Academy honors top athletes
5/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
May 29, 2007
Air Force Academy Honors its Top Athletes
USAF Academy, Colo. - The Air Force Academy announced the names of its top athletes for 2007 Individual Awards Ceremony on May 28. Hockey player Eric Ehn and track and field's Olivia Korte took home the most valuable male and female athlete awards, respectively. The athletic leadership award went to hockey player Billy Devoney while the scholar-athlete award went to women's swimmer Blair Leake. Other top six award winners went to men's swimmer Chris Kanute for athletic excellence and men's basketball player Jacob Burtschi for outstanding athletic achievement.
Team most valuable athletes for each sport were also recognized at the ceremony. A run down of each athletic award follows.
Top Six:
Most Valuable Athlete (Men) - Eric Ehn Eric Ehn became the most decorated Falcon hockey player ever and one of the most honored athletes in any sport. He was the first AFA, and first service academy player, ever selected as one of the top 10 finalists for college hockey's top award, the Hobey Baker. He was then named to the "Hobey Hat Trick" as one of three finalists and invited to the NCAA Frozen Four and the Hobey Baker ceremony in St. Louis, Mo. The Atlantic Hockey Association Player of the Year, Ehn became Air Force's first All-American as he was selected to the second-team by the RBK/AHCA All-American (coaches) and the first-team by InsideCollegeHockey.com and U.S. College Hockey Online. He is the first Atlantic Hockey/MAAC player and first service academy player ever named to the AHCA (coaches) All-American team. Selected as the team's MVP for the second straight season, he finished the season second in the nation in scoring with 1.60 points per game (just .08 out of the lead). He was also second in the nation in assists per game (1.00) and 11th in goals per game (0.60). In conference games only, Ehn set a new league record with 45 points (16-29-45) in 28 AHA games. He was a two-time league player of the week and led the league in points, goals, assists, shots and plus/minus in all games. As one of the most dangerous scoring threats in the nation, Ehn led the Falcons to the Atlantic Hockey Association tournament championship and the team's first-ever bid in the NCAA Tournament.
Most Valuable Athlete (Women) - Olivia Korte The 2007 MWC champion in the discus, Olivia Korte has continued to rewrite the Academy's track and field record books. During the indoor season, Korte set a new program standard in the shot put (47'6½"), as she earned all-conference accolades at the MWC Championships. During the outdoor season, Korte won the discus at the Oregon Invitational, while earning NCAA Regional Qualifying Marks in the shot put and discus throw. In addition, she picked up two event titles at the first-ever Military Classic to help guide the women's team to a second-place finish. By setting the Senior Class record in the discus, Korte became the first Air Force athlete - male or female - to hold all four Class Records in two different events, as she also holds the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior Class records in the weight throw. Last year, she became just the second Academy female to earn NCAA All-America status. She has also earned two MWC Athlete of the Week awards and all-conference accolades on six different occasions. Korte also added a MWC Championship meet record to her resume, as she broke the conference's six-year-old record in the discus throw. A two-time Outstanding Competitor for the women's track team, Korte currently holds three Academy records, including the weight throw, discus throw and indoor shot put.
Athletic Leadership - Billy Devoney Selected as the team captain by his teammates, Billy Devoney became the first Air Force hockey player ever named to the Lowe's Senior CLASS All-American first-team and was a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award. The award recognizes character, community, academics, leadership and on-ice performance. Devoney earned three of the team's seven major awards, including the Vic Heyliger Award, the Larry Cronk Inspirational Award and the Defensive Player of the Year honor. He set a new school record by playing in all 40 games this past season and led the Falcons to the Atlantic Hockey Association tournament championship and the team's first-ever bid in the NCAA Tournament. He scored 15 points on the season, but none bigger than his goal with 54 seconds remaining in the AHA semifinals vs. Sacred Heart. With AFA trailing 4-3, Devoney's goal, after AFA pulled its goaltender, tied the game and forced overtime. AFA went on to win the game and then beat Army, 6-1, in the championship game.
Scholar Athlete - Blair Leake Team captain and four-time Academic All-MWC Selection, Blair Leake has been on the Academy's superintendent's list all four years. Leake is an all-MWC selection in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke events. She holds the school record holder in the 200 breast and was named MWC Swimmer of the Week award winner. Her Academy military career includes Wing Director of Support and Safety during the summer of 2006.
