2013 Air Force Water Polo Media Guide

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TABLE OF CONTENTS/QUICK FACTS

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2013 AIR FORCE QUICK FACTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION Location......................................................................................... USAF Academy, Colo. Founded....................................................................................................................... 1954 Enrollment ................................................................................................................. 4,000 Nickname ................................................................................................................Falcons Colors ........................................................................................................ Blue and Silver Superintendent ................................................................ Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson Athletic Director..................................................................................Dr. Hans J. Mueh Vice Athletic Director ........................................................................... Col. Bart Weiss Athletic Department Phone ...................................................................719-333-4008

Quick Facts/Table of Contents ..................................................................................... 1 Head Coach Jeff Heidmous............................................................................................ 2 Assistant Coach Ryan Brown ........................................................................................ 3 Support Staff...................................................................................................................... 3 2013 Water Polo Outlook ............................................................................................. 4 2013 Roster....................................................................................................................... 5 Returning Falcons....................................................................................................... 6-11 Freshmen to Watch .......................................................................................................12 2012 Post-Season Championships..............................................................................13 2012 Game Results........................................................................................................14 Year-by-Year Records ....................................................................................................15 Record Book .............................................................................................................16-17 All-Americans..................................................................................................................18 ACWPC All-Academic Team .......................................................................................19 Honors/Awards ........................................................................................................20-21 All-Time Letterwinners...........................................................................................22-23 Falcon Facilities ...............................................................................................................24 Air Force Academy ........................................................................................................25 Academy Leadership .....................................................................................................26 Athletic Director Dr. Hans Mueh ...............................................................................27 Air Force Athletics .........................................................................................................28

COACHING STAFF Head Coach................................................................................................Jeff Heidmous Alma Mater .................................................................................................. USAFA, 1977 Career Record/Years.................................................................................275-249-1/20 Air Force Record/Years ...........................................................................................Same Heidmous’ Phone ......................................................................................719-333-2792 Heidmous’ Fax ...........................................................................................719-333-2599 Heidmous’ Email....................................................................jeff.heidmous@usafa.edu Asst. Coach ......................................................................... Ryan Brown (Pacific, 2000) Officer Representatives ........................................Lt. Col. John Christ, Dr. Jim Lowe Athletic Trainer .................................................................................................Lisa Smith Strength & Conditioning Coach ..................................................................Kim Pinske TEAM INFORMATION Conference ........................................... Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Facility ................................................................................................. Cadet Natatorium 2012 Overall Record ..................................................................... 19-12 (9-4 WWPA) 2012 Final National Ranking .................................................................................... 11th Starters R/L ....................................................................................................................3/4 Letterwinners R/L ...................................................................................................... 12/7 Team Captains........................................................................ Max Reilly, Josh Stedman

CREDITS: The 2013 Air Force Water Polo media guide is a product of the Air Force Academy athletic media relations office. Editorial content, layout and design by Assistant Media Relations Director Melissa McKeown. Additional editing by the water polo coaches and the athletic media relations staff. Photographs provided by Rohmann Joint Venture, Dan Avila and the water polo staff and families. ON THE COVER: Featured on the front cover are senior captains Max Reilly and Josh Stedman.

ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS Asst. Director (Water Polo SID) ................................................... Melissa McKeown SID Phone ...................................................................................................719-333-9025 SID Fax ........................................................................................................719-333-3798 Email .................................................................................melissa.mckeown@usafa.edu Website ........................................................................................ goairforcefalcons.com Mailing Address .......................................................................2169 Field House Drive, ............................................................................................................ USAFA, CO 80840

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COACHING STAFF

JEFF HEIDMOUS HEAD COACH

FOURTH SEASON (21ST OVERALL) | (USAFA, 1977) Jeff Heidmous, the winningest coach in program history, is in his fourth year back at the helm of the Air Force water polo team. Heidmous returned to lead the Falcons’ water polo program in 2010 after spending the previous 11 years working as an administrator in the Air Force athletic department. In his first three seasons back with the Falcons, Air Force has compiled a 43-47 overall record, including a 19-12 mark in 2012. After finishing fifth in the Western Water Polo Association and earning a final ranking of 20th in the nation in both 2010 and 2011, the Falcons had a breakout season last year, capturing their first WWPA Championship since 1994 and earning a trip to the NCAA Championship. Air Force posted its best-ever NCAA finish, taking fourth place at the national tournament, as Heidmous was tabbed the WWPA Coach of the Year for the third time in his career. Additionally, the Falcons had a pair of players—2013 graduate Cruz Smithson and current senior Josh Stedman—who earned honorable mention All-America accolades in 2012, with Smithson leaving the Academy as the fifth-leading goal scorer in Academy history. Another standout for Air Force in Heidmous’ latest stint as head coach was 2011 graduate Bobby Geiger, who, following his graduation, trained full-time for a year with the US Senior National Team as part of the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). Heidmous, a 1977 USAFA graduate, began his Air Force coaching career in 1981, before heading to UC Santa Barbara in 1985 to pursue his graduate degree. While at UCSB, he helped coach the Gaucho water polo team, assisting them to a fourth-place finish in the NCAA Tournament, while earning his master’s degree in exercise physiology. He then returned to the Academy in 1986, where he coached until his military retirement in 1999. During his first 17-year tenure, Heidmous posted a 232-202-1 career ledger. All 20 of his teams, including his last three squads, have finished the season nationally ranked in the top 20, including 16 top-15 rankings and five top-10 finishes. Before his arrival in 1981, no Air Force water polo team had ever been nationally ranked. In addition, between 1988 and 1996, Heidmous led the Falcons to nine straight appearances in the Western Water Polo Association championship game (then a conference record), winning a pair of WWPA titles (1990 and 1994). His 1994 team compiled a perfect 12-0 record in conference action. Heidmous has also led five teams to the NCAA Championship tournament and coached 12 players to 15 AllAmerica citations. During his tenure, 33 players have earned a total of 60 All-WWPA selections, while four players earned league MVP accolades. Current Falcon Josh Stedman received first-team all-conference recognition in 2012, while Mike Fish and Cruz Smithson were both named to the All-WWPA second team and Ben Rogers was honored as a member of the WWPA All-Freshman team. Heidmous’ players have also been recognized for their academic achievement, with a total of 45 academic allconference honors (25 players) and eight honorees on the ACWPC All-Academic Team (16 awards), including 2011 team captain Danny Harold. Four of Heidmous’ players captured Academy Major Awards. David Chaney and Brian Pendergast were both recipients of the Athletic Excellence Award, the Academy’s second-highest athletic achievement award. Ted Baudendistel earned the Athletic Leadership Award, presented annually by the Commandant of Cadets to the cadet-athlete displaying the highest traits of character and leadership, while Don Sheesley was presented with the Scholar-Athlete Award, recognizing the Academy’s top graduating scholar-athlete. Heidmous also served as the head coach for the 1987 and 1988 U.S. Junior National Development water polo teams, winning two Can-Am-Mex tournaments, and led the South team at the 1990 and 1995 U.S. Olympic Sports Festivals, earning a silver medal in 1995. In 1987 he was honored as one of the original cadre of Elite-Level coaches certified by USA Water Polo and was later selected to the national team coaching pool from 1990-1994.

THE HEIDMOUS FILE HOMETOWN Lompoc, Calif. EDUCATION Undergraduate: U.S. Air Force Academy, 1977 B.S. in Management Graduate: UC Santa Barbara, 1987 M.S. in Exercise Physiology PLAYING EXPERIENCE U.S. Air Force Academy • Four-year letterwinner (1973-76) • Team captain/team MVP (1976) COACHING EXPERIENCE U.S. Air Force Academy • Head Coach, 1981-84 UC Santa Barbara • Assistant Coach, 1985 U.S. Air Force Academy • Head Coach, 1986-98 U.S. Air Force Academy • Head Coach, 2010MISCELLANEOUS • Chairman of NCAA Men’s Water Polo Championships Committee, 2010 • Inducted as a coach into USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2002 • Three-time WWPA Coach of the Year (1990, 1994, 2012) • Won three WWPA Championships (1990, 1994, 2012) • Led Falcons to five NCAA Tournament appearances (1981, 1986, 1990, 1994, 2012) • Coached five top-10 nationally ranked teams and 12 All-Americans • Spent 11 years as a senior administrator in the Air Force athletic department

During his first stint with the Falcons, Heidmous arguably developed the top collegiate program outside of California. In his last nine seasons (1990-1998), Air Force shocked the NCAA water polo world with 18 victories over more advantaged Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) programs (23 total wins since 1981), more MPSF victories than all the other non-California teams combined, and five top-10 national rankings. For his coaching achievements, involvement in USA Water Polo, and contributions to the growth of water polo outside of California (especially at the collegiate level) he was inducted as a coach into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2007, Heidmous was selected to the NCAA Men’s Water Polo Championships and Rules Committees and subsequently voted in as the Chair of the Championships Committee for 2010. Heidmous is one of three brothers to play water polo for the Falcons. All three brothers were four-year starters and earned team captain and team MVP honors as seniors. He and his older brother,Walt (Class of 1976), were members of Air Force’s first NCAA tournament team in 1974, while his younger brother, Phil (Class of 1980), was a member of Air Force’s 1978 and 1979 NCAA Tournament teams. Heidmous and his wife, Barb, have three children: Jodi (30), Bryan (28) and Briget (24).

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


COACHING STAFF/SUPPORT STAFF

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RYAN BROWN ASSISTANT COACH

THIRD SEASON | (PACIFIC, 2000) Ryan Brown enters his third season as an assistant coach with the Air Force water polo team.With his arrival at the Academy, Brown brought more than a decade of experience coaching at the high school, college and national levels. Brown has made an immediate impact on the Falcons’ program, particularly at the goalkeeper position, as he coached 2013 graduate Mike Fish to second-team All-Western Water Polo Association honors. Fish, who became just the second Air Force goalie in the past nine seasons to earn all-conference accolades, was also a first-team WWPA all-tournament selection and set the Falcons’ singleseason record for saves per game (12.77). Prior to his arrival at the Academy, Brown spent five years as an assistant for the USA Men’s Senior National Water Polo Team, working with the program from 2006 until 2010. In 2008, Brown helped guide the U.S. team to a silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, its best showing in 20 years. Starting in 2009, Brown also served as the head coach of the USA Junior National Water Polo Team. Brown also spent four seasons as the head women’s water polo coach at the University of the Pacific prior to working with the men’s national team. In 2005, he led the Tigers to their highest win total in program history. Meanwhile, Brown also served as an assistant coach for the men’s team during the 2002 season and in 2003, served as the assistant men’s coach for the USA World University Games team. Brown, a two-year starting goalkeeper for the Tigers during his collegiate career, graduated from Pacific in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, while receiving his MBA from UOP in 2001. During his time at Pacific, he started a water polo club team, serving as director and head coach from 1999 until 2006. Brown also served as the boys’ youth director and head coach for the SoCal Water Polo Club, as well as an assistant coach for the boys’ and girls’ water polo teams at Foothill High School in Santa Ana, Calif. Brown currently resides in Colorado Springs with his wife, Rebekah, and their sons, Reese (4) and Russell (2), along with two dogs (Dozer and Jewlz) and two cats (Wicket and Momma Kitty).

2ND LT. DILLON FISHER VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH

2nd Lt. Dillon Fisher will serve as a volunteer coach for the Falcons this season. A 2013 USAFA graduate, Fisher earned his degree in civil engineering. He is currently stationed at the Academy as a physical education instructor as he awaits pilot training. A native of Orange, Calif., Fisher was a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Falcons’ water polo team. Over his career, he registered 125 points (29 goals, 97 assists) and 41 steals, and led the team in assists in both his junior and senior seasons. In addition, Fisher served as a team captain in 2012, helping lead the Falcons to their first Western Water Polo Association title since 1994.

