TABLE OF CONTENTS / FALCON FACTS What’s Inside 1 ..................................................................................... Falcon Facts 2 ................................................................ Head Coach Kim Gidley 3 ...................................................... Assistant Coach Perry Wright 4 ............................................................................ 2013-14 Schedule 5 .................................................................................2013-14 Roster 6-20.......................................................................Meet The Falcons
Falcon Facts School Information Location ........................................................USAFA, Colo. 80840 Founded ..................................................................................... 1954 Enrollment ............................................................................... 4,000 Nickname ............................................................................. Falcons Colors ....................................................................... Blue and Silver Affiliation ............................................................................NCAA I Conference .............................................................Mountain West Home Courts ........................AFA Intercollegiate Tennis Courts Superintendent ................................... Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson Athletic Director ...................................................Dr. Hans Mueh Associate AD/Intercollegiate Programs..................Marti Gasser
21 ......................................................................... Division I History 22 ........................................................................Division II History 23 ................................................................ Sportsmanship Awards 24 ..............................................Year-by-Year / Coaching Records 25 ............................................... Academic Awards / Team MVPs 26 ............................Sports Medicine / Human Performance Lab 27 ........................................................ Mountain West Conference 28 ....................................................................................The USAFA 29 ...........................................................USAFA Senior Leadership
Coaching Staff Head Coach ................................................................... Kim Gidley Alma Mater ............................................... Southern Illinois, 1989 Office Phone ...........................................................(719) 333-2489 E-Mail ........................................................ Kim.Gidley@usafa.edu School and Career Record ..............................195-206 (15 years) Assistant Coach: ........................................................ Perry Wright Alma Mater .............................................. Colorado College, 2006
Team Information 2012-13 Overall Record..........................................................13-11 2012-13 Conference Record ......................................................2-6 Postseason ............................................0-1 @ MWC Tournament Letterwinners Ret./Lost ..............................................................5/3 Newcomers.......................................................................................5
30 ..................................................................... Director of Athletics 31 ...........................................................................USAFA Athletics
Credits
Athletic Communications Associate AD/Communications ...........................Troy Garnhart Women’s Tennis SID ...................................................Jerry Cross Office Phone ...........................................................(719) 333-3950 Office Fax ................................................................(719) 333-3798 E-Mail ......................................................... Jerry.Cross@usafa.edu Website ..............................................www.goairforcefalcons.com
The 2013-14 women’s tennis media guide is a product of the Air Force Academy’s athletic communications office. The guide was written and designed by assistant communications director Jerry Cross using Adobe InDesign desktop publishing software. Thanks to the athletic communications office for editing assistance. Individual and action photos courtesy of DenMar Services.
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Mountain West Commissioner..................................................... Craig Thompson Associate Commissioner/Communications....... Javan Hedlund Tennis Contact .......................................................... Dan Johnson Office Phone ...........................................................(719) 487-2462 Office Fax ................................................................(719) 487-7241 E-Mail ........................................................djohnson@themw.com Mailing Address ......................... 15455 Gleneagle Dr., Suite 200 ...........................................................Colorado Springs, CO 80921 Website ................................................................www.themw.com
HEAD COACH KIM GIDLEY Kim Gidley is in her 16th season as head coach of the women’s tennis team at the Air Force Academy. The first civilian head coach in the 37-year history of the program, Gidley became the winningest coach in the history of the program in 2003 with her 76th victory. She recorded her 100th career victory during the 2005-06 season against South Dakota State. She enters the ‘13-14 campaign with a 195-206 career record. Gidley led the Falcons to a 13-11 record last season, the first time since moving to Division I in 1996 that the team has had four straight winning seasons. The Falcons have won 62 matches the past four seasons, the most in that length of time since winning the same amount between 1999-2002. In addition, Air Force posted a 2-6 record in the Mountain West and finished seventh in the conference. Even though she is a civilian coach, Gidley is familiar with military life. She grew up in a military family as her father, Jim, was a Lt. Col. in the Air Force and retired in 1977 after 22 years of service. Prior to joining the Academy’s staff, Gidley was an assistant coach at the University of Idaho in 1997-98. Gidley is a 1989 graduate of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. At SIUE, Gidley helped the Cougars to the 1989 NCAA Division II national championship while earning All-American honors for the second consecutive year. She was ranked nationally as high as No. 3 in singles and No. 5 in doubles during the year. The Abilene, Texas, native was also a standout in the classroom. She earned GTE Academic All-American honors and was SIUE’s top scholar-athlete. She was also awarded an ITCA academic postgraduate scholarship.
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In 2008, Gidley was inducted into SIUE’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1988 and ‘89 championship teams. Prior to attending SIUE, Gidley attended Abilene Christian University. She lettered in tennis and won her first AllAmerican honor while leading the Wildcats to an NCAA Division II national runnerup finish. She was ranked No. 5 nationally in singles and No. 6 in doubles. Gidley was also invited to the 1984 Olympic Trials for tennis. Following graduation, Gidley began her coaching career as the assistant women’s coach at West Virginia University . While at WVU, she earned her master’s degree in gifted education in 1991. She then returned to her hometown to coach at her high school alma mater, Abilene High School. She was an assistant from 1990-93 and head coach from ‘93-97. Gidley’s coaching experience and success is not limited to the high school and collegiate ranks. She has held several assistant and head professional positions at various country clubs and municipal tennis centers, while coaching some of the best junior players in the country. Gidley worked with the No. 1 ranked male and female players from Kentucky, Texas and West Virginia. In addition, she has coached over 300 USTA sectionally ranked players and many nationally ranked juniors, including one former player with a world ranking and two former AllAmericans. Additionally, she twice served as a clinician at the Youth through Education and Sports program (Y.E.S.) held at the NCAA Tournament, coached the USTA Intermountain Boys & Girls 16s National Zonal Team from 2001-03 and coached the USTA Intermountain Girls 18s Federation Cup Team from 2002-07. Gidley also served on the NCAA Division I Central Region ranking committee. She currently sits on the Regional Advisory Committee for Division I women’s tennis and the ITA Operating Committee. Gidley belongs to several professional tennis organizations, including the United States Professional Tennis Association. She has been honored twice by the USPTA as the Intermountain College Coach of the Year, most recently in March of 2008. Among her other awards, she received the USTA/ITA National Community Outreach Award for 2009 as well as USAFA’s Instructor of the Semester for lifetime sports.
