The 2005-06 season was a solid year for Falcondiving, as junior Brady Lindberg was the conferencechampion in the men’s platform diving. SophomoreDanielle Dowds was the lone first-team all-conferenceselection on the women’s team, earning the honorsin the platform diving and coach Stan Curnow wasnamed co-diving coach of the year. Lindberg then de-fended his conference title in the platform dive in2007, winning the event for a second time, whilefreshman David Arlington garned All-MWC honors atthree-meters.

Despite the graduation of Lindberg, the strengthof the diving program remained evident in 2008, asKyle Van Valkenburg was the lone conference cham-pion for the Falcons, winning the men’s platform dive.The sophomore’s title marked the third straight yearthat an Air Force diver had won the event. Mean-while, Dowds earned All-MWC honors once again inthe platform dive.

In 2009, the Falcons’ success on the platformcontinued, with Van Valkenburg defending his title,while junior Chelsea Tompkins earned all-conferencehonors on the women’s platform. In addition, VanValkenburg posted all-conference honors on thethree-meter springboard, while Arlington added anall-conference performance on the one-meter board.

Air Force Diving Program Has Rich HistoryAir Force Diving Program Has Rich History


HONORS & AWARDSTeam MVP

(Sponsored by the family of Captain Bryan Rye, Class of ‘71)

1969 Bob Nieman1970 Bob Nieman1971 Bruce Fisher1972 Jim Thompson1973 Rick McAlister, Diver1974 Rick McAlister, Diver1975 Rick McAlister, Diver1976 Frank Snyder1977 Frank Snyder1978 Doug Poorman1979 Steve Waters1980 Steve Waters1981 John Sayre1982 John Sayre1983 Garrett Thompson1984 Garrett Thompson1985 James Boegman1986 James Boegman1987 Tom McGinnis1988 Bucky MacLaughlin1989 Bucky MacLaughlin1990 Drew Whitting1991 Drew Whitting1992 Sam Chesnut1993 Matt Davis1994 Matt Davis1995 Matt Davis1996 Jon Kalberer1997 Matt Davis1998 Tim Paschke1999 Cody Rasmussen2000 Charlie Toth2001 Charlie Toth2002 Paul Brehm2003 Paul Brehm2004 Chris Knaute2005 Chris Knaute2006 Chris Knaute2007 Chris Knaute2008 Bryan Avery2009 Benjamin Gunn2010 Benjamin Gunn

Diving National ChampionsRick McAlister

1974 Three-meters

Swimming All-AmericansBarry Bielinski

1963 100 BackstrokeStephen Seigler

1966 200 Breaststroke1967 200 Breaststroke

Warren Flaherty1969 400 Freestyle Relay

Douglas Martin 1969 400 Freestyle Relay

Bob Nieman 1969 400 Freestyle Relay1970 100 Freestyle1970 200 Freestyle

Bryan Rye 1969 400 Freestyle Relay

Drew Whitting1993 500 Freestyle

Matt Davis1995 200 Butterfly

Chris Knaute2006 400 IM2006 500 Freestyle

Diving All-AmericansDaniel McLean

1965 One-meter1965 Three-meters

Rick McAlister1973 Three-meters1974 One-meter 1974 Three-meters1975 One-meter

U.S. Olympic TrialsDrew Whitting

1992 400 Freestyle2000 1,500 Freestyle

Matt Davis1996 200 Butterfly

Matt Horner2000 200 Backstroke

Matt Ihlenfeld2000 100 Breaststroke2000 200 Breaststroke

Charlie Toth2000 50 Freestyle2000 100 Freestyle

Bryan Avery2008 100 Butterfly

Justin Day2008 100 Breaststroke

Benjamin Gunn2008 100 Butterfly

Chris Knaute2008 200 IM2008 400 IM

Paul Parmenter2008 100 Backstroke2008 100 Butterfly2008 200 IM

U.S. World Championships TrialsChris Knaute

2005 200 Freestyle2005 400 Freestyle

Olympic TeamBob Nieman

1976 Modern Pentathlon1980 Modern Pentathlon, fencing1988 Modern Pentathlon

Eli Bremer2008 Modern Pentathlon

WAC Swimming Coach of the YearCasey Converse, 1991

MWC Swimming Coach of the YearRob Clayton, 2007, 2010

MWC Diving Coach of the YearStan Curnow, 2001, 2002, 2006

MWC Men’s Swimmer of the YearChris Knaute, 2005, 2007

Conference Champions**John Sayre

1981 200 IM 1982 200 IM

Tony Bamsey1991 100 Breaststroke1992 50 Freestyle

Bo Bloomer1991 Three-meters

Bucky MacLauglin1991 50 Free1992 50 Free

Drew Whitting1991 500 Free1991 1,650 Free1993 500 Free

Bamsey, MacLaughlin, Sheesley, Squires2001 200 Medley Relay

Sam Chesnut1992 1,650 Freestyle

Matt Davis1993 400 IM1994 400 IM1995 200 Butterfly

Matt Ihlenfeld2000 200 Breast2001 100 Breast2001 200 Breast

Charlie Toth2000 100 Free

Brehm, Dayton, Amidon, Toth2001 200 Medley Relay

Paul Brehm2002 100 Backstroke2002 200 Backstroke2003 200 Backstroke

Brehm, Dayton, Pounds, Amidon2002 400 Medley Relay

Chris Knaute2004 1650 Free2005 1650 Free2005 500 Free2005 400 IM2006 1650 Free2006 500 Free2006 400 IM2007 500 Free2007 400 IM

Brady Lindberg2006 Platform Diving2007 Platform Diving

Paul Parmenter2006 200 IM2007 200 IM

Kyle Van Valkenburg2008 Platform Diving2009 Platform Diving

Benjamin Gunn2009 200 IM2010 200 IM

** Western Athletic Conference (1981-1999)Mountain West Conference (2000-pres.)


HONORS & AWARDSMWC Senior Recognition Award

Matt Horner, 2002Paul Brehm, 2004Matt Karmondy, 2006Chris Knaute, 2007

MWC 10th-Anniversary TeamChris Knaute

MWC Scholar-Athlete of the YearJohn Dayton, 2003Matt Karmondy, 2006

NCAA Postgraduate ScholarshipBill Lauritzen, 1973Shawn Whitson, 1982Charlie Toth, 2001John Dayton, 2003Matt Karmondy, 2006

ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDAAcademic All-American

John Dayton, 2003Eric Robinson, 2010

College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA)

Scholar All-AmericanJohn Dayton, 2000-03Tim Paschke, 2000Charlie Toth, 2000Paul Brehm, 2001Paul Parmenter, 2007Eric Robinson, 2009 (honorable mention)Eric Robinson, 2010Cody Deacon 2010

Academy AwardsAthletic Leadership

1960 Derry Adamson1968 John Graham1969 Chris Curtis

Scholar Athlete1966 Ronald Grabe1967 Gary Reid1979 Frank Synder1980 Dirk Jordan2003 John Dayton2006 Matt Karmondy

Athletic Excellence1975 Rick McAlister2001 Charlie Toth2007 Chris Knaute

Outstanding Athletic Achievement2006 Chris Knaute

Rhodes ScholarKen Davison, 1984

Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete

John Dayton, 2003Matt Karmondy, 2003-06Rory Peterson, 2003-04Matt Sievers, 2004-07Spencer Liedl, 2005-08Paul Gannett, 2007Eric Robinson, 2008-10Johnathan Cox, 2009Cody Deacon, 2009-10