KIM PINSKE Strength & Conditioning Coach

LT. COL. JOHN CHRIST OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE

Lt. Col. John Christ serves as officer representative for the Air Force water polo team. Christ is an associate professor and deputy department head in the department of civil and environmental engineering. A 1996 graduate of the Academy, Christ lettered four years in water polo, serving as team captain and earning MVP honors in his final season. An honorable mention All-America and AWPCA AllAcademic selection in 1995, he was named to both the All-WWPA and Academic All-WWPA teams in his junior and senior campaigns and earned a silver medal at the 1995 U.S. Olympic Festival. In addition to earning his master’s degree in 1997 from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Christ has also spent time at Minot AFB, N.D., Osan AB, Korea, and Izmir Air Station,Turkey while also deploying to Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Qatar. Christ earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in July 2005. Christ and his wife of 16 years, Melisa, have four children.

LISA SMITH Athletic Trainer

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO

DR. JIM LOWE

OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE Dr. Jim Lowe serves as an officer representative for the Air Force water polo team. Lowe is a professor of operations research within the department of management at USAFA. A 1976 graduate of the Academy, Lowe earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Meanwhile, he earned a master’s degree in industrial management and a Ph.D. in operations research, both from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Ga. Lowe served the Air Force as a civil engineer and analyst at England AFB, La.; Maxwell AFB, Ala.; Lajes Field AB, Azores, Portugal; Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Calif.; and the Air Force Academy, Colo. He has taught at the Academy since 1987, with an intervening tour at the Defense Resources Management Institute at NPS from 1992-94. Lowe’s two children and their families currently reside in northwest Florida.

C2C JOSHUA BURDGE Team Manager


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2013 OUTLOOK

The Air Force water polo team enters the 2013 season fresh off the heels of its first Western Water Polo Association title and NCAA berth since 1994. While the Falcons were picked to finish fourth in the league a year ago, strong play down the stretch had the team in position for what appeared to be an unlikely championship run.

JOSH STEDMAN

“I suspect the other teams in the WWPA were more surprised we won than we were,” commented Air Force head coach Jeff Heidmous. “It was a rather ‘innocent rise’ for Air Force, as none of the players in our locker room had ever played in the final round of four, let alone won a championship. UCSD and LMU had untimely injuries at the end of the season, but we had our challenges to overcome as well. We lost two key players, one for the season and one for the WWPA and NCAA Championships, plus Cruz Smithson struggled the entire year with a SLAP tear in his shooting shoulder that required surgery after the season. We all entered the WWPA Championship tournament less than 100 percent.” “We weren’t the strongest team in the WWPA last year, but the ball did seem to bounce mostly our way in the semi-finals and finals,” continued Heidmous. “Not that a few things going your way is something to apologize for. Looking back over my career, I can think of two or three years when we were clearly the best team in the WWPA, but the ball didn’t bounce our way in the championship game and we had to watch other teams celebrate. If you are consistently competitive, the lucky bounces tend to balance out over time.” Despite losing several key players from the 2012 squad to graduation, including All-American Smithson, the Falcons will look to maintain their consistent competitiveness as they strive to capture their second-straight conference title in a newly configured six-team WWPA.

“Our learning curve will be steep, but we believe we can get this team ready by November,” continued Heidmous. “Although younger, we will have greater continuity. This fall is the start of Coach Brown’s and my third season together and we expect our focus on player development to have the next guy in line prepared to step up and be ready.” While this year’s squad is characterized by its youth, three seniors lead the way as four-year letterwinners for the Falcons. Undoubtedly, co-captain Josh Stedman stands out as a leader of this year’s team. Air Force’s best all-around player, Stedman ranks as one of the program’s top all-time scorers.

“Josh has a chance to do what only two other Air Force players have done, and that is to graduate as a three-time WWPA first-team selection and a two-time NCAA All-American,” commented Heidmous. “He is our most mobile and disruptive defender, our best playmaker and one of our best finishers. He’s learning to make others around him better, and as a co-captain we look for him to lead by example this season.” Joining Stedman as a co-captain is Max Reilly, one of the team’s assist leaders for the past two seasons. Although a broken bone in his right hand will keep him out of the lineup at the beginning of the season, Reilly is expected to be back in October to help lead the Falcons down the stretch. “Max brings a lot of energy and pace to our play,” said Heidmous. “The last two years we had Max play out of position on the left hander side of the pool. This year, he will play his more natural position on the right hander side. Max is a strong driver and solid finisher, so we think he will bring us more offensive production this fall. We look forward to his return to energize the second half of our season.”

“We have one primary goal every year—win the WWPA,” said Heidmous. “We can’t control injuries, referee calls, or how the ball bounces, but we can control our level of play. Rarely will we have individual talent equal to the other teams in our conference—that comes with being a service academy—but if we are willing to train to get in great shape, commit to sound fundamentals and execute as a team, we can play with more talented teams and put ourselves in the hunt for a championship every year.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Hamilton is also a four-year letterwinner for the Falcons and will look to reaffirm himself as one of Air Force’s top scoring threats.

One key for the Falcons this season will be adjusting to the loss of more than half its starting lineup from last year’s championship squad. The team has enough depth to MAX REILLY play a 13- or 14-man rotation, keeping the pace high and the offense balanced. However, Air Force will also have to rely on several young players, particularly on defense.

With a challenging schedule ahead, including a match-up with five-time defending national champion USC in the opening weekend of the season, the Falcons will rely on ANDREW their seniors to set the tone HAMILTON as they seek another WWPA title.

“Offensively, we should have more balanced scoring and more goals from assists,” stated Heidmous. “[But] we have more ground to make up defensively. Our goalkeepers and center defenders will all be sophomores and freshmen, instead of seniors, so their development by November will play a big part in our competitiveness at the WWPA Championships.”

“Andrew will be one of the better centers in the WWPA this year,” asserted Heidmous. “He is taking his senior year seriously, looking to finish his career on a high note. Since January he’s improved his defensive mobility and leg strength. We think Hammy can have an All-WWPA caliber season this fall.”

“This year, we have a big target on our backs,” said Heidmous. “How we respond to Air Force once again being the “hunted” will determine how this season plays out. The ‘innocent rise’ was the easy part, now we will get everyone’s A+ game. How we handle these renewed championship expectations is a competition challenge we must face and conquer together.”

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


2013 ROSTER # 1 1A 1B 1C 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24

PLAYER Caleb Guarino Max Benson Ryan Sheikh Tanner Housken Riley Quinlan Petar Jackovich Oliver Carter Jantz Johnson Robby Stiefel Kyle Mahan Alex Kuykendall Brad Duncan Kevin Womack Eric Curia Max Reilly Connor Colas Andrew Hamilton Josh Stedman Zack Kamai Dominic Vicino Erik Whyte Eric Bungcag Landon Carr Andy Santala Ben Rogers Bryce Leiter Trevor Adkins Riley Bigelow Brett Fogelberg Austin Garcia Nick Radosevich

YR. So. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. So. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.

HT./WT. 6-3/195 6-4/195 6-0/180 6-4/185 6-3/200 6-4/225 6-0/170 6-0/185 6-0/160 6-1/178 6-7/235 6-0/180 6-3/214 6-5/182 5-10/165 6-1/170 6-4/210 6-1/182 6-1/201 6-3/200 5-10/165 5-6/180 6-3/205 6-0/170 6-3/200 5-10/165 6-1/190 6-3/195 6-0/175 6-0/200 6-1/195

POS. Goalie Goalie Goalie Goalie Utility Center Driver Attacker Utility Driver Center Driver Utility Attacker Driver Driver Center Attacker Defender Utility Driver Driver Driver Driver Utility Attacker Attacker Driver Driver Defender

HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL) Diamond Bar, Calif. (Bonita) Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer) Fullerton, Calif. (Sunny Hills) Palm Desert, Calif. (Xavier Prep) Los Altos, Calif. (Bellarmine Prep) New Lenox, Ill. (Lincoln-Way Central) Whittier, Calif. (La Serna) Murrieta Valley, Calif. (Murrieta Valley) San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente) Corinth,Texas (Guyer) Hanford, Calif. (Lemoore) Fresno, Calif. (Clovis West) Redlands, Calif. (Redlands East Valley) Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North) Davis, Calif. (Davis) Temecula, Calif. (Chaparral) Mechanicsburg, Pa. (Cumberland Valley) Brea, Calif. (Troy) Irvine, Calif. (Irvine) Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Los Osos) Irvine, Calif. (University) Garden Grove, Calif. (Villa Park) Beaumont, Calif. (Beaumont) Aliso Viejo, Calif. (Aliso Niguel) Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Thousand Oaks) Villa Park, Calif. (Villa Park) Glendora, Calif. (Damien) San Diego, Calif. (Westview) Merced, Calif. (Merced) San Dimas, Calif. (San Dimas) Temecula, Calif. (Great Oak)

Bold indicates team captain Head Coach: Jeff Heidmous (USAFA, ‘77) Assistant Coach: Ryan Brown (Pacific ‘00) Manager: C2C Joshua Burdge

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TEAM CAPTAINS

MAX REILLY

JOSH STEDMAN

SR. | 5-10/165 | DRIVER DAVIS, CALIF. (DAVIS)

SR. | 6-1/182 | ATTACKER BREA, CALIF. (TROY)

Team co-captain …

Enters 2013 ranked 19th on the Falcons’ career scoring list with 189 points (136g, 53a) … team co-captain.

2012: Played in all 31 games as one of the Falcons’ top reserves … finished second on the team with 30 assists on the season … also recorded a career-best 21 goals and 15 steals … earned WWPA All-Academic honors for the secondstraight season. 2011: Played in all 28 games for the Falcons … finished second on the team in assists with 23 … also recorded 13 goals and six steals … named to the WWPA All-Academic team. 2010: Earned a varsity letter … recorded three goals and an assist during the season … also notched two steals. High School: Four-year letterwinner … team captain … four-time winner of Most Inspirational award … record 58 goals, 70+ assists and 20+ drawn ejections in senior season … eighth-team All-American … named an Academic AllAmerican by USA Water Polo. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 7 … son of Marci Snodgrass and Peter Reilly ... majoring in biology … plans to become a pilot … hobbies include poetry and leather-bound books … heroes are his parents … favorite food is sushi, burgers and Panda Express … favorite music is Bruce Springsteen … favorite quote: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” –Aristotle.

2012: Played and started in all 31 games for the Falcons … earned honorable mention All-America accolades … first-team All-WWPA honoree for the second-straight season … second-team all-tournament selection at National Collegiate Water Polo Championship … led team in goals (64), total points (87) and steals (43) on the season … fifth on the team in assists with 23 … named the KAP7 WWPA Co-Player of the Week after his performance in the seasonopening Inland Empire Classic … earned Air Force Co-Athlete of the Week honors on Oct. 9. 2011: Played in 27 games, starting 26 … named a first-team All-WWPA selection … led the Falcons in steals with 29 … ranked second on the team in both goals (45) and total points (57) … also added 12 assists on the year … scored a career-best eight goals against St. Francis … named WWPA Player of the Week following his performance against the Terriers. 2010: Earned a varsity letter, starting every game for the Falcons in his rookie campaign … named to the WWPA All-Freshman team … finished third on the team in both goals (27) and assists (18) … tied for second on the team with 24 steals … also recorded 32 drawn ejections. High School: Lettered four years in water polo … two-time Freeway League MVP … Freeway League Athlete of the Year for 2009-10 season … All-American … first-team CIF-Division 5 honoree in 2008 and 2009 … registered 98 goals, 29 assists and 62 steals in senior season … won gold medal at Junior Olympics and National Club Championships … also lettered four years in swimming … member of National Honor Society. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 30 … son of Julie and Randall Stedman … father is an Academy graduate who competed in both swimming and water polo … cousin, Garrett Schutz, also attended USAFA … hobbies include wakeboarding and dirt bike riding … hero is George Caster … plans to major in economics … favorite food is mashed potatoes … favorite music is classic rock … favorite quote: “I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.” –General Patton.