THE GIDLEY FILE Hometown Abilene, Texas Education Southern Illinois Univ.-Edwardsville Edwardsville, Ind. B.S., Education, 1989 West Virginia Univ. Morgantown, W.V. M.A, Gifted Education, 1991 Playing Experience SIU-Edwardsville 1985-89 Four-year letterwinner All-American, 1987-89 Ranked No. 3 in singles nationally Ranked No. 5 in doubles nationally GTE Academic All-American Coaching Experience Air Force, Head Coach 1998-present
Univ. of Idaho, Assistant Coach 1997-98
Abilene High School, Head Coach 1993-97
Abilene High School, Assistant Coach 1990-93
West Virginia U., Grad. Assistant Coach 1989-90
ASSISTANT COACH PERRY WRIGHT Perry Wright joins the women’s tennis coaching staff for the 2013-14 season. Wright, formerly the director of tennis and women’s head coach at Colorado College from 2007-11, recently earned his master’s degree in advanced level coaching with a year of training/ emphasis in sport psychology from Springfield College, where he also served as the assistant men’s tennis coach for the past two seasons. “I am very excited that Perry has joined our program,” said Gidley. “His previous collegiate coaching experience and recent education in the mental aspect of the game will greatly benefit our players. I can’t wait to get our team on the court with him.” A 2006 graduate of Colorado College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Wright lettered four years with the Tiger men’s tennis team. He was a two-year captain and played No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles at CC. After graduation, Wright served as the assistant boys’ tennis coach at Heritage High School in Littleton, Colo., helping the Eagles to a regional championship and fourth place finish at the 2007 5A state tournament. It was the school’s best result in the history of the program. He was also an assistant coach for two of Cheyenne Mountain High School’s boys’ tennis state championship teams before taking over the coaching duties at his alma mater. Wright, who is USPTA certified, has worked as a tennis professional at the Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood Shores, Calif., and the Berkeley Tennis Club under former U.S. women’s national team coach Lynne Rolley, the former coach of Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Caprioti. Originally from Santa Fe, N.M., Wright was a high school doubles state champion and part of two North Carolina state championship teams.
THE WRIGHT FILE Hometown Santa Fe, N.M.
Education The Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colo. B.A., Psychology, 2006 Springfield College Springfield, Mass. M.A., Advanced Level Coaching, 2013
Playing Experience The Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colo. Four-year letterwinner Team Captain (2 years)
Collegiate Coaching Experience Air Force Assistant Women’s Coach 2013Springfield College Assistant Men’s Coach 2011-13 The Colorado College Head Women’s Coach 2002-08 Other Coaching Experience Cheyenne Mountain High School Assistant Boys Coach Heritage High School Assistant Boys Coach
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2013-14 -- 3
2013-14 SCHEDULE Opponent UT-Permian Basin Fort Hays State
Site USAFA USAFA
Time 9 a.m. 4 p.m.
Sept. 14
Nebraska-Kearney CSU-Pueblo
USAFA USAFA
12 p.m. 4 p.m.
Fri.-Sun.
Sept. 20-22
Navy Invitational
Annapolis, MD
All Day
Fri.-Sun.
Sept. 27-29
USAFA Invitational
USAFA
All Day
Wed.-Sun.
Oct. 9-13
ITA Mountain Regionals
Las Vegas, NV
All Day
Fri.-Sun.
Nov. 1-3
CSU Northridge Invitational
Los Angeles, CA
All Day
Sat.
Jan. 18
Seattle Univ. Seattle Univ.
Seattle, WA Seattle, WA
3:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Fri.
Jan. 24
UC Riverside
Riverside, CA
12 p.m.
Sat.
Jan. 25
CSU Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
11 a.m.
Sun.
Jan. 26
CSU Northridge
Northridge, CA
10:30 a.m.
Sat.
Feb. 1
Colorado
Boulder, CO
10 a.m.
Sun.
Feb. 2
Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO
1 p.m.
Sat.
Feb. 22
Nebraska
Lincoln, NE
10 a.m.
Sun.
Feb. 23
Northern Iowa
Lincoln, NE
11 a.m.
Fri.
Mar. 14
Radford Univ. James Madison
Orlando, FL Orlando, FL
8 a.m. 3 p.m.
Sat.
Mar. 15
Wheaton College
Orlando, FL
12 p.m.
Wed.
Mar. 26
Southern Utah
Cedar City, UT
2 p.m.
Thurs.
Mar. 27
Weber State
Ogden, UT
11:30 a.m.
Fri.
Mar. 28
Utah State*
Logan, UT
10 a.m.
Sat.
Mar. 29
Idaho State
Pocatello, ID
10 a.m.
Sun.
Mar. 30
Boise State*
Boise, ID
10 a.m.
Fri.
Apr. 4
Wyoming*
USAFA
2 p.m.
Sat.
Apr. 5
North Dakota Colorado College
USAFA USAFA
10 a.m. 1 p.m.
Sun.
Apr. 6
Colorado State*
USAFA
12 p.m.
Sat.
Apr. 19
New Mexico*
Albuquerque, NM
11 a.m.
Wed.-Sun.
Apr. 23-27
MW Championships
Fresno, CA
TBA
Day Fri.
Date Sept. 13
Sat.
Home Matches in Bold *Mountain West Opponent All times local to site and subject to change
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2013-14 ROSTER Name Christy Allen
Hgt. 5-3
Yr. Fr.
Hometown / Previous School Niceville, FL (Rocky Bayou Christian)
Chloe Forlini
5-6
Fr.
Roseville, CA (Granite Bay HS)
Lily Forlini
5-4
Fr.
Roseville, CA (Granite Bay HS)
Anastasia Hueffner
5-7
Sr.
Portland, OR (Lincoln HS)
Tracy Landram
5-9
Fr.
Belfair, WA (Klahowya Secondary School)
Marcelli Magday
5-2
Jr.
Arlington, TX (Nolan Catholic HS)
Mary Meyers
5-2
So.
Shreveport, LA (Caddo Magnet HS)
Natasha Rizvi
5-6
Jr.
Frisco, TX (St. Stephen’s School)
Jocelle Rudico
5-2
Fr.
Duncanville, TX (Duncanville HS)
Tiffany Tran
5-6
Jr.
Laguna Niguel, CA (Penn Foster HS)
Head Coach: Kim Gidley Assistant Coach: Perry Wright
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2013-14 -- 5
MEET THE FALCONS
ANASTASIA HUEFFNER Class | Senior Height | 5-7 Hometown | Portland, OR Previous School | Lincoln HS Major | Behavioral Science
2012-13 (Junior) Won 12 singles and seven doubles matches … posted a 7-3 singles record during the fall tournament season, including three en route to winning her flight at the USAFA Invitational … also won the consolation bracket in her flight at the season-opening Gopher Invitational … went 2-0 at the No. 5 spot in dual matches … advanced to the finals of the No. 2 doubles flight with Marcelli Magday at the Gopher Invitational. 2011-12 (Sophomore) Played 15 singles and 18 doubles matches … advanced to the doubles finals of the Duck Invitational, hosted by the University of Oregon, with Hannah Dake in the fall … was a perfect 4-0 in dual singles matches, including a 3-0 mark at the No. 6 position. 2010-11 (Freshman) One of two Falcons to win at least 20 singles and doubles matches ... went 20-22 overall in singles, including a 14-12 mark in dual matches ... finished second on the team with 20 singles wins ... played the majority of her matches at the No. 5 spot where she went 11-8 ... also won 20 doubles matches, 16 of them with Christen Monreal. Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis ... led her high school team to the state championship as a senior ... three-time district doubles champion ... two-time state runner-up in doubles ... finished second in district for singles as a freshman ... ranked No. 2 in Oregon and No. 3 in the Pacific Northwest Section ... ranked 13th in the country in doubles in the girls’ 14 and under age group ... placed second twice in national doubles tournaments ... high school tennis coach was Sue Basham. Personal Parents are Bill and Marina Hueffner ... has two twin sisters ... nickname is “Tasha” ... completed a Cadet Summer Language Program in the Ukraine this past summer ... also worked Basic Cadet Training ... active in her squadron as an athletic officer and PEER (Personal Education and Ethics Representative) ... member of dean’s list three semesters at the Academy … also recruited by Army, Navy, Iowa State and Drake ... hobbies include golfing and hanging out with her friends ... favorite food is ice cream ... reality show she would choose to be on is The Bachelorette ... favorite movie is Mean Girls ... favorite book is Something Borrowed ... person in history she would most like to meet is Michael Jackson ... greatest moment in sports was defeating current pro Sloane Stephens when she was 12 ... credits her father with the biggest influence on his sports career ... started playing tennis at age 10 … favorite professional tennis player is Roger Federer … member of cadet squadron 19.
