2013 Media Guide.Indd

AIR FORCE MEN’S GYMNASTICS

MMacac Ritchie,Ritchie, 22012012 hhighigh bbarar

JJoshosh RRamos,amos, 22012012 pparallelarallel bbarsars BBenen Zaiser,Zaiser, 22012012 vvaultault

2013 MEDIA GUIDE DENIS AURELIUS SKYLER AWISUS TORY BROWN GARED CHAPMAN GREG CHAPUT

PATRICK DUFFY NICK GAUDLIP TYLER HUEBNER ALEX JESSOP JAMES OKAMOTO

THOMAS OWEIDA NICK OWEN ZACH OWEN CORBIN PALMER JOSH PYNE

JOSH RAMOS MAC RITCHIE JON SPIRO BEN ZAISER

KIP SIMONS JOSH LOESER JEFF ROBINSON HEAD COACH ASST COACH ASST COACH 2013 AIR FORCE MEN’S GYMNASTICS

TABLE OF CONTENTS QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF

BASIC INFORMATION ...... Loca on ...... USAF Academy, Colo. Head Coach ...... Kip Simons Quick Facts | Meet Schedule...... 1 Founded ...... 1954 Season at Air Force ...... Eighth Media Information ...... 2 Enrollment ...... 4,000 Email ...... [email protected] 2013 Roster | Roster Breakdown ...... 3 Nickname ...... Falcons Offi ce Phone ...... 719.333.7667 Opponent Information ...... 4 Colors ...... Blue and Silver Assistant Coach ...... Josh Loeser Affi lia on ...... NCAA Division I Season at Air Force ...... First AIR FORCE COACHING STAFF ...... Conference ...... Mountain Pacifi c Sports Federa on Email ...... [email protected] Head Coach Kip Simons ...... 6-7 Superintendent...... Lt Gen Michael C. Gould Offi ce Phone ...... 719.333.6422 Assistant Coach Josh Loeser ...... 8 Director of Athle cs ...... Dr. Hans Mueh Assistant Coach ...... Jeff Robinson Assistant Coach Jeff Robinson ...... 9 Season at Air Force ...... Third Support Staff ...... 10 TEAM INFORMATION Email ...... jeff [email protected] Offi ce Phone ...... 719.333.4609 MEET THE FALCONS ...... 2012 MPSF Finish ...... Fourth (335.950) Senior Tory Brown | Team Captain ...... 12 2012 USAG Finish ...... First (341.950) ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS Senior Alex Jessop ...... 13 2012 NCAA Final Ranking ...... 12th Senior James Okamoto | Team Captain ...... 14 Le erwinners R-L ...... 14-3 Men’s Gymnas cs Contact ...... Valerie Perkin Junior Patrick Duffy ...... 15 USAG All-Americans R-L ...... 8-2 Email ...... [email protected] Junior Tyler Huebner ...... 16 Home Venue ...... Cadet West Gym Offi ce Phone ...... 719.333.8286 Junior Nick Owen...... 17 Team Captain ...... Tory Brown, James Okamoto Website ...... GoAirForceFalcons.com Junior Mac Ritchie ...... 18 Junior Ben Zaiser ...... 19 Sophomore Skyler Awisus ...... 20 Sophomore Gared Chapman ...... 21 Sophomore Greg Chaput ...... 22 Sophomore Nick Gaudlip ...... 23 Sophomore Corbin Palmer ...... 24 Sophomore Josh Ramos ...... 25 Sophomore Jon Spiro ...... 26 Freshmen Denis Aurelius | Thomas Oweida ...... 27 Freshmen Zach Owen | Josh Pyne ...... 28

SEASON IN REVIEW ...... 2012 Season-In-Review ...... 30-32 2012 Meet-By-Meet Scores ...... 33-38

PROGRAM HISTORY ...... USAG Team National Champions ...... 40 USAG Individual National Champions ...... 41 USAG All-Americans ...... 42 Program Honors | Coaching Awards ...... 43 Academic Awards | Conference Awards ...... 44 All-Time Letterwinners ...... 45-46 Academy Records ...... 47 Top-10 Performances ...... 48

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY ...... 2013 COMPETITION SCHEDULE The Academy Experience ...... 50 Senior Leadership ...... 51 DATE EVENT LOCATION ARENA TIME Air Force Athletics ...... 52-53 Jan. 12 Rocky Mountain Open USAF Academy, Colo. Cadet West Gym 6:00 p.m. Gymnastics Training Facility ...... 54 Jan. 19 Army USAF Academy, Colo. Cadet West Gym 1:00 p.m. Special Feature | Falcons in the Air ...... 55 Jan. 26 at Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn. The Sports Pavilion 1:00 p.m. Falcons in the Community ...... 56 Feb. 1 at Washington Sea le, Wash. Alaska Airlines Arena 7:00 p.m. Capt Torkelson Tribute ...... 57 Feb. 7 at Winter Cup Challenge Las Vegas, Nev. LV Sports Center 2:00 p.m. Overview of Gymnastics Scoring ...... 58 Feb. 16 at All-Academy Championships Atlanta, Ga. GSU Sports Arena 2:00 p.m. Feb. 23 at Oklahoma Norman, Okla. Lloyd Noble Center 7:00 p.m. Mar. 1 at Illinois-Chicago Chicago, Ill. Physical Educa on Bldg 6:00 p.m. CREDITS Mar. 3 at Illinois-Chicago Chicago, Ill. Physical Educa on Bldg 1:00 p.m. Mar. 8 at Arizona State, with Washington Tucson, Ariz. Sabino High School 7:00 p.m. The 2013 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide Mar. 14 Temple USAF Academy, Colo. Cadet West Gym 6:00 p.m. was written and designed by assistant media relations Mar. 16 Washington* USAF Academy, Colo. Cadet West Gym 7:00 p.m. director Valerie Perkin. Additional editing provided by Mar. 29-30 at USAG Na onal Championships Williamsburg, Va. Kaplan Arena 5:00 p.m. the Air Force media relations office and the gymnastics Apr. 6 MPSF Championships USAF Academy, Colo. Cadet West Gym 5:00 p.m. coaching staff. Photographs were taken by members of Apr. 19 at NCAA Na onal Qualiﬁ er State College, Pa. Rec Hall 1:00 p.m. the Academy’s DenMar Photo Services and Jeff Mills. In- Apr. 19-21 at NCAA Na onal Championships State College, Pa. Rec Hall 7:00 p.m. dividual photos on the front and back covers represent the Falcons’ five returning USAG national champions. All home meets will be held in Cadet West Gymnasium | *Senior Night Celebra on

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 1 MEDIA INFORMATION

AIR FORCE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTIONS TO CADET WEST GYM

Associate Athletic Director | Communications ...... Troy Garnhart Take I-25 to the Air Force Academy North Gate entrance (exit 156-B) and continue Assistant Athletic Director | Media Relations ...... Dave Toller west. Visitors will be required to have a current government-issued ID (such as a driv- Assistant Media Relations Director ...... Nick Arseniak ers license) and proof of insurance upon entering the Academy. Turn left onto Parade Assistant Media Relations Director ...... Jerry Cross Loop (second left after the guard post). Follow the road to the right - it turns into Field Assistant Media Relations Director ...... Melissa McKeown House Drive. Park in the lots to the east or south of the Cadet Field House. Walk past Assistant Media Relations Director (MGYM Contact) ...... Valerie Perkin the Cadet Field House and Falcon Athletic Center to enter the Cadet Gym (doors are Graphics Coordinator ...... Madeline McGuire north of the outdoor tennis courts). Broadcast Executive Producer ...... Brian Jerman Television Production Assistant ...... Adam Parker

Mailing Address ...... 2169 Field House Drive; USAF Academy, CO 80840 Office Phone ...... 719.333.2313 Office Fax ...... 719.333.3798

INTERVIEW & CREDENTIAL POLICIES

INTERVIEWS: Interviews with Air Force coaches and gymnasts must be arraigned through Valerie Perkin in the Air Force Athletic Media Relations Office. All requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the desired interview time.

CONTACTING ATHLETES: The private phone numbers and email addresses of Air Force cadet-athletes will not be issued to the media. The cadet-athletes have been in- structed not to accept calls from any members of the media without prior notification from the athletic media relations office. MOUNTAIN PACIFIC SPORTS FEDERATION WORKING PRESS CREDENTIALS: Press and photo credentials for media can be obtained by contacting Valerie Perkin, assistant athletic media relations director, at (719) Executive Director ...... Al Beaird 333-8286. Requests should be made at least one day prior to the meet. Office Phone ...... (530) 669-7600 Media Relations Coordinator ...... Darren Preston Email ...... [email protected] GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM Mailing Address ...... PO Box 850; Woodland, CA 95776-0850 Website ...... www.mpsports.org Visit the official Air Force athletic website - GoAir- ForceFalcons.com - for the most up-to-date information regarding the Falcons’ men’s gymnastics team and all 27 Air Force sports. Results, statistics, rosters, cadet-athlete bios, previews, features, interviews and meet recaps can be found on the team page.

LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS

Academy Spirit The Gazette Denver Post HQ USAFA/PAI 30 S. Prospect 101 W. Colfax Ave., 600 USAFA, CO 80840 Colo. Springs, CO 80903 Denver, CO 80202 Phone: (719) 333-2044 Phone: (719) 636-0250 Phone: (303) 954-1296

KRDO-TV (13) - ABC KKTV (11) - CBS KOAA-TV (5/30) - NBC P.O. Box 1457 3100 N. Nevada Ave. 2200 7th Ave. Colo. Springs, CO 80901 Colo. Springs, CO 80907 Pueblo, CO 81003 Phone: (719) 575-6360 Phone: (719) 578-0000 Phone: (719) 630-3930

2 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2013 TEAM ROSTER

2013 AIR FORCE MEN’S GYMNASTICS ROSTER

NAME YR. HT. EVENTS HOMETOWN | HIGH SCHOOL CLUB TEAM PRONUNCIATION Denis Aurelius Fr. 5-6 FX-PH-SR-V-PB-HB Plain City, Ohio | Jonathan Alder OSU Boys Team ah-real-us Skyler Awisus So. 5-6 PB-HB Reno, Nev. | Reno High Sierra Gymnas cs uh-wee-suss Tory Brown Sr. 5-7 FX-PH-SR-V-PB-HB Portland, Ore. | Tigard Multnomah Athle c Club -- Gared Chapman So. 5-5 FX-SR-V-PB-HB Americus, Ga. | Winter Park (Fla) Orlando Metro gare-ud Greg Chaput So. 5-7 FX-PH-SR-V-PB-HB Worcester, Mass. | St. John’s Legends Gymnas cs chap-u Patrick Duﬀ y Jr. 5-7 FX-PH Albuquerque, N.M. | La Cueva Gold Cup Gymnas cs -- Nick Gaudlip So. 5-7 FX-PH-PB-HB Colorado Springs, Colo. | Rampart Colorado Training Center gawd-lip Tyler Huebner Jr. 5-4 PH-SR-PB San Antonio, Texas | Claudia Taylor Johnson Alamo heeb-ner Alex Jessop Sr. 5-9 PH-PB-HB Sylvania, Ohio | St. Francis de Sales Sunrise Gymnas cs jess-up James Okamoto Sr. 5-6 FX-PH-V-HB Yorba Linda, Calif. | Esperanza South Coast Gymnas cs oak-ah-moh-toe Thomas Oweida Fr. 6-1 PB-HB Charlo e, N.C. | Myers Park Zenith Gymnas cs oh-weed-uh Nick Owen Jr. 5-6 FX-PH-SR-V Grayson, Ga. | home school Atlanta School of Gymnas cs -- Zach Owen Fr. 5-8 FX-PH-SR-V-PB-HB Grayson, Ga. | Grayson Roswell Men’s Gymnas cs -- Corbin Palmer So. 5-9 FX-PH-SR-V-PB-HB Frisco, Texas | Centennial World Olympic Gymnas cs -- Josh Pyne Fr. 5-3 FX-V Las Vegas, Nev. | Cimarron Memorial Go For It Gymnas cs pine Josh Ramos So. 5-3 FX-PB-HB Broken Arrow, Okla. | Bishop Kelley Jenks Gymnas cs rah-mose Mac Ritchie Jr. 5-5 FX-PH-SR-V-PB-HB Concord, N.C. | Concord G&J Speedway Gymnas cs -- Jon Spiro So. 5-4 FX-PH-SR-V-PB-HB Laguna Niguel, Calif. | Capistrano Connec ons New Hope spy-roh Ben Zaiser Jr. 5-3 FX-SR-V-PB Pi sburgh, Pa. | home school Pi sburgh Northstars zz-eye-sir

BY CLASS

CALIFORNIA: James Okamoto | Jon Spiro COLORADO: Nick Gaudlip GEORGIA: Gared Chapman | Nick Owen | Zach Owen MASSACHUSETTS: Greg Chaput NEVADA: Skyler Awisus | Josh Pyne NEW MEXICO: Patrick Duffy NORTH CAROLINA: Mac RItchie OHIO: Denis Aurelius | Alex Jessop OKLAHOMA: Josh Ramos OREGON: Tory Brown PENNSYLVANIA: Ben Zaiser TEXAS: Tyler Huebner | Corbin Palmer BY HEIGHT

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 3 2013 OPPONENT INFORMATION

ARIZONA STATE (CLUB) ARMY ILLINOIS-CHICAGO

Location ...... Tempe, Ariz. Location ...... West Point, N.Y. Location ...... Chicago, Ill. Founded ...... 1885 Founded ...... 1802 Founded ...... 1896 Enrollment ...... 72,750 Enrollment ...... 4,000 Enrollment ...... 27,309 Conference ...... n/a Conference ...... Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference ...... Eastern Collegiate Athletic Nickname ...... Sun Devils Nickname ...... Black Knights Nickname ...... Flames Colors ...... Maroon and Gold Colors ...... Black, Gold and Gray Colors ...... Navy Blue and Fire Engine Red Facility ...... Aspire Kids Training Center Facility ...... Gross Center Facility ...... Physical Education Building President ...... Dr. Michael Crow Superintendent ...... Lt Gen David Huntoon Chancellor ...... Paula Allen-Meares Athletics Director ...... Steve Patterson Athletics Director ...... Boo Corrigan Athletics Director ...... Jim Schmidt Head Coach ...... Scott Barclay Head Coach ...... Doug Van Everen Head Coach ...... Charley Nelson 2012 Conf Finish ...... n/a 2012 Conf Finish ...... 6th/6 2012 Conf Finish ...... 3rd/6 2012 Final Ranking ...... 18th 2012 Final Ranking ...... 15th 2012 Final Ranking ...... 13th Gymnastics SID ...... n/a Gymnastics SID ...... Mady Salvani Gymnastics SID ...... Laura White Phone ...... n/a Phone ...... (845) 938-3303 Phone ...... (312 996-5880 Email ...... n/a Email ...... [email protected] Email ...... [email protected] Website ...... www.sundevilgymnastics.com Website ...... www.GoArmySports.com Website ...... www.UICFlames.com

MINNESOTA NAVY NEBRASKA

Location ...... Minneapolis, Minn. Location ...... Annapolis, Md. Location ...... Lincoln, Neb. Founded ...... 1851 Founded ...... 1845 Founded ...... 1869 Enrollment ...... 51,000 Enrollment ...... 4,000 Enrollment ...... 24,610 Conference ...... Big Ten Conference ...... Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference ...... Big Ten Nickname ...... Golden Gophers Nickname ...... Midshipmen Nickname ...... Cornhuskers Colors ...... Maroon and Gold Colors ...... Navy Blue and Gold Colors ...... Scarlet and Cream Facility ...... Sports Pavilion Facility ...... Macdonough Hall Facility ...... Bon Devaney Sports Center President ...... Eric Kaler President ...... Vice Adm Michael Miller Chancellor ...... Harvey Perlman Athletics Director ...... Norwood Teague Athletics Director ...... Chet Gladchuk Athletics Director ...... Shawn Eichorst Head Coach ...... Mike Burns Head Coach ...... Dr. Sho Fukushima Head Coach ...... Chuck Chmelka 2012 Conf Finish ...... 4th/7 2012 Conf Finish ...... 5th/6 2012 Conf Finish ...... 7th/7 2012 Final Ranking ...... 5th 2012 Final Ranking ...... 17th 2012 Final Ranking ...... 10th Gymnastics SID ...... Paul Rovnak Gymnastics SID ...... Jeff Barnes Gymnastics SID ...... Haley Whisennand Phone ...... (612) 625-9379 Phone ...... (410) 293-8771 Phone ...... (402) 472-2263 Email ...... [email protected] Email ...... [email protected] Email ...... [email protected] Website ...... www.GopherSports.com Website ...... www.navysports.com Website ...... www.Huskers.com

OKLAHOMA TEMPLE WASHINGTON (CLUB)

Location ...... Norman, Okla. Location ...... Philadelphia, Pa. Location ...... Seattle, Wash. Founded ...... 1890 Founded ...... 1884 Founded ...... 1861 Enrollment ...... 30,303 Enrollment ...... 39,000 Enrollment ...... 42,000 Conference ...... Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Conference ...... Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference ...... n/a Nickname ...... Sooners Nickname ...... Owls Nickname ...... Huskies Colors ...... Crimson and Cream Colors ...... Cherry and White Colors ...... Purple and Gold Facility ...... Howard McCasland Field House Facility ...... McGonigle Hall Facility ...... Cascade Elite Gymnastics President ...... David Boren President ...... Neil D. Theobald President ...... Michael Young Athletics Director ...... Joe Castiglione Athletics Director ...... Bill Bradshaw Athletics Director ...... Scott Woodward Head Coach ...... Mark Williams Head Coach ...... Fred Turoff Head Coach ...... Mark Russo 2012 Conf Finish ...... 1st/4 2012 Conf Finish ...... 1st/6 2012 Conf Finish ...... n/a 2012 Final Ranking ...... 1st 2012 Final Ranking ...... 9th 2012 Final Ranking ...... n/a Gymnastics SID ...... Charlie Healy Gymnastics SID ...... Steve Helm Gymnastics SID ...... n/a Phone ...... [email protected] Phone ...... (215) 204-7446 Phone ...... n/a Email ...... (405) 325-8234 Email ...... [email protected] Email ...... n/a Website ...... www.SoonerSports.com Website ...... www.OwlSports.com Website ...... www.wmgf.us

4 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE THE COACHING STAFF HEAD COACH KIP SIMONS

KIP SIMONS HEAD COACH | 8TH YEAR

Olympian and USAG Hall of Fame honoree Kip Simons enters his eighth season as the head coach of the Air Force Academy men’s gymnas cs team. Since taking over the Falcons’ program in 2005, Simons has coached one NCAA All-American (two cer fi cates), one Nissen-Emery fi nalist, three USAG na onal championship teams, nine individ- CAREER HIGHLIGHTS ual USAG champions (12 tles) and 28 USAG All-Americans (57 cer fi cates), while earning seven coaching awards. 2010 USAG Hall of Fame Inductee “Coaching here is a dream job,” Simons said. “There is nothing more rewarding than to see my athletes maximize 1988 Junior Pan-Am Champion their poten al as gymnasts and then go on to become the best pilots in the na on. A er seven years, I truly 1991 Big Ten Freshman of the Year believe when you look at academic, gymnas cs and career opportuni es, there is not a be er op on out there 1994 Goodwill Games Gold Medalist than the Air Force Academy.” 1994 Nissen-Emery Award Winner 1995 Pan-American Gold Medalist It took less than two years for Simons’ presence at Air Force to be felt on the na onal stage. Under his coaching, 1996 Still Rings National Champion Greg S ne became the program’s fi rst gymnast to claim mul ple NCAA All-America honors at the same meet, as 1996 Olympian he placed within the top-eight of the all-around and s ll rings at the 2008 NCAA Championships. Air Force has Two-time World Team Member also qualifi ed numerous gymnasts to the pres gious Winter Cup Challenge, a er sending just three over a prior Two-time NCAA All-American 20-year span. Four-time Big Ten Champion Five-time Junior Olympic Gold Medalist The team has also seen a signifi cant bump in their na onal ranking, placing as high as eighth in recent years. Four-time Ohio State Letterwinner Simons has taken the team to the NCAA Na onal Qualifi er during each of the past two seasons, while advancing seven gymnasts to the NCAA semifi nals. In addi on, the men have captured three consecu ve USAG Na onal CAREER COACHING HONORS Championship team tles and have won the All-Academy Championship team tle in back-to-back years. 2010, 2011, 2012 CGA Collegiate Head Coach of the Year The Falcons have claimed at least half of the USAG individual event tles during each of the last three na onal 2008, 2010 West Region Coach of the Year meets, as well as the last three tles in the vault and parallel bars. In 2010, Nash Mills (parallel bars, all-around) 2008, 2010, 2012 USAG Coach of the Year and Devin Menefee (vault) combined for three individual tles, while Mills (s ll rings, parallel bars), Tory Brown 2006 MPSF Co-Coach of the Year (vault) and James Okamoto (pommel horse) set a program record with four USAG tles. Last season, Ben Zaiser (vault), Josh Ramos (parallel bars) and Mac Ritchie (high bar) swept the fi nal three event tles at the USAG meet.

In seven years at the helm of the Air Force program, Simons has accumulated several coaching accolades. In 2006, he was voted as the Mountain Paciﬁ c Sports Federa on Coach of the Year. Following the 2008 season, he was selected as the USAG Coach of the Year and the NCAA West Region Coach of the Year. The 2010 season was a banner year for Simons, who was named the USAG Varsity Head Coach of the Year, the NCAA West Region Coach of the Year and the CGA/Collegiate Division Na onal Coach of the Year. Simons claimed his third USAG Coach of the Year and CGA Coach of the Year awards in 2012.

“Here at the Air Force Academy, I apply the same work-ethic that took me to the Olympic Games to mold my cadets into future leaders of character,” he said.

Prior to his appointment at the Academy, Simons spent ﬁ ve seasons with the Cal Bears. He was an assistant coach from 2001-05 and then held the tle of associate head coach for the ﬁ nal year of his stay in Berkeley.