Athletic Excellence - Christopher Knaute Chris Knaute is a nine-time Mountain West Conference champion. That total is tied for the most by any athlete in the conference. Knaute is a two-time MWC Men's Swimmer of the Year (as a sophomore and senior). He is also a two-time honorable mention All-American and Olympic Trials Qualifier. He owns four individual and five overall school records. Knaute is a four-time team MVP and team captain.
Outstanding Athletic Achivement - Jacob Burtschi Jacob Burtschi, a forward from Chickasha, Okla., averaged 13.5 points and a team-leading six rebounds per game in 2006-07. He earned an all-MWC second-team selection and was on the NABC's all-district 13 second-team. He also was named to the USBWA all-district 8 team and MVP of the Cable Car Classic and the CBE Regional at Stanford, Calif. Burtschi, a member of the NIT all-tournament team, is No. 1 on the school's career lists for games played (125) and steals (196) and 10th on the career scoring list with 1,205 points.
2006-07 Most Valuable Players
Baseball - Karl Bolt Karl Bolt ranked among the top hitters in the Mountain West Conference, leading the Falcons with a .359 batting average to go with eight home runs, 14 doubles and 44 RBI. Bolt had driven in four-or-more runs four times including two six-RBI games. A four-year starter, Bolt ranks among the Air Force career leaders in home runs, RBI, games played, walks and hit-by-pitches. Bolt is in the hunt for an All-MWC selection and has a shot at getting drafted in this year's Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
Basketball, Men - Jacob Burtschi Jacob Burtschi, a forward from Chickasha, Okla., averaged 13.5 points and a team-leading six rebounds per game this season. He earned an all-MWC second-team selection and was on the NABC's all-district 13 second-team. He also was named to the USBWA all-district 8 team and MVP of the Cable Car Classic and the CBE Regional at Stanford, Calif. Burtschi, a member of the NIT all-tournament team, is No. 1 on the school's career lists for games played (125) and steals (196) and 10th on the career scoring list with 1,205 points.
Basketball, Women - Alecia Steele Junior Alecia Steele earned her third-straight MVP honors for the Air Force women's basketball team. The squad's leading scorer and rebounder in all three seasons, Steele finished her junior campaign averaging 12.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest. A Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Week in January, Steele recorded eight double-doubles on the season, including a career-best 28 points and 15 rebounds against UNLV. She also hit the game-winning shot in the Falcons' tournament match-up against Colorado State, giving Air Force its first ever MWC Tournament victory. For her accomplishments, Steele earned all-conference honors for the third-consecutive season, selected to the All-MWC third team.
Boxing - Ian Tuznik Senior Ian Tuznik capped off his boxing career with his second consecutive National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) championship title in the heavyweight division. Tuznik posted a perfect 5-0 record on the year, including three victories that came in referee stopped contests. En route to becoming a three-time NCBA All-American, Tuznik claimed his third straight Wing Open title, while also earning his second NCBA Western Regional title. Tuznik was named the Academy's Boxer of the Week following a victory at the prestigious New York Athletic Club.
Cross Country, Men - Richard Elmore Elmore earned all-Mountain West Conference honors after finishing ninth at the conference championships. Clocking a time of 25:07, he became the 12th Falcon to earn all-conference accolades. In addition, Elmore was the Falcons' top finisher at the Roy Griak Invitational (101st) and the Pre-NCAA Meet (97th).
Cross Country, Women - Kelly Robinson Junior Kelly Robinson picked up the second Most Valuable Athlete honor of her career (she also received the honor as a freshman). She was the fastest Falcon in four of the team's seven meets, including the Mountain West Conference Championships (21st). Robinson also led the team at the Wyoming Invitational (11th), Utah Fall Festival (4th) and the Pre-NCAA Meet (184th).
Fencing, Men -- Nathan Smith Senior Nathan Smith was the fencing team captain. In 2007, Smith qualified for the second time in his Academy career for the NCAA Men's and Women's Fencing Championships. He qualified with his fourth-place finish in men's foil at the Western Region Championships. He finished 21st in foil at the NCAAs. In 2006, he was an NCAA qualifier, but due to his military leadership commitments, he did not compete in the NCAA finals. He won the Military Championships gold medal in 2006. In 2002, he placed eighth in the Division I National Championships in foil and has been a multiple time state, regional, and sectional champion. He served as one of three Basic Cadet Training Commanders in charge of Basic Cadet Training (BCT) for the class of 2010 in 2006. He concludes his Academy career as a Cadet Colonel permanent advisor to BCT staff.