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Hueffner’s Career Stats Year 2011 2012 2013 Totals
Dual 14-12 4-0 5-6 23-18
Singles Open 6-10 3-8 7-3 16-21
Overall 20-22 7-8 12-9 39-39
Dual 14-13 5-2 2-3 21-18
Doubles Open 6-9 6-5 5-4 17-18
Overall 20-22 11-7 7-7 38-36
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2013-14 -- 7
MEET THE FALCONS
MARCELLI MAGDAY Class | Junior Height | 5-2 Hometown | Arlington, TX Previous School | Nolan Catholic HS Major | Biology 2012-13 (Sophomore) Won 14 doubles and seven singles matches … finished the season playing No. 3 doubles with Tiffany Tran … they were 9-8 overall, including two wins against Mountain West opponents … went 5-4 with Anastasia Hueffner during the fall tournament season … they advanced to the finals of the No. 2 doubles flight at the season-opening Gopher Invitational. 2011-12 (Freshman) Posted an 8-3 overall singles record, including a perfect 5-0 mark in dual matches … went 4-0 at the No. 5 position … won four doubles matches, including three with Natasha Rizvi. Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis ... three-time team MVP selection ... placed second at the state tournament each of her four years ... ranked 37th in the state of Texas ... advanced to the quarterfinals of the Texas Summer Grand Slam in 2009 ... earned the TAPPS all-state academic award twice ... two-time winner of Arlington Super Championship Major Zone Sportsmanship Award ... member of National Honor Society ... high school tennis coach was Gaye Houk. Personal Parents are Raidell and Ophelia Magday ... has two sisters … completed Operation Air Force at Hill AFB, Utah, this past summer ... also completed an Ambassadors of Inclusion program by interning at Coca-Cola in Egypt … also worked Basic Cadet Training … would like to become a physical therapist in the future ... active in her squadron as the First Sergeant, dealing with disciplinary issues … member of superintendent’s list twice … hobbies include drawing and singing ... also recruited by Murray State ... favorite food is pan fried noodles ... favorite movie is Gran Torino ... favorite book is the Eragon series ... person in history she would most like to meet is Mother Teresa ... greatest moment in sports was rallying from a 7-1 deficit with Tiffany Tran to win the doubles point against Nevada last season … credits her parents with the biggest influence on her sports career ...started playing tennis at age 9 … favorite professional tennis player is Rafael Nadal … member of cadet squadron 25.
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MEET THE FALCONS
Magday’s Career Stats Year 2012 2013 Totals
Dual 5-0 2-0 7-0
Singles Open 3-3 5-4 8-7
Overall 8-3 7-4 15-7
Dual 3-0 9-9 12-9
Doubles Open 1-5 5-4 6-9
Overall 4-5 14-13 18-18
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2013-14 -- 9
MEET THE FALCONS
NATASHA RIZVI Class | Junior Height | 5-6 Hometown | Frisco, TX Previous School | St. Stephen’s School Major | Management 2012-13 (Sophomore) Led the team with 22 overall and 15 dual match singles victories … went 15-8 in dual matches and won a team-high four matches against Mountain West opponents … posted an 11-6 record at the No. 4 spot, including wins over San Diego State and UNLV to close the regular season … had a perfect 3-0 mark at the No. 3 position … went 23-12 overall and 16-7 in dual matches with Christine Molina … they were 14-7 at No. 2 and 1-0 at No. 1 and No. 3 … duo went 3-5 against conference opponents and won the No. 2 match against UNLV in the final regular season match and the first round of the MW Championships … also won the consolation bracket for the “Bravo” flight at the USAFA Invitational … lost to teammates Melissa Cecil and Hannah Dake in the finals of the top flight at the FIU Panther Invitational. 2011-12 (Freshman) Finished second on the team with 23 overall singles wins … posted a 23-9 overall and 17-5 dual match record … went 12-5 at the No. 6 position and tied for a team-best 5-2 record against Mountain West opponents … also went 4-0 at the No. 4 spot … went 14-4 in doubles with Hannah Dake, including a 13-4 mark at the No. 2 spot … the duo was 6-1 against conference opponents at No. 2, the only loss was in a tiebreaker to UNLV … they were 9-1 in their last 10 matches. Before Air Force Three-year letterwinner in tennis ... also lettered once in basketball, track and volleyball ... ranked in the top 3 in the state of Texas and top 100 in the country for girls 16-and-under … won the Excellence Tournament in Texas for girls 16-and-under … finished second in doubles and fourth in singles at a National Level 2 tournament … high school tennis coach was Carlos DiLaura. Personal Parents are Raza and Lubna Rizvi ... has one brother, Ali, who is a senior and plays on the men’s tennis team at the Academy ... completed Operation Air Force at Dover AFB, Del., this past summer … also completed a Cadet Summer Language Program in Morocco and worked Basic Cadet Training … active in her squadron as an element leader … member of the commandant’s and dean’s list fall of 2011 … hobby is playing the piano ... also recruited by SMU, Emory, Baylor and John’s Hopkins ... favorite food is sushi ... favorite movie is She’s The Man ... reality show she would choose to be on is The Bachelorette ... favorite book is Open by Andre Agassi ... greatest moment in sports was clinching the doubles point against UNLV at last season’s Mountain West Tournament … person in history she would most like to meet is John D. Rockefeller ... credits her father with the biggest influence on her sports career ... started playing tennis at age 9 … favorite professional tennis player is Andre Agassi … member of cadet squadron 15.
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MEET THE FALCONS
Rizvi’s Career Stats Year 2012 2013 Totals
Dual 17-5 15-8 32-13
Singles Open 6-4 7-4 13-8
Overall 23-9 22-12 45-21
Dual 16-4 16-7 32-11
Doubles Open 2-6 7-5 9-11
Overall 18-10 23-12 41-22
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2013-14 -- 11
MEET THE FALCONS
TIFFANY TRAN Class | Junior Height | 5-6 Hometown | Laguna Niguel, CA Previous School | Penn Foster HS Major | Management 2012-13 (Sophomore) Tied for fourth on the team with 16 overall singles wins … won 10 dual matches, including two against Mountain West opponents … played majority of the season at the No. 2 spot, posting an 8-9 record … finished third in the top flight at the season-opening Gopher Invitational … won 18 overall doubles matches, nine apiece with Marcelli Magday and Mary Meyers … finished the season playing No. 3 doubles with Magday they closed out the season winning the No. 3 match against UNLV in the final regular season match and the first round of the MW Championships … won the “Charlie” flight of the USAFA Invitational with Meyers. 2011-12 (Freshman) One of three players with at least 20 overall singles and doubles victories … 20-11 overall in singles and 15-7 in dual matches … played majority of season at the No. 3 spot with a 7-6 record … perfect 5-0 at No. 4 and tied for the team’s best record against Mountain West opponents at 5-2 … one of only three Falcons to post a win against a regionally-ranked opponent … won 24 overall doubles matches, including a 22-9 record with Christine Molina … the duo went 18-7 in dual matches and 15-7 at the No. 3 spot … they were 4-3 against Mountain West opponents. Before Air Force Won the US Clay Court Championship for Girls 16-and-under ... also won the 2006 Southern Open ... ranked the top 10 nationally for Girls 14-and under, top 30 for Girls 16-and under and top 100 for Girls 18-and under. Personal Parents are Bac and Tuyet-Nga Tran ... completed Operation Air Force at Altus AFB, Okla., this past summer … also worked Basic Cadet Training … active in her squadron as an athletic and standard/evaluation NCO (non-commissioned officer) … hobby is singing ... also recruited by Princeton, Pepperdine, Harvard and Navy ... favorite food is apple pie ... favorite movie is The Tourist … reality show she would choose to be on is Dancing With The Stars ... favorite book is the Twilight Series ... person in history she would most like to meet is Arthur Ashe ... greatest moment in sports was coming from behind to win her singles match vs. UTEP and clinch the team match as a freshman … credits her parents with the biggest influence on her sports career ... started playing tennis at age 5 … favorite professional tennis player is Roger Federer … member of cadet squadron 33.