During his tenure at Cal, the Bears fi nished within the top-two at the MPSF Championships every year, winning the conference tle in 2004. Simons helped guide Cal to a pair of third-place fi nishes at the NCAA Championships and coached 19 top-10 fi nishers, including four na onal champions.

Simons began his collegiate-level coaching career following a stellar career at both the collegiate and na onal levels. In 1988, Simons dominated the U.S. Junior Na onal Championships and the Junior Pan-American Games, collec ng 10 gold medals.

6 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE HEAD COACH KIP SIMONS

During a successful college career at Ohio State, Simons earned numerous honors throughout his four years, including the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the Nissen- Emery Award, which is given to the na on’s top senior gymnast.

A na ve of Bloomsburg, Pa., he was a four-year member of the All-Big 10 team, while earning four Big 10 Conference tles on the parallel bars (1992, 1994), s ll rings (1992) and high bar (1993). In addi on, Simons picked up two NCAA All-America cer ﬁ cates, as the Buckeyes ﬁ nished third at the na onal meet during each of his last three seasons. In September 2006, Simons was inducted into the OSU Athle cs Hall of Fame by the Varsity “O” Associa on.

Following his collegiate career, Simons competed on two world championship teams, as well as the gold-medal winning teams at the 1994 Goodwill Games and the 1995 Pan-American Games. He also represented the United States as a member of the 1996 Olympic team that ﬁ nished ﬁ h at the Atlanta Games.

“I am able to draw on my 10-year na onal and interna onal compe ve career as the founda on to building my program,” Simons con nued. “Having the Olympic Training Center in our backyard is a huge asset to this program. Our coaching staﬀ con nues to stay up-to-date on the most current training and compe ve strategies.”

During the summer of 2010, he was inducted into the USA Gymnas cs Hall of Fame. Joining Simons in the 2010 induc on class was 1996 Olympic team gold medalist Dominique Moceanu, 1992 Olympic team bronze medalist Wendy Bruce-Mar n, 2000 Olympian Jennifer Parilla, two- me U.S. Men’s Olympic team head coach Kevin Mazeika and 2000 U.S. Olympic trampoline coach Robert Null.

Simons was married in May 2009 to the former Kim Rich of Columbus, Ohio.

A HALL OF FAME COACH

Simons was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in August 2010. Joining Simons in the 2010 induction class was Wendy Bruce, Kevin Mazeika, Dominique Moceanu, Robert Null and Jennifer Parilla, as well as Lifetime Achievement award winner Ellen Garlicki Nyemcsi.

“When I reflect on all facets of my life, I realize that the life lessons I have learned and continue to learn are a direct result of my love for the sport of gymnastics. We all know the sport of gymnastics is very infectious. Once you begin heading down the ‘road of gymnastics’, there is no turning back.”

Photo by John Cheng

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 7 ASSISTANT COACH JOSH LOESER

JOSH LOESER ASSISTANT COACH | 1ST YEAR

Former Air Force gymnast Josh Loeser returned to the Academy in the fall of 2012, to begin his ﬁ rst season as an assistant coach for the Falcons’ gymnas cs program.

Loeser joins the Academy staff following a two-year s nt at Refl ex Gymnas cs and Cheer Academy in Pearland, Texas. He spent one year as an assistant coach for boys in Level 4-10, before being promoted to Boy’s Team Direc- tor in June 2011. During his tenure, three Level 10 gymnasts qualifi ed to the Junior Olympic Na onals and the Level 4 team won the Texas South state championships.

Prior to joining the staﬀ at Reﬂ ex Gymnasts and Cheer Academy, Loeser served as an assistant coach for Level 4-10 gymnasts at Gulf Coast Gymnas cs in his hometown of Alvin, Texas, where he coached the boy’s team to the Texas Muscle Man Championship tle in 2009.

He has also coached at several gymnas cs camps over the summer, including two summers with Simons at the Academy’s Falcon Sports Camps. Loeser also worked with three- me Olympian John Roethlisberger at the Flip- Fest Gymnas cs Camp in Crossville, Tenn., where he coached boys and girls from levels 4-10.

A three- me state qualiﬁ er in the all-around for Gulf Gymnas cs during his prep days, Loeser spent three years as a member of the Air Force gymnas cs team. Following his Academy career, he spent two years in the Air Force, serving as an Admissions/Disposi ons Clerk and Member Services Clerk at Lackland AFB, Texas.

Loeser is a 2012 graduate of the University of Houston, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics.

8 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE ASSISTANT COACH JEFF ROBINSON

JEFF ROBINSON ASSISTANT COACH | 3RD YEAR

Jeff Robinson returns to the gym for his third season as an assistant coach with the Air Force men’s gymnas cs team. He brings over 30 years of experience in gymnas cs to the Falcons’ program, ranging from performance to hands-on teaching and coaching. In addi on, he has served in a variety of capaci es for the USA Gymnas cs CAREER COACHING HONORS Men’s Program for over 25 years. 2011, 2012 USAG Assistant Coach of the Year Robinson has been named the USAG Assistant Coach of the Year during each of his fi rst two seasons at Air Force, while helping the Falcons to two USAG Na onal Championship tles. Since his arrival, fi ve individual records have been set, as well as six team scores.

Since 1986, Robinson has worked with USA Gymnas cs, including three years as the Junior Olympic Program Coordinator (2006-08). He also served two terms as chairman of the men’s age group compe on commi ee, worked on the Task Force for Elite Training Alterna ves commi ee and has served as a guest clinician and pre- senter at numerous USAG Men’s Coaching Workshops and at the USAG Na onal and Regional Congress. Robinson was honored with the Frank Comiskey Service Award during the 2011 Junior Olympic Na onals meet, recogniz- ing the work he has done with the Junior Program over the last 25 years. It is the highest honor awarded to an administrator of the USA Gymnas cs junior program.

He is the co-founder and owner of Gymnas cs University LLC, a gymnas cs business consultancy ﬁ rm that as- sists in areas ranging from facility development and construc on to freelance teaching and coaching to business development and staﬀ development.

Robinson spent many years working in the entertainment division at Walt Disney World Resort. He was a principal performer for mul ple live-ac on shows, including Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Fantasmic and Lights, Motors, Ac on Extreme Stunt Show. He also spent ﬁ ve years as a stunt manager, where he recruited and trained new players, evaluated performances, wrote opera onal guidelines and safety procedures and inspected the facility.

He spent 10 years at Orlando Metro Gymnas cs, a club that he co-founded in 1992. As the men’s program director and head coach, Robinson helped develop 10 U.S. Junior and Senior Na onal Team members. He also worked as the head coach for the Barbados Interna onal Men’s Gymnas cs Delega on and served as the personal coach for Francis ‘Shane’ DeFreitas, who competed at the 1995 World Championships, the 1996 I.E.F. World Championships and the 1996 Olympic Games.

He has also served as the boy’s program director and head coach at Brown’s Gymnas cs Central (1984-88) and as the general manager, program director and head coach at Gymnas cs Plus (1983-84).

He has received numerous coaching awards, most recently as a member of the inaugural USA Gymnas cs Region VIII Hall of Fame in 2010. A FIG Level III Brevet Coach, Robinson was named Coach of the Year by the Florida USA Gymnas cs Men’s Program (2003) and by the Seminole County School Board (1989).

Robinson is a 1982 magna cum laude graduate of Auburn University (educa on: physical educa on/biology). He went on to earn a master’s degree in educa on (physical educa on/business) from Memphis State University in 1983.

He and his wife, Kris ne, have a blended family with seven children – Jessica (22), Danielle (20), Megan (19), Mason (18), Christopher (7), Dallas (5) and Garre (5).

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 9 SUPPORT STAFF

DAVE MICKELSON VOLUNTEER COACH | 12TH YEAR

Dave Mickelson returns for his 12th season as a volunteer coach for the Air Force men’s gymnas cs team. Mick- elson joined the Falcons a er spending 11 years as the head coach with the Iowa State men’s team, following a six-year s nt as the Cyclones’ assistant coach. Mickelson also serves as the Falcons’ meet director for select home compe ons, including this year’s Mountain Paciﬁ c Sports Federa on Championships.

During Mickelson’s tenure as head coach, Iowa State produced ﬁ ve NCAA All-Americans, including two NCAA individual champions. As a team, ISU picked up a fourth-place team ﬁ nish at the na onal meet.

As an assistant coach with the Cyclones, Mickelson helped generate 13 NCAA All-Americans, three NCAA individual champions and one Olympian. In addi on, Iowa State ﬁ nished fourth at the NCAA Championships on three occasions, while also earning a second-place mark during his term as an assistant coach.

Mickelson has served on numerous boards during his career, including the NCAA Men’s Gymnas cs Commi ee, the United States Gymnas cs Federa on Board of Directors and the United States Gymnas cs Federa on Men’s Program Commi ee. In addi on, he was the chair of the NCAA Men’s Gymnas cs Commi ee (1987-91) and spent 10 years as a Na onal Safety Cer ﬁ er for the U.S. Gymnas cs Federa on.

A 1981 graduate of Iowa State, Mickelson earned a degree in physical educa on with an emphasis in athle c ad- ministra on. He was a three-year le erwinner on the Cyclones’ gymnas cs team. During his career, Iowa State earned three Big Eight Conference Championships and two NCAA Championship team tles.

CHARLES APT CAPT EMILY BULGER VALERIE PERKIN CAPT JESSICA SCHROEDER DEANNE ZAMORA Cadet Manager Oﬃ cer Representa ve Media Rela ons Director Oﬃ cer Representa ve Athle c Trainer

10 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE MEET THE FALCONS SENIOR TEAM CAPTAIN TORY BROWN

TORY BROWN SENIOR | 5-7 | PORTLAND, ORE.

JUNIOR YEAR | 2012: Competed on the fl oor exercise, vault, parallel bars and high bar…missed several meets with an injury sustained at the Winter Cup Challenge…claimed event tles on the high bar during the March 4 meet against Illinois-Chicago and the March 9 meet at Arizona State…tallied a season-high 14.250 on that event **2013 TEAM CAPTAIN** at Nebraska…scored a career-high 14.600 on the vault during the NCAA Na onal Qualifi er…that mark was the third-highest score in program history using the new scoring system…also recorded a season-high score of 14.200 CAREER HIGHLIGHTS on the fl oor exercise at the NCAA Na onal Qualifi er…opened the season with a season-best 13.800 on the parallel bars at the Rocky Mountain Open…became the fi rst-ever Air Force gymnast to receive three straight invita ons to 2011 USAG National Champion (vault) the pres gious Winter Cup Challenge. Three-Time USAG All-American Participant at Three NCAA Qualifiers SOPHOMORE | 2011: USAG Na onal Champion on the vault…matched the Academy record on that event with Advanced to the NCAA Championships in 2011 a 15.950 at the Mountain Pacifi c Sports Federa on Championships…placed seventh at the conference meet with Three-Time Selection to the Winter Cup Challenge that score…three- me USAG All-American…placed fourth on the fl oor exercise and high bar, in addi on to winning the vault tle…claimed six fi rst-place fi nishes on the year…won the vault at the All-Academy Championships, CAREER-BEST MARKS at Springfi eld and at the USAG Championships…also shared tles on the high bar at the all-academy meet and at Brockport…won the parallel bars in the home meet with Army…helped Air Force sweep the event tles in the 14.900 | Floor Exercise | vs. Washington | 2011 dual meet with the Black Knights…competed at the Winter Cup Challenge, collec ng three top-four fi nishes in the 14.600 | Vault* | at NCAA Qualifer | 2012 preliminary round and two career-best scores…fi nished 15th on the vault at the NCAA Championships (Event Pre- 14.300 | Parallel Bars | vs. Washington | 2011 liminary)…competed on the fl oor exercise in every team compe on…recorded a career-best 14.900 on the fl oor 14.250 | High Bar | at Nebraska | 2012 in the regular season fi nale against Washington…that score is the seventh-highest score in Academy history…also recorded a career-high mark on the parallel bars (14.300) at the meet against Washington…that score is ranked 11th on the Falcons’ all- me list…scored a career-best 14.500 on the high bar at Brockport…that mark is ed for sixth on the program’s all- me list…led the team on the vault, posted the squad’s second-highest scores of the season on the fl oor exercise and parallel bars and ranked third on the team on the high bar.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2010: Competed in six meets, including the Winter Cup Challenge…placed eighth on the vault at that meet with a career-best score of 15.600…that score is the seventh-best score in Academy history… competed on the fl oor exercise, vault, parallel bars and high bar during the fi rst two team compe ons…scored a season-best 14.150 on the fl oor at the Rocky Mountain Open…added career-best scores on the parallel bars (13.550) and high bar (13.400) at the Minnesota Triangular…also competed on the parallel bars and high bar at Army…was a member of the Falcons’ high bar rota on at the USAG Championships and MPSF Championships.

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Tigard High School…recipient of the Rotary Award…competed at the club level for Multnomah Athle c Club (MAC)…coached by Shuichi Goto…named 2008 Most Improved Gymnast…two- me Academic All-America honor at the Junior Olympic Na onal Championships…three- me junior na onal quali- ﬁ er…2009 Oregon state gymnas cs champion…ﬁ nished second at the Region 2 Championships.

PERSONAL: Son of Steve and Kelly Brown…has one younger sister, Julia…majoring in management, while earning a minor in Japanese…future career plans include becoming a pilot…served as a four-degree coach…spent the Fall 2011 semester in Japan as a part of the Academy’s semester abroad program…hobbies include paddle boarding, hiking, running and rock climbing…is ﬂ uent in Japanese…favorite event is the high bar, because “learning new skills is the most fun”…member of Cadet Squadron 30.

*using the new vault scoring system that begin in 2012

12 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE SENIOR ALEX JESSOP

ALEX JESSOP SENIOR | 5-9 | SYLVANIA, OHIO

JUNIOR YEAR | 2012: Competed on the pommel horse during four compe ons, including the conference and na onal championship meets…scored a career-best 13.700 to place seventh at the team fi nals of the USAG Na- onal Championships…that score is ranked 19th on the program’s all- me list…also competed on that event at CAREER HIGHLIGHTS the Mountain Pacifi c Sports Federa on Championships and the NCAA Na onal Qualifi er. Recipient of the 2010 Air Force Hardest Worker Award SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2011: Par cipated on the fl oor exercise in three compe ons...scored a career-best 13.200 on that event at against Stanford, Illinois and Illinois-Chicago on March 4...matched that score two days later CAREER-BEST MARKS against Ohio State, UIC and Temple...also competed on the pommel horse during the March 6 quad meet, recording a debut score of 13.400...also par cipated on the high bar in two meets, pos ng a personal-best 12.300 at 13.200 | Floor Exercise | at UIC Quad | 2011 the Rocky Mountain Open. 13.700 | Pommel Horse | USAG Team Finals | 2012 13.700 | Parallel Bars | at Springfield | 2010 FRESHMAN YEAR | 2010: Earned the team’s Hardest Worker award…competed on the pommel horse and parallel 12.300 | High Bar | Rocky Mountain Open | 2011 bars during three meets…set a career-high score of 13.250 on the pommel horse at Army…tallied a personal-best 13.700 on the parallel bars at the Springfi eld Triangular meet…also competed on the high bar at Arizona State, collec ng a score of 11.300.

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: St. Francis de Sales High School…2009 Northwest Ohio district diving champion on the men’s one meter…two- me state qualiﬁ er in one-meter diving…maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout all four years…competed at the club level at Sunrise Gymnas cs Academy…coached by Steve Reamy, Chris Brown and Yusaku Hijioka…Junior Olympic na onal qualiﬁ er…was Class 3 Ohio state champion in 2003.

PERSONAL: Son of Leonard and Julie Jessop…has two older brothers, Aus n and Andrew…majoring in civil engineering…future plans include becoming a CE oﬃ cer…hobbies include bicycling…favorite event is the high bar, because “I used to be terriﬁ ed of it, and overcoming that fear took a lot of work”…member of Cadet Squadron 40.

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 13 SENIOR TEAM CAPTAIN JAMES OKAMOTO

JAMES OKAMOTO SENIOR | 5-6 | YORBA LINDA, CALIF.

JUNIOR YEAR | 2012: USAG All-American on the pommel horse and high bar…fi nished second on both events at the USAG Championships…Academy record-holder on that event following a 14.900 at Temple on Feb. 26…posted fi ve addi onal scores ranked within the program’s top 10…competed on that event in every meet…also ranked **2013 TEAM CAPTAIN** 10th all- me on the high bar with a career-high 14.250 in the event fi nals of the USAG Championships…competed on the that event during 11 meets…won the pommel horse and high bar tles at the All-Academy Championships CAREER HIGHLIGHTS to help Air Force to its second straight team tle...was named the Mountain Pacifi c Sports Federa on Gymnast of the Week following that weekend…also received the CGA Gymnast of the Week award and was selected as 2011 USAG National Champion (pommel horse) CollegeSports360 Prime me Performer…repeated as the MPSF Gymnast of the Week on Feb. 28 a er a strong Four-Time USAG All-American East Coast road trip…broke the Academy record to win the event tle at Temple on Feb. 26…also placed within Three-Time NCAA Participant the top fi ve on the fl oor exercise and high bar at that meet…won the high bar tle two days later at Army and Two-Time NCAA Event Semifinalist (pommel horse) placed second on the pommel horse…advanced to the individual event preliminary round of the NCAA Cham- Two-Time Selection to Winter Cup Challenge pionships on the pommel horse a er placing 10th (14.350) at the Na onal Qualifi er…fi nished 21st in the event Academy Record Holder (pommel horse) prelims (14.250)…claimed six event tles, including four on the pommel horse…competed on the fl oor exercise MPSF Gymnast of the Week (2012) in eight meets…posted a career-best 14.400 at Army…vaulted during 11 meets, collec ng a personal-best 14.200 CGA Gymnast of the Week (2012) at Army…became just the third Air Force gymnast to earn mul ple invita ons to the pres gious Winter Cup Chal- Two-Time MPSF Academic All-Conference Honoree lenge…did not compete at that meet due to injury…MPSF academic all-conference selec on. 2010 Air Force Freshman of the Year 2010 CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2011: USAG Na onal Champion on the pommel horse…USAG All-American...competed on the pommel horse in every compe on...scored a season-high 14.400 at Nebraska...that score was the highest CAREER-BEST MARKS on the team in 2011 and the fi h-highest score in program history...recorded four of the eight-highest scores in Academy history…scored a 14.300 to win the pommel horse tle at the Rocky Mountain Open…became the third 14.400 | Floor Exercise | at Army | 2012 Falcon to win a RMO tle since 2000…earned the Academy’s Athlete of the Week award following the Rocky 14.900 | Pommel Horse | at Temple | 2012 Mountain Open…scored a 14.250 in the winning eff ort at the USAG Championships…matched that score at the 14.200 | Vault* | at Army | 2012 NCAA na onal qualifi er…placed 26th in the event preliminary round of the NCAA Championships (13.750)…won 13.150 | Parallel Bars | at Nebraska | 2012 the pommel horse against Army (13.800)…helped Air Force sweep the event tles in the dual meet with the Black 14.250 | High Bar | USAG Event Finals | 2012 Knights…competed at the Winter Cup Challenge, placing ninth in the preliminary round…also debuted on the high bar…scored a personal-best 14.000 on three occasions (at Brockport, at Springfi eld, at USAG Championships/ Team Finals)…those scores are ed for 15th on the program’s all- me list…academic all-conference selec on.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2010: Earned the team’s Freshman of the Year award…USAG All-American on the pommel horse…placed second at the na onal event fi nals…competed at the NCAA Championships on that event…competed on the pommel horse in every meet…recorded a career-best score of 14.600 at the team fi nals of the USAG Championships…that score is the third-highest total in Academy history…added fi ve addi onal top-20 pommel horse scores, including four in the top 10…in collegiate debut, became just the second Air Force gymnast to clear the 14.000 mark on that event...competed on the fl oor at the MPSF Championships, earning a score of 13.150.

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Esperanza High School…Principal’s Award…named Dis nguished Aztec…selected to the Principal’s Honor Roll…competed at the club level for South Coast Gymnas cs Training Center…coached by Xiaoping Li and Jian Shen…four- me Junior Olympic Na onal Qualifi er…three- me J.O. na onal semi-fi nalist on the pommel horse…two- me J.O. na onal semi-fi nalist on the high bar…three- me USAG Academic All-American fi rst-team selec on…named Gymnast of the Year.

PERSONAL: Full name is James Tsurumatsu Okamoto…son of Thomas and Evelyn Okamoto…has two sisters, Ariel and Jean…majoring in management and earning a minor in Japanese…future plans include becoming a ﬁ nancial manager…served as Element Leader, Course Cadre and Assistant Flight Commander…has been named to the Dean’s List during all six semesters…hobbies include rock climbing…made second trip to Japan as a part of the Cadet Summer Language Immersion Program…also took an academic class and worked Basic Cadet Training over the summer…has an uncle that served in the Marines and a grandfather who served in the Army…favorite event is the high bar…member of Cadet Squadron 07. *using the new vault scoring system that begin in 2012

14 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE JUNIOR PATRICK DUFFY

PATRICK DUFFY JUNIOR | 5-7 | ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2012: Competed on the pommel horse in every team compe on…scored a season-high 14.050 at the NCAA Na onal Qualifi er…competed on the fl oor exercise during six meets…won the fl oor exercise at Arizona State…scored a career-high 14.400 at that meet…that score is ed for 17th on the Academy’s all- me CAREER HIGHLIGHTS list…also competed twice on the vault…made collegiate debut against Minnesota, scoring a 13.400…earned academic all-conference honors from the Mountain Pacifi c Sports Federa on. Two-Time NCAA Participant 2011, 2012 CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete FRESHMAN YEAR | 2011: Competed on the pommel horse in every team compe on...posted a career-best 2012 MPSF Academic All-Conference Selection score of 14.200 at the All-Academy Championships...that is the eighth-highest score in Academy history…also recorded marks on the program’s top-20 all- me list of 13.650 (18th, at Nebraska) and 13.600 (19th, three mes, CAREER-BEST MARKS including the MPSF Championships)…named to the College Gymnas cs Associa on’s Scholar-Athlete team. 14.400 | Floor Exercise | at Arizona State | 2012 HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: La Cueva High School…selected as a State of New Mexico Higher Educa on De- 14.200 | Pommel Horse | at All-Academy | 2011 partment Recogni on Program Scholar in 2009-10…posted a 4.5 weighted GPA…two- me academic le erwin- 13.400 | Vault* | vs. Minnesota | 2012 ner…member of the Na onal Honor Society…selected for the Na onal Youth Leadership Forum all four years… three-year member of Nobel’s Na onal Society of High School Scholars…named Who’s Who Among High School Students in 2008…competed at the club level for Gold Cup Gymnas cs…coached by Jerry Nickels…member of two state championship teams (2009, 2010)…2009 Gymnast of the Year…four- me USAG Junior Olympic Qualifi er… four- me USAG First-Team Academic All-American…USAG Region I Select Team in 2005, represen ng gymnas- cs from California, Nevada, Hawaii and Arizona…named to the USAG Southern California State All-Star Team in 2005…two- me selec on to the USAG Nevada State All-Star Team…placed fi rst in the all-around at the USAG Southern California State North Conference meet in 2006…two- me Most Decorated Gymnast Award…two- me par cipant at the Interna onal Gymnas cs Camp…also a ended Falcon Sports Camps in 2009, earning the Best A tude Award.