Academic All-ConferenceAndrew Badgett (1999, 00)James Bales (1998, 99, 00, 01)Andrew Bergman (2004, 05, 06, 07)Casey Bowen (2001, 02, 03, 04)Paul Brehm (2001, 02, 03, 04)Spencer Butt (2006, 08, 09)Ben Chapman (2001, 04)T.J. Cowling (2005, 06, 07)Johnathan Cox (2009)John Dayton (2000, 01, 02, 03)Cody Deacon (2009, 10)Dave Devemark (1997)Matt Dunker (1997)Matt Durkin (1995, 96, 97)Dave Dutcher (1995, 96)Nathan Erickson (2009)John Fitzsimmons (1991, 92)Mike Foster (1997, 98, 99)Steve Frank (1994)Paul Gannett (2007)Nathaniel Gilbert (2008, 09, 10)Nathan Glandon (2008)Josh Hammervold (2008)Tom Hansen (2008, 09)Andrew Hauffe (2006)Justin Hauffe (2004)Marshall Haylett (2000, 01, 02)Matt Horner (2000, 01, 02)Scott Hudson (1997, 98, 99)Matt Ihlenfeld (2000, 01)Matt Karmondy (2003, 04, 05, 06)Greg Kraus (1995)Coby Leslie (1996)Spencer Liedl (2005, 06, 07, 08)Brady Lindberg (2007)Sean Londrigan (1991, 92)Rolf Lundemark (1993, 95)James Marion (2000)James McCroan (2001, 02)Karl Mohrmann (2008, 09)McKay Morgan (2000)Chris Morin (2007, 08)Ryan Moss (2004, 05, 06, 07)John Olson (2000)Paul Parmenter (2004, 05, 06. 07)Evan Parr (2002, 03, 04, 05)Tim Paschke (1998, 99, 00)Eric Patten (1991)Scott Percival (1998, 99, 00, 01)Rory Peterson (2001, 02, 03, 04)Mason Phelps (2001, 02, 03, 04)Eric Pounds (2001, 02, 03, 04)Cody Rasmussen (1997, 98, 99)Beau Reibe (2010)Eric Robinson (2008, 09, 10)Nate Rump (1991)Matt Shipstead (1998, 99, 00)Matt Sievers (2004, 05, 06, 07)Tim Songster (1992, 93)Race Steinfort (2000, 01, 02)Andrew Stolee (2001)Shawn Strabley (2001)Derek Tharaldson (1997)Charlie Toth (2000, 01)Nick Uzelac (2005, 06, 07)Patrick Vandam (2003)Kyle Van Valkenburg (2008, 09, 10)Mike Vetter (1991, 92)Brent White (2010)Layne Wilson (2006, 07, 08)Paul Young (2010)

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Year W L Coach1957 3 4 Dr. M.M. MacKenzie1958 4 5 Dr. M.M. MacKenzie1959 8 2 Dr. M.M. MacKenzie 1960 10 1 Capt. Paul Cleland1961 9 3 Capt. Paul Cleland1962 6 6 Capt. Paul Cleland 1963 5 6 Capt. Bob Nugent1964 5 6 Capt. Bob Nugent1965 7 2 Capt. Bob Nugent1966 6 5 Capt. Bob Nugent 1967 6 7 Capt. Paul Arata1968 12 1 Capt. Paul Arata1969 19 0 Maj. Paul Arata1970 12 0 Maj. Paul Arata1971 13 1 Maj. Paul Arata1972 13 3 Maj. Paul Aehnlich 1973 12 0 Maj. Paul Arata1974 11 0 Lt. Col. Paul Arata1975 12 0 Lt. Col. Paul Arata1976 6 0 Lt. Col. Paul Arata1977 10 1 Lt. Col. Paul Arata1978 9 0 Lt. Col. Paul Arata1979 12 0 Lt. Col. Paul Arata1980 13 0 Lt. Col. Paul Arata1981 13 0 Lt. Col. Paul Arata1982 13 0 Lt. Col. Paul Arata1983 15 0 Lt. Col. Paul Arata 1984 14 2 Capt. Kelly Kemp1985 13 5 Capt. Kelly Kemp1986 12 4 Maj. Kelly Kemp 1987 4 5 Capt. Jim Hogue1988 6 3 Maj. Jim Hogue 1989 7 3 Casey Converse1990 9 3 Casey Converse1991 9 4 Casey Converse1992 7 2 Casey Converse1993 6 3 Casey Converse1994 5 5 Casey Converse1995 7 5 Casey Converse1996 6 4 Casey Converse1997 3 6 Casey Converse 1998 10 1* Casey Converse 1999 11 2 Rob Clayton 2000 8 3 Rob Clayton2001 9 4 Rob Clayton2002 6 4 Rob Clayton2003 12 2 Rob Clayton2004 8 4 Rob Clayton2005 13 7 Rob Clayton2006 8 4* Rob Clayton2007 13 3 Rob Clayton2008 4 7 Rob Clayton2009 7 12 Rob Clayton2010 3 4 Rob Clayton

484-164-2

(74.6 % winning percentage)* season record includes a tie


RECORD BOOK (USAFA TOP 10)50 FREESTYLE1. Charlie Toth ('01) 19.99 20012. Trevor Kildare ('97) 20.17 19953. Bucky MacLaughlin ('91) 20.28 19914. John Dayton ('03) 20.32 20015. Tim Paschke ('00) 20.37 19986. Robert Dawson (‘11) 20.44 20097. Tyler Paige ('01) 20.58 20008. Tony Bamsey ('92) 20.61 19929. Chris Morin ('10) 20.63 201010. Garrett Lowe ('95) 20.68 1994

100 FREESTYLE1. Charlie Toth ('01) 43.79 20012. Bucky MacLaughlin ('91) 44.50 19913. Tim Paschke ('00) 44.67 19984. Robert Dawson (‘11) 44.73 20105. Benjamin Gunn (‘11) 44.90 20106. John Dayton ('03) 45.17 20027. Tyler Paige ('01) 45.21 19998. Chris Morin (‘10) 45.24 20109. Garrett Thompson ('84) 45.27 198410. Bryan Avery (‘09) 45.33 2008

200 FREESTYLE1. Chris Knaute ('07) 1:36.98 20062. Bryan Avery (‘09) 1:37.22 20083. Drew Whitting ('93) 1:37.49 19934. Sean O’Keefe (‘10) 1:37.51 20095. Eric Robinson (‘11) 1:38.98 20096. Corydon Butler (‘12) 1:39.20 20107. Jon Jones (‘13) 1:39.27 20098. Garrett Thompson ('84) 1:39.32 19839. Tom Hansen (‘11) 1:39.48 200910. Tim Paschke (‘00) 1:39.70 1998

500 FREESTYLE1. Chris Knaute (‘07) 4:20.00 20062. Drew Whitting ('93) 4:20.09$ 19933. Sean O’Keefe (‘10) 4:24.80 20094. Tom Hansen (‘11) 4:26.70 20095. Jon Kalberer ('96) 4:29.07 19946. Sam Chesnut ('92) 4:29.10 19917. Corydon Butler (‘12) 4:29.46 20108. Bryan Avery (‘09) 4:31.26 20079. Steve Sharpe ('91) 4:31.45 199110. Brian Smith ('81) 4:31.46 1978

1,000 FREESTYLE1. Drew Whitting ('93) 9:07.72 19912. Chris Knaute ('07) 9:11.98 20063. Sean O’Keefe (‘10) 9:15.14 20094. Sam Chesnut ('92) 9:19.24 19915. Corydon Butler (‘12) 9:26.12 20096. James Boegman ('86) 9:26.53 19867. Tom Hansen (‘11) 9:29.80 20098. Matt Karmondy (‘06) 9:31.02 20069. James McCroan ('03) 9:33.55 200010. Jon Kalberer ('96) 9:33.91 1994

1,650 FREESTYLE1. Chris Knaute ('07) 15:09.15 20052. Drew Whitting ('93) 15:10.13 19913. Sean O’Keefe (‘10) 15:24.41 20094. Sam Chesnut ('92) 15:30.33 19915. Corydon Butler (‘12) 15:31.09 20106. James Boegman ('86) 15:39.85 19857. Matt Karmondy (06) 15:41.03 20068. Steve Sharpe ('91) 15:43.32 19919. Tom Hansen (‘11) 15:46.60 200810. Jon Kalberer ('96) 15:47.46 1994

200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY1. Benjamin Gunn (‘11) 1:47.22 20102. Paul Parmenter (‘07) 1:48.72 20063. Nick Burton (‘07) 1:48.87 20064. Matt Davis (‘97) 1:49.07 19975. Chris Morin (‘10) 1:49.58 20106. Cody Rasmussen (‘99) 1:49.68 19997. Chris Knaute (‘07) 1:49.86 20068. Justin Lapin (‘07) 1:49.98 20059. Spencer Liedl (‘08) 1:50.44 200810. Eric Pounds (‘04) 1:50.95 2002

400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY1. Chris Knaute (‘07) 3:48.98 20062. Matt Davis (‘97) 3:51.82 19943. Justin Lapin (‘07) 3:53.52 20064. Drew Whitting (‘93) 3:56.44 19915. Paul Parmenter (‘07) 3:57.45 20066. Matt Horner (‘02) 3:57.64 20017. Cody Rasmussen (‘99) 3:57.72 19998. Tom Hansen (‘11) 3:58.15 20109. Josh Finch (‘01) 3:58.80 199910. John Sayre (‘84) 3:59.04 1982