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MEET THE TEAM MANAGERS
Tran’s Career Stats Year 2012 2013 Totals
Dual 15-7 10-13 25-20
Singles Open 5-4 6-6 11-10
Overall 20-11 16-19 36-30
Dual 18-7 11-10 29-17
Doubles Open 6-3 7-5 13-8
Overall 24-10 18-15 42-25
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2013-14 -- 13
MEET THE FALCONS
MARY MEYERS Class | Sophomore Hometown | Shreveport, LA Previous School | Caddo Magnet HS Major | Humanities
2012-13 (Freshman) Finished third on the team with 19 overall and 11 dual match singles victories … won two matches against Mountain West opponents, including clinching the match against New Mexico with a three-set win over Laura Richardson at No. 5 … won a team-high eight matches during the fall tournament season … captured the consolation bracket in her flight at the season-opening Gopher Invitational … also won her flight at the FIU Panther Invitational … won 11 doubles matches, including nine with Tiffany Tran … they won the “Charlie” flight of the USAFA Invitational.
Before Air Force Three-year letterwinner in tennis … also lettered in cross country ... won two singles state championships (junior and senior) and finished runner-up as a sophomore) … ranked 61st in the country in the 18-and-under division earlier this spring … finished in the top 10 in eight cross country meets … member of National Honor Society … high school tennis coach was Laura Addington. Personal Parents are Jay and Barbara Meyers ... has one brother … would like to attend pilot training and become an fighter pilot following graduation ... completed the Expeditionary Skills and Evasion Training (ESET) this past summer … also took an economics class … hobbies include fishing and hanging out with friends ... also recruited by Santa Clara, St. Mary’s, Penn State and Boise State … favorite meal is a cheeseburger, french fries and a coke ... favorite book is Gone With the Wind … reality show she would choose to be on is Keeping up with the Kardashians … favorite movie is Breakfast at Tiffany’s ... person in history she would most like to meet is Marilyn Monroe … started playing tennis at age 4 ... favorite professional tennis player is Serena Williams … member of cadet squadron 32.
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MEET THE TEAM MANAGERS
Meyers’ Career Stats Year 2013
Dual 11-10
Singles Open 8-3
Overall 19-13
Dual 4-4
Doubles Open 7-5
Overall 11-9
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2013-14 -- 15
MEET THE FALCONS
CHRISTY ALLEN Class | Freshman Hometown | Niceville, FL Previous School | Rocky Bayou Christian School Major | Undecided
Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis … also lettered four years in cross country, three in volleyball and once in soccer two-time team MVP in tennis … named school’s female athlete of the year in 2011 … advanced to regional tournament twice … member of the Northwest Florida Daily News Tennis Team … named all-county and all-area in cross country … member of National Beta Club … high school tennis coaches were Daniel Smith and her parents, Mike and Gail. Personal Parents are Mike and Gail Allen ... has two brothers … both of her parents graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1982 … her mother (Gail Cooper) was a two-time MVP on the tennis team … planning to attend pilot training in the future ... hobbies include playing the piano and traveling with her family … favorite food is chicken and dumplings ... reality show she would choose to be on is Survivor ... favorite movie is Ace Ventura: Pet Detective ... favorite book is The Bible ... person in history she would most like to meet is Tim Tebow … credits her parents with the biggest influence on his sports career ... started playing tennis in the third grade … favorite professional tennis players is Roger Federer … favorite tennis tournament is U.S. Open … member of cadet squadron 6.
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MEET THE FALCONS
CHLOE FORLINI Class | Freshman Hometown | Roseville, CA Previous School | Granite Bay HS Major | Undecided
Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis … helped team to four league and section titles … four-time first-team all-conference selection … won four consecutive sectional doubles championships with her twin sister, Lily … team captain for two years … member of International Baccalaureate program … high school tennis coach was Rory Woods. Personal Parents are Todd and Laura Forlini ... has one brother and one sister … her twin sister, Lily, is also a freshman and plays tennis at the Air Force Academy … her grandfather, Ren Hart, graduated from West Point in 1956 … planning to major in mathematics … would like to join the Air Force Office of Special Investigations in the future ... hobby is playing tennis with her family … also recruited by Pomona-Pitzer and Claremont McKenna ... favorite food is pasta ... reality show she would choose to be on is Keeping up with the Karashians ... favorite movie is The Proposal ... favorite book is Into The Wild ... person in history she would most like to meet is Princess Diana ... greatest moment is sports was beating the nation’s No. 6 ranked 15-year old when she was 16 … credits her parents with the biggest influence on his sports career ... started playing tennis at age 5 … favorite professional tennis players is Roger Federer … favorite tennis tournament is Wimbledon … member of cadet squadron 18.
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2013-14 -- 17
MEET THE FALCONS
LILY FORLINI Class | Freshman Hometown | Roseville, CA Previous School | Granite Bay HS Major | Undecided
Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis … helped team to four league and section titles … four-time first-team all-conference selection … won four consecutive sectional doubles championships with her twin sister, Chloe … team MVP and captain for two years … member of International Baccalaureate program … high school tennis coach was Rory Woods. Personal Parents are Todd and Laura Forlini ... has one brother and one sister … her twin sister, Chloe, is also a freshman and plays tennis at the Air Force Academy … her grandfather, Ren Hart, graduated from West Point in 1956 … planning to major in biology … would like to attend pilot training following her time at the Academy ... hobby is playing tennis with her family … also recruited by Claremont McKenna ... favorite foods are watermelon and goldfish ... reality show she would choose to be on is Survivor ... favorite movie is Django Unchained ... favorite book is The Giver ... person in history she would most like to meet is John F. Kennedy ... greatest moment is sports was winning the District Cup with her soccer team … credits her mother with the biggest influence on his sports career ... started playing tennis at age 5 … favorite professional tennis players is Andy Roddick … favorite tennis tournament is the Australian Open … member of cadet squadron 28.