PERSONAL: Son of Pat and Diana Duff y…father was a 1981 Academy graduate and spent 28 years as a fi ghter pilot, re ring as a Colonel…mother is a 1983 Academy graduate…nickname is “Pa y”…has one younger sister, Katherine…majoring in electrical engineering…future career plans include either becoming a pilot or NSA…served as Confi dence Course Superintendent and Safety NCO.,..named to the Superintendent’s List for excellence in military, academic and athle c performance…hobbies include “endangering my life, working on cars, Cadet Parades and waterskiing…loves techo music…is one-quarter Japanese…spent part of the summer at Osan AFB, South Korea with the Field Engineering Readiness Laboratory (FERL)…also took leave and worked the second session of Basic Cadet Training…favorite event is the pommel horse…member of Cadet Squadron 12.

*using the new vault scoring system that begin in 2012

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 15 JUNIOR TYLER HUEBNER

TYLER HUEBNER JUNIOR | 5-4 | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2012: Competed on the s ll rings in every team compe on…recorded a career-best 14.900 to fi nish fi h during the team fi nals of the USAG Na onal Championships…that mark is ranked 17th on the program’s all- me list…recorded another top-20 all- me score (14.800) at the Rocky Mountain Open…won the CAREER HIGHLIGHTS s ll rings at Arizona State with a mark of 14.500…earned a top-10 fi nish at the Mountain Pacifi c Sports Federa on Championships (14.500). Two-Time NCAA Participant

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2011: Competed on the s ll rings in every team compe on...scored a career-best tally of CAREER-BEST MARKS 14.700 in the regular season ﬁ nale against Washington...that score is one of the top-20 marks in Academy history (19th e). 14.900 | Still Rings | USAG Team Finals | 2012

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Claudia Taylor Johnson High School…graduated Summa Cum Laude…competed at the club level for Alamo Gymnas cs Center…coached by Yuegin Sun and Brandon Kays…served as team captain… placed eighth on the s ll rings at Na onals.

PERSONAL: Full name is Phillip Tyler Huebner…goes by Tyler…son of Phil and Lori Huebner…has one younger brother, Tate…majoring in Foreign Area Studies…future plans include becoming an A-10 pilot…served as four degree coach…named to the Athle c Director’s List for excellence in athle c performance…spent the summer comple ng Combat Survival Training, Global Engagement and the Space program…hobbies include rock climbing and mountain climbing…grandfather served in the military…favorite event is the s ll rings, because “that’s where I excel”…member of Cadet Squadron 15.

16 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE JUNIOR NICK OWEN

NICK OWEN JUNIOR | 5-6 | GRAYSON, GA.

2012: Received a medical turnback from the Academy, while recovering from shoulder surgery.

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2011: Competed on the pommel horse in every team compe on...posted a career-best CAREER-BEST MARKS 14.200 during the regular season fi nale against Washington...that score is the eighth-highest mark in Academy history…also surpassed the 14-point mark during the Illinois-Chicago Quad on March 4 (14.100)...claimed two 14.200 | Pommel Horse | vs. Washington | 2011 fi rst-place fi nishes on the horse (at Springfi eld, vs. Washington).

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2010: Did not see compe ve ac on.

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Was home schooled…graduated with a 3.99 GPA…competed at the club level for the Atlanta School of Gymnas cs…coached by Nathan Simmons and Spencer Slaton…competed all four years at the Junior Olympic na onal championships…earned Academic All-America honors.

PERSONAL: Full fi rst name is Nicholas, but goes by Nick…son of Michael and Susan Owen…has one younger brother, Zachary, who is a freshman on the Air Force men’s gymnas cs team…majoring in biology…future plans include becoming a public aff airs offi cer…served as Element Leader, Public Aff airs NCO and Flight NCO…was born on New Year’s Day…hobbies include golf…grandfather, George Yoblonsky, is a re red lieutenant colonel…holds a second degree black belt in Taw Kwon Do…favorite event is the pommel horse, because “it is one of the most chal- lenging events in gymnas cs and overcoming that challenge is worth the struggle”…spent the summer completing Opera on Air Force in South Dakota and working Squadron Safety and Medical during Basic Cadet Training… member of Cadet Squadron 37.

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 17 JUNIOR MAC RITCHIE

MAC RITCHIE JUNIOR | 5-5 | CONCORD, N.C.

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2012: USAG na onal champion on the high bar…Academy record holder on that event… USAG All-American… ed the program standard of 14.900 to defeat the fi eld by 0.650…also the preliminary round with a then-career high mark of 14.650 (the third-best score in program history)…earned the Mountain Pacifi c CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Sports Federa on Gymnast of the Week and the Air Force Athlete of the Week awards following the USAG Cham- pionships…also took fi rst on the high bar in meets with Minnesota and Illinois-Chicago…earned a top-10 fi nish on 2012 USAG National Champion (high bar) that event at the MPSF Championships…added two addi onal scores that ranked within the program’s top 10… USAG All-American competed on the s ll rings in every team compe on…scored a personal-best 14.200 during the Rocky Moun- Two-Time NCAA Participant tain Open… posted a season-best 13.900 on the parallel bars at that meet…par cipated on that event during 11 Academy Record Holder (high bar) meets…also competed on the fl oor exercise for fi ve of the fi rst six meets…scored a season-high 14.300 against MPSF Gymnast of the Week (2012) Minnesota. 2011 Air Force Freshman of the Year

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2011: Selected as the team’s Freshman of the Year…competed on the fl oor exercise, parallel CAREER-BEST MARKS bars and high bar in every team compe on…also competed on the s ll rings in 12 of 13 meets…scored a career- best 14.500 on the fl oor exercise in the regular season fi nale against Washington…that score is ranked 15th on 14.500 | Floor Exercise | vs. Army | 2011 the program’s all- me record book…posted a career-best score of 14.200 on the parallel bars at the team fi nals of 14.200 | Still Rings | Rocky Mountain Open | 2012 the USAG Na onal Championships…helped Air Force set a new team mark of 57.700 at that meet…that score is 14.200 | Parallel Bars | at USAG Team Finals | 2011 ranked 13th in the program record book…won the high bar tle against Army with a score of 13.700…helped Air 14.900 | High Bar | USAG Event Finals | 2012 Force sweep the event tles in the dual meet with the Black Knights…posted a career-high 14.400 on that event at Springfi eld…that score is the seventh-highest total in Academy history…scored a personal-best 13.900 on the s ll rings at Brockport…also vaulted during three meets…recorded a career-best 15.200 at the Rocky Mountain Open…that score is ed for 16th on the program’s all- me list.

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Concord High School…competed at the club level for G&J Speedway Gymnas cs… coached by Jie Ding…member of the 2010 regional team…three- me state all-around champion…also won numerous individual event tles.

PERSONAL: Full name is Breeden McEachern Ritchie…goes by Mac…son of Jack and Jennifer Ritchie…has one older brother, Ben, and one younger brother, George…undecided on a major…hobbies include playing golf…favorite event is the parallel bars, because “I like doing it and I don’t ever get bored of it”…member of Cadet Squadron 27.

18 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE JUNIOR BEN ZAISER

BEN ZAISER JUNIOR | 5-3 | PITTSBURGH, PA.

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2012: USAG na onal champion on the vault…scored a 14.600 to fi nish fi rst at the na- onal meet…claimed USAG All-America honors for the second straight year…also placed fi rst on the vault against Illinois-Chicago and Arizona State…scored a season-high 14.750 at Nebraska to lead the Falcons…that mark is an CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Academy standard under the new scoring guidelines for the vault…holds at least a share of four of the program’s top-fi ve all- me scores…earned a top-10 fi nish on that event at the Mountain Pacifi c Sports Federa on Cham- 2012 USAG National Champion (vault) pionships (14.600)…also competed on the s ll rings in every team compe on…recorded a career-best score Two-Time USAG All-American of 14.600 during the Falcons’ dual with Illinois-Chicago…par cipated on the fl oor exercise during seven meets, Two-Time NCAA Participant including the USAG Championships (team fi nals) and the MPSF Championships…scored a career-high 14.200 in Academy Record Holder (vault) the meet against Minnesota...earned the team’s Most Improved Award. Recipient of the 2012 Air Force Most Improved Award

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2011: USAG All-American on the vault…scored a 15.500 to fi nish fi h at the USAG Na onal CAREER-BEST MARKS Championships...competed on the vault in 12 meets...recorded a career-best score of 15.600 during fi ve compe - ons...fi rst tallied that score at Nebraska...posted that score in four consecu ve meets (at Illinois-Chicago Quad, 14.200 | Floor Exercise | vs. Minnesota | 2012 at Brockport, at Springfi eld, against Washington)…that mark is the eighth-best score in Academy history…won the 14.600 | Still Rings | vs. Illinois-Chicago | 2012 vault tles at Nebraska and during the Falcons’ regular season fi nale against Washington. 14.750 | Vault* | at Nebraska | 2012

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Was home schooled…passed AP tests in chemistry, sta s cs, physics and Calculus AB…two- me USAG Academic All-American…competed at the club level for Pi sburgh Northstars…coached by Sco Carslaw…par cipated at the 2009 Na onals in Cincinna …four- me na onal qualiﬁ er…placed second on the pommel horse at the 2008 state championships…received the Greg Young Award, which goes to someone who shows respect to the coaches.

PERSONAL: Full ﬁ rst name is Benjamin, but goes by Ben…nickname is Benji…son of Barry and Kim Zaiser…has one older sister, Bekah, who was a 2010 All-American gymnast at Florida…also has an older brother, Aaron, who is a 2011 graduate of the Academy and former member of the men’s gymnas cs team…majoring in civil engineering… future plans include becoming a pilot…served as Security NCO…named to the Athle c Director’s List for excellence in academic performance…hobbies include paintball and rock climbing…spent part of the summer at Osan AFB, South Korea, with the Field Engineering Readiness Laboratory (FERL)…also served as Element Leader during the ﬁ rst session of Basic Cadet Training and took Biology 315…favorite event is the vault, because “I’m good at it”…member of Cadet Squadron 12.

*using the new vault scoring system that begin in 2012

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 19 SOPHOMORE SKYLER AWISUS

SKYLER AWISUS SOPHOMORE | 5-6 | RENO, NEV.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2012: Competed on the parallel bars during every team compe on…scored a career-best 14.400 against Minnesota…that score is ranked 10th on the Academy’s all- me list…also broke the 14-point mark at the Rocky Mountain Open (14.200) and at Army (14.000)…also competed on the high bar during 11 meets… CAREER HIGHLIGHTS posted a career-best 13.700 at Arizona State and again during the USAG Championships (team ﬁ nals). 2012 NCAA Participant HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Reno High School…member of the Na onal Honor Society…AP Scholar…served as senior class president…member of the Student Council Leadership Class…member of the Key Club, Future Busi- CAREER-BEST MARKS ness Leaders of America and the Burrito Lovers Club…competed at the club level for High Sierra Gymnas cs… coached by Plamen “Patso” Avramov and Stephanie DeBoor…served as team captain…received the HSG High 14.400 | Parallel Bars | vs. Minnesota | 2012 Performer award in 2011. 13.700 | High Bar | 2x, last USAG Team Finals | 2012

PERSONAL: Full name is Skyler James Awisus…nickname is “Spot”…son of Mark and Kim Awisus…has two younger brothers, Mitchell and Micah…majoring in poli cal science…future plans include becoming a pilot or CRO… served as Athle c Clerk…hobbies include being with friends and family, listening to music and making fun of Tyler Huebner…spent the summer comple ng Expedi onary Survival and Evasion Training (ESET), taking an academic class and going on leave…grandfather served in the Air Force during World War II…favorite event is the parallel bars, because “it has always come naturally to me”…member of Cadet Squadron 20.

20 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE SOPHOMORE GARED CHAPMAN

GARED CHAPMAN SOPHOMORE | 5-4 | AMERICUS, GA.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2012: USAG All-American on the s ll rings…fi nished second at that meet with a score of 15.000…competed on that event in every compe on…recorded a career-high score of 15.100 during the team fi nals of the USAG Championships…that mark is ranked 14th on the program’s all- me list…fi nished fi h (14.550) CAREER HIGHLIGHTS during a tri-meet with Oklahoma and Nebraska…competed on the vault during nine meets…scored a personal- best 14.400 at Nebraska…that mark is ranked fi h on the program’s all- me list…par cipated on the fl oor exer- USAG All-American (still rings) cise during four meets…scored a personal-best 13.800 twice…fi rst claimed that mark during the dual meet with 2012 NCAA Participant Illinois-Chicago and matched that score at Arizona State. CAREER-BEST MARKS HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Winter Park High School…AP Scholar…served as president of the Interact Club…IB Diploma recipient…member of the Na onal Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society and 13.800 | Floor Exercise | 2x, last at Arizona St | 2012 Spanish Honor Society…competed at the club level for Ace Gymnas cs (coached by John Halle , Mike Turner and 15.100 | Still Rings | USAG Team Finals | 2012 Greg Weller) and Orlando Metro Gymnas cs (coached by Casimiro Suarez)…fi ve- me na onal qualifi er (2007- 14.400 | Vault* | at Nebraska | 2012 11)…three- me Florida state team member…three- me Region 8 team member…member of the 2010 Region 8 team that won the na onal championship…2008 state champion on the parallel bars…2009 state champion on the fl oor exercise and vault…2009 Region 8 champion on the high bar…received fi rst-team Academic All-American honors for three straight years.

PERSONAL: Full name is Gared Ryan Chapman…nickname is “Meatball”…son of Eddie and Chris ne Chapman… has one younger half-sister, Ann, and one younger half-brother, Will…majoring in electrical engineering and earning a minor in Russian…future plans include going “wherever I am needed”…spent eight years playing in a school orchestra…enjoys wri ng and playing music…comes from a family with a strong military history…has one uncle, Brook “Holly” Rollins, who is currently serving in the Air Force Reserves…spent the summer comple ng soaring, SPACE and Expedi onary Survival and Evasion Training…favorite events are the s ll rings, because “I feel in control and secure”, and the high bar, because “it’s a lot of fun to ﬂ y through the air”…member of Cadet Squadron 20.

*using the new vault scoring system that begin in 2012

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 21 SOPHOMORE GREG CHAPUT

GREG CHAPUT SOPHOMORE | 5-7 | WORCESTER, MASS.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2012: USAG All-American on that pommel horse…advanced to the event preliminary round of the NCAA Championships on that event a er placing ninth (14.400) in the Na onal Qualifi er…that mark was a career-best and the sixth-highest score in program history…earned a top-10 fi nish on that event at the Moun- CAREER HIGHLIGHTS tain Pacifi c Sports Federa on Championships..…won the parallel bars during the fi rst road meet at Nebraska (14.350)…posted a career-high score of 14.400 on that event at the Rocky Mountain Open…that score is ed for USAG All-American (pommel horse) 10th on the Academy’s all- me list…also competed on the fl oor exercise during fi ve meets…posted a career-high 2012 NCAA Participant 14.000 at the fi rst dual meet with Illinois-Chicago. 2012 NCAA Event Semifinalist (pommel horse)

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: St. John’s High School…competed on the varsity wrestling team as a freshman… CAREER-BEST MARKS competed at the club level for Legends Gymnas cs…coached by Dewayne Davenport and Debbie Naka…four- me compe tor at Na onals as a member of the Region 6 team. 14.000 | Floor Exercise | vs. Illinois-Chicago | 2012 14.400 | Pommel Horse | at NCAA Qualifier | 2012 PERSONAL: Full name is Gregory Arthur Chaput…goes by Greg…nickname is “Squints”...son of Arthur and Dawn 14.400 | Parallel Bars | Rocky Mtn Open | 2012 Chaput…has one older sister, Colby, who is 2012 Academy graduate…majoring in social sciences…future career plans include becoming a pilot or CRO...served as Training Clerk…a ended the Academy’s Prep School…won the pommel horse and all-around at the regional meet while a ending the prep school…hobbies include playing basketball with friends, video games with the guys on the team and relaxing on the beach at home…spent the summer taking two academic classes and comple ng Expedi onary Survival and Evasion Training (ESET)…favorite event is the pommel horse, because “it’s one of the events that you have to put the most work into, prac cing circles and keeping a good line, but in the end, a er doing millions of drills and trying to perfect your circle, it all pays oﬀ when you learn a new skill or hit your rou ne in a clutch situa on”...would like to add that “accomplishing all that we had as a young team was exci ng and I look forward to the freshmen coming in this year to help us achieve even greater things”…member of Cadet Squadron 01.

22 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE SOPHOMORE NICK GAUDLIP

NICK GAUDLIP SOPHOMORE | 5-7 | COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2012: USAG All-American on the fl oor exercise…competed on that event in every compe- on…posted a career-best 14.700 at Army...that score is ranked 11th on the Academy’s all- me list…posted four addi onal scores that are ranked among the program’s top-20…placed sixth at the USAG na onal meet CAREER HIGHLIGHTS with a score of 13.600…member of the pommel horse lineup during eight meets…scored a career-best 13.750 in the team fi nals of the USAG Na onal Championships…competed on the parallel bars in seven meets…scored a USAG All-American (floor exercise) career-best 13.800 on three occasions (against Illinois-Chicago, at Arizona State, at NCAA Na onal Qualifi er)…also 2012 NCAA Participant performed on the high bar three mes…scored a personal-high 13.600 at the Temple Tri-Meet. CAREER-BEST MARKS HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Rampart High School…member of the student council for four years…served as student body president during senior year...also served as president of the Na onal Honor Society…competed 14.700 | Floor Exercise | at Army | 2012 at the club level for the Colorado Training Center…coached by Ron Brant…placed ninth on the high bar at the 13.750 | Pommel Horse | USAG Team Finals | 2012 2011 Junior Olympic Na onals…fi nished second in the all-around at the 2011 Region IX Championships…fi ve- me 13.800 | Parallel Bars | 3x, last NCAA Qualifier | 2012 qualifi er to the Junior Olympic Na onals…four- me fi rst-team Academic All-American. 13.600 | High Bar | at Temple | 2012

PERSONAL: Full name is Nicholas Frank Gaudlip…goes by Nick…nickname is “Bieber”…son of Fred and Beth Gaud- lip…father is re red Air Force…has one older brother, Aus n…majoring in biology (premed)…future plans include becoming a combat rescue offi cer…has lived “pre y much everywhere” by growing up in a military family…was born in England and has dual ci zenship…hobbies include golf, fi shing and drawing…favorite quote is “When are champions made? Every day at prac ce”…completed Jump over the summer…favorite event to train on is the pommel horse, because “it is defi nitely the most diffi cult, so new skills are the most rewarding”…favorite event for compe on is the high bar, because “it’s a crowd pleaser and I feed on the energy of everybody watching”… member of Cadet Squadron 39.

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 23 SOPHOMORE CORBIN PALMER

CORBIN PALMER SOPHOMORE | 5-9 | FRISCO, TEXAS

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2012: Earned the team’s Most Valuable Gymnast award…USAG All-American on the fl oor exercise and parallel bars…fi nished second on both events…competed on the pommel horse, vault and high bar during every team compe on…scored a career-high 13.700 on the pommel horse in the dual meet with Min- CAREER HIGHLIGHTS nesota…that mark is ranked 19th on the program’s all- me list…recorded a career-best 14.400 to win the vault tle at Army…that score is ed for fi h on the team’s all- me list…matched that score on the high bar to fi nish 2012 AIr Force Most Valuable Player second at Nebraska…that mark (career-best) is ranked seventh all- me…competed on the fl oor exercise during Two-Time USAG All-American the fi nal 12 meets…scored a career-best 14.500 to pace the Falcons at Oklahoma (eighth-place fi nish)…that score 2012 NCAA Participant is ranked 15th on the program’s all- me list…par cipated on the parallel bars in 11 meets...posted a career-high 14.350 to lead Air Force on that event at the Mountain Pacifi c Sports Federa on Championships…that mark is ed CAREER-BEST MARKS for 11th on the program’s all- me list. 14.500 | Floor Exercise | at Oklahoma | 2012 HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Centennial High School…competed at the club level for World Olympic Gymnas cs 13.700 | Pommel Horse | Minnesota | 2012 Academy…coached by Sergei Pakanich. 14.400 | Vault* | at Army | 2012 14.350 | Parallel Bars | MPSF Championships | 2012 PERSONAL: Full name is Corbin Dodd Palmer…son of Tony and Kelly Palmer…has one older brother, Colton, and 14.400 | High Bar | at Nebraska | 2012 one younger brother, Conner…majoring in biology…future plans include working in the medical fi eld…a ended the Academy’s Prep School…hobbies include gymnas cs and going to the movies…Eagle Scout…loves to camp and spend me outdoors…favorite event is the high bar, because “the release moves and skills are the most fun out of all the events. I love to fl y high”…member of Cadet Squadron 05.