100 BUTTERFLY1. Benjamin Gunn (‘11) 47.83 20092. Chris Morin (‘10) 48.08 20093. Bryan Avery (‘09) 48.38 20084. Nick Burton (‘07) 48.90 20065. Eric Pounds (‘04) 48.91 20036. Robert Dawson (‘11) 49.23 20097. Bucky MacLaughlin (‘91) 49.29 19918. Charles Lebeau (‘06) 49.30 20049. Matt Sievers (‘07) 49.39 200710. Garrett Lowe (‘95) 49.47 1995

200 BUTTERFLY1. Benjamin Gunn (‘11) 1:46.40 20092. Matt Davis ('97) 1:46.71 19943. Cody Rasmussen ('99) 1:47.06 19994. Mike Brown ('86) 1:47.65 19845. Eric Pounds ('04) 1:48.14 20036. Nick Dixon (‘09) 1:48.81 20097. Chris Knaute (‘07) 1:49.31 20078. Eric Robinson (‘11) 1:49.51 20099. Paul Parmenter (‘07) 1:49.71 200610. Matt Sievers (‘07) 1:49.74 2006

100 BACKSTROKE1. Benjamin Gunn (‘11) 48.64 20102. Paul Brehm ('04) 48.85 20033. Kai Yamashiro (‘09) 49.37 20094. Charles Lebeau ('06) 49.76 20035. Evan Parr ('05) 50.16 20056. Justin Lapin (‘07) 50.36 20077. Lance Bohlman ('94) 50.59 19928. Spencer Liedl (‘08) 50.89 20089. Paul Young (‘13) 50.97 201010. Race Steinfort ('02) 51.02 2001

200 BACKSTROKE1. Paul Brehm ('04) 1:46.27 20032. Benjamin Gunn (‘11) 1:46.28 20103. Kai Yamashiro (‘09) 1:46.44 20094. Matt Horner ('02) 1:47.19 20015. Justin Lapin ('07) 1:47.21 20066. Paul Young (‘13) 1:48.05 20107. Tom Hansen (‘11) 1:48.49 20098. Race Steinfort ('02) 1:49.39 20019. Charles Lebeau ('06) 1:50.03 200310. Evan Parr ('05) 1:50.48 2005

100 BREASTSTROKE1. Justin Day (‘09) 53.87 20092. Matt Ihlenfeld ('01) 54.70 20013. John Dayton ('03) 54.98 20034. Josh Hammervold (‘11) 55.54 20095. Greg Edmonds (‘10) 55.76 20106. Shanon Anderson ('99) 55.93 19997. Cody Deacon (‘12) 55.96 20108. Andrew Bergman (‘07) 56.49 20079. Chris Morin (‘10) 56.52 200910. Spencer Butt (‘09) 56.57 2009

200 BREASTSTROKE1. Matt Ihlenfeld ('01) 1:58.67 20012. Josh Hammervold (‘11) 2:01.13 20103. Greg Edmonds (‘10) 2:01.85 20104. Shanon Anderson ('99) 2:02.20 19995. Justin Day (‘09) 2:02.46 20096. John Dayton ('03) 2:02.60 20017. Nick Burton (‘07) 2:02.62 20068. Cody Deacon (‘12) 2:03.72 20109. Ellis Eaton (‘93) 2:03.78 199210. Spencer Butt (‘09) 2:03.80 2008

200 FREE RELAY1:20.94 (1999 - Paschke, Nguyen, Toth, Paige)

400 FREE RELAY2:58.63 (2009 - Morin, O’Keefe, Gunn, Dawson)

800 FREE RELAY6:32.32 (2009 - Hansen, O’Keefe, Robinson, Gunn)

200 MEDLEY RELAY1:28.68 (2009 - Yamashiro, Day, Morin, Dawson)

400 MEDLEY RELAY3:15.01 (2009 - Yamashiro, Day, Gunn, Dawson)


RECORD BOOK (SERVICE ACADEMY TOP 10)50 FREESTYLE1. Noah White Navy 19.74 20042. Charlie Toth Air Force 19.99 20013. Mike Linn Navy 20.04 20054. Clinton Cornell Navy 20.07 20015. Joe Novak Army 20.12 19986. Joseph Smutz Navy 20.13 20067. Coll Haddon Army 20.17 1987

Trevor Kildare Air Force 20.17 19959. Terrence Fenningham Navy 20.25 200410. Bucky MacLaughlin Air Force 20.28 1991

Alex Oldenkamp Navy 20.28 2009

100 FREESTYLE1. Charlie Toth Air Force 43.79 20012. Mike Linn Navy 43.96 20063. Joseph Smutz Navy 44.08 20064. Joe Novak Army 44.13 19985. James Anthony Navy 44.34 20096. Noah White Navy 44.37 20037. Aaron Aiken Navy 44.47 20098. Bucky MacLaughlin Air Force 44.50 19919. Tim Paschke Air Force 44.67 1998

Brett Cline Navy 44.67 2002

200 FREESTYLE1. James Anthony Navy 1:36.29 20092. Aaron Aiken Navy 1:36.80 20093. Chris Knaute Air Force 1:36.98 20064. Bryan Avery Air Force 1:37.22 20085. Drew Whitting Air Force 1:37.49 19936. Sean O’Keefe Air Force 1:37.51 20097. Efri Ruthenberg Army 1:38.20 20048. Britton Smith Navy 1:38.23 19979. Zach Disbrow Army 1:38.61 200710. Lucas Meyers Army 1:38.62 2002

500 FREESTYLE1. Erik Hunter Navy 4:18.56 20092. James Anthony Navy 4:19.75 20093. Chris Knaute Air Force 4:20.00 20064. Drew Whitting Air Force 4:20.09 19935. James Lascara Navy 4:23.15 20096. Justin Vagts Navy 4:24.25 20107. Sean O’Keefe Air Force 4:24.80 20098. Mark Mathson Army 4:24.99 19909. Corydon Butler Air Force 4:25.90 201010. Sam Martinette Navy 4:26.27 2009

1000 FREESTYLE1. Drew Whitting Air Force 9:07.72 19932. Erik Hunter Navy 9:09.24 20083. Chris Knaute Air Force 9:11.98 20064. Sean O’Keefe Air Force 9:15.14 20095. Sumner Rollings Navy 9:18.60 20006. Mark Matheson Army 9:18.87 19887. Eric Winter Navy 9:19.04 19928. Eric Shangle Navy 9:19.20 19949. Sam Chesnut Air Force 9:19.24 199110. Cody Reeb Navy 9:20.90 2006

1650 FREESTYLE1. Erik Hunter Navy 14.58.72 20092. Chris Knaute Air Force 15:09.15 20053. Drew Whitting Air Force 15:10.13 19914. Sean O’Keefe Air Force 15:24.41 20095. Mark Matheson Army 15:25.48 19906. Eric Winter Navy 15:25.61 19927. Sam Chesnut Air Force 15:30.33 19918. Tim Gallaudet Navy 15:30.71 19869. Dan Warner Navy 15:31.73 200910. Corydon Butler Air Force 15:31.09 2010

100 BACKSTROKE1. Kevin Mukri Navy 48.61 20072. Ben Gunn Air Force 48.64 20103. Andrew Hetzner Navy 48.69 20094. Paul Brehm Air Force 48.85 20035. Kai Yamashiro Air Force 49.37 20096. Charles Lebeau Air Force 49.76 20037. Matt Millikin Air Force 50.09 20108. Evan Parr Air Force 50.16 20059. Justin Lapin Air Force 50.36 200710. James Anthony Navy 50.37 2010

200 BACKSTROKE1. Andrew Hetzner Navy 1:45.35 20092. Kevin Mukri Navy 1:45.62 20073. Paul Brehm Air Force 1:46.27 20034. Ben Gunn Air Force 1:46.28 20095. Kai Yamashiro Air Force 1:46.40 20096. Matt Horner Air Force 1:47.19 20017. Justin Lapin Air Force 1:47.21 20068. Paul Young Air Force 1:48.05 20109. Tom Hansen Air Force 1:48.49 200910. Matt Millikin Air Force 1:48.76 2010