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MEET THE FALCONS
TRACY LANDRAM Class | Freshman Hometown | Belfair, WA High School | Klahowya Secondary School Previous School | USAFA Prep School Major | Undecided Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis and one year in basketball in high school … three-time state champion … four-time district and league champion … lost just two matches in her high school career … two-time Female Athlete of the Year by the Kitsap Sun … ranked ninth in the USTA Northwest Section … also named team MVP on basketball team as a senior … honorable mention all-league in basketball … senior class vice president … high school tennis coach was Erik Jacobson. Personal Parents are Glenn and Debbie Landram ... has two brothers … hobby is dancing … also recruited by Navy, Gonzaga and Liberty ... favorite food is her grandma’s homemade mashed potatoes ... reality show she would choose to be on is Survivor ... favorite movie is Pitch Perfect ... favorite book is The Hunger Games saga … person in history she would most like to meet is Jerry West ... greatest moment is sports was winning her first state championship … credits her father with the biggest influence on his sports career ... started playing tennis at age 10 … favorite professional tennis players is Serena Willliams … favorite tennis tournament is the Davis Cup … member of cadet squadron 24.
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MEET THE FALCONS
JOCELLE RUDICO Class | Freshman Hometown | Duncanville, TX Previous School | Duncanville HS Major | Undecided
Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis … named team and district MVP all four years … four-time first-team all-district selection … member of National Honor Society and student council … high school tennis coach was Trent Sellers. Personal Parents are Elmer and Jocelyn Rudico ... has one older sister, Erlyn, who is a 2009 graduate of the Air Force Academy and played tennis at USAFA … hobbies include music, choir and art … also recruited by University of Arkansas – Fort Smith ... favorite food is pasta ... reality show she would choose to be on is any singing show ... favorite movie is Mean Girls ... favorite book is The Harry Potter series … person in history she would most like to meet is Arthur Ashe ... credits her father with the biggest influence on his sports career ... started playing tennis at age 5 … favorite professional tennis players is Rafael Nadal … favorite tennis tournament is the Australian Open … member of cadet squadron 35.
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DIVISION I HISTORY Division I Highlights 1998-99 - Junior NADINE LYNN defeats No. 72 Nadine Kenzlemen of Colorado, the first Top 75 win for a USAFA singles player. 1999-2000 - A 5-2 victory over No. 83 Utah at the MWC Tournament is the team’s first Division I Conference win. 2000-01 - Senior KRISTEL CHUNTRARUK splits sets with the 1999 NCAA Div. I Singles Champion and No. 1 player in the nation, Zuzeana Lesenarova of the University of San Diego. - Junior BROOKE PARSONS defeats No. 73 Anneliese Rose (Florida Int’l) and No. 106 Sanja Hanson (Colorado State). 2001-02 - Senior BROOKE PARSONS defeats No. 41 Paulina Janus (UNLV), No. 46 Irina Tereschenko (Texas Tech), No. 58 Becky Varnum (Notre Dame), No. 76 Yanick Dullens (Denver), No. 96 Lindsey Hedberg (San Diego State) and No. 106 Kristen Stubbs (Virginia Tech). - PARSONS posts the best record in the Mountain West Conference at No. 1 singles (6-1). - PARSONS becomes first USAFA player to participate in the Riviera All - American, also invited in doubles with partner LAURA NIGRO. - Doubles team of PARSONS & NIGRO defeats the No. 1 doubles team from No. 13 Notre Dame, No. 15 UNLV, No. 22 San Diego State, No. 38 BYU, No. 44 Southern Methodist, No. 64 Richmond and No. 75 Virginia Tech. - USAFA posts its first wins over nationally ranked teams - No. 44 Southern Methodist and No. 57 Texas Tech. - First time in USAFA history that a singles player (PARSONS #11), a doubles team (PARSONS/NIGRO #13) and the team (#13) receive a Central Regional Ranking. 2002-03 - Junior LAURA NIGRO defeats No. 46 Irina Tereshenko (Texas Tech), No. 50 Renate Stoop (Boise State), No. 82 Sandy Lukowski (New Mexico) and No. 138 Annette Bryntesson (Oklahoma State). - Senior HEATHER SHELBY defeats No. 72 Gyorgyi Zsiros (UNLV) and No. 76 Yanick Dullens (Denver). - USAFA defeats nationally ranked Texas Tech (No. 61). 2003-04 - Senior LAURA NIGRO defeats No. 72 Gyorgyi Zsiros (UNLV) and No. 81 Dita Haverlandova (San Diego State). - NIGRO is invited to play in the Riviera All- American, along with doubles partner, GINA BLACK. - NIGRO & BLACK defeat the NCAA doubles semi-finalists of 2003 (Missouri) and 2004 (New Mexico).
- Five Falcons won at least 20 overall singles matches in one season for the first time in program history. - Junior SARAH CASSMAN became the first Falcon to win at least 20 overall singles matches in three straight season since moving to Division I. - Sophomore TAHLIA SMOKE became USAFA’s first female tennis player to acheive a Division I national Ranking at #102. - USAFA posted its first-ever shutout over a Mountain West opponent, defeating New Mexico, 7-0. 2010-11 - Air Force posted its second conseutive 16-win season, producing the best two-year period for wins (32) since the 1999 and 2000 seasons (34). - Senior CHRISTEN MONREAL became the team’s first twotime MVP since Kat Bushey in 2006. - USAFA posted a 12-match winning streak, the longest since moving to Division I in ‘96. - For the first time in program history, the Falcons won three Mountain Region awards. Assistant coach NICK DARGENE was named the Assistant Coach of the Year, CHRISTEN MONREAL won the Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award and SARAH CASSMAN won the Arthur Ashe Leadership Award. 2011-12 - Air Force posted the most wins in one season (17) since 1999. - AFA’s three conference wins are the most since moving to Division I in 1996 - Three Falcons earned all-conference honors, another Division I milestone. - CHRISTINE MOLINA won the Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region. 2012-13 - Air Force defeated in-state rival Colorado (4-3) for the first time ever - HANNAH DAKE won the national Arthur Ashe Leadership Award - Air Force posted its fourth consecutive winning season, a first since moving to Division I - Three Falcons (CHRISTINE MOLINA, HANNAH DAKE and MELISSA CECIL) earned all-Mountain West honors for the second straight year - MELISSA CECIL set new Division I school records with 89 overall career doubles and 165 overall combined (singles and doubles) wins
2004-05 - Junior KAT BUSHEY wins the MWC Sportsmanship Award. 2005-06 - Senior KAT BUSHEY and freshman CHRISTINE ABAYAN upset the No. 1 doubles seed and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Central Region Tourney - Beat two nationally ranked teams from BYU and set a new school record with 29 wins. 2006-07 - Senior KELLY MORGAN wins 24 overall singles matches, the most by a Falcon since Gina Black won 26 during the 2002-03 campaign.
All-Conference Mountain West Conference 2001 2006 Brooke Parsons (Singles) Kat Bushey (Singles)
2007-08 - Freshmen CHRISTEN MONREAL (21) and SARAH CASSMAN (20) became the first pair of freshmen to win 20 overall singles matches in the same season since Air Force moved to Division I.
2002 Brooke Parsons (S/D) Laura Nigro (Doubles)
2008-09 - Air Force won the doubles point vs. nationally ranked #21 TCU and # 57 Texas Tech.
2003 Laura Nigro (S/D) Gina Black (Doubles)
2009-10 - Air Force finished the 2009-10 season with a 16-12 record, the best since Coach Gidley’s initial season in 1998-99 when they went 20-10. Gidley also led Air Force to two MWC wins, the most in a season since 2003 - Freshman MELISSA CECIL posted 28 overall singles wins, the most by a Falcon in the Division I era and the most since Laura Simmons won 31 during the 1994-95 season.
