Air Force Women's Gymnastics Season Preview
1/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 7, 2010
Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Doug Day, the Air Force women's gymnastics team continues to improve ... and 2010 promises to be no exception.
The Falcons boast a wealth of returning talent on this year's roster, including four USAG All-Americans. Joining this already impressive lineup will be three talented freshmen, who appear ready to make an immediate impact on the Air Force lineup.
The backbone of the Falcons' squad will be the senior duo of Aftan Boudreaux (New Orleans, La.) and Michelle Denise (Kennewick, Wash.). Boudreaux was a USAG All-American on the uneven bars in 2009, while Denise captured honors on that event in 2008. Boudreaux, the runner-up at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships on the bars, will serve as the team's captain.
The Falcons' junior class features four gymnasts, including USAG All-America honoree Brittany Dutton (Tucker, Ga.). Dutton captured top-eight finishes at the USAG national meet on the floor exercise and in the all-around as a freshman. Dutton, a two-time all-conference selection in the all-around and one-time honoree on the balance beam, has become a force in the all-around for the Falcons and looks to continue that success this season.
Classmate Lisa Wong (Silver Spring, Md.) has become one of the squad's most consistent performers, competing in every meet during each of her first two years. Wong, an academic all-conference selection, has continually upped her scores, setting career-best scores in three of the four individual events and the all-around as a sophomore.
The class of third-year gymnasts also features Holland Davis (Dadeville, Ala.) and Ashley Green (Porterville, Calif.). Although the pair has seen limited action during each of their first two seasons, the pair has gained valuable experience and both look to make an emergence this season.
The injury bug has already attacked the sophomore class, taking two Falcons out of the rotation. Colby Chaput (Worcester, Mass.) and Samantha Jones (Sewell, N.J.) both suffered season-ending injuries during fall training. Chaput saw significant action on the balance beam, while Jones competed in every meet, including five as an all-around competitor.
While the Falcons will have to overcome the absence of Chaput and Jones, the Falcons return a pair of talented second-year gymnasts.
Jenna Dudley (Lynden, Wash.) returns to the gym, looking to continue the success she achieved during her first season. Dudley, a four-time all-conference selection as a freshman, earned USAG All-America honors in the all-around. She is the Falcons' lone returner with experience at the NCAA Regional Championship meet, as she placed 17th in the all-around.
Air Force also returns Katie Shetley (St. Louis, Mo.) to the rotation, following a strong conclusion to her first season. Shetley became a vital part of the vault lineup, tying for the squad's best score of the season with a third-place finish at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships.
The Falcons added three talented freshmen to their roster, including Tara Harris (Gilroy, Calif.), a three-time California state champion. Harris, the 2009 Western National champion on the vault, led her gymnastics club to a state title in 2008.
Also joining the lineup for Air Force are Erin Brown (Brighton, Mich.) and Britany Calley (Franklin, N.H.). Calley, a national qualifier, was a member of state and regional championship teams, while Brown was also competitor at the regional and national meets.
On the coaching front, Day returns to the sidelines for his fourth year as the Falcons' mentor. He is joined by Holly Tedeschi, a 10-year veteran of the Falcons' coaching staff, and Nelle Barriteau, a former Academy gymnast who returns to the staff after a one-year absence.