100 BREASTSTROKE1. Justin Day Air Force 53.87 20092. Matt Ihlenfeld Air Force 54.70 20013. John VanSant Army 54.73 19874. John Dayton Air Force 54.98 20035. Ian Johnston Navy 55.05 19966. James McLaughlin Army 55.20 20097. Josh Hammervold Air Force 55.54 20098. Cody Deacon Air Force 55.59 20109. Coll Hadden Army 55.72 198710. Greg Edmonds Air Force 55.76 2010

200 BREASTSTROKE1. Adam Meyer Navy 1:57.26 20092. John VanSant Army 1:57.65 19873. Ian Johnston Navy 1:58.51 19964. Matt Ihlenfeld Air Force 1:58.67 20015. Luke Hoffer Navy 2:00.55 20106. Jake Mentele Army 1:59.47 20077. Josh Hammervold Air Force 2:01.13 20108. Greg Edmonds Air Force 2:01.85 20109. James McLaughlin Army 2:02.04 200910. Shanon Anderson Air Force 2:02.20 1999

100 BUTTERFLY1. Adam Meyer Navy 47.33 20092. Benjamin Gunn Air Force 47.83 20093. Chris Morin Air Force 48.08 20094. Bryan Avery Air Force 48.38 20085. Joe Novak Army 48.44 98, 996. Andrew Hetzner Navy 48.57 20097. Mike Linn Navy 48.67 20068. John Kilroy Army 48.72 19879. Zach Disbrow Army 48.73 200710. Nick Burton Air Force 48.90 2006

200 BUTTERFLY1. Adam Meyer Navy 1:42.54 20092. Mark Meyer Navy 1:45.92 20093. Benjamin Gunn Air Force 1:46.40 20094. Matt Davis Air Force 1:46.71 19945. Patrick Veltman Navy 1:46.90 20096. Cody Rasmussen Air Force 1:47.06 1999

Jesse Cohen Navy 1:47.06 20098. John Kilroy Army 1:47.61 19879. Mike Brown Air Force 1:47.65 198410. Steve Dukleth Navy 1:47.96 2009

200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY1. Adam Meyer Navy 1:44.49 20092. Benjamin Gunn Air Force 1:47.22 20103. Paul Parmenter Air Force 1:48:72 20064. Nick Burton Air Force 1:48.87 20065. Matt Davis Air Force 1:49.07 19976. Billy Vey Navy 1:49.30 20097. John VanSant Army 1:49.56 19868. Cody Rasmussen Air Force 1:49.68 19999. Chris Knaute Air Force 1:49.86 200610. Patrick Veltman Navy 1:49.74 2010

400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY1. Chris Knaute Air Force 3:48.98 20062. Erik Hunter Navy 3:51.24 20093. Matt Davis Air Force 3:51.82 19944. Adam Meyer Navy 3:52.76 20085. Justin Lapin Air Force 3:53.52 20066. Billy Vey Navy 3:53.60 20097. James Lascara Navy 3:53.90 20098. Patrick Veltman Navy 3:55.43 20099. Daniel Warner Navy 3:55.80 200910. Drew Whitting Air Force 3:56.44 1991

200 FREESTYLE RELAY 1 Navy 1:18.92 2004(Smutz, Linn, Fenningham, White)2 Air Force 1:20.94 1999(Paschke, Nguyen, Toth, Paige)3 Army 1:21.23 1990(Sarakatsannis, Tieke, Welch, Anderson)

400 FREESTYLE RELAY 1 Navy 2:57.16 2004(Smutz, Boyd, Fenningham, White)2 Air Force 2:58.63 2009(Morin, O’Keefe, Gunn, Dawson)3 Army 3:00.10 1990(Anderson, Welch, Sarakatsannis, Williams)

800 FREESTYLE RELAY 1 Air Force 6:32.32 2009(Hansen, O’Keefe, Robinson, Gunn)2 Navy 6:33.89 2009(Anthony, Aiken, Curran, Durham)3 Army 6:40.98 2007(Disbrow, Soderberg, Ciliske, Ruthenberg)

200 MEDLEY RELAY1 Air Force 1:28.68 2009(Yamashiro, Day, Morin, Dawson)2 Navy 1:29.11 2009(Hetzner, Molina, Meyer, Oldenkamp)3 Army 1:31.47 2009(W. Blickle, McLaughlin, B. Blickle, Murphy)

400 MEDLEY RELAY1 Air Force 3:15.01 2009(Yamashiro, Day, Gunn, Dawson)

Navy 3:15.01 2009(Hetzner, Molina, Meyer, Oldenkamp)3 Army 3:19.56 2007(Walsh, Mentele, Disbrow, Ruthenberg)

Team BreakdownTop 10 #1’s

Air Force 46.8% 7Navy 30.0% 13Army 14.2% 0


ALL-TIME LETTERWINNERS

Letterwinners are listed as following:Name, graduation year in parenthe-ses, and years letters were earned.Current athletes in bold.

AAbbott, Robert L. (64) 62 63 64Abramson, Richard S. (68) 65 66 68Abrigo, Joseph (88) 85 86 87 88Adamson, Derry (60) 57 58 59 60Alexander, James (Gary)(99) 96 97Alfred-Ockya, John (04) 01 02 03 04Alkire, Joe (97) 94 95 96 97Alonzo, Chuck (00) 97 98Amidon, Nate (03) 00 01 02 03Anderson, David K. (85) 82Anderson, Shanon (99) 96 97 98 99Anderson, Tom (91) 88 89 90 91Ans, Aleks (12) 09Arata, Alan (83) 80 81 82 83Arlington, David (10) 07 08 09 10Arnholt, Mark (93) 90 91 92 93Ashe, Jesse (86) 83 84 85 86Avery, Bryan (09) 06 07 08Ayres, Auston (07) 04

BBaake, Paul (95) 92 93Baber, Eric (04) 01 02Badgett, Andrew (01) 98 99Bailey, Steven D. (68) 66Bales, James (01) 98 99 00 01Bamsey, Tony (92) 89 90 91 92Bandow, Mike (90) 87Barnett, Robert (95) 92Barraza, Daniel T. (80) 77Bates, Stanley (84) 82 83Baudendistel, Joseph M. (77) 75 76 77Becker, Kurt (89) 86 87 89Benson, Gerald (93) 90 91 92 93Bergman, Andrew (07) 04 05 06 07Bertmaring, Tyson (05) 02Bicknell, Jesse (12) 09 10Biederman, Joshua (02) 99Bielinski, Barry T. (63) 61 62 63Blaisdell, Michael P. (62) 60 61 62Bloomer, Bo (T.B.) (92) 89 90 91Boegman, James (86) 83 84 85 86Bohn, Chris (01) 98Bolt, Russell T. (72) 70 72Bone, Michael J. (73) 71Bouma, Dirk (90) 87 88 89 90Bourland, Walter B. (78) 76 77 78Bowen, Casey (04) 01 02 03Boyd, John E., Jr. (70) 68Braun, Jeff (94) 91Brehm, Paul (04) 01 02 03 04Bremer, Eli (00) 97 98

Brigman, Ryan (13) 10Brower, Douglas R. (72) 70Brown, Jeffrey H. (73) 70 71 72Brown, Kevin (89) 86 87 88Brown, Michael L. (86) 83 84 85 86Bruskewitz, James W. (74) 71Buchanan, Robert J. (88) 85 86 87 88Burton, Nick (07) 03 04 06 07Burwell, John C. (63) 61 62 63Butler, Corydon (12) 09 10Butt, Spencer (09) 06 07 08 09

CCallaway, Bernard B. (73) 73Cannon, Lovick E. (68) 66Canterbury, Alfred L. (60) 58 59 60Carnes, Gary J. (81) 81Carpenter, Thomas J. (77) 74 75 76Carrier, Michael H. (69) 67 68Carrington, George W. (74) 71 72 73 74Chaney, Blake (98) 95 96 97Chapman, Ben (04) 01 02 04Chesnut, Sam (92) 89 90 91 92Chiaro, Anthony (13) 10Chun, Mark C. (73) 70 71 72 73Chung, Tommy (05) 02Clark, Cheyne (12) 09 10Clark, Howard, III (90) 87 88 89 90Cleary, James (89) 86Clegg, Charles S. (72) 69 70 71Cline, Clinton E. (73) 70 71Cole, Phillip (09) 06Collier, Mark (96) 93Congdon, Norman B. (60) 58Cook, Christopher A. (81) 78 79 80 81Cooper, Ralph C. (68) 66Corbett, Jason (99) 96Cormier, Hank (91) 88Coryn, Charles E. (61) 59Cotton, Daniel (85) 82Covington, Gary N. (70) 68 69Cowling, Trebor (T.J.) (08) 05 06 07 08Cox, Johnathan (12) 09Curtis, Christopher L. (69) 67 68 69