2004 Laura Nigro (S/D) Gina Black (Doubles)
2011 Christen Monreal (Singles) 2012 Christine Molina (Singles) Tahlia Smoke (Doubles) Melissa Cecil (Doubles) 2013 Christine Molina (Singles) Melissa Cecil (Doubles) Hannah Dake (Doubles)
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DIVISION II HISTORY
National Champions 1989 Layla DeStaffany and Susan Wheeler (Doubles)
1991 Laura Simmons (Singles)
Laura Simmons with head coach Bob Swanson after the 1991 NCAA Tournament
DeStaffany (left) and Wheeler after winning the 1989 NCAA Division II Doubles Championship
All-Conference
All-Americans Layla DeStaffany
Susan Wheeler
1988 Doubles 1989 Doubles
1988 Singles and Doubles 1989 Singles and Doubles
Monica Davis
Laura Simmons
1989 Singles
1991 Singles 1992 Singles 1993 Singles and Doubles 1994 Singles and Doubles
Amanda Krantz
Christine Rilovick
1993 Doubles
1994 Doubles
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Colorado Athletic Conference 1991 Laura Simmons Jessica Talberg D’Ron Longino Kim Schroeder Gwen Summers
1993 Laura Simmons Kim Schroeder Christine Rilovick
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS Hannah Dake Wins National Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship and Leadership Award
Brooke Parsons won the 2002 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Central Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
2014 Air Force Academy graduate Hannah Dake was named the recipient of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s national Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the 2012-13 academic year. After winning the Mountain Region award, Dake was on the national ballot with 11 other regional winners. The Arthur Ashe Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. In August the national win-
Laura Nigro was the recipient of the 2003 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the Central Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
ners were honored during a special ceremony hosted by the United States Tennis Association during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day inside Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., prior to the start of the U.S. Open. This award, which dates back to 1982, goes to NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior College men’s and women’s players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements. “Hannah’s Arthur Ashe Award is the biggest honor a player can
Kat Bushey won the 2006 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Central Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
receive,” said Air Force head coach Kim Gidley. “We are so proud of Hannah for her outstanding representation of the women’s tennis program and the Air Force Academy. It is so great to see that Hannah’s efforts on and off the court have been recognized and I know she will continue to serve and be a leader as she embarks on her Air Force career. For a coach, this is as big as it gets.” Dake, last year’s team MVP, led the Falcons with 25 doubles wins and was second with 20 singles wins as a senior. Her 25 wins with fellow senior Melissa Cecil were the most by an Air Force doubles team in one
Sarah Cassman was the recipient of the 2010 and 2011 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
season since Kat Bushey and Christine Abayan had 29 in 2005-06. She is ranked No. 3 on the school’s career list with 82 overall doubles wins and 152 combined (singles and doubles) victories in the Division I era (since 1996). She also earned her first all-Mountain West selection last season. Off the court, Dake was involved with her squadron as well as several community activities. She served as a squadron superintendent, monitoring the accountability of over 100 cadets, and as an assistant flight commander during basic training. In the community, Dake and her
Christen Monreal won the 2011 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
teammates volunteered for many local activities, including several events at Skyway Elementary School as well as the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society and the Marion House Soup Kitchen. Dake, a member of the commandant’s and dean’s lists at the Academy, graduated with a degree in humanities and a minor in philosophy. Her first assignment as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force is a Force Support Officer at Seymour-Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, N.C.
Christine Molina won the 2012 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2013-14 -- 23
YEAR-BY-YEAR / COACHING RECORDS Year 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 2013 Total:
W 4 8 8 4 12 21 16 17 15 11 12 16 21 15 22 17 12 15 15 20 15 12 20 14 13 15 15 13 8 9 10 6 10 16 16 17 13 468
L 9 4 3 3 11 9 13 11 9 10 5 8 9 12 6 5 16 11 6 8 10 15 10 9 16 12 13 14 18 18 16 21 17 12 10 8 11 352
Pct. .310 .667 .730 .570 .520 .700 .550 .610 .630 .520 .710 .670 .700 .556 .786 .773 .429 .577 .714 .714 .600 .444 .667 .560 .448 .556 .536 .481 .308 .333 .385 .222 .370 .571 .615 .680 .542 .571
Coach Capt. Jack Davis (4-9, .310) Capt. Charles Patton (8-4, .667) Capt. George Fritts (8-3, .730) Capt. Mike McClellan Capt. Mike McClellan Capt. Mike McClellan Capt. Mike McClellan (53-36, .596) Capt. Bill Allen Capt. Bill Allen (32-20, .615) Capt. Luvon Fowler Capt. Luvon Fowler Capt. Luvon Fowler Maj. Luvon Fowler Maj. Luvon Fowler (75-44, .630) Capt. Bob Swanson Capt. Bob Swanson Maj. Bob Swanson Maj. Bob Swanson (66-38, .635) Capt. Kim Green Capt. Kim Green Capt. Kim Green Capt. Kim Green (62-39, .614) Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley (195-206, .486)
Best Career Winning Pct.
Career Coaching Records -Name Kim Gidley Kim Green Bob Swanson Luvon Fowler Bill Allen Mike McClellan George Fritts Charles Patton Jack Davis
Years 1998-present (15) 1995-98 (4) 1991-94 (4) 1986-90 (5) 1984-85 (2) 1980-83 (4) 1979 (1) 1978 (1) 1977 (1)
Captain(s) Lisa Brightbill Lisa Brightbill Donna Lundquist Julie Grimmig Gail Cooper Gail Cooper Emily Reghy Ruth Denison, Rita Lane Tamaron Sharp Sara Beth Riddlehoover Tricia Heller Teri Cave Tatiana Stead, Layla DeStaffany Leslie Skinner D’Ron Longino, Jessica Talberg D’Ron Longino Laurel Scherer, Kim Schroeder Laura Simmons, Christine Rilovick Amanda Krantz Misty Holder Misty Holder Christel Helquist Julie Weiss Julie Weiss Kristel Chuntraruk, Brooke Parsons Brooke Parsons Heather Shelby Laura Nigro, Gina Black Katie Tomkie, Kat Bushey Kat Bushey Kelly Morgan Lauren Wilson, Erika Shortridge Christine Abayan Erlyn Rudico Christen Monreal, Sarah Cassman Tahlia Smoke Melissa Cecil, Hannah Dake
Wins 195 62 66 75 32 53 8 8 4
Losses 206 39 38 44 20 36 3 4 9
Pct. .486 .614 .635 .630 .615 .596 .730 .667 .310
# 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Name (Yrs) Bob Swanson (4) Luvon Fowler (5) Bill Allen (2) Kim Green (4) Mike McClellan (4) Kim Gidley (15)
Pct. .635 .630 .615 .614 .596 .486
Must have coached at least two seasons.