Fencing, Women -- Lydia Bigelow Senior Lydia Bigelow was the 2006-07 fencing team captain. Her leadership has led the Falcons to several top finishes throughout her career. At the 2007 NCAA West Region Championships, she finished seventh in women's epee. At the Duke Invite in February, she finished with a 5-7 record. At the 2006 Falcon Open, she earned her "B" rating after she tied for third place in her event. She won the silver at the New Mexico Open last fall. Bigelow captured the Division III NAC women's epee title in 2006.
Football Special Teams - Hunter Altman Hunter Altman was among the team leaders in special teams tackles in 2007. He finished the season with 14 total tackles, including 10 unassisted as a backup safety and on special teams. Altman recorded his first career blocked kick vs. UNLV when he blocked a punt. The block led to an AFA touchdown.
Lineman - Drew Fowler Junior linebacker Drew Fowler led the conference and ranked 11th nationally in total tackles with a 10.2 average becoming the first Falcon since Chris Gizzi in 1997 to lead the league in tackles. The Clayton, N.C., product recorded 123 tackles, which is the most by a Falcon since Gizzi posted 179 in 1997. Fowler led the team in tackles in 10 of 12 games in 2006 and notched a career-high 18 tackles in the loss to Navy. His 18 stops are the most by a Falcon since Gizzi had 20 vs. Fresno State in 1997. He was named the conference's player of the week for his efforts against Navy. Fowler earned first-team all-conference honors for his efforts, becoming the first Falcon to earn first-team honors since Marchello Graddy in 2003.
Back - Chad Hall Junior halfback Chad Hall had a breakout season. He ranked fourth in the conference in rushing with a 65.3 per-game average. Hall rushed for a career-high 122 yards in Air Force's win at Wyoming. Hall hit the 100-yard mark for the second time this season and third in his career against Colorado State with 102 yards rushing. His two 100-yard efforts tie him for the team lead with quarterback Shaun Carney, who also rushed for over 100 yards against Wyoming and Colorado State. Hall nearly did it for the third time this season in the win over Army with 93 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Hall has topped the 20-carry mark three this season. He had 20 carries vs. Wyoming, 25 against Colorado State and 20 for a team-high 67 yards vs. Notre Dame. Hall hit the 1,000-yard mark for his career recently, becoming the 34th player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards. Hall is ranked 31st in school history with 1,128 career yards. Hall is just the third Air Force halfback in school history to earn all-conference honors and the first since Greg Johnson was a first-team all-Western Athletic Conference selection in 1989.
Golf - Tyler Goulding The top performer and MVP for the Air Force golf team for a third-straight season was senior captain Tyler Goulding, who led Air Force in eight of 13 tournaments for the year. The Falcons' top finisher at the Mountain West Conference Championship, Goulding earned all-conference honors for the second time in his career. A competitor for the Falcons in every tournament over the past four years, Goulding holds eight of the lowest 20 individual tournament scores in school history, more than any other Air Force golfer.
Gymnastics, Men - Brian Boardman For the second straight year, junior Brian Boardman was invited to compete at the NCAA National Qualifying Meet on the vault. A co-captain of the 2007 squad, Boardman improved his personal-best in the high bar, while nearly matching his personal-best on the parallel bars. Boardman collected Mountain Pacific Sports Federation all-academic team honors for the second straight year.
Gymnastics, Women - Sashonna Iwaniec Senior captain Sashonna Iwaniec concluded four years of consistency with a selection to the USA Gymnastics All-America second-team. Iwaniec, a two-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation all-academic team member, posted four of her five season-best scores at the MPSF and USAG competitions. Following the MPSF championships, Iwaniec was awarded first-team honors on the vault, uneven bars and all-around, while collecting second-team accolades on the floor exercise.