*using the new vault scoring system that begin in 2012

24 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE SOPHOMORE JOSH RAMOS

JOSH RAMOS SOPHOMORE | 5-3 | BROKEN ARROW, OKLA.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2012: USAG na onal champion on the parallel bars…earned USAG All-America honors on that event…also won the parallel bars at fi ve other meets…paced the squad on the parallel bars (15.000)…that mark is the second-highest score in program history…took fi rst on the fl oor exercise at the All-Academy Championships, CAREER HIGHLIGHTS at Army and at Arizona State…led the team on that event with a career-best mark of 14.700…fi rst achieved that score at the All-Academy Championships…matched that score the following week against Army…that score is ed 2011 USAG National Champion (parallel bars) for 11th on the Academy’s all- me list…also competed on the high bar in every team compe on…recorded a USAG All-American (parallel bars) mark of 14.300 during the fi rst home dual with Illinois-Chicago…that score is ed for ninth on the all- me list… 2012 NCAA Participant also competed on the vault (career-best 14.100, at Army) fi ve mes and the s ll rings once…earned the CGA 2012 Air Force Freshman of the Year Athlete of the Week award a er claiming three event tles during the Falcons’ trip to Temple and Army …won CGA Gymnast of the Week (2012) the fl oor exercise and parallel bars at Army, while earning fi rst on the parallel bars at Temple and became just the 2012 CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete second Air Force gymnast to reach the 15-point mark on the parallel bars in the meet with the Owls. CAREER-BEST MARKS HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Bishop Kelley High School…member of the Na onal Honor Society…honor roll selec- on…member of the Na onal Society of High School Scholars…competed at the club level for Jenks Gymnas cs… 14.700 | Floor Exercise | 2x, last at Army | 2012 coached by Neptali Narvaez…two- me Oklahoma state champion (2009, 2010)…three- me member of the Re- 13.600 | Still Rings | Rocky Mountain Open | 2012 gion 3 team (2007, 2009, 2010)…qualifi ed to three Junior Olympic meets (2008-10). 14.100 | Vault* | at Army | 2012 15.000 | Parallel Bars | at Temple | 2012 PERSONAL: Full name is Steven Joshua Ramos…goes by Josh…nickname is Jimmy…son of Pete and Elaine Ramos… 14.300 | High Bar | vs. Illinois-Chicago | 2012 has two younger sisters, Megan and Mika…majoring in biology…future career plans include a ending medical school and becoming an orthopedic surgeon…named to the Superintendent’s List for excellence in military, academic and athle c performance…hobbies include gymnas cs, guitar, piano, video games and hanging out with friends…favorite event is the parallel bars, because “it’s my best event”…member of Cadet Squadron 04.

*using the new vault scoring system that begin in 2012

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 25 SOPHOMORE JON SPIRO

JON SPIRO SOPHOMORE | 5-4 | LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIF.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2012: Competed on the s ll rings during nine compe ons…recorded a career-high 14.300 during the fi rst home dual with Illinois-Chicago…also surpassed the 14-point mark against Minnesota (14.000) at Temple (14.100) and during the second meet with UIC (14.200)…also competed on the pommel horse in four CAREER-BEST MARKS meet…scored a personal-best 13.200 in the fi rst UIC meet. 13.200 | Pommel Horse | Illinois-Chicago | 2012 HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Capistrano Connec ons Academy…competed at the club level for New Hope Acad- 14.300 | Still Rings | Illinois-Chicago | 2012 emy of Gymnas cs in Fountain Valley, California…coached by Guonian Wu…ranked third in the na on on the s ll rings two years in a row (2010, 2011)…fi ve- me qualifi er to the Junior Olympic Na onals…ranked fi rst on the s ll rings and second on the pommel horse in Region 1 (California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona) during 2011…four- me USA Gymnas cs Academic All-American…member of the Level 10 team that won the state championship…also a member of the club team that won the Iron Man Compe on (top club in Southern California).

PERSONAL: Full name is Jonathan Sco Spiro…goes by Jon…nickname is “Hollywood”…son of Sco and Patsy Spiro…has one younger brother, Nick, who is also a gymnast…majoring in law……hobbies include going to the beach, anything on the water and being tan…also plays the electric guitar…completed Expedi onary Survival and Evasion Training (ESET) over the summer…also took academic classes and went on leave…has one grandfather who was enlisted in the Air Force for 27 years…also has a grandfather that served in the Air Force for several years as a ﬂ ight surgeon…favorites events are the s ll rings and pommel horse…member of Cadet Squadron 20.

26 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE FRESHMEN DENIS AURELIUS & THOMAS OWEIDA

DENIS AURELIUS FRESHMAN | 5-6 | PLAIN CITY, OHIO

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Jonathan Alder High School…le ered in tennis…ranked as the ﬁ rst singles varsity tennis player all four years…graduated with a 3.96 GPA…competed at the club level on the OSU Boys Team… coached by DeRon McIntyre…made the top 36 at na onals as a senior…also ﬁ nished second in the state that year…earned Academic All-America honors for four years.

PERSONAL: Full name is Denis Robert Aurelius…son of Glen and Dori Aurelius…is a triplet (sisters Krista and Lind- si)…currently undecided on a major…future plans include becoming a pilot…hobbies include playing all sports, including basketball, football and tennis…favorite event is the s ll rings, because “it’s fun”…member of Cadet Squadron 08.

THOMAS OWEIDA FRESHMAN | 6-1 | CHARLOTTE, N.C.

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Myers Park High School…competed in track and fi eld…regional qualifi er in the discus throw…also played strong safety for the varsity football team…member of the swim team…member of the Na onal Honor Society…graduated in the top 10 percent of class (approximately 662 students)…competed at the club level for Zenith Gymnas cs…coached by Stass Savitch…na onal qualifi er…state qualifi er.

PERSONAL: Full name is Thomas Joseph Oweida…son of Sami and Lynne Oweida…has three older sisters – Mariel, Nicole and Katharine…also has one younger brother, Philip…currently undecided on a major…half Lebanese… favorite event is the parallel bars, because “that is my best event”…member of Cadet Squadron 01.

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 27 FRESHMEN ZACH OWEN & JOSH PYNE

ZACH OWEN FRESHMAN | 5-8 | GRAYSON, GA.

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Grayson High School…played soccer through sophomore year…competed at the club level for Roswell Men’s Gymnas cs…coached by Nathan Simmons…won the state tle in 2012…placed ﬁ rst at HNI…recipient of the Mike Raines Award.

PERSONAL: Full name is Zachary Aaron Owen…goes by Zach…nickname is “Princess”…son of Mike and Sue Owen… has one older brother, Nick, who is a junior gymnast at the Academy…majoring in poli cal science…future plans include a career in Congress…hobbies include reading the Bible, playing soccer, ea ng sushi and taking walks… CajunFaith…grandfather is a re red lieutenant colonel…favorite event is the high bar, because “you feel free and it’s great to have everyone watching you when you’re doing your release moves”…member of Cadet Squadron 12.

JOSH PYNE FRESHMAN | 5-3 | LAS VEGAS, NEV.

HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Cimarron Memorial High School…recipient of the Presiden al Award…also earned the Millennium Scholarship…competed at the club level for Go For It Gym…coached by Nalani Cook…Nevada state champion…regional ﬁ nalist on the vault.

PERSONAL: Full name is Vaughn Joshua Pyne…goes by Josh…nickname is “JJ”…son of Vaughn and Sue Pyne…has three younger siblings – Jus ne, Taya and Riayn…planning to major in either economics or management…hobbies include dancing…ﬁ rst member of family to serve in the military…favorite event is the ﬂ oor exercise, because “it is the least restric ng of the events, and it’s fun to just go all out on the event”…member of Cadet Squadron 03.

28 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2012 SEASON IN REVIEW 2012 SEASON-IN-REVIEW

22012012 TeamTeam CaptainCaptain DDevinevin MMenefeeenefee AIR FORCE PAIR COMPETE IN NCAA SEMIFINALS James Okamoto and Greg Chaput competed in the individual event preliminaries at the NCAA Championships on Apr. 20. Okamoto, who advanced to the event preliminaries of the national meet for the second straight year, scored a 14.250 on the pommel horse to tie for 24th, while Chaput scored a 12.000 on the same event to place 47th.

FALCONS TAKE SIXTH AT NATIONAL QUALIFIER With a score of 333.750, 12th-ranked Air Force finished sixth during the NCAA National Qualifier on April 19. It marked the second straight year that the Falcons qualified to the national meet, having broken a 13-year drought one season earlier.

FALCONS FINISH FOURTH AT MPSF Air Force amassed a score of 335.950 to finish fourth at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships on April 7. Devin Menefee earned the Falcons’ best finish of the night, as he placed sixth on the still rings (14.900) in his final home competition. Menefee was one of two top-10 finishers for Air Force on the rings, as Tyler Huebner tied for 10th with a 14.500. James Okamoto (14.100, eighth) and Greg Chaput (14.000, 10th) finished within the top 10 on the pommel horse, while Ben Zaiser and Mac Ritchie both finished 10th on the vault (14.600) and high bar (14.150), respectively. 2012 GYMNASTICS SCHEDULE RITCHIE EARNS WEEKLY HONORS Mac Ritchie was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Gymnast of the Week and the Air Jan. 14 Rocky Mountain Open 2nd of 5 (333.300) Force Athlete of the Week award after claiming his first USAG high bar title. The sophomore tied vs. No. 1 Oklahoma L, 333.300-343.700 the Academy record of 14.900 to win his first career USAG national title by a 0.650 margin on vs. No. 9 Nebraska W, 333.300-331.300 March 31. Ritchie, who scored a then-career mark 14.650 to win the preliminary competition by vs. Arizona State* W, 333.300-314.100 0.450, helped the Falcons to their third straight USAG team title. vs. Washington* W, 333.300-248.100 Jan. 22 at No. 9 Nebraska L, 331.750-336.550 AIR FORCE COACHES EARN USAG AWARDS Jan. 28 No. 8 Minnesota L, 337.700-345.400 Kip Simons was named the USAG Varsity Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the USAG Champi- Feb. 18 at All-Academy Championships 1st of 3 (327.800) onships, while Jeff Robinson and Chuck Schweiss shared the USAG Varsity Assistant Coach of the vs. No. 13 Navy W, 327.800-325.650 Year award. It is the third such award for Simons, who also claimed the honor in 2008 and 2010. vs. No. 12 Army W, 327.800-317.600 Robinson and Schweiss shared the honor last year, while Schweiss shared the honor with former Feb. 24 at No. 15 Army W, 334.000-326.500 assistant Brett McClure in 2010. Feb. 26 at Temple Tri-Meet 2nd of 3 (334.800) at No. 10 Temple L, 334.800-336.300 FALCONS SET PROGRAM RECORD IN USAG HONORS vs. Brockport* W, 334.800-257.600 A program-best nine Falcons claimed USAG All-America status, based on their top-six finishes in Mar. 2 No. 14 Illinois-Chicago W, 338.900-329.500 the event finals of the USAG Championships. Corbin Palmer (floor exercise, parallel), James Oka- Mar. 4 No. 14 Illinois-Chicago W, 337.300-332.400 moto (pommel horse, high bar), Nick Gaudlip (floor exercise), Greg Chaput (pommel horse), Gared Mar. 9 at No. 17 Arizona State* W, 335.600-321.600 Chapman (still rings), Devin Menefee (still rings), Ben Zaiser (vault), Josh Ramos (parallel bars) and Mar. 17 at Oklahoma Tri-Meet 3rd of 3 (327.950) Mac Ritchie (high bar) earned USAG All-American honors. at No. 1 Oklahoma L, 327.950-352.400 vs. No. 9 Nebraska L, 327.950-341.550 AIR FORCE TRIO EARNS USAG TITLES Mar. 30 USAG Championships-Team 1st of 4 (341.050) Three Falcons claimed USAG national titles during the event finals on March 31. Ben Zaiser (vault), No. 14 William & Mary W, 341.050-331.850 Josh Ramos (parallel bars) and Mac Ritchie (high bar) each claimed their first USAG national title. No. 16 Navy W, 341.050-326.900 Zaiser’s title on the vault marked the third straight year that an Air Force gymnast has won the No. 17 Springﬁ eld W, 341.050-324.350 USAG title on that event, while Ramos’ win marked the fourth time in five years that the Falcons Mar. 31 USAG Championships-Event No Team Scores have claimed the parallel bars title. Ritchie became the first Falcon since Erin Montague in 1999 Apr. 7 MPSF Championships 4th of 4 (335.950) to win the USAG high bar title. No. 2 Oklahoma L, 335.950-352.100 No. 3 Stanford L, 335.950-345.950 FALCONS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT USAG TITLE No. 7 California L, 335.950-335.950 Backed by a season-high score of 341.050, Air Force successfully defended its USAG team title on Apr. 19 at NCAA Na onal Qualiﬁ er 6th of 6 (333.750) March 30. It is the third straight year that the Falcons have claimed the USAG title, defeating Wil- No. 4 Illinois L, 333.750-356.250 liam and Mary (331.850), Navy (326.900) and Springfield (324.350). No. 1 Oklahoma L, 333.750-356.200 No. 8 Calfornia L, 333.750-351.150 HIGH FLYING HIGH BAR No. 5 Minnesota L, 333.750-343.450 Air Force opened the USAG Championships on the high bar, recording five of the six top scores and No. 9 Temple L, 333.750-339.450 the fourth-best team score in Academy history (56.950). Mac Ritchie (14.650), James Okamoto Apr. 20 at NCAA Championships No Team Scores (14.150), Tory Brown (14.100), Josh Ramos (14.050) and Corbin Palmer (14.000) helped Air Force dominate the top of the leaderboard on that event. Home meets in bold at Cadet West Gym. * Meets against club teams do not count in overall record. MORE NEWS FROM THE USAG CHAMPIONSHIPS Backed by matching 15.100 marks from Devin Menefee and Gared Chapman, the Falcons set an Academy record team score of 59.450 on the still rings during the team finals on March 30. Mene- fee, Chapman, Tyler Huebner (14.900, fifth) and Ben Zaiser (14.350, seventh) all finished within the top 10 of that event. Air Force also claimed five of the top-six scores on the pommel horse, behind Greg Chaput’s winning score of 14.000. James Okamoto (13.850, third-tie), Nick Gaudlip (13.750, sixth), Alex Jessop (13.700, seventh) and Corbin Palmer (13.650, eighth) all placed within the top 10 on that event.

30 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2012 SEASON-IN-REVIEW

AIR FORCE FINISHES THIRD AT OKLAHOMA FALCONS CLAIM WEEKLY AWARDS James Okamoto and Gared Chapman finished fifth on the pommel horse and still Josh Ramos was named the CGA Gymnast of the Week (Feb. 29) and James Oka- rings, respectively, to lead the Falcons (327.950) at a tri-meet against Oklahoma moto earned his second straight MPSF Gymnast of the Week award (Feb. 28). (352.400) and Nebraska (341.550) on March 17. Okamoto scored a 14.050 on the Ramos claimed three event titles during the Falcons’ East Coast swing, while Oka- pommel, while Chapman collected a 14.550 on the rings. Corbin Palmer posted moto earned two titles and set the Academy pommel horse record. the squad’s top scores on both the floor (14.500) and parallel bars (13.500). DID YOU KNOW? FALCONS EARN EASY WIN AT ARIZONA STATE It is the second straight week that the Falcons have claimed Gymnast of the Week Backed by five of the six event titles, Air Force defeated Arizona State by a 14-point awards from the MPSF and CGA. James Okamoto earned both titles on Feb. 22, margin (335.600-321.600) on March 9. The Falcons’ 335.700 is their highest road while he and Josh Ramos split the titles this week. total of the season. In addition, five Falcons set or matched career-best marks at ASU. Patrick Duffy improved his score on the floor exercise by nearly two points THE RAMOS ROUND-UP to 14.400, while Tory Brown set a vault mark of 14.300 and Skyler Awisus tallied a Josh Ramos won the floor exercise (14.700) and parallel bars (14.900) against 13.700 on the high bar. In addition, Nick Gaudlip (parallel bars, 13.800) and Gared Army, while placing first on the parallel bars (15.000) at the Temple Tri-Meet. He Chapman (floor, 13.800) each matched their personal-best scores. became just the second Falcon to reach the 15-point mark on the parallel bars, easily winning the event by a 0.900 margin and moving into second on the pro- TAKING FIVE OF SIX gram’s all-time list. He also claimed top-five finishes on the vault and high bar Air Force claimed five of the six event titles at Arizona State, including a sweep of against the Black Knights, while tying for third on the floor exercise at Temple. the first three events. Josh Ramos and Patrick Duffy shared the top spot on the floor exercise (14.400), while James Okamoto won the pommel horse (13.800) and WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND? Tyler Huebner took first on the still rings with a score of 14.500. In the final three James Okamoto broke the Academy record on the pommel horse, scoring a career- events, Ben Zaiser scored a 14.500 to win the vault, while Tory Brown took first on best 14.900 to win the Temple Tri-Meet on Feb. 26 ... just two days after winning the high bar with a score of 14.200. the high bar at Army (Feb. 24). The junior easily won the pommel horse at Temple, improving his overall score by 0.300, while tying for third on the floor (13.800) and FALCONS SWEEP UIC DURING HOME STAND fourth on the high bar (13.700). Against Army, Okamoto won the high bar with Air Force successfully defended its home floor over the March 2-4 weekend, a 14.000 – a mark just 0.100 off his career – while placing second on the horse. sweeping Illinois-Chicago by 338.900-329.500 (March 2) and 337.300-332.400 (March 4) margins. The Falcons finished the regular season with a 3-2 home record FALCONS NET STRONG SCORE AT TEMPLE against Division I programs (5-2 overall). Air Force tallied its second-highest score of the season (334.800) to finish second at Temple on Feb. 26. James Okamoto (pommel horse), Josh Ramos (parallel bars) HIGH FLYING HIGH BAR and Devin Menefee (still rings) won their respective event titles, while the Falcons Air Force claimed the top five scores on the high bar during the March 4 meet. collected four of the top five placements on the rings. In addition to Menefee’s tie Tory Brown scored a 14.200 to win the event, while Josh Ramos and Mac Ritchie for first (14.600), Tyler Huebner tied for third (14.200) and Jon Spiro and Gared tied for second with matching marks of 14.000. Corbin Palmer finished fourth with Chapman finished fourth (14.100) and fifth (14.000), respectively. a score of 13.800 and James Okamoto tied for fifth with a 13.600. AIR FORCE TAKES EASY WIN OVER ARMY DOUBLING IT UP Taking four of the six event titles, Air Force defeated Army by nearly eight points Devin Menefee collected event titles on the still rings (14.600) and vault (14.700) (334.000-326.500) on Feb. 24. Josh Ramos (floor, parallel bars), Corbin Palmer during the March 4 meet with Illinois-Chicago. (vault) and James Okamoto (high bar) combined for four event titles as the Falcons bettered the Black Knights for the second straight week. Nick Gaudlip (floor), Oka- MORE WINS FROM THE FALCONS moto (pommel horse) and Gared Chapman (rings) also claimed runner-up spots. In addition to the titles from Tory Brown (high bar) and Devin Menefee (rings, vault), Josh Ramos won the p-bars (14.200) and James Okamoto took first on the DID YOU KNOW? horse during the March 4 competition. The victories came two nights after Mac Air Force has won the last five duals against its service academy counterpart from Ritchie (high bar), Menefee (rings), Ben Zaiser (vault) and Ramos (p-bars) claimed West Point, as well as the past two All-Academy Championship titles. first-place finishes at the March 2 meet. OKAMOTO CLAIMS WEEKLY AWARDS MOVING ON UP James Okamoto was named Gymnast of the Week by the MPSF and CGA after win- Mac Ritchie recorded the sixth-best high bar score in Academy history (14.500) to ning the pommel and high bar at the All-Academy Championships. He matched his win that event during the March 2 meet with UIC. As a team, the Falcons posted career-best score on the pommel (14.600), while tallying a 14.000 on the high bar. their highest team score of the season (338.900). The Falcons improved their team He was also honored as a CollegeSports360.com “Primetime Performer”. score by over one point to better the mark of 337.700 that they set at the Acad- emy against Minnesota on Jan. 28. FALCONS RETAIN ALL-ACADEMY TITLE Claiming four of the six event titles, Air Force claimed its second straight team title at the All-Academy Championships on Feb. 18. The Falcons scored a total of 327.800 to defeat service academy rivals from Navy (325.650) and Army (317.600).

TAKING DOWN THE COMPETITION Air Force claimed four event titles at the All-Academy Championships, including two from James Okamoto (pommel horse,14.600; high bar, 14.000). Josh Ramos and Devin Menefee won the floor (14.600) and rings (14.800), respectively.

MORE NOTES FROM THE AAC Josh Ramos matched his career best of 14.600 to win the floor, bettering the field by nearly one point. Ben Zaiser and Corbin Palmer each picked up three top-five finishes, including a tie for third on the vault (14.200). Zaiser tied for second on the rings (14.100) and finished fourth on the floor (13.650), while Palmer finished fifth 22012012 AAll-Academyll-Academy CChampionshampions on the floor (13.600) and tied for the same placement on the high bar (13.300).