Most Career Wins
Jack Davis
Charles Patton
George Fritts
Mike McClellan
Bill Allen
Luvon Fowler
Bob Swanson
Kim Green
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# 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Name (Yrs) Kim Gidley (15) Luvon Fowler (5) Bob Swanson (4) Kim Green (4) Mike McClellan (4) Bill Allen (2) George Fritts (1) Charles Patton (1) 9. Jack Davis (1)
Wins 195 75 66 62 53 32 8 8 4
ACADEMIC AWARDS / TEAM MVPS Academic All-Conference Mountain West Conference (Div. I) 2013 Anastasia Hueffner Marcelli Magday Christine Molina 2012
Christine Molina Natasha Rixvi
2011
Sarah Cassman Megumi Voight
2010
Sarah Cassman Christine Molina
2009
Erlyn Rudico Sarah Cassman Shannon Young
2008
Erlyn Rudico Sarah Cassman
2007
Erlyn Rudico Karissa Walker
2006
Kat Bushey
2005
Kat Bushey Karissa Walker
2004
Kat Bushey Liza Vaccaro Karissa Walker
2003
Kat Bushey Kelli O’Bryant Heather Shelby
2002
Kelli O’Bryant Brooke Parsons Heather Shelby
2001
Kelli O’Bryant Heather Shelby
2000
Mae Li-Amick Susan Doyle Kelli O’Bryant
Western Athletic Conference (Div. I) 1999 Kacy Mitchell
Cassman
Young
Walters
Bushey
Parsons
Amick
Doyle
Mitchell
Most Valuable Players Year ................................................................................. Name Division II 1980 ...................................................................... Gail Cooper 1981 ...................................................................... Gail Cooper 1982 .......................................................................Chris Duffy 1983 ..................................................................... Emily Reghy 1984 ........................................................................... Rita Lane 1985 ................................................................ Tamaron Sharp 1986 ..................................................................... Tricia Heller 1987 ..................................................................... Tricia Heller 1988 ..................................................................Susan Wheeler 1989 .............................................................. Layla DeStaffany 1990 ................................................................... Leslie Skinner 1991 ................................................................Laura Simmons 1992 ................................................................Laura Simmons 1993 ................................................................Laura Simmons 1994 ................................................................Laura Simmons 1995 ................................................................Amanda Krantz 1996 .................................................................... Misty Holder Division I 1997 .................................................................... Misty Holder 1998 .....................................................................Nadine Lynn 1999 ................................................................... Kacy Mitchell 2000 ................................................................ Brooke Parsons 2001 ................................................................ Brooke Parsons 2002 ................................................................ Brooke Parsons 2003 ...................................................................... Laura Nigro 2004 ...................................................................... Laura Nigro 2005 ........................................................................Kat Bushey 2006 ........................................................................Kat Bushey 2007 ....................................................................Kelly Morgan 2008 ..................................................................Lauren Wilson 2009 .............................................................Christine Abayan 2010 ............................................................ Christen Monreal 2011 ............................................................ Christen Monreal 2012 ....................................................................Tahlia Smoke 2013 ................................................................... Hannah Dake
Academic All-Americans GTE Academic All-America Team 1991 D’Ron Longino (Third Team) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athlete 2009 Shannon Young 2007 Karissa Walker and Jennifer Walters 2004 Karissa Walker 2003 Kelli O’Bryant
Kelli O’Bryant
Karissa Walker
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SPORTS MEDICINE / HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB The Sports Medicine Division is one of the newest and most important divisions in the athletic department. Headed up by Lt. Col. Gerald McGinty, the division is split into three major areas. They are the human performance lab, strength and conditioning and the athletic training rooms. The human performance lab develops team and individual performance improvement. Educational workshops to coaches and athletes which results in consistent high performances and outstanding performances for all the athletic programs at the Academy. The sports vision branch attempts to improve a player’s focus and concentration. Al Wile heads the branch which helps players work on certain visual aspects of the game. Although critics argue that you can’t improve a player’s sight, these skills improve a player’s ability to focus on the task at hand. The Academy’s women’s tennis team has benefited greatly from this specialized training. Buck Blackwood, the head strength and conditioning coach, has been at the
HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB Athletes are taught at a very young age to take care of their body. Lift weights, run, eat healthy and the list goes on and on and on. But two very important pieces of the athletic puzzle are often left out.
Academy since 2003. He replaced Allen
The mind and the eyes.
Hedrick, who was at the Academy for 13
Not at the Air Force Academy.
seasons. Blackwood, along with assistant strength and conditioning coach Lt. Julie Rubino, and the staff make up computerized programs for athletes which tell them how much weight to lift, how many repetitions and when to increase in weight. Each sport at the Academy has its own lifting program. The athletic training department, under the direction of head athletic trainer Tony Peck, focuses on injury prevention, rehabilitation and on- and off-season workouts. The athletic trainers assist athletes with prevention by taping, bracing and completing thorough screening processes to help discover past injuries. The staff also assists with the on- and off-season workouts. Athletes have the luxury of having a fully-equipped athletic training room in both the Cadet Field House and the Cadet Gym. The athletic training room staff consists of 13 certified athletic trainers.
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Not at an institution where athletes compete at a very high level and rarely have the size and speed of athletes at other universities. This is where the Academy’s human performance lab can give athletes an advantage. The human performance lab in the athletic department falls under the direction of Lt. Col. Gerald McGinty and is headed by Lt. Col. Mike Zupan. Zupan, along with human performance coach Al Wile, operate one of the most sophisticated labs in the country and offer all its services to intercollegiate athletic programs. The lab conducts over 3,000 individual performance assessments annually and provides sports vision training to 17 major varsity sports. The lab’s database contains assessments of over 1,500 athletes, with the capabilities of providing coaches the chronological tracking progress annually of each one of his/her athletes. Body composition assessment using the “gold standard” hydrostatic testing (submerging underwater) method continues to be one of the most popular condition factors
most coaches are utilizing. Many coaches utilize upper and lower Wingate testing to determine anaerobic power thresholds, a simple 30-second test of pedaling an ergometer on a predetermined load based on 50% of body weight for arms and 80% body weight for legs. Aerobic testing is accomplished utilizing a SensorMedics cardiopulmonary VO2 max assessment system with treadmill. The lab has recently purchased a Peak Performance biomechanics assessment system with infrared cameras to conduct body motion analysis. Other lab assessments include blood lactate testing, strength assessments and flexibility assessments. The lab has become the pioneer program in the country in the area of sports vision. This program is directed by sports vision coach Al Wile, who has been working with athletes at the Academy since 1980. The women’s tennis team has greatly benefited from the program. Other teams highly involved with the sports vision training include football, baseball, water polo, gymnastics, diving, hockey, lacrosse, fencing and soccer. Wile and his staff believe that vision training is where weight training was 15 years ago, as evidenced by the interest in the Academy program from world-class athletes, Olympic athletes, professional athletes and other intercollegiate programs throughout the country.
THE MOUNTAIN WEST From its inception in 1999, the Mountain West Conference has been committed to excellence in intercollegiate athletics, while promoting the academic missions of its member institutions. Progressive in its approach, the MWC continues to cultivate opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level, while fostering academic achievement and sportsmanship. Now in its ninth year, the MWC has been assertive in its involvement with the NCAA governance structure and has taken a leadership role in the overall administration of intercollegiate athletics.
to the Liberty Bowl and a second team to the Las Vegas Bowl. Commissioner Craig Thompson also arranged a third bowl tie-in each of the first three seasons (1999 Motor City, 2000 Silicon Valley, 2001 New Orleans) before securing a four-year deal with the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco in 2002. Entering the 2013 season, the MW has six contracted bowl affiliations – the Las Vegas Bowl, San Diego Country Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl, Famous Potato Idaho Bowl and Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
The Mountain West is noted for its geographic diversity. Some of the most beautiful terrain and landscapes in the nation can be found within Mountain West boundaries, including the majestic Rocky Mountain range, which borders five MW institutions (Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico and Utah State). The high plains of Wyoming (elevation 7,220 feet – the highest Division I campus in the nation) contrast with the desert cities of Las Vegas and Reno, home to UNLV and Nevada, respectively, while Fresno State, San Diego State and San Jose State add a West coast influence with their locations in Central, Southern and Northern California. The inclusion of the Hawai‘i football program extends the Mountain West footprint to the beautiful islands in the Pacific Ocean.