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


FALCON RETURNERS

BRAD DUNCAN

ANDREW HAMILTON

SR. | 6-0/180 | DRIVER FRESNO, CALIF. (CLOVIS WEST)

SR. | 6-4/210 | CENTER MECHANICSBURG, PA. (CUMBERLAND VALLEY)

2012: Played in 20 games for the Falcons … registered three goals and seven assists on the season … also recorded three steals.

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2012: Played and started in all 31 games for the Falcons … ranked fourth on the team with 40 goals, while adding seven assists … finished third on the team with 22 steals on the season … named to WWPA All-Academic team.

2011: Earned a JV letter … scored one goal and one assist in varsity action. 2010: Earned a JV letter. High School: Lettered two years in water polo … recipient of “The Poloist” award … named a CA/HI ninth-team All-American … club team finished 19th at Junior Olympics … named to Principal’s Honor Roll. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 25 … son of Laura and Jeff Duncan … brother, Matthew, also attended the Academy … majoring in management … plans a career in acquisitions following graduation … hobbies include basketball and ukulele … hero is Robin Shin … favorite food is baby-back ribs … favorite music is “everything” … favorite quote: “I give you a five.”

2011: Started in 27 of 28 games for the Falcons … ranked third on the team with 39 goals, while adding four assists … also recorded seven steals. 2010: Earned a varsity letter … notched two goals on the season … also recorded a drawn ejection. High School: Lettered four years in water polo … team captain as a senior … scored 82 goals, 34 steals and 32 drawn ejections in 24 games … third-team AllAmerican as a junior and a second-team All-America selection in senior season … two-time first-team all-state honoree … team won state championship in 2008 and finished third in 2009 … chosen for the National Zones Northeast Division in 2008 and 2009 … runner-up state freshman of the year in 2006, despite missing two-thirds of the season with a broken hand … named to allfreshman team … Academic All-American … also lettered four years in swimming … named to National Honor Society. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 40 … son of Doug and Jana Hamilton … majoring in biology (pre-med) … would like a career in dentistry … hobbies include eating, sleeping, video games, snowboarding and skateboarding … hero is Jesus Christ … favorite food is Chinese … favorite music is Angels & Airwaves, Dan Black, Incubus and Dispatch.

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FALCON RETURNERS

KYLE MAHAN

PETAR JACKOVICH

SR. | 6-1/178 | DRIVER CORINTH, TEXAS (GUYER)

JR. | 6-4/225 | CENTER NEW LENOX, ILL. (LINCOLN-WAY CENTRAL)

2012: Earned a varsity letter, playing in 11 games … registered three steals on the season. 2011: Earned a JV letter … credited with one steal in varsity action.

2012: Played in all 31 games for the Falcons … finished fifth on the team with 22 goals on the year … also recorded nine assists and eight steals on the season … scored 10 goals in the Air Force Tournament, including a career-best four goals in a win over Fresno Pacific … named the Air Force Co-Athlete of the Week following his performance in the Falcons’ home tournament.

2010: Earned a JV letter … recorded one steal on the season. High School: Four-year letterwinner in water polo … two-time team captain … three-time first-team all-region … first-team all-state in 2010 ... second-team All-American in 2010 … three-time Southwest Zone Water Polo team member … also lettered four years in swimming … honor graduate … member of National Honor Society. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 1 … son of Wesley and Carrie Mahan … majoring in biology … after graduation, would like to become a pilot or intelligence officer … hobbies include running, golfing, playing video games and hanging out with friends … heroes are his parents … favorite food is pasta … favorite quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” –Wayne Gretzky.

2011: Earned a varsity letter, playing in every game for the Falcons … named to the WWPA All-Freshman team … scored 10 goals and three assists on the season … also recorded nine steals. High School: Lettered four years in water polo … two-time team MVP (201011) … third-team all-state honoree in 2011 … all-conference selection and firstteam all-sectionals honoree … two-time USA Water Polo Academic All-American … played for the Windy City Water Polo club team, as well as the Midwest Zone ODP team … ODP team placed first at the East-West ODP Regional Championships … chosen for 2010 Junior National Selection and Training Camp … also lettered four years in swimming and one year in football. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 14 … son of Daniel and Desa Jackovich … father played football at Utah State, while uncle, Milo, played football at Illinois Benedictine … majoring in operations research … would like to be an OR analyst following graduation … hobbies include playing water polo, eating, watching movies and tubing … favorite quote: “If you think you are beaten, you are, if you think that you dare not, you don’t, if you’d like to win, but you think you can’t, it’s almost certain you won’t. Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man, but sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.” –Arnold Palmer.

RYAN SHEIKH SR. | 6-0/180 | GOALIE FULLERTON, CALIF. (SUNNY HILLS) 2012: Earned a JV letter. 2011: Served as a team manager. 2010: Did not compete. High School: Played three years of water polo, earning two letters … coached by Keith Nighswonger … team captain as a senior … all-league selection in 2008 … recipient of Guardian Lancer Leadership Award … also lettered two years in swimming … team captain as a senior … earned Lancer Award for Economics … recipient of North Orange County ROP Engineering Design Award … earned Minds in Motion Scholar-Athlete Award during every sports season. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 5 … son of Steve and Theresa Sheikh … attended the Academy Prep School … hobbies include anything outdoors, hiking, camping, climbing, going to the beach and sports … heroes are his parents … majoring in management … favorite foods are pizza and hot wings … favorite music is country … favorite quote: “Better to fight for something than live for nothing.” –Gen. George Patton.

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


FALCON RETURNERS

JANTZ JOHNSON

ERIC BUNGCAG

JR. | 6-0/185 | ATTACKER MURRIETA, CALIF. (MURRIETA VALLEY)

SO. | 5-6/180 | DRIVER GARDEN GROVE, CALIF. (VILLA PARK)

9

2012: Played in 30 of 31 games on the season … recorded 20 goals and nine assists on the season … added eight steals.

2012: Earned a JV letter … played in seven games on the season … scored a goal versus Fresno Pacific.

2011: Earned a varsity letter, playing in 20 games … notched 12 goals and six assists … recorded five steals.

High School: Earned three varsity letters for water polo … two-time firstteam all-league honoree … two-time All-CIF third-team selection … league champion as a senior … All-CIF Southern Section first-team honoree in senior season … All-American … USA Water Polo Academic All-American … played for the SET club team … member of the 2009 Southern Pacific Training Team … also lettered four years in swimming.

High School: Lettered four years in water polo … two-time All-American … All-Valley and all-county player of the year … MVP of the Southwestern League … All-CIF (Division 2) as a senior … first-team All-CIF (Division 3) as a junior and second-team All-CIF (Division 3) as a sophomore … competed in CIF finals all four years … played for the Elite Water Polo club team and SOPAC ODP team … also lettered four years in swimming.

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 1 … son of Willie and Marianne Hodell Bungcag … majoring in biology … hobbies include sports, snowboarding, wakeboarding, rock climbing and watching movies … favorite quote: “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.” –Vince Lombardi.

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 24 … son of Carlos and Tami Johnson … brother, Jory, played water polo at Long Beach State and BYU-Hawaii … plans to major in behavioral science … would like to become a pilot … hobbies include going to the beach and hanging out with family and friends … favorite quote: “There is no ‘I’ in team.”

DOMINIC VICINO

LANDON CARR

JR. | 6-3/200 | UTILITY RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF. (LOS OSOS)

SO. | 6-3/205 | DRIVER BEAUMONT, CALIF. (BEAUMONT)

2012: Earned a JV letter.

2012: Earned a JV letter … played in six games … scored one goal and one assist on the season, both in games versus Fresno Pacific.

2011: Earned a varsity letter, playing in five games … scored four goals on the season. High School: Lettered four years in water polo …two-time NISCA All-American and USA Water Polo Academic All-American … two-time first-team AllCIF (Division 4) honoree … three-time All-Baseline League … team MVP and captain in 2010 … MVP of the Inland Valley All-Star game in 2010 … all-area selection in 2009 … named team’s most improved player in 2008 … member of CIF championship team in 2008 and CIF finalist team in 2009 … won four league championships … played for the Foothill Water Polo Club … also lettered in baseball for two years. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 32 … son of Chris and Carla Vicino … father played football at Claremont College, while uncle, Michael, played football at the University of Washington … plans to become a pilot following graduation … hobbies include swimming, Xbox, watching movies and playing cards … favorite quote: “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden.

High School: Earned four varsity letters for water polo … honorable mention All-American … CIF Division VI Player of the Year and league MVP in 2011 … won CIF Division VI championship in 2011 … three-year team captain … firstteam CIF All-Division VI honoree as a junior … first-team all-league in sophomore and junior seasons … played for the Foothill Water Polo Club … also lettered three years in swimming. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 31 … son of Laura Strachan … plans to major in mechanical engineering … would like to become a pilot following graduation … hobbies include paintball, cycling and camping … favorite quote: “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up.”-Vince Lombardi.

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


10 FALCON RETURNERS

OLIVER CARTER

CALEB GUARINO

SO. | 6-0/170 | DRIVER WHITTIER, CALIF. (LA SERNA)

SO. | 6-3/195 | GOALIE DIAMOND BAR, CALIF. (BONITA)

2012: Earned a JV letter.

2012: Earned a varsity letter as the Falcons’ backup goalie … saw action in 10 games … recorded 23 saves.

High School: Earned four varsity letters for water polo … first-team All-CIF and all-area as a senior … also named league MVP in 2011 … second-team AllCIF selection and CIF D5 champion as a junior … played for FLOWPC … also lettered two years in swimming. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 24 … son of David and Sharon Carter … planning to major in engineering … would like to become a pilot … favorite quote: “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” –Winston Churchill.

High School: Earned four varsity letters for water polo … CIF D-5 Player of the Year in 2011 … CIF champion … played for the Foothill club team … also lettered three years in swimming. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 12 … son of Joseph and Laurie Guarino … plans to major in management … would like to become a pilot following graduation … hobbies include eating … favorite quote:“If you’re not first, you’re last.”

CARTER COLAS

TANNER HOUSKEN

SO. | 6-1/170 | DRIVER TEMECULA, CALIF. (CHAPARRAL)

SO. | 6-4/185 | GOALIE PALM DESERT, CALIF. (XAVIER PREP)

2012: Earned a JV letter.

2012: Earned a JV letter.

High School: Earned three varsity letters for water polo … three-year starter and two-time team captain … registered a team-best 42 assists in senior season … second-team all-league … All-Valley honoree … CIF Male Student-Athlete of the Year for Chaparral High School … two-time Athlete of Character … Coach’s Award recipient … also lettered four years in swimming.

High School: Earned three varsity letters for water polo … first-team allleague as a senior … honorable mention all-league selection in junior season … also lettered three years in swimming and two years in basketball.