DDavis, Matt (97) 94 95 96 97Davison, Kenneth (84) 82 83Dawson, Robert (11) 08 09 10Day, Justin (09) 06 07 08 09Dayton, John (03) 00 01 02 03Deacon, Cody (12) 09 10Deardorf, Erick W. (85) 82 83Deeley, William F. (72) 69 70Derrick, Marvin J. (77) 74 75Devemark, Carl (99) 96 97 98 99Dixon, Matthew (84) 82 83Dixon, Nick (09) 06 07 08 09

Doolittle, John (92) 89 90 91 92Dow, John W. (73) 70Dunker, Matt (98) 95 96 97 98Durkin, Matt (97) 94 95 96 97Dutcher, David (96) 93 94 95 96

EEast, Jack (94) 93 94Eaton, Ellis (93) 90 91 92 93Eberthardt, James A. (69) 67Edmonds, Gregory (10) 07 08 09 10Edwards, Matt (98) 95Erickson, Nathan (12) 09 10Everard, Joel (98) 95

FFairlamb, Richard C. (61) 59 60Faley, Jeff (89) 86 87 88 89Falk, Eric (04) 01 02 Farquhar, Jerry (60) 58 59 60Fay, Robert (59) 57Feaster, Stephen J. (70) 68Fedel, Gary A. (67) 65 67Ferguson, Michael L. (63) 61 62 63Fiechtner, Robb (01) 98Fields, Philip (92) 89 90 91 92Finch, Josh (01) 98 99 00 01Finch, Samuel P., III (64) 63 64Fisher, Bruce D. (71) 69 70 71Fitzgerald, Ryan (05) 02 03 04 05Fitzsimmons, John (93) 90 91 92 93Flaherty, Warren T. (70) 68 69 70Fletcher, Derek (90) 87 88Flores, Frank (92) 89 90 91 92Foster, Michael (99) 96 97 98 99Foutch, Mike (95) 93 94 95Francis, John J., Jr. (63) 61 62Frank, Steve (96) 93 94 95 96

GGannett, Paul (10) 07Gee, Matt (86) 83 84 85 86Gempler, Gregory J. (73) 70 71 72 73Gentice, Nicholas (90) 87Gilbert, Nathaniel (11) 08 09 10Gillaspie, Tim (95) 92 94 95Glandon, Nathan (08) 07 08Grabe, Ronald J. (66) 64 65 66Grace, Stephen (10) 07 08Grados, Mike (01) 98 99 00 01Graham, John G. (72) 69 70 71Graham, John, Jr. (68) 66 67 68Graham, Patrick (04) 01 02Greer, Davey (08) 05Griffith, William M. (69) 67 68 69Gunn, Benjamin (11) 08 09 10

HHackbarth, Gary (78) 75 76 77 78Hackbarth, Joey R. (79) 76 77 78 79Hagelin, Richard H., III (69) 67 68 69Hale, Aaron (01) 96 98 99Hale, Ira D. (77) 74 75Hall, Matt (96) 93 94 95 96Hall, Zach (98) 95 96Hallman, Wes (90) 87 88 89 90Halvorsen, Steven A. (79) 76 77 78 79Hamlin, Richard P., Jr. (79) 76 77 78 79Hamme, Doug (87) 84 85 86Hammervold, Joshua (11) 08 09 10Hampson, Robert J. (72) 70 71 72Hansen, Mark (13) 10Hansen, Thomas (11) 08 09 10Happ, William K. (70) 68 69Harris, Rufus D. (63) 61 62

Hatelid, Carl M. (65) 63 64 65Hauck, Les (98) 95 97 98Hauffe, Andrew (09) 06Hauffe, Justin (05) 03 04 05Haylett, Marshall (02) 99 00 01 02Heath, Kevin (04) 01 02 03Heitmeyer, Paul (96) 93 94 95 96Hembrough, William M. (68) 66 67 68Henry, Tom (91) 88 89Hepburn, Philip R., Jr., (62) 60 62Hepler, William (98) 95 96 97 98Hickok, John (88) 86 87 88Higham, James L. (66) 64 65 66Hill, Lincoln (95) 92 93 94 95Hillen, Kimberly E. (82) 79 80 81Hogan, Dan (96) 94Hogue, James E. (76) 73 74 75 76Holloway, Charles D. (75) 72Horner, Matthew (02) 99 00 01 02Hourin, James J. (61) 59 60 61Hudson, Scott (99) 96 97 98 99Hughes, John S. (75) 72 73Hulse, Douglas S. (04) 99 00 04Hutchinson, Karl T. (70) 69 70

I • JIhlenfeld, Matt (01) 98 99 00 01Jackson, Don E. (67) 65 66 67Jaep, William F., Jr. (67) 65Jaime, Jared (11) 09Jamerson, James L. (63) 61 62 63Jenkins, Kaleb (12) 09Jett, Andrew (97) 94 95 96 97Johns, Brad (87) 84 85 86Johnson, Eric M. (89) 86Johnson, Richard K. (62) 60 61 62 63Jones, Brad (87) 85 85 86 87Jones, Francis V. (63) 61Jones, Jon (13) 10Jordan, Jarrett D. (80) 77 78 79 80Jurcak, Matt (09) 06 07 08 09

KKalberer, Jon (96) 93 94 95 96Kane, Timothy E. (82) 79 80Karmondy, Matt (06) 03 04 05 06Kattau, Richard (97) 94Kechter, Todd (90) 87 89Keddington, David (84) 82 83Keltner, Tyler (06) 03Kemp, Kelvin P. (74) 71 72Kennon, John W., III (75) 72 73 74 75Kildare, Trevor (97) 94 95 96Kincaid, David (95) 92 93Kirch, Robert K. (65) 63 64 65Kitko, Paul (02) 01Knaute, Chris (07) 04 05 06 07Koraly, Steven C. (74) 72 73 74Korsedal, Brian (98) 95Korsedal, John (97) 94 95 96Krauss, Greg (97) 94 95 96Kux, Steven A. (68) 66Kyrazis, Theodore G., II (83) 80

LLansford, Lars (90) 89Lapin, Justin (07) 04 05 06 07Laughrey, Wallis (98) 95 96Lauritzen, William G. (73) 70 71 72 73Lazarus, Karim (95) 94 95LeBeau, Charles (06) 03 04Lee, Steve (05) 05Leek, Warren J. (66) 64 65 66Lennon, Jay (90) 87 88 89Leonard, Michael C. (67) 65 66

JUSTIN DAY


ALL-TIME LETTERWINNERSLeopold, Richard A. (76) 73Leslie, Coby (99) 95 96 98 99Leverett, David H. (63) 63Lewandowski, Ronald (85) 82 83Liedl, Spencer (08) 05 06 07 08Limbird, Keith G. (82) 79 80Lindberg, Brady (07) 03 04 06 07Linder, Cameron (08) 05Lindgren, Jason (95) 92 93 94 95Lipp, John R. (70) 68 69Livingood, John M. (82) 80 81Londrigan, Sean (92) 89 90 91 92Lorenz, Mark J. (82) 80Losey, Brian L. (83) 80 81 82 83Lowe, Chris (88) 85 86 87 88Lowe, Garrett M. (95) 92 93 94 95Lowell, Jay (90) 87 88Luette, Glen J. (84) 81 82Lundmark, Rolf (95) 92 93 94 95