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 31 2012 SEASON-IN-REVIEW

2012 HONORS DID YOU KNOW? MOVING ON UP Injury forced both Air Force competitors out of the lineup at Just one meet into the season and several Falcons have already USAG Head Coach of the Year the Winter Cup Challenge, but Tory Brown became the first placed themselves in the Academy record book. With a 15.400 Kip Simons Falcon to ever earn three straight invitations to the prestigious on the still rings, Devin Menefee recorded the eighth-best national meet. In addition, James Okamoto became just the score in program history on that event. Greg Chaput, Skyler USAG Assistant Coach of the Year third to claim two selections to the Winter Cup Challenge. Awisus and Josh Ramos all impacted the top-20 of the parallel Jeff Robinson, Chuck Schweiss bars, highlighted by a top-10 addition from Chaput (14.400, FALCONS NET SEASON-HIGH AGAINST MINNESOTA ninth). Awisus recorded the 13th-highest score (14.200), while USAG National Champions Devin Menefee won the still rings and Mac Ritchie tied for Ramos debuted in 15th (14.100). Ramos also moved into the Josh Ramos ...... PB first on the high bar, as the Falcons recorded a season-high program’s all-time list on the high bar, with a 13.900 (17th). Mac Ritchie ...... HB team score of 337.700 during a dual meet with Minnesota Corbin Palmer’s career-opening score 13.800 is ranked 19th. Ben Zaiser ...... V (345.400) on Jan. 28. Menefee scored a 15.000 to easily win the still rings rings, while Ritchie matched his career-high mark HOME SWEET HOME USAG All-Americans of 14.400 to tie for the top spot on the high bar. Air Force will compete at home on six occasions during the Gared Chapman...... SR 2012 season. Following the season-opening Rocky Mountain Greg Chaput ...... PH THE YOUNG WILL LEAD Open on Jan. 14 and the Minnesota dual meet on Jan. 28. Air Nick Gaudlip ...... FX Freshmen paced the Falcons in two events in the Jan. 28 meet Force returns to the Academy in March to host Illinois-Chicago Devin Menefee ...... SR against Minnesota. Nick Gaudlip and Josh Ramos tied for sec- (Mar. 2, Mar. 4) and USAG Championships (March 30-31). The James Okamoto ...... PH, HB ond on the floor with matching marks of 14.600, while Skyler Falcons will close out the home schedule on Apr. 7, when they Corbin Palmer ...... FX, PB Awisus tied for third on the parallel bars with a 14.400. With host the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships Josh Ramos ...... PB his score on the parallel bars, Awisus moved into ninth on the for the second straight year. Mac Ritchie ...... HB program’s all-time list, while the 14.600 marks by Gaudlip and Ben Zaiser ...... V Ramos on the floor exercise are tied for 13th. FALCONS MATCH BEST PRESEASON RANKING Air Force recorded its highest preseason ranking ever, when SPLITTING THE SEASON it was tabbed 11th in the College Gymnastics Association Pre- CGA Collegiate Coach of the Year Air Force split the regular season with Nebraska, following a season Coaches’ Poll. It is the fourth straight year that the Kip Simons 336.550-331.750 loss to the Huskers on Jan. 22. The Falcons Falcons were listed among the nation’s top teams, as well as opened the season by defeating Nebraska 333.300-331.300 at receiving the highest ranking among the three service acad- the Rocky Mountain Open on Jan. 14 for the program’s first emies. CGA All-Academic Team victory over the Huskers since 1969. Patrick Duffy WELCOME TO THE SHOW Jacob Houder AIR FORCE PAIR TAKES FIRST AT NEBRASKA Air Force added eight talented freshmen to its roster with the Travis Myers Devin Menefee and Greg Chaput claimed event titles for the addition of Skyler Awisus, Gared Chapman, Greg Chaput, Nick James Okamoto Falcons during their competition at Nebraska on Jan. 22, as Gaudlip, Corbin Palmer, Josh Ramos, Niko Schwab and Jon Josh Ramos Menefee won the still rings (14.600) and Chaput took first on Spiro. the parallel bars (14.350). Menefee, who bettered the field MPSF Academic All-Conference by .450 points, led Air Force to three of the top five spots on ON THE SIDELINES Patrick Duffy the rings, as Ben Zaiser and Gared Chapman finished fourth Kip Simons is entering his seventh season as head coach of the Jacob Houder and fifth, respectively. Chaput also paced the Falcons to three Air Force men’s gymnastics team. He will be joined in 2012 by Travis Myers top-five finishes, with Jacob Houder and Josh Ramos finishing fourth-year assistant Chuck Schweiss and second-year coach James Okamoto third and fifth, respectively. Jeff Robinson.

MW Scholar-Athlete HIGH BAR HIGHS LEADING THE WAY Jacob Houder Air Force collected four of the top-six places on the high bar Senior Devin Menefee will serve as the captain for the 2012 Travis Myers during the dual meet at Nebraska on Jan. 22. Corbin Palmer Falcons. It is just the third time since 2003 – that one gymnast improved his score to 14.400 to finish second, while Jacob has served as team captain. Houder used a career-best 14.350 to place third. Tory Brown Winter Cup Challenge Participants tied for fourth with a season-high 14.250, while James Oka- Tory Brown moto placed sixth with a career-high 14.100. James Okamoto DID YOU KNOW? The Falcons’ No. 9 placement on Jan. 16 was the second-high- CGA Gymnast of the Week est ranking in Academy history. Devin Menefee ...... Dec. 8 James Okamoto ...... Feb. 22 FALCONS TAKE SECOND AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN OPEN Josh Ramos ...... Feb. 28 Air Force opened the 2012 season with a second-place finish at the annual Rocky Mountain Open, behind a combined score MPSF Gymnast of the Week of 333.300 – its best season-opening score ever. Josh Ramos James Okamoto ...... Feb. 21, Feb. 28 (floor) and Greg Chaput (parallel bars) finished second in their Mac Ritchie ...... Apr. 3 respective events to pace the Falcons, while Devin Menefee tied for third on the rings with a career-best 15.400.

MVP ...... Corbin Palmer BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE Top Freshman ...... Josh Ramos As a team, Air Force scored a 59.200 on the still rings at the Most Improved ...... Ben Zaiser Rocky Mountain Open … the third-highest event score in Acad- Hardest Worker ...... Travis Myers emy history. The Falcons also recorded the fifth-best parallel bars score (56.600) in program history at that meet.

32 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2012 MEET-BY-MEET SCORES

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open ------14.200 13.100 -- at Nebraska ------13.000 -- -- Minnesota ------14.400 -- -- at All-Academy Championships ------12.000 13.550 -- at Army ------14.000 12.200 -- at Temple, with Brockport ------13.300 13.200 -- Illinois-Chicago ------13.700 11.600 -- Illinois-Chicago ------13.800 13.200 -- SKYLER AWISUS at Arizona State ------13.700 13.700 -- Freshman at Oklahoma, with Nebraska ------13.000 13.500 -- USAG Team Finals ------12.800 13.700 -- USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships ------13.750 13.350 -- at NCAA National Qualifier ------13.950 12.050 --

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open ------at Nebraska ------Minnesota ------at All-Academy Championships ------at Army ------at Temple, with Brockport ------Illinois-Chicago ------Illinois-Chicago ------KYLE BAKER at Arizona State ------Sophomore at Oklahoma, with Nebraska ------USAG Team Finals ------USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships ------at NCAA National Qualifier ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open 13.600 -- -- 14.100 13.800 12.700 -- at Nebraska 13.600 -- -- 14.100 -- 14.250 -- Minnesota 13.800 -- -- 14.300 13.700 14.100 -- at All-Academy Championships ------at Army ------at Temple, with Brockport ------Illinois-Chicago ------13.900 -- 13.600 -- Illinois-Chicago ------13.900 -- 14.200 -- TORY BROWN at Arizona State ------14.300 -- 14.200 -- Junior at Oklahoma, with Nebraska ------14.300 -- 13.400 -- USAG Team Finals 14.150 -- -- 14.250 13.350 14.100 -- USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships 13.050 -- -- 13.250 13.400 11.700 -- at NCAA National Qualifier 14.200 -- -- 14.600 13.550 13.300 --

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open -- -- 14.600 14.000 ------at Nebraska -- -- 13.600 14.400 ------Minnesota -- -- 14.200 13.500 ------at All-Academy Championships -- -- 13.300 13.400 ------at Army -- -- 14.300 ------at Temple, with Brockport -- -- 14.00 ------Illinois-Chicago 13.800 -- 14.800 14.100 ------Illinois-Chicago 12.700 -- 14.500 14.200 ------GARED CHAPMAN at Arizona State 13.800 -- 14.100 13.000 ------Freshman at Oklahoma, with Nebraska 13.450 -- 14.550 13.350 ------USAG Team Finals -- -- 15.100 ------USAG Event Finals -- -- 15.000 ------MPSF Championships -- -- 14.300 13.850 ------at NCAA National Qualifier -- -- 13.250 ------

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 33 2012 MEET-BY-MEET SCORES

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open -- 12.300 -- -- 14.400 -- -- at Nebraska -- 13.000 -- -- 14.350 -- -- Minnesota -- 13.100 -- -- 13.300 -- -- at All-Academy Championships -- 12.700 -- -- 12.050 -- -- at Army ------at Temple, with Brockport -- 14.200 -- -- 13.700 -- -- Illinois-Chicago 14.000 14.000 -- -- 13.500 -- -- Illinois-Chicago 13.400 13.900 -- -- 13.900 -- -- GREG CHAPUT at Arizona State -- 13.500 -- -- 13.900 -- -- Freshman at Oklahoma, with Nebraska 13.500 13.500 -- -- 13.100 -- -- USAG Team Finals 12.500 14.000 -- -- 13.700 -- -- USAG Event Finals -- 12.650 ------MPSF Championships -- 14.000 -- -- 14.100 -- -- at NCAA National Qualifier 13.400 14.400 -- -- 14.350 -- -- at NCAA Championships -- 12.000 ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open 12.700 13.300 ------at Nebraska -- 12.500 ------Minnesota -- 11.500 -- 13.400 ------at All-Academy Championships 12.350 13.850 -- 13.000 ------at Army 12.500 12.900 ------at Temple, with Brockport 12.700 11.800 ------Illinois-Chicago -- 13.700 ------Illinois-Chicago -- 12.600 ------PATRICK DUFFY at Arizona State 14.400 13.800 ------Sophomore at Oklahoma, with Nebraska 12.650 12.100 ------USAG Team Finals -- 13.450 ------USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships -- 13.450 ------at NCAA National Qualifier -- 14.050 ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open 13.800 ------at Nebraska 12.950 11.450 ------Minnesota 14.600 12.900 ------at All-Academy Championships 13.800 ------at Army 14.700 10.300 -- -- 13.600 13.400 -- at Temple, with Brockport 13.500 ------13.700 13.600 -- Illinois-Chicago 13.700 ------13.800 -- -- Illinois-Chicago 14.600 ------13.400 -- -- NICK GAUDLIP at Arizona State 13.700 12.850 -- -- 13.800 -- -- Freshman at Oklahoma, with Nebraska 14.400 12.500 -- -- 11.500 12.800 -- USAG Team Finals 14.550 13.750 ------USAG Event Finals 13.600 ------MPSF Championships 14.100 12.450 ------at NCAA National Qualifier 13.600 12.250 -- -- 13.800 -- --

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open -- 13.500 -- -- 13.900 13.200 -- at Nebraska -- 12.400 -- -- 14.150 14.350 -- Minnesota -- 13.300 -- -- 14.100 13.900 -- at All-Academy Championships ------at Army ------at Temple, with Brockport ------Illinois-Chicago -- 13.800 ------Illinois-Chicago -- 13.200 ------JACOB HOUDER at Arizona State -- 12.550 ------Senior at Oklahoma, with Nebraska ------USAG Team Finals ------USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships ------at NCAA National Qualifier ------

34 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2012 MEET-BY-MEET SCORES

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open -- -- 14.800 ------at Nebraska -- -- 13.350 ------Minnesota -- -- 14.100 ------at All-Academy Championships -- -- 13.550 ------at Army -- -- 13.100 ------at Temple, with Brockport -- -- 14.200 ------Illinois-Chicago -- -- 14.200 ------Illinois-Chicago -- -- 14.300 ------TYLER HUEBNER at Arizona State -- -- 14.500 ------Sophomore at Oklahoma, with Nebraska -- -- 13.950 ------USAG Team Finals -- -- 14.900 ------USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships -- -- 14.500 ------at NCAA National Qualifier -- -- 13.400 ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open ------at Nebraska ------Minnesota ------at All-Academy Championships -- 13.050 ------at Army ------at Temple, with Brockport ------Illinois-Chicago ------Illinois-Chicago ------ALEX JESSOP at Arizona State ------Junior at Oklahoma, with Nebraska ------USAG Team Finals -- 13.700 ------USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships -- 12.950 ------at NCAA National Qualifier -- 12.600 ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open -- -- 15.400 13.800 ------at Nebraska -- -- 14.600 14.100 ------Minnesota -- -- 15.000 13.800 ------at All-Academy Championships -- -- 14.800 14.100 ------at Army -- -- 14.000 13.800 ------at Temple, with Brockport -- -- 14.600 14.200 ------Illinois-Chicago -- -- 15.000 13.300 ------Illinois-Chicago -- -- 14.600 14.700 ------DEVIN MENEFEE at Arizona State -- -- 14.000 14.300 ------Senior at Oklahoma, with Nebraska -- -- 13.700 13.750 ------USAG Team Finals -- -- 15.100 14.300 ------USAG Event Finals -- -- 14.950 13.150 ------MPSF Championships -- -- 14.900 14.050 ------at NCAA National Qualifier -- -- 13.600 14.500 ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open -- 12.500 ------at Nebraska ------Minnesota ------at All-Academy Championships -- 13.150 -- -- 12.050 -- -- at Army -- 12.100 -- -- 12.600 -- -- at Temple, with Brockport -- 13.100 ------Illinois-Chicago ------Illinois-Chicago ------TRAVIS MYERS at Arizona State ------Senior at Oklahoma, with Nebraska -- 12.400 -- -- 12.500 -- -- USAG Team Finals ------USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships ------at NCAA National Qualifier ------

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 35 2012 MEET-BY-MEET SCORES

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open -- 13.600 -- 13.800 ------at Nebraska 12.300 14.200 -- 14.100 13.150 14.100 -- Minnesota -- 13.800 ------at All-Academy Championships -- 14.600 -- 14.050 -- 14.000 -- at Army 14.400 14.000 -- 14.200 -- 14.000 -- at Temple, with Brockport 13.800 14.900 -- 14.100 -- 13.700 -- Illinois-Chicago 13.500 14.400 -- 14.100 -- 13.500 -- Illinois-Chicago 13.900 14.200 -- 13.700 -- 13.600 -- JAMES OKAMOTO at Arizona State 13.500 14.100 -- 13.800 -- 13.900 -- Junior at Oklahoma, with Nebraska -- 14.050 ------USAG Team Finals -- 13.850 -- 14.100 -- 14.150 -- USAG Event Finals -- 13.400 ------14.250 -- MPSF Championships 14.200 14.100 -- 14.000 -- 13.900 -- at NCAA National Qualifier 13.150 14.350 -- 13.900 -- 12.100 -- at NCAA National Qualifier -- 14.250 ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open -- 12.200 -- 13.500 -- 13.800 -- at Nebraska -- 12.750 -- 14.300 -- 14.400 -- Minnesota 14.200 13.700 -- 13.700 -- 13.500 -- at All-Academy Championships 13.600 13.100 -- 14.200 13.100 13.300 -- at Army 14.400 13.200 -- 14.400 13.900 13.600 -- at Temple, with Brockport 12.900 13.400 -- 13.900 13.600 14.200 -- Illinois-Chicago 14.400 13.200 -- 14.300 13.600 14.200 -- Illinois-Chicago 13.000 13.400 -- 14.200 13.500 13.800 -- CORBIN PALMER at Arizona State 14.200 13.300 -- 13.600 12.400 13.400 -- Freshman at Oklahoma, with Nebraska 14.500 12.950 -- 14.150 13.500 13.250 -- USAG Team Finals 14.250 13.650 -- 14.000 14.100 14.000 -- USAG Event Finals 14.150 ------14.100 -- -- MPSF Championships 14.400 13.200 -- 14.200 14.350 9.9000 -- at NCAA National Qualifier 14.200 13.300 -- 14.200 13.600 13.300 --

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open 14.000 -- 13.600 -- 14.100 13.900 -- at Nebraska 14.000 ------14.000 13.400 -- Minnesota 14.600 ------14.200 13.500 -- at All-Academy Championships 14.700 ------13.350 12.500 -- at Army 14.700 -- -- 14.100 14.900 13.100 -- at Temple, with Brockport 13.800 -- -- 13.900 15.000 13.200 -- Illinois-Chicago 14.100 ------14.100 14.300 -- Illinois-Chicago 14.300 ------14.200 14.000 -- JOSH RAMOS at Arizona State 14.400 ------14.300 13.400 -- Freshman at Oklahoma, with Nebraska 14.150 -- -- 13.550 13.400 12.850 -- USAG Team Finals 13.700 -- -- 13.800 14.500 14.050 -- USAG Event Finals ------14.150 -- -- MPSF Championships 12.850 ------13.550 13.800 -- at NCAA National Qualifier 14.350 -- -- 14.050 14.300 13.800 --

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open 12.100 -- 14.200 -- 13.900 13.600 -- at Nebraska 12.200 -- 13.200 -- 13.150 13.950 -- Minnesota 14.300 -- 13.800 -- 13.600 14.400 -- at All-Academy Championships 13.250 -- 12.950 -- 10.700 13.200 -- at Army -- -- 13.900 -- 13.800 12.500 -- at Temple, with Brockport 11.900 -- 13.500 -- 12.500 14.200 -- Illinois-Chicago -- -- 13.900 -- 13.600 14.500 -- Illinois-Chicago -- -- 14.000 -- 12.600 14.000 -- MAC RITCHIE at Arizona State -- -- 12.800 -- 13.400 12.000 -- Sophomore at Oklahoma, with Nebraska -- -- 12.900 -- -- 12.600 -- USAG Team Finals -- -- 13.850 -- 13.400 14.650 -- USAG Event Finals ------14.900 -- MPSF Championships -- -- 13.600 -- 13.650 14.150 -- at NCAA National Qualifier -- -- 12.900 -- -- 14.000 --

36 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2012 MEET-BY-MEET SCORES

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open ------at Nebraska ------Minnesota ------at All-Academy Championships ------at Army ------at Temple, with Brockpor ------Illinois-Chicago ------Illinois-Chicago ------NIKO SCHWAB at Arizona State ------Freshman at Oklahoma, with Nebraska ------USAG Team Finals ------USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships ------at NCAA National Qualifier ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open ------at Nebraska -- -- 11.850 ------Minnesota -- -- 14.000 ------at All-Academy Championships -- -- 13.750 ------at Army -- 12.300 13.200 ------at Temple, with Brockport -- 12.400 14.100 ------Illinois-Chicago -- 13.200 14.300 ------Illinois-Chicago -- 12.500 14.200 ------JON SPIRO at Arizona State -- -- 13.700 ------Freshman at Oklahoma, with Nebraska -- -- 13.750 ------USAG Team Finals ------USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships ------at NCAA National Qualifier ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open ------at Nebraska ------Minnesota ------at All-Academy Championships ------at Army ------at Temple, with Brockport ------Illinois-Chicago ------Illinois-Chicago ------J. TOMASZEWSKI at Arizona State ------Senior at Oklahoma, with Nebraska ------USAG Team Finals ------USAG Event Finals ------MPSF Championships ------at NCAA National Qualifier ------

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB AA Rocky Mountain Open 12.300 -- 14.400 14.100 ------at Nebraska 13.200 -- 13.700 14.750 ------Minnesota 14.200 -- 14.400 14.300 ------at All-Academy Championships 13.650 -- 14.100 14.200 ------at Army 13.500 -- 14.000 13.200 ------at Temple, with Brockport -- -- 13.400 14.400 ------Illinois-Chicago -- -- 14.600 14.400 ------Illinois-Chicago -- -- 14.000 14.300 ------BEN ZAISER at Arizona State -- -- 13.400 14.500 ------Sophomore at Oklahoma, with Nebraska -- -- 13.400 14.250 ------USAG Team Finals 13.450 -- 14.350 14.350 ------USAG Event Finals ------14.600 ------MPSF Championships 13.200 -- 13.700 14.600 ------at NCAA National Qualifier -- -- 12.900 13.650 ------

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 37 2012 MEET-BY-MEET SCORES

COMPETITION FX PH SR V PB HB TOTAL Rocky Mountain Open 54.100 52.900 59.200 56.000 56.600 54.500 333.300 at Nebraska 53.750 52.450 55.250 57.550 55.650 57.100 331.750 Minnesota 57.500 53.900 57.700 56.100 56.400 55.900 337.700 at All-Academy Championships 55.750 54.700 56.200 56.550 50.550 54.050 327.800 at Army 58.200 52.400 56.200 56.500 56.600 54.100 334.000 at Temple, with Brockport 54.000 55.600 56.900 56.600 56.000 55.700 334.800 Illinois-Chicago 56.300 55.900 58.700 56.900 55.200 55.900 338.900 Illinois-Chicago 56.200 54.700 57.600 57.400 55.400 56.000 337.300 AIR FORCE at Arizona State 56.800 54.700 56.300 56.900 55.700 55.200 335.600 at Oklahoma, with Nebraska 56.550 53.000 55.950 56.450 53.000 53.000 327.950 USAG Team Finals 56.650 55.300 59.450 57.000 55.700 56.950 341.050 MPSF Championships 55.900 54.750 57.400 56.850 55.850 55.200 335.950 at NCAA National Qualifier 56.350 56.100 53.150 57.350 56.400 54.400 333.750

38 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE PROGRAM HISTORY USAG NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

2010: Tory Brown, Garrett Canter, Jacob Houder, Alex Jessop, Dan Klimkowski, 2011: Kyle Baker, Tory Brown, Patrick Duffy, Jacob Houder, Tyler Huebner, Alex Jes- Derek Kvedar, Travis Langham, Kyle Mefford, Devin Menefee, Nash Mills, Travis sop, Dan Klimkowski, Derek Kvedar, Devin Menefee, Nash Mills, Travis Myers, James Myers, Chase Nobles, James Okamoto, Nick Owen, Matthew Thorne, Joel Uptmor, Okamoto, Nick Owen, Mac Ritchie, Matt Thorne, Colton Wulf, Aaron Zaiser, Ben Thomas Wilkinson, Brennan Wolford, Aaron Zaiser. Head Coach: Kip Simons. Assistant Zaiser. Head Coach: Kip Simons. Assistant Coaches: Jeff Robinson, Chuck Schweiss. Coaches: Brett McClure, Lt Col Chuck Schweiss.

2012: Skyler Awisus, Kyle Baker, Tory Brown, Gared Chapman, Greg Chaput, Pat- rick Duffy, Nick Gaudlip, Jacob Houder, Tyler Huebner, Alex Jessop, Devin Menefee, Travis Myers, James Okamoto, Corbin Palmer, Josh Ramos, Mac Ritchie, Niko Schwab, Jon Spiro, Jared Tomaszewski, Ben Zaiser. Head Coach: Kip Simons. Assistant Coaches: Jeff Robinson, Chuck Schweiss.