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 12 … son of Kirby and Carrie Colas … father attended the Air Force Academy … plans to major in mechanical engineering … would like to become a fighter pilot … hobbies include surfing, wakeboarding, competing in triathlons and cycling … favorite quote: “Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” –Lance Armstrong.

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 27 … son of Randy and Kim Housken … would like to enter the environmental engineering or economics career fields … hobbies include playing the piano, reading and longboarding … favorite quote: “Tough times don’t last; tough people do.” –Anonymous.

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


FALCON RETURNERS

ZACK KAMAI

ANDY SANTALA

SO. | 6-1/201 | DEFENDER IRVINE, CALIF. (IRVINE)

SO. | 6-0/170 | DRIVER ALISO VIEJO, CALIF. (ALISO NIGUEL)

2012: Played in 20 games on the season … notched five goals and two assists on the season … also recorded four steals. High School: Earned three varsity letters for water polo … two-time firstteam All-Pacific Coast League honoree and two-time first-team All-Irvine City selection … second-team all-league and all-city honoree in 2008 … reached CIF post-season playoffs all three years … played for the Kahuna Water Polo Club and International Water Polo Club … also a member of the 2009-10 ODP SoPac Zone Junior Team and the 2008-09 ODP SoPac Zone Youth Team … won an ODP Youth Team national championship in 2008-09 … also lettered four years in swimming.

2012: Played in 11 games … recorded four assists on the season. High School: Earned four varsity letters for water polo … two-time first-team all-division and all-league selection … two-time team offensive MVP … registered 97 goals, 36 assists and 41 steals as a senior … tallied 108 goals, 32 assists and 65 steals as a junior … named to the California-Hawaii All-America team in 2010 … played for the SoCal Water Polo Club and SOPAC ODP team … also lettered two years in swimming. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 35 … son of Rich and Patty Santala … brother, Nick, played water polo at Cal … also has 10 cousins who have played or are still playing college water polo at Cal, USC and UC Santa Barbara … plans to major in biology …hobbies include surfing and guitar … favorite quote: “Plan your work and work your plan.”

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 37 … son of Marold and Kristen Kamai … attended Northwestern Preparatory School before coming to the Academy … majoring in civil engineering … is “proud to be a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy water polo team”.

BEN ROGERS

KEVIN WOMACK

SO. | 6-3/200 | UTILITY THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. (THOUSAND OAKS)

SO. | 6-3/214 | UTILITY REDLANDS, CALIF. (REDLANDS EAST VALLEY)

2012: Played in 30 games for the Falcons, starting 22 … named to WWPA All-Freshman team … recorded 12 goals and 13 assists on the season … also notched eight steals. High School: Earned four varsity letters for water polo … two-time first-team all-league, all-division and all-county honoree … team captain as a senior … led team in goals (136), steals (59) and assists (49) in final campaign … broke school records for goals in a season and career (290) … played for the South Coast and Los Angeles Water Polo Clubs … also a member of the Coastal Cal ODP team … named to the ODP Youth National Training Squad in 2011 … also lettered two years in swimming and one year in lacrosse. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 15 … son of Steven and Nancy Rogers … plans to major in aeronautical engineering … would like to become a pilot … hobbies include going to church, spending time with his best friends, surfing and hiking.

11

2012: Played in 19 games for the Falcons … notched six goals and three assists on the season … also recorded four steals. High School: Earned four varsity letters for water polo … three-time team MVP … two-time league MVP … three-time first-team all-league honoree and second-team all-league selection as a freshman … two-time first-team All-CIF selection … Press Enterprise All-Area Player of the Year in 2011 … played for Foothill CWP, as well as the Coastal California ODP team … Foothill CWP MVP in 2011 … won ODP regional championships in 2011 and 2012 … attended national team selection camp in 2012 … also lettered three years in swimming. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 16 … son of Darryl and Patty Womack … older brother, Garrett, is a 2013 Academy graduate and was a four-year letterwinner for the Falcons’ water polo team … uncle, Greg, is a 1982 USAFA graduate … father played football at Humboldt State … plans to major in mechanical engineering … hobbies include film making, welding, drawing and building … favorite quote: “It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


12 FRESHMEN TO WATCH

MAX BENSON

RILEY QUINLAN

FR. | 6-4/195 | GOALIE ANN ARBOR, MICH. (PIONEER)

FR. | 6-3/200 | UTILITY LOS ALTOS, CALIF. (BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREP)

High School: Earned four varsity letters for water polo … All-American … played for the Great Lakes and A2 Water Polo Clubs … member of the Midwest Zone ODP team … also lettered four years in swimming.

High School: Earned two varsity letters for water polo … team captain as a senior … first-team WCAL and CCS D1 honoree in 2012 … 2012 CCS All-Star … played for the College Park club team … also lettered two years in swimming.

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 40 … graduated from the Academy Prep School … son of Peter Benson and Heidi Robb … three uncles (John, Jim and Joel Robb) all attended the Academy … plans to major in civil engineering … hobbies include eating and traveling.

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 8 … son of Roger and Cathy Quinlan … grandfather played baseball at Santa Clara, while uncle Matthew played tennis at UCLA … plans to major in engineering … includes basketball as a hobby … favorite quote: “You have to have the desire to be a champion.” –Larry Rogers.

ERIC CURIA

ROBBY STIEFEL

FR. | 6-5/182 | ATTACKER NAPERVILLE, ILL. (NAPERVILLE NORTH)

FR. | 6-0/160 | UTILITY SAN CLEMENTE, CALIF. (SAN CLEMENTE)

High School: Earned four varsity letters for water polo … two-time all-state selection … All-America honoree in 2012 … sectional MVP (2012) … first-team all-sectional in 2013 … played for the West Suburban Water Polo Club … member of the Midwest Zone ODP team … also lettered four years in swimming. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 17 … son of Mike and Kim Curia … father played basketball at Christian Brothers College … plans to major in civil engineering … hobbies include playing water polo; spending time with family and friends; playing basketball, ultimate or other sports with friends; eating; and sleeping … favorite quote: “A goal without a plan is only a wish.”

ALEX KUYKENDALL

High School: Earned three varsity letters for water polo … two-time team captain … recorded 79 goals, 86 assists and 151 steals as a senior … two-time Division I All-CIF and all-league honoree … All-American … All-Orange County in 2012 … top offensive player in 2011 and Coaches Award winner in 2012 … two-time Scholar-Athlete award recipient … played for the SOCAL Water Polo club team … gold medalist at the 2012 18U Club Championships and Champions League … National Junior Olympic 16U bronze medalist in 2010 … two-time US Water Polo Academic All-American … also lettered four years in swimming. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 21 … son of Jurgen and Diane Stiefel … mother played volleyball at Oklahoma Christian … father was a three-time Olympian in water polo (including the boycotted 1980 Games), as well as the team captain for the silver medalist FINA World Cup team in 1983 … would like to become a pilot after graduation … hobbies include the beach and hanging out with friends … favorite quote: “Fortune favors the bold.” – Terence.

FR. | 6-7/235 | CENTER HANFORD, CALIF. (LEMOORE) High School: Earned three varsity letters for water polo … three-time NTSC selection … 2012 co-league MVP … team MVP in 2012 … first-team All-Valley honoree … named 2012 Boys’ Water Polo Player of the Year by Hanford Sentinel … second-team all-league and All-Valley in 2011 … two-time team captain … played for the Clovis Water Polo Club … member of the Central Zone ODP team … also lettered four years in swimming. Personal: Member of cadet squadron 23 … son of Jeffrey and Jill Kuykendall … father was a swimmer at New Mexico State and Linfield College … would like to become a pilot following graduation … hobbies include skiing, video games, sleeping, the beach and off-roading … favorite quote: “I am the brute squad.” – Fezzik, from The Princess Bride.

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


2012 POST-SEASON CHAMPIONSHIPS

13

Air Force reached a significant team goal in 2012, capturing its first Western Water Polo Association title since 1994 and its third all-time. With their championship run, the Falcons became the first team other than Loyola Marymount or UC San Diego to win the conference title since 1997. The Falcons entered the WWPA Championship, hosted by Whittier, as the third seed, facing sixth-seed Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the opening game. With a 14-6 victory over the Stags, advanced to a semi-final match-up with second-seeded Loyola Marymount. In a back-and-forth game that was knotted at 9-9 midway through the final period, senior captain Brad Rajchel led the Falcons to victory with a game-winning goal at the 3:31 mark. The Falcons win over Loyola Marymount snapped an 18-game losing streak against the Lions, as Air Force advanced to the WWPA Championship title game for the first time since 1999. The championship game pitted Air Force against top-seed UC San Diego, a team which had defeated the Falcons three times earlier in the season.This time, Air Force would come out on top, earning a 9-7 victory. The Falcons were in control for most of the game, leading as many as three with 3:10 to play. Despite a UCSD score with just 15 seconds on the clock, Air Force was able to hold on for the championship victory and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. At the conclusion of the championship game, the WWPA All-Tournament team was announced. Seniors Mike Fish, Rajchel and Cruz Smithson were each named firstteam honorees, while Garrrett Womack was named to the second team. In addition, Smithson was tabbed the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The Falcons celebrate their first WWPA Championship title since 1994.

The Falcons are presented with their championship rings.

2012 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP After capturing the WWPA title, Air Force earned its first NCAA Championship appearance since 1994, and its eighth all-time. It also marked the Falcons’ NCAA Championship appearance since the field was trimmed from eight to four teams in 1995. The Falcons opened the tournament against four-time defending national champion USC, and despite a strong early start, dropped a 18-7 contest to the Trojans, who went on to earn their fifth-straight national title. Meanwhile, Air Force closed out the weekend with a 14-8 loss to St. Francis Brooklyn, finishing fourth in the national tournament. The Falcons’ fourth-place national finish was the best-ever in program history.

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At the conclusion of the championship, senior Cruz Smithson and junior Josh Stedman were both named second-team all-tournament honorees.

Left:The Falcons attend the NCAA Championship team banquet. Right: Head coach Jeff Heidmous and 2012 team captains Brad Rajchel (left) and Dillon Fisher with the team’s fourth-place trophy.

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO

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14 2012 RESULTS DATE

OPPONENT

LOCATION

Sept. 8-9

Inland Empire Classic

Redlands/Claremont-Mudd-Scripps

OUTCOME

Sept. 8

at Redlands* (16/–)

Redlands, Calif.

W, 13-8

Sept. 8

vs. Chapman* (16/–)

Redlands, Calif.

W, 15-8

Sept. 9

at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps* (16/–)

Claremont, Calif.

W, 8-7

Sept. 9

vs. Long Beach State (16/9)

Claremont, Calif.

L, 10-15

Sept. 15-16

NorCal Tournament

Stanford

Sept. 15

vs. Cal (16/3)

Palo Alto, Calif.

Sept. 15

vs. UC San Diego* (16/11)

Palo Alto, Calif.

L, 7-8 (2OT)

Sept. 16

vs. Concordia (16/18)

Palo Alto, Calif.

W, 10-8

Sept. 16

vs. Santa Clara* (16/14)

Palo Alto, Calif.

W, 9-7

L, 2-19

Sept. 29-30

SoCal Tournament

UC Santa Barbara

Sept. 29

vs. Cal (14/4)

Santa Barbara, Calif.

L, 4-21

Sept. 29

vs. UC Davis* (14/12)

Santa Barbara, Calif.

W, 12-11

Sept. 30

vs. Long Beach State (14/9)

Santa Barbara, Calif.

L, 7-13

Sept. 30

vs. UC San Diego* (14/11)

Santa Barbara, Calif.