MMackow, John (99) 96MacLaughlin, Bucky (91) 88 89 90 91Magee, Donald W. (77) 74 75 76 77Mallard, John (95) 94 95Marion, James (00) 97 98 99 00Marshall, David L. (71) 69 70Marshall, Jeff (94) 91 92 94Marshall, William C. (77) 74 75 77Martignetti, Edward (89) 86Martin, Douglas K. (69) 67 68 69Martin, Timothy S. (76) 73 74 75 76Martinelli, Tim (13) 10Masin, John L. (69) 67Mason, William M. (84) 81Massey, John P. (73) 71 72 73Matchefts, Marco J. (87) 84 85 86 87May, Mike (95) 94McAlister, Richard W. (75) 72 73 74 75McCall, Grant (01) 98McCorkle, Ben (09) 06McCorry, Daniel C., Jr. (75) 72 73 74 75McCoy, Andy (91) 88 89 91McCrackin, Thomas M. (63) 62 63McCroan, James (03) 00 01 02McGarrity, John (86) 83 84 85 86McGinnis, Tom (87) 84 85 86 87McKeon, Matthew P. (83) 80 81McLain, George E. (70) 68 69 70McLean, Daniel P. (66) 64 65 66McLeod, William C., II (65) 64 65McSwain, Donald L. (69) 67Merrell, John C. (69) 67Merrill, David L. (76) 73 74 75Meyers, Jeff (87) 84 85 86Miller, Robert F. (69) 67Millikin, Matt (13) 10Mitchell, Andrew (01) 98 99 00 01Mohrmann, Karl (11) 08 09Morgan, Mark E (79) 76 77 78 79Morgan, Matthew (85) 82Morin, Christopher (10) 07 08 09 10Morse, Bob (87) 84 85 86 87Moss, Ryan (07) 04 05 06 07Mueller, Allan E., Jr. (67) 65Murra, Craig L. (77) 74 75 76 77Murray, Ronald W. (65) 64 65Muttilainen, Mark A. (78) 75 76

NNeedham, Theodore E. (79) 76 77 78 79Nelson, Bruce M. (76) 73 74 75 76Nelson, George J. (82) 79 80 81Nguyen, Quoc-Nam (02) 99Nichols, David C. (81) 78 79 80 81

Nield, George C., IV (72) 72Nieman, Robert L. (70) 68 69 70Nofziger, Ryan (99) 96 97

OO’Donnell, Terrence (66) 64 65 66Offutt, Frederick W. (75) 72 73 74 75O’Keefe, Richard D. (60) 58 59 60O’Keefe, Sean (10) 07 08 09 10Oliver, Carl W. (63) 63Olson, Matt (88) 86 87 88O’Neal, James W., III (70) 68 69 70Outlaw, Mike (89) 86 87 88

PPaige, Tyler (01) 98 99 00 01Paquette, Michael P. (77) 77Parker, David (06) 03Parker, Robert H. (62) 60 61 62Parker, Stewart (02) 99 00 01Parmenter, Paul (07) 04 05 06 07Parr, Evan (05) 02 03 04 05Paschke, Tim (00) 97 98 99Patten, Eric (91) 88 89 90 91Paulson, Ralph W. (68) 66Paxton, Aerick (97) 94 95 96Pendergast (97) 94Percival, Scott (01) 98 99 00 01Perich, Ty (11) 08Perkowski, Raymond P. (65) 63 64 65Peterson, Rory (04) 01 02 03 04Phelps, Mason (04) 01 02 03 04Phenicie, Dan (07) 04 05Phillips, Benjamin W., Jr. (75) 72 73Pickrell, Robert L. (85) 82Pilling, Richard A. (74) 72Plescha, Franz (87) 84 85 86 87Poehler, Marcus (11) 08Poole, James C., Jr. (61) 60Poorman, Douglas A. (78) 75 76 77 78Pounds, Eric (04) 01 02 03 04Prior, Rich (86) 83 84 85 86

RRasmussen, Cody (99) 96 97 98 99Rechsteiner, Roger W. (76) 73 74Reed, David J. (60) 58Reid, Jarve G. (670 65 66 67Riba, Bryan T. (84) 81Riebe, Beau (13) 10Roberson, Jeff (03) 00 01 02 03Robertson, Greg (92) 89 90 91 92Robinson, Eric (11) 08 09 10Roesler, Nathaniel (12) 09 10Rogas, Peter N. (79) 77Rogers, Randy (09) 06 07 08 09Rough, Matt (90) 87 88Rump, Nathan (91) 88 89 90 91Ryan, Thomas M. (83) 80Rye, Bryan A. (71) 69 70

SSaitz, Ted (09) 06Sayre, John R. (84) 81 82Schenck, Roswell M. (67) 65Scherm, Todd (95) 92 93 95Schiffl, Louis (97) 94Schmidt, Paul M. (72) 69Scholtz, Joe (98) 95Schrott, John W., III (67) 66Schulenberg, Michael S. (85) 82 83Scott, Christopher S. (71) 69 70Seamster, Robert A. (79) 76 77Seigler, Stephen S. (67) 65 66 67Selz, Scott (92) 89 90 91 92

Shaffer, Timothy A. (76) 74 75 76Sharif, Khalil (04) 01 03 04Sharpe, Steve (91) 88 89 90 91Sheehan, Stephen D. (65) 64Sheridan, Jim (91) 88Shinnick, Joseph T. (85) 82Shipstead, Matt (01) 98 99 00 01Sievers, Matt (07) 04 05 06 07Simmons, Barry N. (81) 81Simpson, James R. (82) 79 80 81Simpson, Wendell P., III (80) 78 79 80Sittig, Ryan (13) 10Skillman, Thomas C. (75) 72 73 74 75Smiley, Floyd M., Jr. (70) 68Smiley, Jeffrey L. (69) 67 68 69Smith, Andrew (00) 97 98 99Smith, Brian C. (81) 78Smith, Peter (89) 86Smith, Warren (Cole) (12) 09 10Snyder, Francis E. (79) 76 77 78 79Songster, Timothy (93) 90 91 92 93Soukup, Greg (92) 89 90 91 92Specht, David J. (83) 80 81Spees, Jason (95) 92Spires, Dan (88) 85 86 87 88Squires, Dave (94) 91 92 93 94Steadman, Drew (00) 97Stedman, Randall S. (81) 78 79 80 81Stein, Eugene (93) 90 91 92 93Steinfort, Edward (02) 99 00 01Steipp, Chad (01) 98Steward, Parker (02) 99Stinson, Robert W. (75) 72Stoddard, Jeffrey J. (84) 81 82Stolee, Andrew (04) 01Strabley, Shawn (03) 00Straw, William E. (67) 65Stronko, Jake (13) 10Stump, Hugh D. (65) 63 64Sullivan, Paul B. (81) 78 79 80 81Sumrall, Rich (86) 83 84 85 86Symens, Terry M. (75) 72 73 74 75

TTalbott, Donald R. (65) 63 64 65Tharaldson, Derek (98) 95 96 97 98Thompson, Garrett J. (84) 81 82 83Thompson, James M. (73) 70 71 72 73Thompson, Jeffrey G. (81) 78 79 80Thurber, Alan (90) 85 86 89 90Tibbitts, Stephen W. (75) 73 74 75Toepfer, Michael W. (89) 85 86 87 88Toth, Charles (01) 98 99 00 01Treason, Thomas A. (65) 64 65Trimble, Eric (03) 00 03Trimble, Jack R. (70) 68 69 70Tritico, Hans (99) 96

U • VUmberger, Ryan (13) 10Uzelac, Nick (07) 04 05 06 07Vance, Brian A. (73) 70 71Vandam, David K. (77) 74 75 76 77Vandam, Patrick (06) 03Van Valkenburg, Kyle (10) 07 08 09 10Vetter, Mike (92) 89 90 91 92Vivadelli, J.H. (13) 10

WWalker, Weston (13) 10Walsh, Brian J. (83) 80Ward, Timothy J. (83) 80Warner, John J. (69) 67 68 69Waters, Steven C. (80) 77 78 79 80Watson, Charles D. (66) 64 65 66Weber, David B. (71) 71Weinberg, Norman A. (76) 74 75 76Welling, Karol R. (83) 80Whinnery, Cyrus C. (88) 85 86 87 88White, Bishop, III (64) 62 63White, Brent (13) 10White, Gordon (06) 03 05White, Richard H. (69) 67Whitted, James M. (62) 60Whitting, Drew (93) 90 91 93Wiegman, Stanley F. (80) 77 78 79 80Wierzbanowski, Jason (95) 92 93 94 95Wilcoxon, Robert B. (82) 79 80Willhite, Brian (10) 07Williams, David L. (82) 79 80Williams, Earl R. (67) 65Williams, John (83) 82 83Williams, Thomas A. (80) 77 78 79 80Wilson, Layne (09) 06 07 08Wise, Richard M. (78) 75Woodward, Jasper S. (82) 79 80 81Wooton, Joseph (81) 78 79 80 81

YYamashiro, Kai (09) 06 07 08 09Yamashiro, Kimo (06) 03 05Yee, Alex (10) 07Young, George O., III (65) 64 65Young, Paul (13) 10

ZZappia, Michael A. (80) 77Zuber, Jay (89) 86Zwyer, James (95) 92 93 94 95

KAI YAMASHIRO


WORLD CLASS ATHLETE PROGRAM

WORLD CLASS ATHLETE PROGRAM (WCAP)

The Air Force World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) is a two-year program that provides active duty, national guard andreserve Air Force personnel the opportunity to train and com-pete at national and international sports competitions withthe ultimate goal of selection to the United States Olympic

team. The WCAP is not adevelopmental program;it targets athletes whohave achieved world classstatus in their sport. If se-lected, the athlete will beassigned to HeadquartersAir Force Services Agency,San Antonio, Texas, with aduty location near elitecoaches and/or worldclass training facilities.Candidates must remain competitive for a U.S Olympicteam position to remain in the program, which endswith the Olympic Trials or after competing with the na-tional team at the Olympics.