An innovator in the postseason bowl structure, the MW engineered many “firsts,” as league teams have participated in five inaugural bowl games (2000 Silicon Valley, 2001 New Orleans, 2002 San Francisco (Emerald), 2005 Poinsettia, 2006 New Mexico), as well as placing the first nonautomaticqualifying BCS team into a BCS bowl game with Utah’s appearance in the 2005 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
HISTORY The Mountain West was conceived on May 26, 1998, when the presidents of eight institutions — Air Force, BYU, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah and Wyoming — decided to form a new NCAA Division I-A intercollegiate athletic conference. The split from a former 16-team conference re-established continuity and stability among the membership within the new league and signaled the continuation of its tradition-rich, long-standing athletic rivalries. Three of the MW’s eight original members have been conference rivals since the 1960s (New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado State), while San Diego State (1978) and Air Force (1980) were longtime members as well. UNLV and TCU entered the fold in 1996 and the Rebels continued as one of the original eight institutions that formed the MW in 1999. TCU re-joined the group with its first year of competition in the Mountain West in 200506. With conference realignment sweeping the nation in recent years, the MW has been proactive in addressing membership changes. Boise State University joined the Mountain West in 201112, followed by Fresno State and the University of Nevada on July 1, 2012. Also on July 1, 2012, the University of Hawai‘i became a football only member of the Conference. On July 1, 2013, the Mountain West further expanded when San Jose State University and Utah State University joined the Conference, bringing to 11 the number of fulltime member institutions and 12 football-playing members. When the Mountain West officially began operations on July 1, 1999, the new league had in place a seven-year contract with ESPN, giving the broadcaster exclusive national television rights to MW football and men’s basketball, and three-year agreements to send the league’s football champion
ACHIEVEMENT
2012-13 MWC Women’s Tennis Review Final Standings Team (Overall) TCU (18-6) UNLV (16-9) San Diego St. (12-13) Wyoming (14-9) Air Force (17-8) Boise State (8-12) New Mexico (8-13) Colorado St. (4-16)
Conference W L Pct. 7 0 1.000 5 2 .714 5 2 .714 5 2 .714 3 4 .429 2 5 .286 1 6 .143 0 7 .000
2013 MWC Championships
The MW has produced 793 All-America selections among its 18 sponsored sports (men’s swimming was discontinued as a Conference sport following the 2010-11 season) in the last 14 years, including a league-record 83 All-America honorees in 2010-11. A total of 138 MW studentathletes have also earned Academic All-America accolades in that span. The Mountain West has sent at least 25 teams to NCAA postseason events in each of the past 14 years, capturing three team national championships in women’s cross country and producing 33 individual national champions in the sports of men’s golf, men’s cross country, and men’s and women’s indoor track & field and outdoor track & field. Mountain West members have participated in 56 bowl games under the league umbrella, including four appearances in BCS games. The MW has earned 68 postseason bids in men’s basketball, including 38 NCAA Tournament appearances and two NIT Final Four berths. MW women’s basketball has tallied 60 postseason slots, including 32 NCAA bids, five Sweet 16 appearances and one Elite Eight berth since 2000. Wyoming won the MW’s first WNIT championship in 2007 with a win over Wisconsin. In women’s volleyball, the MW has had 36 NCAA bids with eight Sweet 16 berths and one Elite Eight appearance. Women’s soccer has earned 27 NCAA bids since 1999, with two Sweet 16 berths and one Elite Eight appearance. MW men’s golf has had at least four representatives in 13 of the last 14 NCAA Golf Regionals, while women’s golf has had at least three teams participate in NCAA Regionals 11 of the last 14 years.
@ USAFA, Colo.
Thursday, April 25 #9 Colorado State 4, #8 New Mexico 2
Friday, April 26 #1 San Diego State 4, #9 Colorado State 0 #2 UNLV 4, #7 Air Force 1 #6 Wyoming 4, #3 Fresno State 3 #4 Nevada 4, #5 Boise State 2
Saturday, April 27 #1 San Diego State 4, #4 Nevada 1 #2 UNLV 4, #6 Wyoming 2
Sunday, April 29 #2 UNLV 4, #1 San Diego State 1
The Air Force Academy hosted the 2013 Mountain West Tennis Championships. The Academy also hosted the tournament in 2007.
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THE USAFA 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 for four years in a row. 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.
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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 threeweek 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. 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.
www.usafa.af.mil
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.
USAFA SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Superintendent - Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson 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
Commander, 10th Air Base Wing Col. Stacey Hawkins
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DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Dr. Hans J. Mueh 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, he has the department on course to become a federally chartered non-profit organization which will lead to more fund-raising opportunities.
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 post-season in all three sports. In addition, under Mueh’s watch the men’s basketball team has played in an NCAA tournament and the National Invitational Tournament’s Final Four. Mueh hired current head coach Jeff Reynolds and helped him continue Air Force’s winning tradition last season. The ice hockey team has won three straight conference championships and made three straight appearances in the NCAA tournament. Mueh was on the selection committee that hired current head coach Frank Serratore and led the Academy’s move into the Athletic Hockey Association. The women’s basketball program has shown steady improvement and tied a school record with four league wins in 2006-07. The football program, the Academy’s flagship sport, went through a major overhaul. Mueh 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 five years, playing in the Armed Forces Bowl in 2007 and 2008.
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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. 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.
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 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.
Director of Athletics Dr. Hans Mueh is in his 10th season as the Director of Athletics. In 2006-07, Air Force was one of just three Division I schools to reach post-season play in football, men’s basketball and ice hockey and the first service academy to accomplish the remarkable feat.
USAFA 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, Col. Bart Weiss Jim Trego lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, water polo Vice Athletic Director Senior Associate AD and wrestling. The Academy fields women’s teams in basketball, cross-country, fencing, gymnastics, rifle, indoor and outdoor track, swimming and diving, soccer, tennis and volleyball. In addition, the Academy sponsors two non-NCAA programs; boxing and cheerleading. The majority of the Academy’s men’s and women’s programs compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons compete in this conference against teams from Boise State, Colorado State, 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 nationallyranked teams. The football team competes annually for the Commander-inMarti Gasser John Coulahan William Carpenter Chief’s Trophy, which is emblematic of service academy football Associate AD/SWA Associate AD Associate AD supremacy. The Falcons have won the trophy 18 times, which is Intercollegiate Programs Finance Recruiting Support more than any other academy. The winner of the annual rivalry visits the White House to have the trophy presented by the President of the United States. The USAFA Cadet Field House is one of the most impressive buildings in the country. It’s a modern, versatile structure with seemingly endless uses. The $5.6 million building is five stories high and 396 feet by 426 feet, the size of three football fields laid side by side. The structure is divided into three areas--basketball arena, ice hockey arena and multipurpose area. The three sections have a combined seating capacity of more than 9,000. Clune Arena seats 5,843. 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 department’s newest facility, the Holaday Athletic Center Dermot Coll Wayne Kellenbence Troy Garnhart (below), was completed in July 2011. CEO, Air Force Academy Associate AD Associate AD Athletic Corporation Support Info./Communications
George Nelson Associate AD Athletic Programs
Karen Warner Associate AD Human Resources
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