L, 3-9

Oct. 7

Santa Clara* (13/18)

USAFA, Colo.

W, 14-9

Oct. 13

UC Davis* (13/17)

USAFA, Colo.

W, 15-11

Oct. 18

at UC San Diego* (13/11)

La Jolla, Calif.

L, 9-10

Oct. 20-21

The Rodeo

Santa Clara

Oct. 20

vs. Brown (13/12)

Santa Clara, Calif.

L, 5-6

Oct. 20

vs. Bucknell (13/17)

Santa Clara, Calif.

W, 9-6

Oct. 21

vs. Stanford (13/4)

Santa Clara, Calif.

L, 3-14

Oct. 21

vs. Fresno Pacific (13/–)

Santa Clara, Calif.

W, 17-15

Oct. 26-28

Air Force Tournament

Air Force

Oct. 26

Cal Baptist (13/19)

USAFA, Colo.

W, 11-8

Oct. 27

Fresno Pacific (13/–)

USAFA, Colo.

W, 16-7

Oct. 27

Cal Baptist (13/19)

USAFA, Colo.

W, 19-10

Oct. 28

Fresno Pacific (13/–)

USAFA, Colo.

W, 19-12

Nov. 2

at Pomona-Pitzer* (13/RV)

Claremont, Calif.

W, 13-9

Nov. 3

at Loyola Marymount (13/11)

Los Angeles, Calif.

L, 8-9

Nov. 4

at Whittier* (13/–)

Whittier, Calif.

W, 13-9

Nov. 16-18

WWPA Championship

Whittier

Nov. 16

vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (13/RV)

Whittier, Calif.

W, 14-6

Nov. 17

vs. Loyola Marymount (13/11)

Whittier, Calif.

W, 10-9

Nov. 18

vs. UC San Diego (13/10)

Whittier, Calif.

W, 9-7

Dec. 1-2

NCAA Championship

USC

Dec. 1

at USC (10/1)

Los Angeles, Calif.

L, 7-18

Dec. 2

vs. St. Francis Brooklyn (10/11)

Los Angeles, Calif.

L, 8-14

2012 Season Record:

19-12

* - denotes WWPA contest AF/opponent rankings in parentheses

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORDS YEAR 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 TOTAL

WON 15 13 16 20 11 15 13 13 8 7 13 7 8 9 9 8 12 17 13 20 24 10 10 19 20 14 12 16 21 14 12 16 18 8 12 14 15 17 18 13 11 19 580

LOST 9 10 6 6 7 7 6 8 8 8 10 8 13 13 15 19 17 10 11 8 8 12 14 11 10 10 16 12 12 13 13 12 10 22 15 17 14 15 14 18 17 12 496

TIED 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

PCT. .625 .565 .727 .769 .563 .682 .684 .636 .600 .467 .565 .467 .386 .455 .375 .296 .414 .630 .542 .714 .750 .455 .417 .633 .667 .583 .429 .571 .636 .519 .480 .571 .643 .267 .444 .452 .517 .531 .563 .419 .393 .613 .539

COACH Capt. Jim Marett Maj. Paul Aehnlich Capt. Reggie Pasieczny Capt. Reggie Pasieczny Capt. Bruce Fisher Capt. Bruce Fisher Capt. Bruce Fisher Capt. Ryan Davis Capt. Ryan Davis Capt. Dennis Lombard Capt. Jeff Heidmous Capt. Jeff Heidmous Capt. Jeff Heidmous Capt. Jeff Heidmous Capt. Jim Hogue Capt. Jeff Heidmous Capt. Jeff Heidmous Maj. Jeff Heidmous Maj. Jeff Heidmous Maj. Jeff Heidmous Maj. Jeff Heidmous Maj. Jeff Heidmous Lt. Col. Jeff Heidmous Lt. Col. Jeff Heidmous Lt. Col. Jeff Heidmous Lt. Col. Jeff Heidmous Lt. Col. Jeff Heidmous Lt. Col. Jeff Heidmous Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Ehrlich Jeff Heidmous Jeff Heidmous Jeff Heidmous

TEAM CAPTAIN(S) John Pate Jim Thompson Kelly Kemp Ben Phillips Walt Heidmous Jeff Heidmous John Wellsfry Mike Mullady Phil Heidmous Joe Wotton Keith Limbird Jeff Wilkerson Gerry Veldhuizen Bob Pickrell Mark Crosby/Tim Harris Dan Hancock Joe Roh/Cy Whinnery Mike Schlacter Mark Baudendistel Brad Kremer David Chaney Ted Baudendistel Don Sheesley Garrett Lowe John Christ Mackie Contreras Jay Reaves Rob Mattivi/Jason Nolting Mark McGill Charlie Toth/Wade Grabow Brian Hasbrouck Lowell Wallace Scott Butler Josh Jewett/Jared Jones Jeff Donaldson Danny Kimmich/Blake Pickell Justin Berry/Clark Condict Kevin Williams Jason Fung/Jack Hines Bobby Geiger Danny Harold Dillon Fisher/Brad Rajchel

DID YOU KNOW ...? • 42 Seasons • 25 Winning Campaigns • Two WWPA Titles • Nine Straight Appearances in Western Water Polo Association Championship Game (1988-1996) • Air Force was an independent from 1971-86 and then joined the WWPA

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO

FINAL RANKINGS WWPA NATIONAL — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 12 — 13 — 14 — 14 — — — 15 6 19 2 14 2 11 1 10 2 12 2 10 2 13 1 10 2 9 2 9 3 17 2 13 2 13 3 18 4 20 3 16 3 14 7 19 9 — 7 17 3 14 6 20 6 17 5 20 5 20 1 T11

15


16 RECORD BOOK CAREER RECORDS MOST GOALS 1. Ben Phillips (1971-74) 2. Brian Pendergast (1993-96) 3. Bobby Geiger (2007-10) 4. David Chaney (1988-91) 5. Cruz Smithson (2009-12)

339 234 214 211 176

MOST STEALS 1. Charlie Toth (1997-00) 2. Casey Wood (1996-99) 3. Alex Churnside (2006-09) 4. John Christ (1992-95) 5. Brian Pendergast (1993-96)

257 215 198 190 189

MOST ASSISTS 1. David Chaney (1988-91) 2. Alex Churnside (2006-09) 3. Murphey Morgan (2001-04) 4. Rob Mattivi (1995-98) 5. Tyler Hewko (2005-08)

136 131 130 120 110

MOST SAVES 1. Walt Heidmous (1972-75) 2. Mike Fish (2009-12) 3. Craig Thomas (1993-96) 4. David Ostrom (2006-09) 5. Brandon Shroyer (2000-03)

792 707 690 674 612

MOST POINTS 1. Ben Phillips (1971-74) 2. David Chaney (1988-91) 3. Brian Pendergast (1993-96) 4. Bobby Geiger (2007-10) 5. Rob Mattivi (1995-98)

442 347 317 286 280

BEST SAVE PERCENTAGE 1. Walt Heidmous (1972-75) 2. Howie Redd (1988-91) 3. Mark Baudendistel (1987-90) 4. Brandon Shroyer (2000-03) 5. Mike Fish (2009-12)

.595 .569 .563 .559 .550

BEST SHOOTING PERCENTAGE 1. Gerry Veldhuizen (1980-83) 2. Ben Phillips (1971-74) 3. Roger Rechsteiner (1972-75) 4. Joe Wotton (1977-80) 5. Chad Simendinger (1997-2000)

.570 .499 .485 .466 .460

BEST SAVES/GAME AVERAGE 1. Mark Baudendistel (1987-89) 2. Mike Fish (2009-12) 3. Howie Redd (1988-91) 4. Don Sheesley (1990-93) 5. Walt Heidmous (1972-75)

10.82 10.40 10.03 8.43 8.43

BEN PHILLIPS (‘75)

BOBBY GEIGER (‘11)

WALT HEIDMOUS (‘76) BRANDON SHROYER (‘04) SEASON RECORDS Most Goals 120, Ben Phillips (1972) Most Assists 53, David Chaney (1991) and Scott Butler (2003) Most Points 145, Ben Phillips (1972) Best Shooting Percentage .741, Gerry Veldhuizen (1981) Most Steals 98, Casey Wood (1999) Best Save Percentage .623, Walt Heidmous (1973)

MIKE FISH (‘13)

Best Save/Game Average 12.77, Mike Fish (2012)

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RECORD BOOK

TOP 20 AIR FORCE CAREER SCORERS NAME (CLASS YEAR) 1. Ben Phillips (‘75) 2. David Chaney (‘92) 3. Brian Pendergast (‘97) 4. Bobby Geiger (‘11) 5. Rob Mattivi (‘99) 6. Alex Churnside (‘10) 7. Murphey Morgan (‘05) 8. Bill Monroe (‘76) 9. Clark Condict (‘08)

YEARS PLAYED 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

GOALS 339 211 212 214 157 145 125 166 169

ATT. 680 460 470 519 322 416 429 368 544

PCT. .499 .459 .451 .412 .488 .349 .291 .451 .311

AST. 103 136 83 72 120 131 130 79 73

PTS. 442 347 317 286 280 276 255 245 242

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

4 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 3

176 162 147 131 142 137 88 110 128 137 136

448 374 359 230 334 315 272 342 350 331 318

.393 .433 .409 .570 .425 .435 .324 .322 .366 .414 .428

64 70 78 86 74 73 110 86 55 50 53

240 232 223 217 216 210 198 196 195 194 189

Cruz Smithson (‘13) Steve Spanovich (‘89) Ted Baudendistel (‘93) Gerry Veldhuizen (‘84) Scott Butler (‘04) Rhett Binger (‘91) Tyler Hewko (‘09) Chris Smith (‘03) Brad Downs (‘96) Chad Simendinger (‘01) Josh Stedman (‘14)

#1 - BEN PHILLIPS (‘75) (442 pts.)

#3 - BRIAN PENDERGAST (‘97) (317 pts.)

#2 - DAVID CHANEY (‘92) (347 pts.)

#4 - BOBBY GEIGER (‘11) (286 pts.)

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#5 - ROB MATTIVI (‘99) (280 pts.)