James Bales, a 2001 graduate, is currentlytraining in Colorado Springs under the WCAP in an at-tempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in the triathlon.

Former Air Force swimmers that have servedas members of the WCAP in 2008 include Capt. Eli Bre-

mer, 2nd Lt. Chris Knaute and 2nd Lt.Paul Parmenter. Bremer, a 2000graduate of the Academy, competedin the 2008 Beijing Olympics in themodern pentathlon. Meanwhile,Knaute and Parmenter, both 2007graduates, participated in the U.S.Olympic Trials in swimming in 2008.

Both spent a year in Charlotte, N.C., training at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center, mentoredby former Auburn head coach Dave Marsh.

“The Air Force WCAP has allowed me tocontinue to swim and compete to pursuemy athletic goals, while I still get to pur-sue my long-term goal of becoming apilot.” -2nd Lt. Chris Knaute, class of 2007

Capt. Eli Bremer, a 2000 gradute,competed in the Beijing Olympics.

2nd Lt. Chris Knaute (left) and 2nd Lt. Paul Parmenter (right) both trained for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials at the Mecklenburg(N.C.) Aquatic Center, a USA Swimming Center of Excellence.

James Bales (two photos above), a2001 graduate, is training for the

2012 Olympics.


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Matt Ihlenfeld (’01) USAF ReservesKC-135 PilotUniversity of Indiana Law Student

Matt Dunker (’98) JP Morgan Executive Director, Emerging Markets TradingMBA - Johnson School, Cornell UniversityLondon, UK

Capt. Evan Parr (‘05)F-22 Pilot, 19th Flight Squadron,

Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

Capt. Mike Foster (‘99) Ph. D. CandidateRochester Institute of Technology, N.Y.


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

1st Lt. T.J. Cowling (‘07) and 1st Lt.Spencer Liedl (‘07)

Attending pilot trainingPensacola, Fla.

Capt. Matt Karmondy (‘06)Received Master’s Degree in Aeronau-tics/Astronautics from MIT; Attending pilottraining

Capt. Stewart Parker (‘02)Air Force Special Tactics

Combat Controller

Capt. Eric Pounds (‘04)C-17 PilotDover AFB, Del.


THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY

The United States Air Force Academy offers a four-year

program of instruction and experience designed to edu-

cate, train and inspire men and women to become offi-

cers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air

Force in service to our nation. Each cadet graduates with

a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a sec-

ond lieutenant in the Air Force.

COURSE OF STUDY

Cadets are exposed to a balanced curriculum that pro-

vides the knowledge, skills and responsibilities es-

sential to a career Air Force officer. The entire USAFA

experience is integrated and mapped to achieve a set of

desired outcomes in every graduate.

The core academic curriculum includes courses in

basic sciences, engineering, social sciences and human-

ities. Cadets take additional elective courses to complete

requirements for one of 32 major areas of study. About

50 percent of the cadets complete majors in science and

engineering; the remainder graduate in the social sci-

ences and humanities. Some of the most popular majors

include management, aeronautical engineering, foreign

area studies, history, behavioral science, civil engineer-

ing, astronautical engineering, electrical engineering and

engineering mechanics.

FACULTY COMPOSITION

The majority of the Academy's faculty members, more

than 500 total, are Air Force officers. They are selected

primarily from career-officer volunteers who have estab-

lished outstanding records of performance and dedica-

tion. Each has at least a master's degree and more than

55 percent have doctorates or other terminal degrees in

their field of study.

About 30 percent of the faculty are civilians who bring

great depth of disciplinary and educational expertise and

provide academic stability and continuity.

Faculty members are intensely focused on cadet learn-

ing as an integral part of their officer development. The

Air Force Academy has been ranked No. 1 in the nation

for the most accessible and involved faculty for four years

in a row.

To provide greater contributions by a diverse faculty,

the Academy has several distinguished visiting profes-

sors and endowed professors who serve one or more

years. Officers from other services, as well as officers

from allied countries are also members of the faculty. Dis-

tinguished civilian and military lecturers also share their

expertise with the cadets during the academic year.

ATHLETIC PROGRAM

The Academy's athletic program is designed to im-

prove physical fitness, teach athletic skills and develop

leadership qualities. To achieve its goals, the Academy

offers some of the most extensive physical education, in-

tramural sports and intercollegiate athletic programs in

the nation. Cadets take at least three different physical

education courses each year.

MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING

An air, space and cyberspace-ori-

ented military education, training

and leadership program begins with

basic cadet training and continues

throughout the four years. Seniors

are responsible for the organiza-

tional leadership of the cadet wing,

while juniors and sophomores seek

to develop team and interpersonal

leadership and instructional skills.

Cadets are projected into as many

active leadership roles as possible to

prepare them to be effective Air

Force officers.

Fundamental concepts of mili-

tary organization -- drill, ethics, honor, Air Force heritage

and physical training -- are emphasized the first summer

during basic cadet training. Freshmen then study the mil-

itary role in United States society as well as the mission

and organization of the Air Force. Sophomores receive

instruction in communication skills and juniors study the

combat and operational aspects of the Air Force.

The Academy offers courses in flying, navigation, soar-

ing and parachuting, building from basic skills to in-

structor duties. Some cadets may fly light aircraft with the

Cadet Flying Team.

Summer training for cadets is divided into three, three-

week training periods. There are a variety of programs

available and each cadet is required to complete two

training periods each summer with leave during the

other period. All new cadets take six weeks of basic cadet

training in their first summer.

Combat survival training is a required three-week pro-

gram during cadets' second summer. For other second-

summer training periods, cadets have options such as

working with Airmen in an operational unit at an Air

Force installation, airborne parachute training, soaring or

basic free-fall parachute training.

During their last two summers, all cadets are offered

leadership training as supervisors or instructors in the

summer programs listed above.

Extracurricular activities also are an integral part of the

education program. The cadet ski club, drum and bugle

corps, cadet chorale and forensics are a few of the pro-

grams available.

NOMINATIONS

Nominations to the Academy may be obtained

through a congressional sponsor or by meeting eligibil-

ity criteria in other categories of competition established

by law. For information on admission procedures, write to

HQ USAFA/RRS; 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200; USAF Acad-

emy, CO 80840-5025.

www.usafa.edu

HISTORY OF

THE ACADEMY

In 1948, a board of leadingcivilian and military educators wasappointed to plan the curriculumfor an academy that would meetthe needs of the newly estab-lished Air Force. The board deter-mined that Air Force requirementscould not be met by expandingthe other service academies andrecommended an Air Force Acad-emy be established without delay.

In 1949, then Secretary of theAir Force W. Stuart Symington ap-pointed a commission to assist inselecting a site and on April 1,1954, President Dwight D. Eisen-hower authorized creation of theUnited States Air Force Academy.After considering 580 sites in 45states, the commission narrowedthe choice to three locations. Thesummer of 1954, Secretary of theAir Force Harold Talbott selected asite near Colorado Springs, Colo.Colorado contributed $1 milliontoward purchase of the property.

In July 1955, the first Academyclass entered interim facilities atLowry Air Force Base, Denver,while construction began. It wassufficiently completed for occu-pancy by the cadet wing in lateAugust 1958. Initial constructioncost was $142 million.

Women entered the Academyon June 28, 1976, as members ofthe class of 1980.


ACADEMY LEADERSHIP

Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould is Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He directs a four-year aca-demic, military training, athletic and character development program leading to a bachelor’s degree and commission as anAir Force officer.

The general is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 1976. His career encompasses a wide range of as-signments, ranging from head football coach of the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, to serving as Air Force aide to thePresident of the United States.