Hockey - Eric Ehn Eric Ehn became the most decorated Falcon hockey player ever and one of the most honored athletes in any sport. He was the first AFA, and first service academy player, ever selected as one of the top 10 finalists for college hockey's top award, the Hobey Baker. He was then named to the "Hobey Hat Trick" as one of three finalists and invited to the NCAA Frozen Four and the Hobey Baker ceremony in St. Louis, Mo. The Atlantic Hockey Association Player of the Year, Ehn became Air Force's first All-American as he was selected to the second-team by the RBK/AHCA All-American (coaches) and the first-team by InsideCollegeHockey.com and U.S. College Hockey Online. He is the first Atlantic Hockey/MAAC player and first service academy player ever named to the AHCA (coaches) All-American team. Selected as the team's MVP for the second straight season, he finished the season second in the nation in scoring with 1.60 points per game (just .08 out of the lead). He was also second in the nation in assists per game (1.00) and 11th in goals per game (0.60). In conference games only, Ehn set a new league record with 45 points (16-29-45) in 28 AHA games. He was a two-time league player of the week and led the league in points, goals, assists, shots and plus/minus in all games. As one of the most dangerous scoring threats in the nation, Ehn led the Falcons to the Atlantic Hockey Association tournament championship and the team's first-ever bid in the NCAA Tournament.
Lacrosse - William Meister Senior co-captain Will Meister was named the MVP for the 2007 Air Force lacrosse team. Meister, who led the team with 20 assists on the year, ranked second on the squad in total points with 33, while also registering a team-best six man-up goals. Meister, who has scored at least one goal or assist in 25 consecutive games, ends his career with 84 assists, ranking tied for sixth in the Air Force record book. Meister, who ranks among the nation's leaders in assists per game, also earned all-conference honors for the third straight season.
Rifle - Jessica Palomba Senior Jessica Palomba is the Academy Most Valuable Cadet in marksmanship (Rifle). In addition to her outstanding performance in competition throughout the season, Palomba did what all MVPs must do: Make her teammates better. As team captain, she was involved in every aspect of her teammates' lives, from military mentoring to personal instruction on the firing line. She set the standard in competitive excellence; shooting the high aggregate score for the Falcons in seven of nine competitions this season, a feat unequaled in the past decade. Her career highlights include an air rifle Personal Record of 585 X 600, and a Smallbore Personal Record of 575 X 800.
Soccer, Men - Ian Hauck Junior Ian Hauck, one of only three Falcons to start all 18 games in 2006, is the MVP for the Air Force men's soccer team. Hauck was the team's most consistent defender all season, earning first-team all-conference honors. He scored one goal and added two assists during the campaign. One of his assists came on the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over UNLV, giving coach Lou Sagastume his 300th career victory.
Soccer, Women - Corbin Sanford Corbin Sanford earned the MWC award despite being just a sophomore. She appeared in 19 games, starting 16 as a forward. She scored her only goal of the season against St. Mary's. In addition to winning the team MVP honor, she was a member of the BAE Systems Classic All-tournament team earlier this season.
Swimming, Men - Christopher Knaute Chris Knaute is a nine-time Mountain West Conference champion. That total is tied for the most by any athlete in the conference. Knaute is a two-time MWC Men's Swimmer of the year (as a sophomore and senior). He is also a two-time honorable mention All-American and Olympic Trials Qualifier. He owns four individual and five overall school records. Knaute is a four-time team MVP and team captain.
Swimming, Women - Blair Leake Senior Blair Leake was team captain for the Falcon women's swim team. Leake was named MWC All-Conference for the second-consecutive year. Leake was recently awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, one of just 58 student-athletes to earn one for the winter sport athletes. Leake is the Academy record holder in the 200 yard breaststroke.
Tennis, Men - Robert Alexander Robby Alexander played his entire senior campaign at the No. 1 singles spot for the Falcons. He posted nine dual wins during the season and won six in a seven-match span during the middle of the season. Despite consistently playing nationally ranked opponents in the MWC, Alexander played well and took two of them to a third set. Robby's best win of the season came against Henrik Almstrom of Rhode Island, rallying from a set down to win , 1-6, 6-2, 1-0(8).
Tennis, Women -- Kelly Morgan Kelly Morgan posted a team-high 24 singles victories in 2006-07, including a 15-9 record in dual matches. She was .500 or better at every position she played this season. Morgan, the only Falcon to win two dual matches against MWC opponents, won both of her singles matches at the Wyoming Invitational and advanced to the final of her flight at the USAFA Invitational last fall.