17


18 ALL-AMERICANS

1981 HM Gerry Veldhuizen

1988 HM Steve Spanovich

1989 HM Mark Baudendistel

1990 HM Howie Redd

1990 Third Team 1991 HM David Chaney

1992 HM Ted Baudendistel

1994-95 HM 1996 Third Team Brian Pendergast

1995 HM John Christ

1998 HM Rob Mattivi

1999 HM Casey Wood

2000 HM Charlie Toth

2001 HM Chris Smith

2003 HM Scott Butler

2004 HM Murphey Morgan

2007 Third Team Clark Condict

2009 HM Alex Churnside

2010 HM Bobby Geiger

2012 HM Cruz Smithson

2012 HM Josh Stedman HM - Honorable Mention

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ACWPC ALL-ACADEMIC

1994-95 Brad Downs

1995 John Christ

1995-96 Brian Groat

1995-97-98 Jason Nolting

1996-97-98-99 Mark McGill

1997-98-99-2000 Charlie Toth

1998-2000-01 David Breitenbach

1999-2000-01 Ben Couchman

1999 Greg Ebert

1999 Andres Guerra

2000 Wade Grabow

2000 Micah Peterson

2001 Brian Hasbrouck

2002-03 Brandon Shroyer

2002-03-04 Josh Jewett

2002-03-04 Chris Nary

2003-04-05-06 Danny Kimmich

2003-04-05-06 Kyle Schafer

2007 Kevin McDonald

2007 Miles McMullan

2007 Chris Pace

2007-08-09 Andrew Strawbridge

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2008-09-10-11 Danny Harold

19


20 HONORS/AWARDS ALL-WESTERN WATER POLO ASSOCIATION TEAM 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

First Team - Cy Whinnery; Honorable Mention - Joe Roh, Steve Spanovich Co-MVP - Steve Spanovich; First Team - David Chaney, Steve Spanovich; Second Team - Mark Baudendistel; Honorable Mention - Chris Greene First Team - Mark Baudendistel, David Chaney; Second Team Brad Kremer; Honorable Mention - D.C. Conroy, Chad Matheson MVP - David Chaney; First Team - David Chaney, Brad Kremer, Howard Redd; Second Team - Ted Baudendistel; Honorable Mention - Brad Reed First Team - David Chaney, Howard Redd; Second Team - Ted Baudendistel, Dan Farrington; Honorable Mention - Brad Reed First Team - Ted Baudendistel; Second Team - Dan Farrington, Brad Reed, Don Sheesley; Honorable Mention - Neil McCafferty First Team - Garrett Lowe, Don Sheesley; Second Team - Brian Pendergast; Honorable Mention - Trevor Davis MVP - Brian Pendergast; First Team - John Christ, Garrett Lowe, Brian Pendergast, Craig Thomas; Honorable Mention - Trevor Davis First Team - John Christ, Brian Pendergast, Craig Thomas; Second Team - Brad Downs; Honorable Mention - Mackie Contreras MVP - Brian Pendergast; First Team - Mackie Contreras, Brian Pendergast, Craig Thomas; Second Team - Rob Mattivi; Honorable Mention - Brian Groat First Team - Rob Mattivi; Second Team - Jason Golaboski, Jay Reaves; Honorable Mention - Jason Nolting First Team - Rob Mattivi, Jason Nolting; Honorable Mention Casey Wood First Team - Casey Wood; Second Team - Chad Simendinger, Charlie Toth; Honorable Mention - Mark McGill, Brent Reimer First Team - Chad Simendinger, Charlie Toth; Second Team Brent Reimer; Honorable Mention - Derek Argel First Team - Chris Smith; Second Team - Scott Butler; Honorable Mention - Brandon Shroyer First Team - Charles Horn; Honorable Mention - Murphey Morgan, Micah Peterson, Brandon Shroyer First Team - Scott Butler; Honorable Mention - Josh Jewett, Murphey Morgan, Brandon Shroyer Second Team - Murphey Morgan; Honorable Mention - Josh Jewett Second Team - Kyle Schafer Second Team - Tyler Hewko; Honorable Mention - Kyle Schafer First Team - Clark Condict; Second Team - Justin Berry Second Team - Jack Hines; Honorable Mention - Alex Churnside First Team - Alex Churnside; Second Team - Jack Hines; Honorable Mention - David Ostrom Second Team - Bobby Geiger; Honorable Mention - Kurt Lemmen First Team - Josh Stedman; Honorable Mention - Cruz Smithson First Team - Josh Stedman; Second Team - Mike Fish, Cruz Smithson

WWPA ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM* 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012

ACADEMIC ALL-WWPA 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2009 2010 2011 2012

D.C. Conroy, Chad Matheson David Chaney Ted Baudendistel, David Chaney, Don Sheesley, Dave Smith Tyler Rameson, Don Sheesley Trevor Davis, Brad Downs, Benjamin Glazer, Brian Pendergast, Don Sheesley John Christ, Trevor Davis, Brad Downs, Benjamin Glazer, Brian Groat, Brian Pendergast John Christ, Brad Downs, Brian Groat, Jason Nolting Jim Binns, Brian Groat, Brian Pendergast, Jay Reaves Wade Grabow, Mark McGill, Jason Nolting, Jay Reaves, Charlie Toth David Breitenbach, Wade Grabow, Mark McGill, Jason Nolting, Charlie Toth Ben Couchman, Greg Ebert, Ron Garcia, Wade Grabow, Andres Guerra, Mark McGill, Charlie Toth David Breitenbach, Ben Couchman, Wade Grabow, Micah Peterson, Brandon Shroyer, Charlie Toth David Breitenbach, Ben Couchman, Brian Hasbrouck, Kirk Reimer, Brandon Shroyer, Lowell Wallace Josh Jewett, Chris Nary, Brandon Shroyer, Lowell Wallace Scott Butler, Josh Jewett, Murphey Morgan, Brandon Shroyer Matt Herrera, Josh Jewett, Damon Jones, Danny Kimmich, Chris Nary, Blake Pickell, Kyle Schafer, Brian Woolley Zach Carey, Danny Kimmich, Blake Pickell, Kyle Schafer Danny Kimmich, Blake Pickell, Kyle Schafer Danny Harold, Andrew Strawbridge Danny Harold Danny Harold, Max Reilly Andrew Hamilton, Mike Radosevich, Max Reilly, Garrett Womack

NCAA POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP 2001 2007

Charlie Toth Kyle Schafer

COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA 2007

Kyle Schafer (second team)

U.S. OLYMPIC FESTIVAL 1990 1991 1994 1995

Mark Baudendistel, Ted Baudendistel, Rhett Binger, David Chaney, D.C. Conroy, Dan Farrington Ted Baudendistel, David Chaney, Mackie Contreras, Neil McCafferty, Brad Reed Ted Baudendistel, Mackie Contreras, Trevor Davis, Garrett Lowe, Brian Pendergast John Christ, Mackie Contreras, Brad Downs, Craig Thomas

U.S. JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM 1995

Brian Pendergast

Bobby Geiger Cruz Smithson (Newcomer of the Year) Josh Stedman Petar Jackovich Ben Rogers

WWPA ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM* 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012

First Team - Justin Berry, Clark Condict; Second Team - Alex Churnside Second Team - Tyler Hewko, David Ostrom Second Team - Cruz Smithson Second Team - Danny Harold MVP - Cruz Smithson; First Team - Mike Fish, Brad Rajchel, Cruz Smithson; Second Team - Garrett Womack

* The WWPA All-Freshman Team and WWPA All-Tournament Team both started during the 2007 season

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HONORS/AWARDS

MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS Year .......................................................... MVP 1971 .................................................................John Pate 1972 .............................................................Ben Phillips 1973 .............................................................. Rick Pilling 1974 .............................................................Ben Phillips 1975 .....................................................Walt Heidmous 1976 ........................................................ Jeff Heidmous 1977 ..........................................................John Wellsfry 1978 ....................................................... Bruce Zelenka 1979 ....................................................... Phil Heidmous 1980 .............................................................Joe Wotton 1981 ............................................................. Fred Logan ............................................................ Gerry Veldhuizen 1982 .................................................. Gerry Veldhuizen 1983 .......................................................... Rob Hemker 1984 ............................................................Bob Pickrell 1985 ..............................................................Tim Harris 1986 .........................................................Dan Hancock 1987 ......................................................... Cy Whinnery 1988 .................................................... Steve Spanovich 1989 ................................................Mark Baudendistel 1990 ..........................................................Dave Chaney 1991 ........................................................ Howard Redd 1992 ...................................................Ted Baudendistel

Year .......................................................... MVP 1993 .........................................................Garrett Lowe 1994 ...................................................Brian Pendergast 1995 .............................................................John Christ 1996 .........................................................Craig Thomas .............................................................Brian Pendergast 1997 ............................................................... Jay Reaves 1998 ......................................................... Jason Nolting 1999 .......................................................... Casey Wood 2000 ........................................................... Charlie Toth 2001 ............................................................ Chris Smith 2002 ...................................................Brandon Shroyer 2003 ............................................................Scott Butler 2004 .................................................. Murphey Morgan 2005 ........................................................... Kyle Schafer 2006 .................................................. Denver Saunders 2007 ............................................................ Justin Berry ..................................................................Clark Condict 2008 ....................................................... David Ostrom 2009 .....................................................Alex Churnside 2010 .........................................................Bobby Geiger 2011 ........................................................ Danny Harold 2012 ...................................................... Cruz Smithson

FINAL TOP-15 NATIONAL RANKINGS

Year .........................................................................Rank 1981 ........................................................................ 12th 1982 ........................................................................ 13th 1983 ........................................................................ 14th 1984 ........................................................................ 14th 1986 ........................................................................ 15th 1988 ........................................................................ 14th 1989 ........................................................................ 11th 1990 ........................................................................ 10th 1991 ........................................................................ 12th 1992 ........................................................................ 10th 1993 ........................................................................ 13th 1994 ........................................................................ 10th 1995 ...........................................................................9th 1996 ...........................................................................9th 1998 ........................................................................ 13th 1999 ........................................................................ 13th 2003 ........................................................................ 14th 2007 ........................................................................ 14th 2012 ......................................................................T11th

ACADEMY TOP 6 AWARD WINNERS 1977 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE 1979 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE 1980 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE 1992 ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE 1993 ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP 1994 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE 1997 ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE 2000 ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT 2001 ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

Armando Costales Frank Snyder Dirk Jordan David Chaney Ted Baudendistel Don Sheesley Brian Pendergast Mark McGill Charlie Toth

Brian Pendergast (‘97) was a three-time AllAmerican, two-time team MVP and recipient of the Academy’s Athletic Excellence Award in 1997.

A TRIBUTE TO

CAPT. DEREK ARGEL Capt. Derek Argel, a four-year letterwinner for the Falcons from 1997-2000, was killed on May 30, 2005, along with three other U.S. Airmen and an Iraqi airman, when an Iraqi Air Force Comp Air 7SL aircraft crashed in eastern Diyala province during an operational mission. Argel, promoted to captain just hours before his death, was stationed with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and left behind his wife, Wendy, and son, Logan. Argel earned All-WWPA honors as a senior for Air Force. During his senior year, he tried out for the boxing team, making it all the way to the heavyweight finals in the annual Wing Open, before dropping a split decision in the championship bout. “I’ll remember Derek most for his undying spirit and his endless sense of humor and contagious laugh,“ said Air Force head coach Jeff Heidmous. “His family, friends, classmates, Falcon Polo brothers and the STO (Special Tactics Operations) community are deeply saddened – Derek was a great man, dedicated to serving his nation at the very tip of the spear.” The 2005 season marked the conception of the Capt. Derek Argel Memorial Award, given annually at the team’s awards banquet to the athlete who demonstrates perseverance and an incredible work ethic, those attributes which most exemplify the character of Argel. Peter Larsen was the inaugural recipient of the Derek Argel Memorial Award in 2005. Danny Kimmich (2006), Chris Pace (2007), Tyler Hewko (2008), Kevin Williams (2008), Jason Fung (2009), Bobby Geiger (2010), Danny Harold (2011) and Brad Rajchel (2012) have also been honored with the award.