40 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE USAG NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

USAG CHAMPIONS

JERRY MICHAEL CLINE All-Around ...... 1994

BRIAN RIZZOLI Floor Exercise ...... 1994

ERIN MONTAGUE High Bar ...... 1999

JAVIN PETERSON Still Rings ...... 2000 TORY JERRY MICHAEL AARON DEVIN LEVI TORKELSON BROWN CLINE JACKSON MENEFEE Parallel Bars ...... 1999, 2000

AARON JACKSON Vault ...... 2003

GREG STINE All-Around ...... 2004, 2007, 2008 Pommel Horse ...... 2004 Floor Exercise ...... 2007 Still Rings ...... 2007 Parallel Bars ...... 2008

JAKE SCHONIG Still Rings ...... 2008, 2009

DEVIN MENEFEE NASH ERIN JAMES JAVIN Vault ...... 2010 MILLS MONTAGUE OKAMOTO PETERSON

NASH MILLS All-Around ...... 2010 Still Rings ...... 2011 Parallel Bars ...... 2010, 2011

TORY BROWN Vault ...... 2011

JAMES OKAMOTO Pommel Horse ...... 2011

JOSH RAMOS Parallel Bars ...... 2012

MAC RITCHIE JOSH MAC BRIAN JAKE High Bar ...... 2012 RAMOS RITCHIE RIZZOLI SCHONIG

BEN ZAISER Vault ...... 2012

Returning USAG champions in blue.

USAG TOP SENIOR

Jerry Michael Cline ...... 1994 Aaron Jackson ...... 2003 Kurt Antonio ...... 2007 Greg Stine ...... 2008 Jake Schonig ...... 2009 Nash Mills ...... 2011 GREG LEVI BEN STINE TORKELSON ZAISER

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 41 USAG ALL-AMERICANS

1994 2005 Jerry Michael Cline ...... All-Around, Pommel Horse, Rings, Parallel Bars Kent Reichle...... Vault Brian Rizzoli ...... Floor Exercise Ryan Stromstad ...... Floor Exercise Troy Belin ...... Vault Jim Miller ...... High Bar 2007 Kurt Antonio ...... All-Around 1995 Brian Boardman ...... Vault Brian Rizzoli ...... Floor Exercise Jake Schonig ...... Still Rings David Cobb ...... High Bar Tyler Sickles ...... High Bar Beau Neal ...... All-Around, High Bar Greg Stine ...... All-Around, Floor Exercise, Pommel Horse, Still Rings, High Bar Ben Smith ...... All-Around Brennan Wolford ...... All-Around, Floor Exercise Chad Silva ...... High Bar 2008 1996 Jake Schonig ...... Still Rings Brian Rizzoli ...... Floor Exercise Tyler Sickles ...... High Bar Greg Stine ...... All-Around, Floor Exercise, Still Rings, Parallel Bars, High Bar 1997 Brennan Wolford ...... All-Around Ben Smith ...... All-Around, Floor Exercise Geoff Jensen ...... Floor Exercise 2009 Casey Guerrero ...... Pommel Horse Jacob Houder ...... Pommel Horse, High Bar Erin Montague ...... High Bar Josiah Loeser ...... Still Rings Devin Menefee ...... Vault 1998 Jake Schonig ...... Still Rings Andrew Fisher ...... All-Around, Vault Joel Uptmor ...... Floor Exercise Peter Lueck ...... Pommel Horse Ryan Mahoney ...... Parallel Bars 2010 Erin Montague ...... High Bar Garrett Canter ...... High Bar Javin Peterson ...... Still Rings Dan Klimkowski ...... Still Rings Levi Torkelson...... Pommel Horse Devin Menefee ...... Vault Nash Mills ...... All-Around, Still Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars, High Bar 1999 Chase Nobles ...... Pommel Horse Andrew Fisher ...... All-Around James Okamoto ...... Pommel Horse Levi Torkelson...... All-Around, Floor Exercise, Parallel Bars Jeff Anderson ...... Pommel Horse 2011 Javin Peterson ...... Still Rings Tory Brown ...... Floor Exercise, Vault, High Bar Jason Smith ...... Still Rings Nash Mills ...... Still Rings, Parallel Bars Mikel Daniel ...... Vault James Okamoto ...... Pommel Horse Erin Montague ...... High Bar Matt Thorne ...... Parallel Bars Colton Wulf ...... Floor Exercise, High Bar, All-Around 2000 Ben Zaiser ...... Vault Jeff Andersen ...... All-Around, Still Rings, Vault James Hayes ...... Parallel Bars 2012 Javin Peterson ...... Still Rings Gared Chapman...... Still Rings Levi Torkelson...... All-Around, Floor Exercise, Pommel Horse, Parallel Bars Greg Chaput ...... Pommel Horse Nick Gaudlip ...... Floor Exercise 2001 Devin Menefee ...... Still Rings Levi Torkelson...... High Bar James Okamoto ...... Pommel Horse, High Bar Scott Lewis ...... Parallel Bars Corbin Palmer ...... Floor Exercise, Parallel Bars Andrew Fisher ...... Vault Josh Ramos ...... Parallel Bars Justin Jones ...... Floor Exercise Mac Ritchie ...... High Bar Aaron Jackson ...... Floor Exercise Ben Zaiser ...... Vault Matt Kenkel ...... Still Rings, Parallel Bars Stephen Sistare ...... Still Rings

2002 Aaron Jackson ...... All Around, Floor Exercise, Still Rings, Parallel Bars Matthew Kenkel ...... Parallel Bars Stephen Sistare ...... Still Rings

2003 Jeff Andersen ...... All-Around, Still Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars Aaron Jackson ...... All-Around, Floor Exercise, Still Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars

2004 Jeff Andersen ...... All-Around, Still Rings, Parallel Bars, High Bar Kent Reichle...... Floor Exercise Greg Stine ...... All-Around, Floor Exercise, Pommel Horse, Still Rings, Vault, High Bar

42 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE HONORS & AWARDS

NCAA ALL-AMERICANS MOST VALUABLE GYMNAST TEAM CAPTAINS

1962...... Jim Weaver | Trampoline 1965...... Terry Higgins 1956...... Henry Canterbury 1964...... Doug Reynolds | Tumbling 1966...... Terry Higgins 1957...... Henry Canterbury 1966...... Terry Higgins | Parallel Bars 1967...... Lawrence Thal 1958...... Clark Lovrien 1972...... Bill Ritter | Floor Exercise 1968...... Pat O’Grady 1959...... Thomas Stack 1973...... John Tomich | Vault 1969...... Chuck Kennedy 1960...... Mike Love 1992...... Joel Miller | Still Rings 1970...... Rick Solana 1961...... Paul O’Conner 1993...... Tim Hess | Floor Exercise 1971...... Anthony Nardecchia 1962...... Randy Schamberger 2008...... Greg Stine | All-Around, Still Rings 1972...... Bill Ritter 1963...... Lloyd Harmon, Jim Weaver 1973...... Steve Hoit 1964...... Robert Jobin WINTER CUP SELECTIONS 1974...... John Tomich 1965...... William Cole 1975...... Bruce Edstrom 1966...... Terry Higgins Joel Miller ...... 1992 1976...... Kirk Stephens 1967...... Rick Weizenegger Jeff Andersen ...... 2004 1977...... Mark Fulks 1968...... Pat O’Grady Greg Stine ...... 2007 1978...... Mark Fulks 1969...... Chuck Kennedy Tory Brown ...... 2010, 2011, 2012 1979...... Mike Otomo 1970...... Chuck Kennedy Nash Mills ...... 2010, 2011, 2012 1980...... Don Knauf 1971...... Nino Nardecchia Joel Uptmor ...... 2010 1981...... Bob Hamilton 1972...... Breck Cunningham James Okamoto ...... 2011 1982...... Preston Thompson 1973...... Breck Cunningham 1983...... Tom Eannarino 1974...... Phil Nardecchia 1984...... Robert Mondy 1975...... Bruce Edstrom COACHING AWARDS 1985...... Keith Morgan 1976...... Micky Duval 1986...... Steve Gustafson 1977...... Kirk Stephens CGA NATIONAL HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR 1987...... Frank Shines 1978...... Mark Fulks Kip Simons ...... 2010, 2011, 2012 1988...... Marcus Kaneshiro 1979...... Mike Otomo 1989...... Sven Brown 1980...... Don Knauf NCAA REGIONAL HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR 1990...... Scott Hamilton 1981...... Mike Spencer Carl Townsend ...... 1978 (Midwest) 1991...... Joel Miller 1982...... Chuck Schweiss Lou Burkel...... 1989, 1992 (Midwest) 1992...... Joel Miller 1983...... Tom Eannarino Lou Burkel...... 2005 (West) 1993...... Ryan Marshall 1984...... Tom Eannarino Kip Simons ...... 2008, 2010 (West) 1994...... Jerry Michael Cline 1985...... Keith Morgan 1995...... Beau Neal 1986...... Steve Gustafson NCAA REGIONAL ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR 1996...... Brian Rizzoli 1987...... Frank Shines Brett McClure ...... 2010 (West) 1997...... Ben Smith 1988...... Marcus Kaneshiro 1998...... Peter Lueck 1989...... Chris Mauk CGA ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR 1999...... Erin Montague 1990...... Ken Kemper Ivan Merritt ...... 1998 2000...... Jeff Andersen 1991...... Erik Bowman, Joel Miller 2001...... Aaron Jackson 1992...... Joel Miller USAG HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR 2002...... Aaron Jackson 1993...... Brian Copes, Ryan Marshall Kip Simons ...... 2008, 2010, 2012 2003...... Aaron Jackson 1994...... Jerry Michael Cline, Jim Miller 2004...... Jeff Andersen 1995...... Troy Belin USAG ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR 2005...... Ryan Stromstad 1996...... Brian Rizzoli, Ben Smith Brett McClure ...... 2010 2006...... Brian Moore 1997...... Mark Wolfe Chuck Schweiss...... 2010, 2011, 2012 2007...... Brian Boardman 1998...... Greg Meis Jeff Robinson ...... 2011, 2012 2008...... Greg Stine 1999...... Jason Smith 2009...... Jacob Houder 2000...... Nathan Drewry WAC COACH OF THE YEAR 2010...... Nash Mills 2001...... Andrew Fisher Lou Burkel...... 1988, 1990 2011...... Nash Mills 2002...... James Hayes, Matt Kenkel 2012...... Corbin Palmer 2003...... Aaron Jackson MPSF COACH OF THE YEAR 2004...... Jeff Andersen, Mike Berry Kip Simons ...... 2006 TOP-SIX AWARDS 2005...... Kent Reichle, Brian Moore 2006...... Brian Moore CGA HONOR COACH AWARD 1966 ...... Terry Higgins, Most Valuable Male 2007...... Kurt Antonio, Brian Boardman Lou Burkel...... 2006 1986 ...... Tim Mills, Scholar-Athlete 2008...... Brian Boardman, Kevin Murphy Capt Levi Torkelson ...... 2010 1991 ...... Erik Bowman, Scholar-Athlete 2009...... Josiah Loeser, Jake Schonig 1992 ...... Joel Miller, Athletic Achievement 2010...... Garrett Canter, Brennan Wolford CGA HONORARY LIFETIME AWARD 2003 ...... Aaron Jackson, Athletic Excellence 2011...... Nash Mills Karl Schwenzfeier ...... n/a 2012...... Devin Menefee Lou Burkel...... 2008 NISSEN EMERY FINALISTS 2013...... Tory Brown, James Okamoto

CGA SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD 1966...... Terry Higgins Karl Schwenzfeier ...... 1973, 1977 1992...... Joel Miller Larry Fariss ...... 2001 2003...... Aaron Jackson Lou Burkel...... 1989, 1990, 2005 2004...... Jeff Andersen Chuck Schweiss...... 2012 2009...... Jake Schonig

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 43 HONORS & AWARDS

NATIONAL ACADEMIC HONORS

CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN Joel Miller ...... 1992

NCAA POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP Steve Hoit ...... 1973 Ken Kemper ...... 1990 Joel Miller ...... 1992

NACDA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD Erik Bowman ...... 1991

CGA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM Ken Kemper ...... 1990 Erik Bowman ...... 1990, 1991 Joel Miller ...... 1990, 1991, 1992 Joel Jenne’ ...... 1993, 1995 Chris Mauk, 1988 WAC Gymnast of the Year Brian Rizzoli ...... 1994 Chad Silva ...... 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Geoff Jensen ...... 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 WESTERN ATHLETIC CONF. MOUNTAIN PACIFIC SPORTS FED. Greg Meis ...... 1995 Matt Jensen ...... 1997, 1998 GYMNAST OF THE YEAR ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM James Hayes III ...... 1999, 2000, 2001 Chris Mauk ...... 1988 James Hayes ...... 2002 Justin Jones ...... 2000 Ken Kemper ...... 1990 Bill Hermann ...... 2002 Scott Lewis ...... 2000, 2001, 2002 Aaron Jackson ...... 2002, 2003 Aaron Jackson ...... 2002, 2003 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS Justin Jones ...... 2002 Patrick McAndrew ...... 2002, 2003 Paul Comeau, Pommel Horse ...... 1989 Scott Lewis ...... 2002 Noah Rich ...... 2003 Scott Hamilton, Vault ...... 1990 Matthew Joseph ...... 2003 Brian Boardman ...... 2006, 2007, 2008 Jerry Michael Cline, Floor Exercise ...... 1991 Patrick McAndrew ...... 2003, 2004 Jake Schonig ...... 2007, 2008, 2009 Joel Miller, Still Rings ...... 1990, 1991 Kent Reichle...... 2003, 2004, 2005 Brennan Wolford ...... 2007, 2010 Matthew Joseph ...... 2004 Aaron Zaiser ...... 2008, 2011 ALL- CONFERENCE TEAM Noah Rich ...... 2004 Jacob Houder ...... 2009, 2011, 2012 Jerry Michael Cline Brian Boardman ...... 2006, 2007, 2008 Thomas Wilkinson ...... 2010 All-Around ...... 1991 Jake Schonig ...... 2007, 2008, 2009 James Okamoto ...... 2010, 2012 Floor Exercise ...... 1991 Brennan Wolford ...... 2008, 2009, 2010 Patrick Duffy ...... 2011, 2012 Joel Miller Aaron Zaiser ...... 2009, 2010, 2011 Derek Kvedar ...... 2011 Still Rings ...... 1991, 1992 Jacob Houder ...... 2011, 2012 Travis Myers ...... 2011, 2012 Jim Miller Travis Myers ...... 2011, 2012 Josh Ramos ...... 2012 All-Around ...... 1992 James Okamoto ...... 2011 Patrick Duffy ...... 2012 WAC SCHOLARSHIP AWARD James Okamoto ...... 2012 Erik Bowman ...... 1990, 1991 GYMNAST OF THE WEEK ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM Greg Stine ...... 2007 (2x), 2008 Erik Bowman ...... 1991 Nash Mills ...... 2009, 2010 (2x), 2011 (2x) Joel Miller ...... 1991 Jake Schonig ...... 2009 Brian Stuart ...... 1991 Colton Wulf ...... 2011 James Okamoto ...... 2012 (2x) SCHOLAR-ATHLETES Mac Ritchie ...... 2012 Chris Mauk ...... 1987, 1988, 1989 Ken Kemper ...... 1987, 1989, 1990 ALL-ANNIVERSARY TEAM * Erik Bowman ...... 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 Jeff Andersen ...... competed 1999-00, 2003-04 Brent Johnson...... 1987, 1988 Joel Miller ...... 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 * The MPSF, which celebrated its 15th year of competi- Brian Stuart ...... 1990 tion in 2007-08, chose the all-anniversary team based Jerry Michael Cline ...... 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 on a vote by the head coaches from the league schools. Joel Jenne’ ...... 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 Brock Devos ...... 1993, 1994, 1995 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE Jacque Joffrion ...... 1993, 1994, 1995 Brian Rizzoli ...... 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 SCHOLAR-ATHLETES Ron Marciniak ...... 1994 James Hayes ...... 2001, 2002 Chad Silva ...... 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Aaron Jackson ...... 2003 Mark Wolfe ...... 1996, 1997 Patrick McAndrew ...... 2002, 2003, 2004 Greg Meis ...... 1995, 1996 Brian Boardman ...... 2007, 2008 Mark Emiley...... 1995, 1996, 1997 Jacob Houder ...... 2009, 2011, 2012 Geoff Jensen ...... 1995, 1996, 1997 Thomas Wilkinson ...... 2010 Matt Jensen ...... 1995, 1996, 1997 Travis Myers ...... 2011, 2012