Track and Field Most Valuable, Men - Brian Walsh For the second straight year, senior Brian Walsh has been named the team's Most Valuable Player. En route to earning the 2007 conference champion in the decathlon, Walsh accounted for the third-highest point total in MWC championship meet history. Walsh has provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships on two occasions this season, including a career-best outing at the prestigious Mt. SAC Multi-Event meet. His 7334 points is the second-best performance in Academy history, a new Senior Class record and the third-best total in MWC history. During the indoor season, Walsh broke his own Academy record in the heptathlon, accumulating 5539 points to finish second at the MWC Championships. In addition to becoming just the third Falcon to claim all four "Class" records in a single event with his Senior Class total, Walsh posted the second-best MWC championship total and the third-best overall score in conference history. In addition, he has moved into the Academy's all-time top-10 list for both the indoor and outdoor long jumps. A two-time participant at the NCAA Indoor Championships, Walsh has accounted for five all-conference accolades during his impressive four-year career.
Most Valuable, Women - Olivia Korte The 2007 MWC champion in the discus, Olivia Korte has continued to rewrite the Academy's track and field record books. During the indoor season, Korte set a new program standard in the shot put (47'6½"), as she earned all-conference accolades at the MWC Championships. During the outdoor season, Korte has won the discus at the Oregon Invitational, while earning NCAA Regional Qualifying Marks in the shot put and discus throw. In addition, she picked up two event titles at the first-ever Military Classic to help guide the women's team to a second-place finish. By setting the Senior Class record in the discus, Korte became the first Air Force athlete - male or female - to hold all four Class Records in two different events, as she also holds the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior Class records in the weight throw. Last year, she became just the second Academy female to earn NCAA All-America status. She has also earned two MWC Athlete of the Week awards and all-conference accolades on six different occasions. Korte also added a MWC Championship meet record to her resume, as she broke the conference's six-year-old record in the discus throw. A two-time Outstanding Competitor for the women's track team, Korte currently holds three Academy records, including the weight throw, discus throw and indoor shot put.
Outstanding Competitor, Men - Kevin Hawkins Junior Kevin Hawkins claimed two Mountain West Conference titles this season, winning the 800-meter run during both the indoor and outdoor championships. During the indoor season, he moved into third on the team's all-time list with a time of 1:49.54, while also claiming the Junior Class record in that event. During the outdoor season, he ran the final leg of the sprint medley relay team that shattered one of the Academy's oldest records at the prestigious Drake Relays. With a combined time of 3:19.52, Hawkins helped shave two seconds off of a relay record that had stood since 1966.
Outstanding Competitor, Women - Sara Neubauer Even though she is just a freshman, Sara Neubauer has made an immediate impact on the Falcons' history. Having qualified for the NCAA Regionals in two events, Neubauer set a new Academy and Freshman Class record in the outdoor shot put with a conference-leading throw of 50'2¾". A conference-leading throw, that mark was the first-ever throw over 50-feet at the Academy. In addition to recording the second-best throw in the discus and the seventh-best toss in the javelin during the outdoor season, Neubauer earned all-conference (runner-up) honors in the shot and discus at the MWC Championships. During the indoor season, she rewrote the Academy shot put record several times, while setting a new Freshman Class record in the process.
Volleyball - Katie Batchelder In addition to being the only Falcon to play in all 88 games, Katie Batchelder was the only one to surpass the 200-kill plateau. Amassing 231 kills in her first season, she topped the rest of the field by nearly 80. The freshman led the team in kills during 17 of the team's 28 matches, including 11 of the last 13. She was also second on the team with 0.32 aces and 1.90 digs per game. She is the first player to collect Rookie of the Year and MVP honors during the same season.
Water Polo - Denver Sanders Senior Denver Saunders was named the Air Force water polo MVP for the 2006 season. The Falcons' starting goalkeeper, Saunders played in all 31 games for Air Force, which finished the season ranked, 17th in the nation. Saunders recorded 304 saves on the season, ranking third in the nation. Saunders was also the MVP of the East Meets West Tournament, hosted by Air Force in September.
Wrestling - Bridger Lord Senior co-captain Bridger Lord, the Falcons' starter at 149 pounds, was chosen as the 2006-07 Air Force wrestling team MVP. With the Falcons' leading win percentage, Lord recorded a dual meet ledger of 10-4 this season. A fourth-place finisher at the NCAA West Regional, Lord was one of three Falcons to earn WWC Wrestler of the Week honors this year.
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Players Mentioned