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO

21


22 ALL-TIME LETTERWINNERS •A • B •

ADAMS, Mitch, 2001-02-03 ALANIS, Daniel E., 1978 ALKIRE, Joe, 1993 ANDERSON, Kala D., 1982-83-84 ARCIDIACONO, Alex, 2009-10-11-12 ARGEL, Derek, 1997-98-99-00 AUBERRY, Thomas W., 1973 BABER, Eric, 2001-02-03 BACKUS, Paul, 1993 BARTLEY, Michael L., 1980-81-82 BAUDENDISTEL, Mark, 1987-88-89 (Capt., MVP ‘89) BAUDENDISTEL, Ted, 1989-90-91-92 (Capt., MVP ‘92) BEEMAN, Mark, 2008-09 BELL, David, 1989-90 BELL, Jason, 1994 BERRY, Justin, 2004-05-06-07 (Capt., MVP ‘07) BINGER, Rhett L., 1987-88-89-90 BINNS, Jim, 1991-92-95-96 BIVANS, Ray A., 1978-79 BOHLMAN, Lance, 1990-91 BOOTH, Tony, 1986-87-88 BREITENBACH, David, 1998-99-00-01 BREWER, Joseph, 2005-06-07-08 BROWN, Michael L., 1983-84-85 BROWN, Thomas L., 1985 BUCHANAN, R.J., 1986-87 BURGESS, John R., 1974-75 BURTON, Nick, 2005 BUSH, Robert W., 1972 BUTLER, Scott, 2000-01-03 (Capt., MVP ‘03)

•C•

CALHOUN, Thomas J., 1971-72-73-74 CALKINS, Josh, 1992 CANALE, Richard M., 1975 CAREY, Zachary, 2004-05 CARRILLO, Chris, 1985 CHANEY, David C., 1988-89-90-91 (MVP ‘90, Capt. 91) CHASEN, Aaron, 1984 CHRIST, Brian, 1997-98 CHRIST, John A., 1991-92-94-95 (Capt., MVP ‘95) CHUN, Mark C., 1971-72 CHURNSIDE, Alex, 2006-07-08-09 (MVP ‘09) CONDICT, Clark, 2004-05-06-07 (Capt. ‘07) CONROY, Blair, 1989-90 CONROY, D.C., 1987-88-89 CONTRERAS, Mackie, 1993-94-95-96 (Capt. ‘96) COSTALES, Armando A., 1975-76 COSTANZA, Kevin S., 1985-86 COUCHMAN, Ben, 1999-00-01 CROSBY, Mark A., 1983-84-85 (Capt. ‘85) CRUZ, Steve, 1999

•D•E•F•

DAVIS, Trevor, 1992-93-94 DERRICK, Marvin L., 1974 DINGELDEIN, George, 2000-01 DONALDSON, R. (Jeff), 2004-05 (Capt. ‘05) DOWNS, Brad, 1992-93-94-95 DUNCAN, Bradley, 2012 DUPUIS, Ryan, 2005 EATON, Ellis, 1990 EBERT, Greg, 1998-99 EPPERSON, Dave, 1996 FARRINGTON, Dan, 1989-90-91 FERGUSON, Paul, 1994-95 FISH, Michael, 2010-11-12 FISHER, Dillon, 2009-10-11-12 (Capt. ‘12) FORD, Charley, 2008-09-10 FUNG, Jason, 2006-07-08-09 (Capt. ‘09)

JOHN CHRIST (‘96)

•G•

GARCIA, David A., 1988-89-90-91 GARCIA, Ronald, 1998-99 GEIGER, Robert, 2007-08-09-10 (Capt., MVP ‘10) GLAZER, Ben, 1993-94 GOBRECHT, Robert (Eric), 2006-07 GOLABOSKI, Jason, 1995-97 GRABOW, Wade, 1997-98-99-00 (Capt. ‘00) GRAHAM, John G., 1971 GREENE, Chris, 1985-86-87-88 GREINER, Kelly, 2001-02-03 GRESHAM, Donald D., 1972-73-74-75 GROAT, Brian, 1993-94-95-96 GUARINO, Caleb, 2012 GUERRA, Andres, 1999

•H•

HAMILTON, Andrew, 2010-11-12 HAMPSON, Robert J., 1971 HANCOCK, Daniel, 1983-84-85-86 (Capt., MVP ‘86) HARBERG, Fred D., 1971 HAROLD, Daniel, 2008-09-10-11 (Capt., MVP ‘11) HARRIS, Timothy J., 1982-83-84-85 (Capt., MVP ‘85) HARVEY, Anson, 2008-09-10-11 HASBROUCK, Brian, 1998-99-00-01 (Capt. ‘01) HATHAWAY, Patrick, 1972 HAYLETT, Marshal T., 1999-2000-2001 HEIDMOUS, Jeffery, 1973-74-75-76 (Capt., MVP ‘76) HEIDMOUS, Philip, 1976-77-78-79 (Capt., MVP ‘79) HEIDMOUS, Walter, 1972-73-74-75 (Capt., MVP ‘75) HEMKER, Robert B., 1980-81-82-83 (MVP ‘83) HENNEBERRY, Steven J., 1976-77-78-79 HEPNER, Brian B., 1987 HERRERA, Matt, 2002-03-04 HEWKO, Tyler, 2005-06-07-08 HINES, Jack, 2006-07-08-09 (Capt. ‘09) HOGUE, James R., 1972-73-74-75 HOLLOWAY, Charles F., 1971 HORN, Charles, 1999-00-01-02 HUGHES, John S., 1972 HURE, Michael, 1983-84

•J•K•

JACKOVICH, Petar, 2011-12 JACKSON, Richard W., 1971 JEWETT, Josh, 2002-03-04 (Capt. ‘04) JOHNSON, Jantz, 2011-12 JONES, Arthur (Jared), 2001-02-03-04 (Capt. ‘04) JONES, Damon, 2004-05-07 JORDAN, Dirk, 1977-78-79 KAMAI, Zachary, 2012 KAPLAN, Pete, 1993 KEMP, Kelvin P., 1971-72-73 (Capt. ‘73) KIMMICH, Daniel, 2003-04-05-06 (Capt. ‘06) KIMSEY, Edgar S., 1980-81-82 KING, Steven B., 1976-77-78 KONISHI, Nicholas, 2011 KREMER, Brad K., 1987-88-89-90 (Capt. ‘90) KRINO, Greg, 1993-94-95-96

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


ALL-TIME LETTERWINNERS •L•

•R•

LARIVE, Ian, 1997 LARSEN, Peter, 2005 LATAS, Dean, 1977-78-79-80 LAYO, Frank, 1996 LeBLANC, Matt, 2005-06 LeGRAND, Steve, 1984-85-86 LEMMEN, Kurt, 2007-08-09-10 LI, Steven, 1994-95-96 LIMBIRD, Keith G., 1978-79-80-81 (Capt. ‘81) LIVESEY, Lance K., 1987 LOGAN, Fred J., 1978-79-80-81 (MVP ‘81) LOWE, Garrett M., 1991-92-93-94 (Capt. ‘94, MVP ‘93)

RADOSEVICH, Michael, 2010-11-12 RAJCHEL, Brad, 2009-11-12 (Capt. ‘12) RAMESON, Tyler, 1992 REAVES, Jay, 1994-95-96 (Capt., MVP ‘97) RECHSTEINER, Roger W., 1972-73-74-75 REDD, Howard T., 1988-89-90-91 (MVP ‘91) REED, Brad, 1989-90-91-92 REILLY, Max, 2010-11-12 REIMER, Brent, 1997-98-99-2000 REIMER, Kirk, 2000-01-02-03 RISHEL, Jason, 1993-94 ROBERSON, Darryl L., 1979-80-81-82 ROBERTSON, William B., 1990 ROGERS, Benjamin, 2012 ROH, Joe, 1984-85-86-87 (Capt. ‘87) ROSS, James T., 1976-77

•M•

MAGEE, Donald W., 1975-76 MAGEE, John M., 1974 MAHAN, Kyle, 2012 MALONEY, Michael, 1984 MANSARD, Jim, 1993 MATHESON, Chad, 1986-87-88-89 MATTIVI, Rob, 1995-98 (Capt. ‘98) McCAFFERTY, Neil, 1989-90-91-92 McCAFFERTY, Randy, 1986-87 McCOY, Andrew S., 1988 McDONALD, Kevin, 2006-07 McGILL, Mark, 1996-97-98-99 (Capt. ‘99) McKEON, Mathew P., 1982 McMULLAN, Miles, 2006-07-08 McSHANE, Brian, 2003 MELVIN, James, 1997-98 MERRIL, David L., 1972-73-74 MOHLE, Dennis H., 1983 MONROE, William R., 1972-73-74-75 MORGAN, Harrel (Murphey), 2001-02-03-04 (MVP ‘04) MORGAN, Phillip B., 1977 MULLADY, Michael C., 1976-77-78 (Capt. ‘78)

•S•

•N•O•P•

NARY, Chris, 2001-02-03-04 NELSON, Daniel, 2008-09 NICHOLS, David A., 1977 NITZEL, Chris, 2004-06 NOLTING, Jason, 1995-98 (Capt., MVP ‘98) OSTROM, David, 2006-07-08-09 (MVP ‘08) PACE, Chris, 2006-07 PALMER, Chris, 2002 PATE, John R., 1971 (Capt., MVP ‘71) PATINO, Taque, 2008-09-10-11 PENDERGAST, Brian, 1993-94-95-96 (MVP ‘94, ‘96) PETERSON, Micah, 2000-01-02-03 PHELAN, Fred D., 1991 PHILLIPS, Benjamin Jr., 1971-72-73-74 (Capt. ‘74, MVP ‘72, ‘74) PHILLIPS, Edward, 1977-78-79-80 PICKELL, Blake, 2005-06 (Capt. ‘06) PICKRELL, Robert L., 1981-82-83-84 (Capt., MVP ‘84) PILLING, Richard A., 1971-72-73 (MVP ‘73) POGUE, Edwin B., 1980-81-82-83

KYLE SCHAFER (‘07)

SANTALA, Andrew, 2012 SAUNDERS, Denver, 2004-05-06 (MVP ‘06) SCHAFER, Kyle, 2003-04-05-06 (MVP ‘05) SCHLACTER, Michael N., 1988 (Capt. ‘88) SHADRICK, Josh, 2001 SHEESLEY, Donald, 1990-91-92-93 (Capt. ‘93) SHEILDS, Timothy C., 1980-81-82-83 SHIELDS, Matthew, 2007-09 SHROYER, Brandon, 2000-01-02-03 (MVP ‘02) SIMENDINGER, Chad, 1997-98-99-2000 SIMPSON, James R., 1980-81 SINCLAIR, Foster L., 1980 SMITH, Chris, 1999-00-01 (MVP ‘01) SMITH, David, 1989-90-91 SMITH, Steven B., 1976-77-78-79 SMITHSON, Christopher (Cruz), 2009-10-11-12 (MVP ‘12) SNYDER, Francis F., 1976-77-78 SPANOVICH, Steven N., 1985-86-87-88 (MVP ‘88) STEDMAN, Joshua, 2010-11-12 STEDMAN, Randall, 1977-78-79-80 STODDARD, Steven P., 1980-81 STRAWBRIDGE, Andrew, 2008-09 STRUBLE, James D., 1971-72-73 SWENSON, Eric, 2002-03-04 SZUCS, Joe, 1994-95

•T •V • W •Y • Z •

THOMAS, Craig, 1993-94-95-96 (MVP ‘96) THOMPSON, Eric W., 1974-75-76-77 THOMPSON, James M., 1972-73 (Capt. ‘72) TOTH, Charles, 1997-98-99-00 (Capt., MVP ‘00) VANDAM, Richard A., 1971 VELDHUIZEN, Frank T., 1983-84 VELDHUIZEN, Gerald , 1980-81-82-83 (Capt. ‘83, MVP ‘81, ‘82) VERSAGE, Matthew, 2007-08-09-10 VICINO, Dominic, 2011 WALLACE, Lowell, 2000-01-02 (Capt. ‘02) WALLIN, Kurt, 2007-08-09-10 WARREN, Trevor, 2002 WEIGMAN, Fritz, 1976-77-78-79 WELLSFRY, John L., 1974-75-76-77 (Capt., MVP ‘77) WETLESEN, David, 1976-77 WHINNERY, Cyrus C., 1984-85-86-87 (Capt., MVP ‘87) WHITEHILL, John, 2000-01 WILKERSON, James T., 1979-80-81-82 (Capt. ‘82) WILLIAMS, Kevin, 2005-06-07-08 (Capt. ‘08) WOMACK, Garrett, 2009-10-11-12 WOMACK, Kevin, 2012 WOOD, Casey, 1996-98-99 (MVP ‘99) WOOLLEY, Brian, 2003-04 WOTTON, Joseph , 1977-78-79-80 (Capt., MVP ’80) YEE, Ken, 1993 ZELENKA, Alan J., 1978-79 ZELENKA, Bruce J., 1978-79 (MVP ‘78)

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO

23


24 FALCON FACILITIES The Falcons typically play their home contests in Cadet Natatorium (right and below), which seats approximately 1,000 spectators. The natatorium recently received extensive renovations during the 2010-11 season.