44 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE ALL-TIME LETTERWINNERS

AAA EEE KKK NNN ABEYTA, Derek ...... 88 EANNARINO, Tom...... 81, 82, 83, 84 KANESHIRO, Marcus ...... 86, 87, 88 NARDECCHIA, Anthony ...... 69, 70, 71 ABSHIRE, Thomas ...... 74 EASTMAN, William ...... 08 KEMPER, Kenneth ...... 86, 87, 88, 90 NARDECCHIA, Philip ...... 71, 72, 73, 74 ALDRICH, Richard ...... 80, 81 EATON, Brian ...... 69, 70, 71 KENKEL, Matthew ...... 99, 00, 01, 02 NEAL, Latimer ...... 93, 94, 95, 96 ALEXANDER, Dana ...... 69, 70 EDSTROM, Bruce ...... 74, 75 KENNEDY, Charles ...... 68, 69, 70 NEFF, Ted ...... 62 ANDERSEN, Jeff ...... 99, 00, 03, 04 EDWARDS, John ...... 63 KING, Gerald ...... 63, 64 NEVIN, Michael...... 76, 77, 78 ANTONIO, Kurt ...... 04, 05, 06, 07 EGLINTON, Gary ...... 65, 66 KIRK, Charles ...... 77, 78 NEWHOUSE, John II ...... 63 ANNANIE, Douglas ...... 88 KLIMKOWSKI, Dan ...... 08, 09, 10, 11 NICKERSON, Eric ...... 70 AWISUS, Skyler ...... 12 FFF KNAUF, Donald ...... 77, 78, 79, 80 NOBLES, Chase ...... 09, 10 FISHER, Andrew ...... 98, 99, 00, 01 KNOPKE, Carl Jr...... 66, 67, 68 BBB FISTER, Bruce ...... 63, 64 KOPF, Christopher ...... 64, 65, 66 OOO BAKER, Gary...... 63 FLICKINGER, James ...... 77, 78, 79 KOS, Ronald ...... 61, 62 OAKESHOTT, Glenn ...... 68, 69, 70 BAKER, Kyle ...... 11 FLOOD, William ...... 63, 64 KOZMA, William ...... 65 O’CONNELL, William ...... 74, 75 BELIN, Troy ...... 92, 93, 94, 95 FRETZS, Robert ...... 69, 70 KRAYE, Howard ...... 60, 62, 63 O’CONNOR, Paul ...... 59, 60, 61 BELL, Richard ...... 83, 84, 85, 86 FRUSHOUR, George ...... 65, 66, 67 KRESS, John ...... 85, 86 O’GRADY, James ...... 66, 67, 68 BENTON, Julian ...... 03, 04 FULKS, Mark ...... 75, 76, 77, 78 KVEDAR, Derek ...... 09, 11 O’ROURKE, James ...... 60 BERRY, Edwin...... 05, 06 OKAMOTO, James ...... 10, 11, 12 BERRY, Michael...... 01, 02, 03, 04 GGG LLL OTOMO, Michael ...... 76, 77, 78, 79 BLACK, Jon ...... 57 GARBODEN, Andrew ...... 85, 86 LANGHAM, Travis ...... 10 OWEN, Nicholas ...... 11 BOARDMAN, Brian ...... 05, 06, 07, 08 GARRETT, James ...... 71, 72, 73, 74 LAWLESS, Michael ...... 82, 83 BONECK, James ...... 83 GAUDLIP, Nick ...... 12 LEONARD, Michael ...... 66, 67 PPP BOWEN, Thomas ...... 57 GIBBONS, William ...... 60, 61 LEWIS, Arthur ...... 58, 59, 60 PACKER, Frank ...... 63, 64 BOWMAN, Erik ...... 88, 89, 90, 91 GILMORE, Samuel ...... 75, 76, 77, 78 LEWIS, Scott ...... 00, 01, 02 PALMER, Corbin ...... 12 BRADSHAW, James ...... 58 GLANDON, Nathan ...... 05 LOBUE, Paul ...... 86 PAQUETTE, James...... 71, 72, 73, 74 BREWER, George II ...... 80, 81, 82 GOGGINS, Edward ...... 80 LOESER, Joshua ...... 05, 06 PAYAUYS, Ryan ...... 88 BREWER, Gregory ...... 76, 77, 78, 79 GOODMAN, Patrick ...... 75, 76 LOESER, Josiah ...... 06, 07, 08, 09 PEELE, Eric ...... 03, 04, 05, 06 BROOKS, Charlie ...... 85, 86, 87 GREGORY, Scott ...... 82, 83 LOVE, Michael ...... 58, 59, 60 PETERSON, Javin ...... 98, 99, 00 BROWN, Sven ...... 87, 88, 89 GUERRERO, Casey ...... 96, 97, 98, 99 LOVRIEN, Clark ...... 57, 58, 59 PFAU, William ...... 79, 80, 81 BROWN, Tory ...... 10, 11, 12 GUSTAFSON, Stephen ...... 83, 84, 85, 86 LOWE, Gregory ...... 68, 69, 70 PLAISTED, Glen ...... 78, 79, 80, 81 BURLINGAME, Barry ...... 66, 67 LUSHBAUGH, Robert ...... 67, 68 PODRASKY, David ...... 91 BURNS, Scott ...... 02 HHH PORTER, Christopher ...... 71, 72 BUTLER, George...... 59, 60, 61 HALL, Robert ...... 62, 63 MMM PRENDERGAST, Brian ...... 68, 69, 70 BUTLER, Michael ...... 66, 67 HAMILTON, Robert ...... 79, 80, 81 McANDREW, Patrick ...... 02, 03, 04 PROPOGGIO, Ron ...... 81, 82, 83, 84 HAMILTON, Scott...... 87, 88, 89, 90 McCLURE, Kurtis ...... 85, 86 CCC HAMMOND, Terry ...... 67 McLEAN, Daniel ...... 66 QQQ CANTER, Garrett ...... 07, 08, 09, 10 HARDEE, Patrick ...... 62, 63, 64 McKINNEY, Craig ...... 64, 65 QUANBECK, Gordon ...... 71 CANTERBURY, Henry ...... 57, 58, 59 HARMON, Lloyd ...... 61, 62, 63 McNAUGHTON, Mark ...... 04 CASTLE, Leroy ...... 57 HAYES, James III ...... 99, 00, 01, 02 MACPHERSON, John ...... 66, 67 RRR CHAPMAN, Gared ...... 12 HENDRICKS, John ...... 60 MAHONEY, Ryan ...... 97, 98 RABINS, John ...... 72, 73 CHAPUT, Greg ...... 12 HERMANN, Bill ...... 00, 01, 02, 03 MAJOR, Michael ...... 93 RAMOS, Josh ...... 12 CHASE, Joseph ...... 70, 71 HESS, Timothy ...... 90, 91, 92, 93 MARKSTEINER, Joseph ...... 74, 75 RAUSCH, John ...... 61, 62 CHESTNUT, William ...... 81 HIGGINS, Terry ...... 64, 65, 66 MARSHALL, Parker ...... 97, 98, 99, 00 REAVES, Irving ...... 81, 82 CLAUSON, Vaughn ...... 69, 70, 71 HOIT, Stephen ...... 70, 71, 72, 73 MARSHALL, Ryan ...... 89, 90, 92, 93 REICHLE, Kent ...... 02, 03, 04, 05 CLINE, Jerry Michael ...... 91, 92, 93, 94 HOLLOWAY, Josh ...... 03 MARTIN, Michael...... 65, 66 REYNOLDS, Douglas ...... 64 CLINE, Paul ...... 93, 94 HOUDER, Jacob...... 09, 11, 12 MASON, Richard ...... 57, 58 RICH, Noah ...... 03, 04 CLOSE, Gary ...... 64, 65 HOUSE, Thomas ...... 57, 58, 59 MAUK, Christopher ...... 87, 88, 89 RIGHTMER, Charles ...... 82, 83 COBB, David...... 92, 93, 94, 95 HOWELL, John ...... 58, 59 MEIS, Gregory...... 95, 96, 97, 98 RITCHHART, Kenneth ...... 72 COLE, William ...... 63, 64, 65 HUEBNER, Tyler ...... 11, 12 MENEFEE, Devin ...... 09, 10, 11, 12 RITCHIE, Mac ...... 11, 12 COMEAU, Paul ...... 87, 88, 89, 90 HULL, Merton ...... 61 MILLER, James ...... 91, 92, 93, 94 RITTER, William ...... 70, 71, 72, 73 COPES, R. Brian ...... 91, 92, 93 HUNT, Thomas ...... 76, 77, 78, 79 MILLER, Joel ...... 89, 90, 91, 92 RIZZOLI, Brian ...... 93, 94, 95, 96 CORBETT, Jason ...... 97, 98, 99 HYATT, Mark ...... 72, 73, 74 MILLER, Roy ...... 65, 66 ROBERTS, Jon ...... 06 CUNNINGHAM, Breck ...... 71, 72, 73 MILLS, Michael ...... 77, 78, 79, 80 ROBERTSON, Dennis ...... 67 III MILLS, Nash ...... 08, 09, 10, 11 ROSTAGNO, Anthony ...... 90, 91, 92 DDD ILLINGSWORTH, Robert ...... 67 MILLS, Timothy ...... 84, 85, 86 RUND, Berton ...... 75, 76, 77 DALEY, Jerome ...... 63 MONDY, Robert ...... 81, 82, 83, 84 DANIEL, Mikel ...... 98, 99, 00, 01 JJJ MONTGOMERY, Paul ...... 79, 80, 81 SSS DEANS, Chris ...... 06, 07 JACKSON, Aaron ...... 00, 01, 02, 03 MONTAGUE, Erin ...... 96, 97, 98, 99 SANDERS, Robert Scott...... 78 DEVOS, Brock...... 92, 93, 94, 95 JENNE, Joel ...... 93, 94, 95 MOORE, Brian...... 03, 04, 05, 06 SCHAMBERGER, John ...... 76 DOUGLAS, David ...... 90, 91, 92, 93 JENSEN, Geoffrey ...... 95, 96, 97, 98 MORGAN, Keith ...... 82, 83, 84, 85 SCHAMBERGER, Randall ...... 60, 61, 62 DOYLE, Steven ...... 02, 03, 05 JENSEN, Matthew ...... 97, 98 MURPHY, Kevin ...... 05, 06, 07, 08 SCHEMENAUR, Roger ...... 57, 58, 59 DOZIER, Norman ...... 89, 90 JESSOP, Alex ...... 10, 11, 12 MYERS, Travis ...... 11, 12 SCHONIG, Jacob ...... 06, 07, 08, 09 DREWRY, Nathan ...... 96, 97, 99, 00 JOBIN, Robert ...... 62, 63, 64 SCHWEISS, Charles ...... 79, 80, 81, 82 DRUECKE, Kipp ...... 08, 09 JOFFRION, Jacque ...... 94, 95, 96 SHAFER, Jonathan ...... 57, 58, 59 DUDLEY, Garry ...... 66, 67, 68 JOHANSEN, Albert ...... 60 SHEPARD, Richard ...... 58 DUFFY, Patrick ...... 11, 12 JOHNSON, Brent ...... 87, 88 SHINES, Franklin ...... 84, 85, 86, 87 DUNN, Roger ...... 63, 64 JOLLY, Lawrence ...... 57, 58, 59 SICKLES, Tyler ...... 05, 06, 07, 08 DUVALL, Michael ...... 75, 76 JONES, Justin ...... 00, 01, 02 SILVA, Chad ...... 94, 95, 96, 97 JOSEPH, Matthew ...... 03, 04 SISTARE, Stephen ...... 00, 01, 02

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 45 ALL-TIME LETTERWINNERS

SSS TTT YYY SMITH, Benjamin ...... 94, 95, 96, 97 TAYLOR, Randy ...... 77, 78, 79, 80 WWW YOUNG, Gerard ...... 60, 61 SMITH Jason ...... 96, 97, 98, 99 TERRELL, Andrew ...... 06 WALKER, Philip ...... 71 YUEN, Jeffrey ...... 80, 81, 82, 83 SMITH, Karl ...... 66, 67, 68 THAL, Lawrence ...... 65, 66, 67 WATKINS, Jerome ...... 86 SMITH, Kenneth ...... 57, 58, 59 THOMPSON, Preston ...... 79, 80, 81, 82 WEAVER, James ...... 61, 62, 63 ZZZ SMULL, Richard ...... 61, 62 THOMPSON, Robert ...... 87 WEIZENEGGER, Richard ...... 66, 67 ZAISER, Aaron ...... 08, 09, 10, 11 SOGARD, Jeffrey ...... 69, 70, 71 THORNE, Matthew ...... 08, 09, 10, 11 WENGERT, Alix ...... 88 ZAISER, Ben ...... 11, 12 SOLANA, Richard ...... 70 TOMICH, John ...... 74 WENRICH, Robert ...... 75, 76, 77, 78 ZAMZOW, Mark ...... 75, 76, 77, 78 SPENCER, Michael ...... 79, 80, 81 TORKELSON, Levi ...... 98, 99, 00, 01 WHILES, Jared ...... 97, 98 SPIRO, Jon ...... 12 TORNOW, Robin ...... 62, 63, 64 WHITTENBERG, Karl ...... 66, 67, 68 SQUIER, Craig ...... 68 TORREANO, Mark ...... 66, 67, 68 WIEST, David ...... 58, 59, 60 ST. CYR, Christopher ...... 82 TRACEY, Robert ...... 69, 70, 71 WILHELM, James ...... 60, 61 STACK, Thomas ...... 57, 58, 59 TRAVIS, Byron ...... 59 WILKINSON, Mark ...... 76, 77, 78 STEELE, William ...... 90, 91, 92 TRINIDAD, Pedro ...... 85, 86, 87, 88 WILKINSON, Thomas ...... 10 STINE, Greg ...... 03, 04, 07, 08 WINN, Derek ...... 80 STEPHENS, Dallas ...... 74, 75, 76, 77 UUU WITZEL, Robert ...... 75 STROMSTAD, Ryan ...... 04, 05 UPTMOR, Joel ...... 09, 10 WOLF, Craig ...... 89, 90 STUART, Brian ...... 90, 91, 92, 93 WOLFE, Mark ...... 94, 95, 96, 97 STYLES, James ...... 75 VVV WOLFORD, Brennen ...... 07, 08, 09, 10 SULLIVAN, Paul ...... 60 VAN DOREN, Peter ...... 92, 93, 94 WOOD, Chris ...... 06 VRETTOS, John...... 63, 64, 65 WULF, Colton...... 11 Returning gymnasts in bold.

46 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE ACADEMY RECORDS

ACADEMY RECORDS (1956-2007)

INDIVIDUAL TEAM Event Score Gymnast Year Score Year Floor Exercise 9.850 Jerry Michael Cline 1993 37.350 1995 Pommel Horse 9.600 Jeff Andersen 2000 38.050 2000 Still Rings 9.900 Joel Miller 1991 37.750 2000 Vault 9.800 Andrew Fisher 2000 37.700 2000 Parallel Bars 9.550 Levi Torkelson 1998 37.700 1998 High Bar 9.900 Jerry Michael Cline 1994 38.250 1995 All-Around 56.350 Jerry Michael Cline 1994 223.125 1998

ACADEMY RECORDS (2008-PRESENT)

INDIVIDUAL TEAM Event Score Gymnast Date Event Score Date Event Floor Exercise 15.400 Colton Wulf 03/20/11 Washington 59.600 03/20/11 Washington Pommel Horse 14.900 James Okamoto 02/26/12 at Temple 57.500 03/26/10 USAG Championships Still Rings 15.700 Greg Stine 03/09/08 Illinois-Chicago 59.450 03/30/12 USAG Championships Vault 14.750 Ben Zaiser 01/22/12 at Nebraska 57.550 01/22/12 at Nebraska Parallel Bars 15.200 Nash Mills 03/25/11 at USAG Championships 57.700 03/25/11 at USAG Championships High Bar 14.900 Mac Ritchie 03/31/12 USAG Championships 57.800 03/13/11 at Springfield College 14.900 Nash Mills 03/06/11 at Illinois-Chicago ------All-Around ------341.050 03/30/12 USAG Championships

ACADEMY RECORDS (2008-2011)

INDIVIDUAL TEAM Event Score Gymnast Date Event Score Date Event Vault 15.950 Tory Brown 04/02/11 MPSF Championships 62.800 03/06/11 at Illinois-Chicago 15.950 Devin Menefee 03/27/10 USAG Championships ------All-Around 88.200 Greg Stine 03/09/08 Illinois-Chicago 347.500 03/20/11 Washington

Please note: beginning with the 2012 season, vault start values were lowered by one point. The additional catagories for vault, all-around and team total reflect that change.

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 47 TOP PERFORMANCES

FLOOR EXERCISE VAULT* 59.600...... Washington (03/20/11) 57.550...... at Nebraska (01/22/12) 58.650...... Illinois-Chicago (03/07/10) 57.400...... Illinois-Chicago (03/02/12) 58.350...... Illinois-Chicago (03/09/08) 57.350...... at NCAA National Qualifier (04/19/12) 58.200...... at Army (02/24/12) 57.000...... USAG Championships (03/30/12) 58.100...... Illinois-Chicago (03/07/08) 56.900...... at Arizona State (03/09/12)

15.400...... Colton Wulf | Washington (03/20/11) 14.750 ...... Ben Zaiser | at Nebraska (01/22/12) 15.200...... Greg Stine | at Southwest Cup (03/01/08) 14.700...... Devin Menefee | Illinois-Chicago (03/04/12) 15.100...... Greg Stine | Illinois-Chicago (03/09/08) 14.600 ...... Tory Brown | at NCAA Na onal Qualiﬁ er (04/19/12) 15.050...... Greg Stine | at NCAA National Qualifier (04/17/08) 14.600 ...... Ben Zaiser | MPSF Championships (04/07/12) 15.000...... Greg Stine | at Army (01/01/08) 14.600 ...... Ben Zaiser | USAG Championships-Event (03/31/12) 15.000...... Greg Stine | at USAG Championships-Team (03/28/08) 14.500...... Devin Menefee | at NCAA Na onal Qualiﬁ er (04/19/12) 15.000...... Greg Stine | at NCAA All-Around Finals (04/18/08) 14.500 ...... Ben Zaiser | at Arizona State (03/09/12) 14.950...... Joel Uptmor | Illinois-Chicago (03/07/10) 14.400 ...... Ben Zaiser | Illinois-Chicago (03/02/12) 14.950...... Aaron Zaiser | Army (01/31/09) 14.400 ...... Ben Zaiser | at Temple Quadrangular (02/26/12) 14.900...... Colton Wulf | at USAG Championships-Team (03/25/11) 14.400 ...... Corbin Palmer | at Army (02/24/12) 14.900...... Tory Brown | Washington (03/20/11) 14.400 ...... Gared Chapman | at Nebraska (01/22/12) 14.900...... Greg Stine | at MPSF Championships (04/05/08) PARALLEL BARS POMMEL HORSE 57.700...... at USAG Championships (03/25/11) 57.500...... USAG Championships (03/26/10) 57.550...... MPSF Championships (04/02/11) 56.100...... at NCAA National Qualifier (04/19/12) 57.100...... Washington (03/20/11) 55.700...... at All-Academy Championships (02/20/11) 56.650...... Stanford (03/05/10) 55.950...... at Army (03/12/10) 56.600...... 2x, last at Army (02/24/12) 55.900...... Illinois-Chicago (03/02/12) 15.200...... Nash Mills | at USAG Championships-Team (03/25/11) 14.900 ...... James Okamoto | at Temple Quadrangular (02/26/12) 15.000 ...... Josh Ramos | at Temple Quadrangular (02/26/12) 14.800...... Chase Nobles | USAG Championships-Team (03/26/10) 14.900 ...... Josh Ramos | at Army (02/24/12) 14.700...... Chase Nobles | Illinois-Chicago (03/07/10) 14.900...... Nash Mills | MPSF Championships (04/02/11) 14.600 ...... James Okamoto | at All-Academy Championships (02/12/12) 14.900...... Nash Mills | at Arizona State (02/26/10) 14.600 ...... James Okamoto | USAG Championships-Team (03/26/10) 14.900...... Greg Stine | at USAG Championships-Event (03/29/08) 14.550...... Chase Nobles | at Army (03/12/10) 14.850...... Greg Stine | at MPSF Championships (04/05/08) 14.400 ...... Greg Chaput | at NCAA National Qualifier (04/19/12) 14.750...... Nash Mills | Stanford, Illinois-Chicago (03/05/10) 14.400 ...... James Okamoto | at Nebraska (01/30/11) 14.750...... Greg Stine | at Army (01/01/08) 14.350 ...... James Okamoto | at NCAA National Qualifier (04/19/12) 14.700...... Nash Mills | at Springfield College (03/13/11) 14.300 ...... James Okamoto | Rocky Mountain Open (01/15/11) 14.700...... Greg Stine | at Southwest Cup (03/01/08) 14.300...... Chase Nobles | at Arizona State (03/19/10) 14.300...... Dan Klimkowski | at Springfield College (03/14/10) HIGH BAR 57.800...... at Springfield (03/13/11) STILL RINGS 57.400...... at Brockport (03/11/11) 59.450...... USAG Championships (03/20/12) 57.100...... at Nebraska (01/22/12) 59.400...... Washington (03/20/11) 56.950...... USAG Championships (03/30/12) 59.350...... Illinois-Chicago (03/07/10) 56.500...... at Army (03/12/10) 59.200...... Rocky Mountain Open (01/14/12) 59.100...... at Springfield College (02/03/08) 14.900 ...... Mac Ritchie | USAF Championships-Event (03/31/12) 14.900...... Nash Mills | at Illinois-Chicago (03/06/11) 15.700...... Greg Stine | Illinois-Chicago (03/09/08) 14.800...... Nash Mills | at Springfield College (03/13/11) 15.650...... Jake Schonig | at USAG Championships-Team (03/27/09) 14.650 ...... Mac Ritchie | USAG Championships-Team (03/30/12) 15.650...... Jake Schonig | at Nebraska (03/22/08) 14.650...... Greg Stine | at Springfield College (02/03/08) 15.650...... Greg Stine | at NCAA National Qualifier (04/17/08) 14.600...... Colton Wulf | at Springfield College (03/13/11) 15.600...... Jake Schonig | at Southwest Cup (02/27/09) 14.550...... Greg Stine | at Nebraska (03/22/08) 15.600...... Greg Stine | at Springfield College (03/03/08) 14.500 ...... Mac Ritchie | Illinois-Chicago (03/02/12) 15.600...... Greg Stine | at USAG Championships-Team (03/28/08) 14.500...... Colton Wulf | at Brockport (03/11/11) 15.550...... Jake Schonig | at USAG Championships-Event (03/29/08) 14.500 ...... Tory Brown | at Brockport (03/11/11) 15.550...... Jake Schonig | at USAG Championships-Team (03/28/08) 15.500...... Jake Schonig | at USAG Championships-Event (03/28/09) 15.500...... Jake Schonig | at MPSF Championships (04/05/08) ALL-AROUND, TEAM TOTALS* 15.500...... Jake Schonig | Illinois-Chicago (03/07/08) 341.050...... USAG Championships (03/30/12) 15.500...... Greg Stine | at Pacific Coast Classic (02/23/08) 338.900...... Illinois-Chicago (03/02/12) 15.500...... Jake Schonig | at Springfield College (02/03/08) 337.700...... Minnesota (01/28/12) 337.300...... Illinois-Chicago (03/04/12) 335.950...... MPSF Championships (04/07/12)

No all-around compe ons have been contested under the new scoring system. * vault and team totals represent new scoring system (2012-present)

48 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY THE ACADEMY EXPERIENCE

The U.S. Air Force Academy offers a four-year program MILITARY EDUCATION & TRAINING of instruction and experience designed to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of char- An air, space and cyberspace-oriented military educa- acter, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in tion, training and leadership program begins with basic service to our nation. Each cadet graduates with a bach- cadet training and continues throughout the four years. elor of science degree and a commission as a second Seniors are responsible for the organizational leader- lieutenant in the Air Force. ship of the cadet wing, while juniors and sophomores seek to develop team and interpersonal leadership and COURSES OF STUDY instructional skills.

Cadets are exposed to a balanced curriculum that pro- Cadets are projected into as many active leadership vides the knowledge, skills and responsibilities essen- roles as possible to prepare them to be effective Air tial to a career Air Force officer. The entire USAFA ex- Force officers. perience is integrated and mapped to achieve a set of desired outcomes in every graduate. Fundamental concepts of military organization -- drill, ethics, honor, Air Force heritage and physical training The core academic curriculum includes courses in basic -- are emphasized the first summer during basic cadet sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. training. Freshmen study the military role in United Cadets take elective courses to complete requirements States society, as well as the mission and organization of for one of 32 major areas of study. About 50 percent the Air Force. Sophomores receive instruction in com- of the cadets complete majors in science and engineer- munication skills and juniors study combat and opera- ing; the remainder graduate in the social sciences and tional aspects of the Air Force. humanities. Some of the most popular majors include management, aeronautical engineering, foreign area The Academy offers courses in flying, navigation, soar- studies, history, behavioral science, civil engineering, ing and parachuting, building from basic skills to instruc- astronautical engineering, electrical engineering and tor duties. Some cadets may fly light aircraft with the engineering mechanics. Cadet Flying Team.

FACULTY COMPOSITION Summer training for cadets is divided into three, three- week training periods. There are a variety of programs The majority of the Academy’s faculty members, more available and each cadet is required to complete two than 500 total, are Air Force officers. They are selected training periods each summer with leave during the primarily from career-officer volunteers who have es- other period. All new cadets take six weeks of basic ca- tablished outstanding records of performance and dedi- det training in their first summer. cation. Each has at least a master’s degree and more than 55 percent have doctorates or other terminal de- Combat survival training is a required three-week pro- grees in their field of study. gram during cadets’ second summer. For other second- summer training periods, cadets have options such as HISTORY OF THE ACADEMY About 30 percent of the faculty are civilians who bring working with Airmen in an operational unit at an Air great depth of disciplinary and educational expertise Force installation, airborne parachute training, soaring In 1948, a board of leading civilian and military educa- and provide academic stability and continuity. or basic free-fall parachute training. tors was appointed to plan the curriculum for an academy that would meet the needs of the newly established Faculty members are intensely focused on cadet learn- During their last two summers, all cadets are offered Air Force. The board determined that Air Force require- ing as an integral part of their officer development. The leadership training as supervisors or instructors in the ments could not be met by expanding the other service Air Force Academy has been ranked No. 1 in the na- summer programs listed above. academies and recommended an Air Force Academy be tion for the most accessible and involved faculty for four established without delay. years in a row. Extracurricular activities also are an integral part of the education program. The cadet ski club, drum and bugle In 1949, then Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Sym- To provide greater contributions by a diverse faculty, corps, cadet chorale and forensics are a few of the pro- ington appointed a commission to assist in selec ng a the Academy has several visiting professors and en- grams available to Academy cadets. site and, on April 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisen- dowed professors who serve one or more years. Offi- hower authorized creation of the U.S. Air Force Acad- cers from other services, as well as officers from allied NOMINATIONS emy. After considering 580 sites in 45 states, the com- countries are also members of the faculty. Distinguished mission narrowed the choice to three locations. civilian and military lecturers also share their expertise Nominations to the Academy may be obtained through with the cadets. a congressional sponsor or by meeting eligibility criteria During the summer of 1954, Secretary of the Air Force in other categories of competition established by law. Harold Talbott selected a site near Colorado Springs, ATHLETIC PROGRAMS For information on admission procedures, write to: Colo. Colorado contributed $1 million toward purchase of the property. The Academy’s athletic program is designed to improve HQ USAFA/RRS physical fitness, teach athletic skills and develop leader- 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200 In July 1955, the first Academy class entered interim fa- ship qualities. USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025 cilities at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, while construc- tion began. It was sufficiently completed for occupancy To achieve its goals, the Academy offers some of the by the cadet wing in late August 1958. Initial construc- most extensive physical education, intramural sports tion cost was $142 million. and intercollegiate athletic programs in the nation. Cadets take at least three different physical education Women entered the Academy on June 28, 1976, as courses each year. members of the class of 1980.