He has held numerous command positions at the group, wing and numbered air force level, and was commander ofCheyenne Mountain Operations Center during 9/11. Prior to his return to the Academy, he was Director of Operations andPlans, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. General Gould is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flyinghours in the T-38, T-41, KC-10, C-5, C-17, C-21, C-141 and KC-135R.

The general’s military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, DefenseSuperior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oakleaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Commandant of CadetsBrig. GeneralRichard Clark

Dean of FacultyBrig. General Dana Born

Vice SuperintendentColonel

Tamara Rank

Commander, 10th Air Base WingCol. Rick LoCastro


DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Dr. Hans J.Mueh is in hisseventh year asthe director ofathletics at theAir Force Acad-emy. A retired AirForce brigadier

general, Mueh was vice dean of faculty for twoyears prior to his retirement from active duty in thesummer of 2004. Mueh was heavily involved inAcademy athletics before becoming director of ath-letics. He was the Academy's faculty athletics rep-resentative from 1996-2004 and was a long-timemember of the board of directors for the Air ForceAcademy Athletics Association.

Since becoming the director of athletics,Mueh has led the Academy to some remarkablefeats. In 2007, the Academy was one of only threeschools (Michigan State and Boston College) toreach post-season play in football (2007), men’sbasketball and ice hockey (2006-07). It marked thefirst time a service academy has ever had a teamcompete in the post-season in all three sports.

In addition, under Mueh’s watch the men’s bas-ketball team has played in an NCAA tournamentand the National Invitational Tournament’s FinalFour. The ice hockey team won three straight con-ference championships and made three straightappearances in the NCAA tournament. Mueh wason the selection committee that hired currenthead coach Frank Serratore and led the Academy’smove into the Athletic Hockey Association.

The football program, the Academy’s flagshipsport, has gone through a major overhaul underMueh. He led the transition from the retirement ofthe legendary Fisher DeBerry after 23 years at thehelm to hiring current head coach Troy Calhoun, a1989 Academy graduate. Calhoun’s impact was im-mediate, leading the Falcons to a 9-4 overall markand a second-place finish in the Mountain WestConference in 2007. The Falcons qualified for theirfirst bowl game in five years, playing in the ArmedForces Bowl in 2007. The program has posted back-to-back eight-win seasons and qualified for bowlgames since, marking the first time since 1990-92Air Force has been to a bowl three straight years.

Mueh has been just as successful behind thescenes with the administration of the department.Mueh restructured the department with an inter-nal/external model that has streamlined resourcesand made the department more effective from topto bottom. In addition, he has the department oncourse to become a federally chartered non-profitorganization which will lead to more fund-raisingopportunities.

Mueh was instrumental in the USAFA Endow-ment and the announcement of an Indoor Train-ing Facility that broke ground in the summer of

2010. The $15 million facility will be completedearly in 2011.

Mueh has also been active within the confer-ence and the NCAA. He was recently selected tobe part of the NCAA Division I Amateurism Cabi-net and has been active on the NCAA’s academ-ics/eligibility compliance cabinet, the men’s golfcommittee and the region 7 postgraduate scholar-ship committee. Mueh has been equally activewithin the conference on various leadership com-mittees. He is currently on the awards and recog-nition committee and has previously served on thejoint council executive committee, and commit-tees on championships, television and sportsman-ship.

Before assuming his duties as vice dean at theAcademy, Mueh was permanent professor andhead of the department of chemistry at the Acad-emy, a position he held since October 1987 wherehe oversaw the annual design and instruction of25 undergraduate courses for 1,500 cadets annu-ally.

Mueh was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Celle, Germany,and emigrated to the United States in 1951. He en-tered the Air Force in 1962 as a member of theAcademy's eighth graduating class, and graduatedwith a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in1966. While at the Academy, Mueh was a two-yearletterwinner in soccer as a goalie. He still holds theAcademy record for saves in a game with 30, ac-complishing it twice in 1965 against North Carolinaand Benedictine. In his junior and senior years,Mueh helped the Falcons to the Rocky MountainIntercollegiate Soccer League championship andquarterfinal berths in the NCAA tournament. Hewas a first-team all-league selection in 1965.

Following graduation, Mueh completed two as-signments in intelligence before attending the Uni-versity of Wisconsin where he earned his master'sdegree in chemistry in 1970. He later earned a doc-

torate degree in chemistry from Wisconsin in 1976as a distinguished graduate. He has also com-pleted Squadron Officer School, Air Command andStaff College and Air War College.

Between earning the two degrees, Mueh re-turned to the Academy as an instructor in the de-partment of chemistry from 1970-72. He alsoserved as assistant soccer coach and played semi-pro soccer with the Aurora Internationals in Denverduring those two years, leading the Internationalsto the Colorado state title in 1971. He volunteeredfor duty in Vietnam and served as an intelligenceofficer in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam and atNakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand, in 1972 and 1973.

After earning his doctorate degree, Mueh re-turned to the Academy in 1976 as an associate pro-fessor of chemistry. He remained at the Academyexcept for a stint in 1985-86 as the special assistantfor technical matters at the Defense IntelligenceAgency at the Pentagon.

In 1986, he assumed the position of actinghead, department of chemistry, before being se-lected for his position of permanent professor andhead of the department of chemistry in 1987. Asfaculty athletics representative, he was active inboth the Western Athletic Conference and Moun-tain West Conference, and was the Academy's rep-resentative on the transition team to form the newMWC, the only faculty athletics representative onthe team. He competes in golf, racquetball, hand-ball and tennis, and has promoted Air Force Acad-emy intercollegiate sports throughout his tenure,beginning with work as chairman of the hockey el-igibility committee, officer representative to themen's golf team and five years as the officer rep-resentative to the football team.

Mueh is married to the former Sally Flax ofCincinnati, Ohio. They have three children: Kris-tine, Kurt and Deborah.

Dr. Hans J. MuehDirector of Athletics l Seventh Year


AIR FORCE ATHLETICS

Few schools in the country have an athletic program as extensive as the Air

Force Academy's.

The goals of the athletic program are to enhance the physical conditioning

of all cadets, to develop the physical skills necessary for officership, to teach

leadership in a competitive environment and to build character. There are

three subdivisions of the athletic program: intercollegiate athletics, intramu-

rals and physical education.

The intercollegiate program has 17 men's and 10 women's NCAA-sanc-

tioned teams, facing some of the top competition in the nation. Men’s teams

are football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, cross-country, fencing, golf, gym-

nastics, indoor and outdoor track, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and div-

ing, tennis, water polo and wrestling. The Academy fields women's teams in

basketball, cross-country, fencing, gymnastics, rifle, indoor and outdoor track,

swimming and diving, soccer, tennis and volleyball. In addition, the Academy

sponsors two non-NCAA programs; boxing and cheerleading.

The majority of the Academy’s men’s and women’s programs compete at

the NCAA Division I level in the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons com-

pete in this conference against teams from Brigham Young, New Mexico, Col-

orado State, San Diego State, TCU, Wyoming, Utah and UNLV. All sports also

compete against non-conference opponents, including many nationally-

ranked teams.

The football team competes annually for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy,

which is emblematic of service academy football supremacy. The Falcons have

won the trophy 16 times, which is more than Army and Navy combined. The

winner of the annual rivalry visits the White House to have the trophy pre-

sented by the President of the United States.

The USAFA Cadet Field House is one of the most impressive buildings in the

country. It’s a modern, versatile structure with seemingly endless uses. The

$5.6 million building is five stories high and 396 feet by 426 feet, the size of

three football fields laid side by side. The structure is divided into three areas-

-basketball arena, ice hockey arena and multipurpose area. The three sections

have a combined seating capacity of more than 9,000.

Clune Arena seats 5,834. The Cadet Ice Rink has a seating capacity of 2,470,

while the multipurpose area seats 1,000 fans for track and field competitions.

The department’s newest facility is the Indoor Training Facility (pictured

left), which will be completed in early 2011.

Brad DeAustinVice Director of Athletics

John CoulahanAssociate AD

Finance

Jim TregoSenior Associate AD

External Affairs

William CarpenterAssociate AD

Recruiting Support

Wayne KellenbenceAssociate AD

Support

Troy GarnhartAssociate AD

Info./Communications

Karen WarnerAssociate AD

Human Resources

Dermot CollAssociate AD

Development/Gov’t

Col. Billy WalkerDeputy AD

Head, Physical Education

Marti GasserAssociate AD/SWA

Intercollegiate Program

2010-11 air force men's swimming & diving media guide

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