The water polo pool (pictured at right) serves as the Falcons’ practice facility.

In August 2009, the Falcons’ new locker room (left) was completed.

The water polo team utilizes the varsity weight room (above) and athletic training room (left) located in the Cadet Gym.

2013 AIR FORCE WATER POLO


THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY The United States Air Force Academy offers a four-year program of instruction and experience designed to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Each cadet graduates with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. COURSE OF STUDY Cadets are exposed to a balanced curriculum that provides the knowledge, skills and responsibilities essential to a career Air Force officer. The entire USAFA experience is integrated and mapped to achieve a set of desired outcomes in every graduate. The core academic curriculum includes courses in basic sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. Cadets take additional elective courses to complete requirements for one of 32 major areas of study. About 50 percent of the cadets complete majors in science and engineering; the remainder graduate in the social sciences and humanities. Some of the most popular majors include management, aeronautical engineering, foreign area studies, history, behavioral science, civil engineering, astronautical engineering, electrical engineering and engineering mechanics. FACULTY COMPOSITION The majority of the Academy’s faculty members, more than 500 total, are Air Force officers. They are selected primarily from career-officer volunteers who have established outstanding records of performance and dedication. Each has at least a master’s degree and more than 55 percent have doctorates or other terminal degrees in their field of study. About 30 percent of the faculty are civilians who bring great depth of disciplinary and educational expertise and provide academic stability and continuity. Faculty members are intensely focused on cadet learning as an integral part of their officer development. The Air Force Academy has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for the most accessible and involved faculty. To provide greater contributions by a diverse faculty, the Academy has several distinguished visiting professors and endowed professors who serve one or more years. Officers from other services, as well as officers from allied countries are also members of the faculty. Distinguished civilian and military lecturers also share their expertise with the cadets during the academic year. ATHLETIC PROGRAM The Academy’s athletic program is designed to improve physical fitness, teach athletic skills and develop leadership qualities. To achieve its goals, the Academy offers some of the most extensive physical education, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletic programs in the nation. Cadets take at least three different physical education courses each year. MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING An air, space and cyberspace-oriented military education, training and leadership program begins with basic cadet training and continues throughout the four years. Seniors are responsible for the organizational leadership of the cadet wing, while juniors and sophomores seek to develop team and interpersonal leadership and instructional skills. Cadets are projected into as many active leadership

roles as possible to prepare them to be effective Air Force officers. Fundamental concepts of military organization -- drill, ethics, honor, Air Force heritage and physical training -- are emphasized the first summer during basic cadet training. Freshmen then study the military role in United States society as well as the mission and organization of the Air Force. Sophomores receive instruction in communication skills and juniors study the combat and operational aspects of the Air Force. The Academy offers courses in flying, navigation, soaring and parachuting, building from basic skills to instructor duties. Some cadets may fly light aircraft with the Cadet Flying Team. Summer training for cadets is divided into three, three-week training periods. There are a variety of programs available and each cadet is required to complete two training periods each summer with leave during the other period. All new cadets take six weeks of basic cadet training in their first summer. Combat survival training is a required three-week program during cadets’ second summer. For other second-summer training periods, cadets have options such as working with Airmen in an operational unit at an Air Force installation, airborne parachute training, soaring or basic free-fall parachute training. During their last two summers, all cadets are offered leadership training as supervisors or instructors in the summer programs listed above.

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HISTORY OF THE ACADEMY In 1948, a board of leading civilian and military educators was appointed to plan the curriculum for an academy that would meet the needs of the newly established Air Force. The board determined that Air Force requirements could not be met by expanding the other service academies and recommended an Air Force Academy be established without delay. In 1949, then Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Symington appointed a commission to assist in selecting a site and on April 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized creation of the United States Air Force Academy. After considering 580 sites in 45 states, the commission narrowed the choice to three locations. The summer of 1954, Secretary of the Air Force Harold Talbott selected a site near Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado contributed $1 million toward purchase of the property. In July 1955, the first Academy class entered interim facilities at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, while construction began. It was sufficiently completed for occupancy by the cadet wing in late August 1958. Initial construction cost was $142 million. Women entered the Academy on June 28, 1976, as members of the class of 1980.

Extracurricular activities also are an integral part of the education program. The cadet ski club, drum and bugle corps, cadet chorale and forensics are a few of the programs available. NOMINATIONS Nominations to the Academy may be obtained through a congressional sponsor or by meeting eligibility criteria in other categories of competition established by law. For information on admission procedures, write to HQ USAFA/RRS; 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200; USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025 or go to:

www.usafa.edu

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26 SENIOR LEADERSHIP Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson is Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. She directs a four-year academic, military training, athletic and character development program leading to a bachelor’s degree and commission as an Air Force officer. The general is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 1981. After graduating from the Academy, she completed graduate studies as a Rhodes Scholar before earning her pilot wings in 1984. Johnson has held numerous command positions at the group, wing and numbered Air Force level, and came to the Academy after serving as the Deputy, Chief of Staff, Operation and Intelligence, Supreme Headquarters Allies Powers Europe, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Casteau, Belgium. She has served in various assignments in air mobility, airlift and tanker flying operations and training, academic instruction and personnel. A command pilot, the general has more than 3,600 flying hours in the C-141, T-41, KC-10, C-17, C-5 and the KC-14 aircraft. The general’s military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

VICE SUPERINTENDENT Colonel Evan Miller

COMMANDANT OF CADETS Brig. General Gregory J. Lengyel

DEAN OF FACULTY Brig. General Andrew Armacost

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COMMANDER, 10TH AIR BASE WING Col. Stacey Hawkins


DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS DR. HANS J. MUEH ter, an indoor training facility. The $15 million facility was completed in July 2011. Mueh has also been active within the conference and the NCAA. He was recently selected to be 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.

Dr. Hans J. Mueh is in his 10th year as the director of athletics at the Air Force Academy. A retired Air Force brigadier general, Mueh was vice dean of faculty for two years prior to his retirement from active duty in the summer of 2004. Mueh was heavily involved in Academy athletics before becoming director of athletics. He was the Academy’s faculty athletics representative from 1996-2004 and was a long-time member of the board of directors for the Air Force Academy Athletics Association. Since becoming the director of athletics, Mueh has led the Academy to some remarkable feats. In 2007, the Academy was one of only three schools (Michigan State and Boston College) to reach post-season play in football (2007), men’s basketball and ice hockey (2006-07). It marked the first time a service academy has ever had a team compete in the postseason in all three sports. In addition, under Mueh’s watch the men’s basketball team has played in another NCAA tournament and the National Invitational Tournament’s Final Four. The ice hockey team has won the conference championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament five of the last six years. Mueh was on the selection committee that hired current head coach Frank Serratore and led the Academy’s move into the Atlantic Hockey Association. The football program, the Academy’s flagship sport, has gone through a major overhaul under Mueh. He led the transition from the retirement of the legendary Fisher 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 overall mark and a second-place finish in the Mountain West Conference in 2007. The Falcons qualified for their first bowl game in seven years, playing in the Armed Forces Bowl in 2007. The program has gone to a school-record six consecutive bowl games and averaged over 9,000 bowl tickets sold.

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 undergraduate courses for 1,500 cadets annually. Mueh was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Celle, Germany, and emigrated to the United States 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 against North Carolina and Benedictine. In his junior and senior years, Mueh helped the Falcons to the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Soccer League championship and quarterfinal berths in the NCAA tournament. He was a first-team all-league selection in 1965.

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 years, leading the Internationals to the Colorado state title in 1971. He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served as an intelligence officer in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam and at Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand, in 1972 and 1973. 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 1985-86 as the special assistant for technical matters at the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon. In 1986, he assumed the position of acting head, department of chemistry, before being selected for his position of permanent professor and head of the department 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 representative on the transition team to form the new MWC, the only faculty athletics representative on the team. He competes in golf, racquetball, handball and tennis, and has promoted Air Force Academy intercollegiate sports throughout his tenure, beginning with work as chairman of the hockey eligibility committee, officer representative to the men’s golf team and five years as the officer representative to the football team. Mueh is married to the former Sally Flax of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children: Kristine, Kurt and Deborah.

Following graduation, Mueh completed two assignments in intelligence before attending the University of Wisconsin where he earned his master’s degree in chemistry in 1970. He later earned a doctorate degree in chemistry from Wisconsin in 1976 as a distinguished graduate. He has also completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. Between earning the two degrees, Mueh returned to the Academy as an instructor in the department of

Mueh has been just as 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 bottom. In addition, the athletic department made the transition to a federally-chartered non-profit organization in the summer of 2013, which will lead to more fund-raising opportunities. Mueh was instrumental in the USAFA Endowment and the announcement of the Holaday Athletic Cen-

Dr. Hans Mueh (right) accepts the invitation from Brant Ringler, executive director of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, to compete in the 2012 bowl game after the Falcons defeated Hawai’i, Nov. 16, at Falcon Stadium.

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28 FALCON ATHLETICS Few schools in the country have an athletic program as extensive as the Air Force Academy’s. The goals of the athletic program are to enhance the physical conditioning of all cadets, to develop the physical skills necessary for officership, to teach leadership in a competitive environment and to build character. There are three subdivisions of the athletic program: intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and physical education. 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.

Col. Bart Weiss Vice Athletic Director

Jim Trego Senior Associate AD

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, Fresno State, Hawai’i (football only), Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State and Wyoming. All sports also compete against non-conference opponents, including many nationally ranked teams. The football team competes annually for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, which is emblematic of service academy football supremacy. The Falcons have won the trophy 18 times, which is more than any other academy. 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.

Marti Gasser Associate AD/SWA Intercollegiate Programs

William Carpenter Associate AD Recruiting Support

John Coulahan Associate AD Finance

Dermot Coll CEO, Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation

Troy Garnhart Associate AD Info./Communications

Wayne Kellenbence Associate AD Support

Clune Arena seats 5,843. The Cadet Ice Rink has a seating capacity of 2,470, while the multipurpose area seats 1,000 fans for track and field competitions. The $4.1-million renovation to the Cadet Track Stadium, the outdoor home of the Air Force track and field team, was completed in the fall of 2011 and is one of the premier track and field facilities in the nation. The Holaday Athletic Center, a $15.5 million completely donor funded indoor training facility, was completed in July 2011. The Cadet Fitness Center, a $9.5 million, Military Construction project, home of the Air Force Academy’s fencing practice facility and aerobics/weight lifting facility that contains a nearly 33foot climbing wall, opened in May 2012.

George Nelson Associate AD Athletic Programs

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Karen Warner Associate AD Human Resources




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