50 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE SENIOR LEADERSHIP

LIEUTENANT GENERAL MICHAEL C. GOULD, SUPERINTENDENT

Lt Gen Michael C. Gould is Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He directs a four-year academic, military training, athlec and character development program leading to a bachelor’s degree and commission as an Air 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 assignments, ranging from head football coach of the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, to serving as Air Force aide to the President of the United States.

He has held numerous command posions at the group, wing and numbered air force level, and was commander of Cheyenne Mountain Operaons Center during 9/11. Prior to his return to the Academy, he was Director of Operaons and Plans, U.S. Transport on Command, Sco Air Force Base, Ill. General Gould is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours 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 decoraons include the Disnguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Defense Superior Ser- vice Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendaon Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

VICE SUPERINTENDENT COMMANDANT OF CADETS DEAN OF FACULTY COMMANDER, 10TH ABW Colonel Tamra Rank Brigadier General Gregory Lengyel Brigadier General Dana Born Colonel Thomas Gibson

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 51 AIR FORCE ATHLETICS

DR. HANS J. MUEH, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Dr. Hans J. Mueh is in his ninth year as the di- the Falcons to the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Soccer League championship and rector of athletics at the Air Force Academy. quarterfinal berths in the NCAA tournament. He was a first-team all-league selection A retired Air Force brigadier general, Mueh in 1965. was vice dean of faculty for two years prior to his retirement from active duty in the Following graduation, Mueh completed two assignments in intelligence before at- summer of 2004. He was heavily involved in tending the University of Wisconsin where he earned his master’s degree in chemistry Academy athletics before becoming director in 1970. He later earned a doctorate degree in chemistry from Wisconsin in 1976 as a of athletics. He was the Academy’s faculty distinguished graduate. Mueh also completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command athletics representative from 1996-2004 and and Staff College and Air War College. was a long-time member of the board of directors for the Air Force Academy Athletics Between earning the two degrees, Mueh returned to USAFA as an instructor in the Association. department of chemistry from 1970-72. He also served as assistant soccer coach and played semi-pro soccer with the Aurora Internationals in Denver during those two Since becoming the director of athletics, years, leading the Internationals to the Colorado state title in 1971. Mueh has led the Academy to some remark- able feats. In 2007, the Academy was one of three schools (Michigan St., Boston Col- He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served as an intelligence officer in Saigon, lege) to reach post-season play in football (2007), men’s basketball and ice hockey Republic of Vietnam and at Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand, in 1972 and 1973. (2006-07). It marked the first time a service academy has ever had a team compete in the post-season in all three sports. After earning his doctorate degree, Mueh returned to the Academy in 1976 as an associate professor of chemistry. He remained at the Academy except for a stint in 1985- In addition, under Mueh’s watch the men’s basketball team has played in an NCAA 86 as the special assistant for technical matters at the Defense Intelligence Agency at tournament and the National Invitational Tournament’s Final Four. The ice hockey the Pentagon. team won three straight conference championships and made three straight appear- ances in the NCAA tournament. Mueh was on the selection committee that hired In 1986, he assumed the position of acting head, department of chemistry, before current head coach Frank Serratore and led the Academy’s move into the Athletic being selected for his position of permanent professor and head of the department Hockey Association. of chemistry in 1987. As faculty athletics representative, he was active in both the Western Athletic Conference and Mountain West Conference, and was the Academy’s The football program, the Academy’s flagship sport, has gone through a major over- representative on the transition team to form the new MWC, the only faculty athletics haul under Mueh. He led the transition from the retirement of the legendary Fisher representative on the team. DeBerry after 23 years at the helm to hiring current head coach Troy Calhoun, a 1989 Academy graduate. Calhoun’s impact was immediate, leading the Falcons to a 9-4 He competes in golf, racquetball, handball and tennis, and has promoted Air Force overall mark and a second-place finish in the Mountain West Conference in 2007. The Academy intercollegiate sports throughout his tenure, beginning with work as chair- Falcons qualified for their first bowl game in five years, playing in the Armed Forces man of the hockey eligibility committee, officer representative to the men’s golf team Bowl in 2007. The program then posted back-to-back eight-win seasons and was 9-4 in and five years as the officer representative to the football team. 2010, while qualifying for bowl games every year. The school has averaged 9,000 bowl tickets sold during the four-year run. Mueh is married to the former Sally Flax of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children: Kristine, Kurt and Deborah. Mueh has also been successful behind the scenes with the administration of the department. Mueh restructured the department with an internal/external model that has streamlined resources and made the department more effective from top to bot- tom. In addition, he has the department on course to become a federally chartered non-profit organization which will lead to more fund-raising opportunities. Mueh was instrumental in the USAFA Endowment and the Holaday Athletic Center, a $15 million indoor training facility that was completed in July 2011.

Mueh has also been active within the conference and the NCAA. He is a part of the NCAA Division I Amateurism Cabinet and has been active on the NCAA’s academics/ eligibility compliance cabinet, the men’s golf committee and the Region 7 postgraduate scholarship committee. Mueh has been equally active within the conference on various leadership committees. He is currently on the awards and recognition committee and has previously served on the joint council executive committee, and committees on championships, television and sportsmanship.

Before assuming his duties as vice dean at the Academy, Mueh was permanent professor and head of the department of chemistry at the Academy, a position he held since October 1987 where he oversaw the annual design and instruction of 25 undergradu- ate courses for 1,500 cadets annually.

Mueh was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Celle, Germany, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1951. He entered the Air Force in 1962, as a member of the Academy’s eighth graduating class, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in 1966.

While at the Academy, Mueh was a two-year letterwinner in soccer as a goalie. He still holds the Academy record for saves in a game with 30, accomplishing it twice in 1965 The Academy honored the men’s gymnasƟ cs team for their third-straight USAG naƟ onal Ɵ tle with against North Carolina and Benedictine. In his junior and senior years, Mueh helped an on-ﬁ eld presentaƟ on during the Air Force-Hawaii football game on Nov. 10, 2012.

52 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE AIR FORCE ATHLETICS

COL BART WEISS COL BILLY WALKER JIM TREGO Vice Director of Athletics Deputy Director of Athletics Senior Associate AD

WILLIAM CARPENTER DERMOT COLL JOHN COULAHAN Associate AD | Recruiting Support Associate AD | Development, Government Associate AD | Finance

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 of- ficership, to teach leadership in a competitive environment and to build character. There are three subdivisions of the athletic program: intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and physical education. TROY GARNHART MARTI GASSER WAYNE KELLENBENCE Associate AD | Information, Communications Associate AD | Intercollegiate Programs Associate AD | Support The intercollegiate program has 17 men’s and 10 women’s NCAA-sanctioned teams, facing some of the top competition in the nation. Men’s teams are football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, cross-country, fencing, golf, gymnastics, indoor and outdoor track, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and diving, 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 compete in this conference against teams from Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexi- co, San Diego State, TCU, UNLV and Wyoming. All sports also compete against GEORGE NELSON KAREN WALKER Associate AD | Athle c Programs Associate AD | Human Resources non-conference opponents, including many 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 17 times, which is more than any other academy. The winner of the annual rivalry visits the White House to have the trophy presented 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 5,858. The Cadet Ice Rink has a seating capacity of 2,470, while the multipurpose area seats 1,000 fans for track and field competitions.

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 53 CADET WEST GYM

The Air Force women’s and men’s gymnastics team train and compete in the Acad- Air Force also has the added benefit of an auxiliary gym that features locker areas for emy’s Cadet West Gymnasium. The gymnastics-only facilty features a competion area both the men’s and women’s teams. The second floor of the auxiliary gym also fea- and spectator seating, as well as an area dedicated to training. tures a high bar apparatus and vaulting runway with foam landing pits.

In the fall of 2011, a second story was added to a part of the main gym, providing a Overall, the Cadet Gymnasium is a five-level structure, containing 439,951 square feet foam landing pit for tumbling routines. Beneath the new structure includes areas for of useable space. It houses three complete gyms, 12 squash courts, 21 handball/rac- strorage, stationary bikes and athletic training areas. quetball courts and nine basketball courts. There are two swimming pools, an indoor rifle range and four indoor tennis courts, along with separate facilities for gymnastics, The set-up can be configured for either a men’s or women’s meet, with a raised floor cheerleading, wrestling, fencing, boxing, aerobic fitness, weight lifting, scuba, baseball, exercise area and proper “holding areas” for championship meets. The gym features a volleyball and judo. The gymnasium, which also contains an athletic training room, two-tiered scorers’ table that is wirelessly linked to the judges’ tables located through- human performance laboratory, lockers for all cadets, and administrative offices of the out the venue. For daily practices and special dual meet performances, the floor sur- physical education instructors and support staff, is adjacent to the new Cadet Fitness face can hold all equipment for both the men’s and women’s training. Center, which opened in 2012.

54 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE FALCONS IN THE AIR

The Air Force gymnastics coaches received the pportunity to take glider flights over During the Falcons’ road trip to Arizona State in 2012, several members of the men’s the Academy with cadet instructors from the 94th Flying Training Squadron. Head gymnastics team, including senior team captain Devin Menefee (above), received F-16 coach Kip Simons and assistant coach Jeff Robinson, took to the skies in August 2011. incentive flights from pilots in the 308th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

“Who needs coffee in the morning when you’re pulling 4Gs?” Simons said.

Three cadet instructor pilots guided the coaches through this adventure. Simons flew with junior Matt Cosmo, while Day went up with junior Conner Deebel and Robinson had senior Chad Hennig as his cadet pilot. The cadets conducted a basic pre-flight briefing with their respective coaches and took them to the hangar for a hands-on orientation, before heading out to the flight line.

Cosmo explained the pre-flight briefing that happens in the Midfield Building before every flight to get both crew members on the same page about what will happen and who will be doing what. “Our briefings with the coaches involved whether they were fit to fly, explanation of the ground procedures, explanation of anything they might have to do during the flight, the maneuvers we expect to accomplish, and where we’re going in the air.”

Although the coaches’ briefings were more informal, the cadet instructors then took the coaches into the hangar. “We give them an overview of the controls and what Once arriving on base, the Falcons had a whirlwind morning of physicals, training and they will head and experience in the flight, so nothing comes as a complete surprise briefings. In a hands-on classroom environment that included a parachute rig and in the air,” Deebel said. mock F-16 cockpits, the Falcons received evacuation training, before being fitted for their G-suits, helmets and oxygen masks. “We got them oriented with the front seat,” Cosmo added. “We showed them what everything did, what and what not to touch, and gave them a general tour of our fleet. On the line, it was all last minute discussion about the maneuvers and finally strapping them in, reminding them what they could do in the front, and accomplishing the sortie.”

Once in the air, Deebel explained that every coach should have pulled around 4.5Gs and done some simple aerobatics, such as stalls and wing overs, during their flights, which last around 30 minutes. “They also get a pretty sweet view of the cadet area and mountains along the Front Range,” he added.

“The opportunity for us to get these orientation rides is just another of the great things about working here at USAFA,” Robinson commented. “What a rush!”

Freshman Josh Ramos (above) was one of several gymnasts that were able to take to the skies onboard an F-16. The Falcons were able to spend around in hour in the air over Luke AFB, while their pilots performed aerial combat maneuvers (“dogfighting”) and broke the sound barrier with ease.

Additional photos from the Falcons’ F-16 experience at Luke AFB can be found in the 2011-12 men’s gymnastics photo gallery at www.GoAirForceFalcons.com.

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 55 FALCONS IN THE COMMUNITY

ADOPT-A-SCHOOL

Each year, the Air Force men’s and women’s gymnastics teams visit Monroe Elemen- tary School in Colorado Springs, as a part of the athletic department’s adopt-a-school program. The after-school program allows grade-school children the opportunity to interact with members of each of the Academy’s sports teams throughout the year.

Following introductions, a handstand contest between the men’s and women’s teams and a brief tumbling demonstration by Air Force, the Falcons and K-5 students go through some of the pre-practice stretching that the gymnastics team does on a daily basis. The Falcons then divide the students onto two mats and spent the remainder of the time teaching basic tumbling moves, including somersaults, handstands and cartwheels. The students received hands-on attention from the gymnasts, who as- sisted and supported the young students through each new move.

At the conclusion of the afterschool program, the students were able to ask questions.

RACE FOR THE CURE

For the fourth straight year, the Air Force men’s and women’s gymnastics teams took to the streets of Denver to participate in the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

The 35 members of the Falcons’ combined program were some of the over 40,000 participants that took part in the 20th anniversary of Denver’s race on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The race began at Confluence Park and continued around Sports Authority Field at Mile High, before concluding near the Pepsi Center and Auraria campus.

Junior Tyler Huebner served as the captain for the Falcons’ volunteer efforts at the annual race and Air Force exceeded its goal, earning distinction as one of the race’s Top 100 teams.

Denver’s Race for the Cure is one in a series of races that take place every year around the world. The races help raise significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrate breast cancer survivorship and honor those who have lost their battle with the disease.

MOUNTAIN SHADOWS CLEAN-UP

Members of the Air Force men’s gymnastics team came together this past weekend to help residents of the Mountain Shadows neighborhood in Colorado Springs with a massive cleanup following the Waldo Canyon Fire earlier this summer.

“It was a gratifying feeling to help the residents of Mountain Shadows, as they begin to rebuild their homes and community,” head coach Kip Simons commented. “I’m very proud of my team, because they took the initiative to participate in such a meaningful service to the community.”

The gymnasts were some of nearly 350 volunteers from the Academy and District-20 that descended on the Mountain Shadows community on Sunday (Aug. 26). During the nine-hour event, volunteers worked in an area that surrounded over 140 homes, chopping down burned trees, clearing dry brush and doing fire mitigation to prevent future burns.

56 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE CAPT TORKELSON TRIBUTE

CAPTAIN LEVI TORKELSON 1979-2008 | FOUR-YEAR LETTERWINNER | TWO-YEAR ASSISTANT COACH

Capt Levi Torkelson, an assistant coach for the Following his time at the Academy, Torkelson spent four years stationed at Ramstein men’s gymnastics team, was killed in a tragic Air Base, Germany, where he served as the Deputy Flight Commander for both the automobile accident in San Antonio, Texas, on Communications Control Center and Mission Systems Flight. He also served as the Of- Dec. 27, 2008. ficer in Charge for all geographically separated units controlled by the 435 Communica- tion Group. During his time at Ramstein, he was deployed twice. He spent four months Torkelson, who was in his second season as as an Executive Officer in Jacobabad, Pakistan, and a year as the Officer in Charge for an assistant coach for the men’s program, re- Screening and Property Exploitation Cells under the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing turned to the Academy midway through the Center in Forward Operating Base Abu Ghraib and Victory Base Comply in Iraq. 2008 season, after completing a six-month deployment to Iraq. In addition to his coach- Torkelson was awarded the Bronze Star and the USAFE Arthur S. Flemming Award. He ing duties with the Falcons’ gymnastics team, has also won two Company Grade Officer of the Year Awards from the 435 Communica- Torkelson worked in the athletic depart- tions Squadron and the 86 Communications Squadron. ment’s scheduling and grading division. “He did a fantastic job, not only coaching the gymnastics team but as a physical edu- “Levi was an amazing role model to our team, day in and day out,” head coach Kip cation teacher,” said Col Billy Walker, the Academy’s deputy athletic director, who Simons said. “His love and passion for the sport was apparent. He was a great officer, oversees the Falcons’ Olympic sports, as well as the Academy’s Physical Education de- coach, young man and friend. He will be greatly missed.” partment. “He was very well respected by the cadets, a great role model and mentor, not only to the cadets he taught in his PE classes, but especially to the cadet-athletes A four-year letterwinner on the Falcons’ gymnastics team, Torkelson graduated from he coached on the gymnastics team.’’ the Academy in 2001. A decorated gymnast, he was a two-time national champion on the parallel bars at the USAG Championships. A nine-time USAG All-American, Torkel- In 2010, Torkelson was posthumously awarded the Honor Coach Certificate by the CGA. son is the Academy record-holder on the parallel bars with a score of 9.550. Torkelson remained at USAFA after graduation, serving as an assistant coach for the men’s team The certificate is awarded to a deceased member of the coaching profession, who was during the 2001-02 season. either too young to qualify for the 25 years of service to the sport of gymnastics or had not been nominated for the Honor Coach Award prior to his death. The inscription on “Levi was a huge contributor to our gymnastics program, as a competitor and then as the plaque reads “In recognition of his service in coaching and developing gymnasts in a coach, before going out in the Air Force,” said former head coach Lou Burkel, who the United States. He has gained the respect of his colleagues in the gymnastic world coached Torkelson from 1998-2001. “He was a very hard worker with excellent tech- by his inspiring example and accomplishments.” nique. He was amazingly strong and could execute skills you would not think possible. His gymnastics credentials speak for themselves. He was also a good person who was caring and thoughtful. Levi was just a wonderful young man who was doing a terrific job for the Air Force. He leaves a big hole in many of our lives.”

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM 57 OVERVIEW OF THE SCORING SYSTEM

Prior to the 2008 season, judging men’s gymnastics was based on the 10.0 system. Every routine that you saw had the highest possible score of a 10.0 if it was performed without any deductions and had the highest possible difficulty allowed. Men’s collegiate gymnastics then adopted the FIG (Federation of International Gymnastics) Scor- ing System of an open-ended Code of Points. Now, when watching USA and college gymnastics, you will see scores like 15.3, 14.8, 13.9 and so on.

Men’s college gymnastics is judged using three components:

First, the gymnast performs his 10 best or hardest skills. These 10 skills each have value parts ranging from A,B,C,D,E,& F. “A” value corresponds to 0.1 points, “B” to 0.2 points, and so on to an “F” that is worth 0.6 points. The gymnast is free to have as much difficulty as he can do in those 10 skills.

Second, of those 10 skills, the gymnast performs five that must be used to fulfill the five special requirements on each event. Every time a requirement is fulfilled, the gymnast is awarded 0.5 points. The gymnast receives a maximum of 2.5 points for all five requirements on each event.

Third, every gymnast is given 10 points for the execution of the event. If the gymnast falls down or breaks form, the judge takes away points from this total.

After the routine is finished the judges go through the following process: First, they add up the difficulty of the 10 highest skills (max unlimited). Next, they add up the special requirements (max 2.5). Then they add 10 points for execution and make any necessary deductions. This gives them a final score.

In the old scoring system, if the gymnast performed a perfect routine it would look like this: 3.5 for difficulty + 2.5 for special requirements + 4.0 for execution with no deductions = 10.0

With the new scoring system, this now looks like: 3.5 difficulty + 2.5 for special requirements + 10.0 for execution with no deductions = 16.0 (The difficulty of 3.5 can be more or less depending on the gymnast’s capability). FLOOR EXERCISE The floor exercise is an event where the gymnast performs multiple tumbling skills Special Note: Not all events are necessarily equal now. You will tend to see higher in a row and flips forward, backwards and sideways to achieve three of the special scores on vault and rings and lower scores on pommel horse and parallel bars. requirements. The fourth requirement is a non-acrobatic skill like a press handstand or circles on the floor. The fifth requirement is the dismount. Look for double flipping and double twisting skills that grab your attention. POMMEL HORSE Pommel horse is one of the hardest events in gymnastics, requiring strength, balance and flexibility. The gymnast continuously does circles, flairs or scissors while perform- ing require¬ments and finishes with a dismount. STILL RINGS Pound per pound, rings is one of the hardest events in any sport. The gymnast performs strength moves like the “Iron Cross”, which requires him to hold up to nine times his own body weight. The requirements include holding strength moves, swing- ing to strength moves, swing skills, kip skills and a dismount. VAULT Vault is the most explosive event in gymnastics. The gymnast has a choice of three styles of vaults that include a handspring, roundoff or roundoff onto the board. Like diving, vaults are given ratings based on their difficulty. The harder the vault, the higher the rating the vault receives. PARALLEL BARS Parallel bars is one of the most versatile events in gymnastics. The gymnast must perform skills in support, upper arm support, skills from hanging, basket skills where the gymnast loops around the p-bars and must finish with a dismount. Look for unique twists and flips where the gymnasts earn their difficulty points. HIGH BAR High bar is the most exciting event to watch in gymnastics. It requires the gymnast to swing on the bar, then let go of it and catch again. Other requirements include straddle skills, El-grip skills, long hang skills and a dismount. Watch for high flying release moves that remind you of an X-Games style competition.

58 2013 AIR FORCE GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE CLASS OF 2013

CLASS OF 2014

CLASS OF 2015

CLASS OF 2016 GYMNASTICS 2013 SCHEDULE

Jan. 12 Rocky Mountain Open USAF Academy, Colo. Jan. 19 Army USAF Academy, Colo. Jan. 26 at Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn. Feb. 1 at Washington Sea le, Wash. JJamesames Okamoto,Okamoto, 22011011 ppommelommel hhorseorse Feb. 7 at Winter Cup Challenge Las Vegas, Nev. Feb. 16 at All-Academy Championships Atlanta, Ga. Feb. 23 at Oklahoma Norman, Okla. Mar. 1 at Illinois-Chicago Chicago, Ill. Mar. 3 at Illinois-Chicago Chicago, Ill. Mar. 8 at Arizona State, with Washington Tucson, Ariz. Mar. 14 Temple USAF Academy, Colo. Mar. 16 Washington USAF Academy, Colo. Mar. 29-30 at USAG Na onal Championships Williamsburg, Va. Apr. 6 MPSF Championships USAF Academy, Colo. Apr. 19 at NCAA Na onal Qualiﬁ er State College, Pa. Apr. 19-21 at NCAA Na onal Championships State College, Pa.

TToryory Brown,Brown, 20112011 vvaultault All home meets will be at Cadet West Gym