Air Force Announces Men's Soccer Class of 2014
6/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Air Force men's soccer coach Doug Hill announced today the 13 players that comprise the Falcons' incoming class of freshmen for the 2010 season. The group includes five players that have played in the Olympic Development Program, five from the United States Soccer Development Academy and two from the USAFA Prep School.
"We have a very solid recruiting class coming in this year and I'm looking for some of them to contribute right away," said Hill, who will enter his fourth season at the helm this fall after serving as an assistant for 13 years. "The recruits will need to fill some voids left by the seven seniors that graduated in May. With players coming from Hawaii to Alabama, we will need to blend them in to our system of play right away. We are also excited to have such fine young men join the Air Force soccer family and, in time, become future leaders of our country."
The newcomers will join a team that finished the 2009 season with a 7-8-2 record. The 2010 regular season kicks off Friday, Sept. 3 against Houston Baptist at the Academy
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 | Jake Chavers Height: 5-11 Weight: 175 Position: Defender Hometown: Chino Hills, CA High School: Chino Hills Club Team: Legends FC
Before Air Force Club: Played for Legends FC for six years … head coach was Alex Bengard.
High School: Three-year letterwinner in soccer … also lettered four years in track … first-team all-league and second-team all-CIF in soccer as a senior … second-team all-league as a junior … two-time league champion in the 400-meters … led track team to two league championships … received Presidential Academic Award … high school soccer coach was Kyle Shuler.
Personal Parents are Scott and Lisa Chavers … has two sisters, Carly (15) and Abbie (9), and one brother, Gabriel (7) … planning to major in business management ... would like to attend pilot training and start his own charter jet business following his time at the Academy … hobbies include motorcycle racing, swimming and running … played the piano for 10 years … favorite food is Italian food … favorite movie is Saving Private Ryan … favorite book is The Great Gatsby … favorite TV show is Mythbusters … person in history he would most like to meet is Ronald Reagan … greatest moment is sports was beating the Diamond Bar spring select team in the Cottontail Classic in 2004 … credits his father with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Jake has incredible enthusiasm for the game and his work ethic will ignite the team. He is a very athletic player who can get in behind with pace and deliver a left footed cross, which is his trademark. He will be competing for some time as an outside left forward."
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Height: 6-1 Weight: 165 Position: Defender Hometown: Evergreen, CO High School: Home School Club Team: Colorado Rush
Before Air Force Club: Played for Colorado Rush U.S. Soccer Development Academy club teams for two years … coaches were Carlo Cornacchia and Erik Bushey … team captain during 2008-09 season.
High School: Three-year letterwinner in soccer at Evergreen High School … honorable mention all-state selection as a senior … first-team all-conference as a sophomore … high school soccer coach was Peter Jeans.
Personal Parents are Doug and Claudia Downey … has four brothers, Ryan (31), Ben (29), Skip (26) and Nathan (22) … would like to attend pilot training following his time at the Academy … hobbies include hockey, ultimate frisbee and playing the guitar … favorite food is crab quiche … favorite movie is Les Miserables … favorite book is Tale of Two Cities … favorite TV show is 24 … person in history he would most like to meet is Alexander the Great … credits his brother, Skip, with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Caleb comes from a very strong Developmental Academy team (Colorado Rush) where he started as an outside back. He is quick to get into the attack and is a very smart player. He will battle for some time this season and, as he matures, will have a good career in our program."
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 | Height: 5-11 Weight: 175 Position: Midfielder Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO High School: St. Mary's Club Team: Pikes Peak Rush Nike
Before Air Force Club: Played for the Pikes Peak Rush Nike team … helped team to State Cup finals in 2007 … played for former Air Force head coach Lou Sagastume.
High School: Four-year letterwinner in soccer … also lettered one year in football … first-team all-state and team MVP in soccer as a senior … finished third in the state with 19 goals his senior season … led team to state semifinals as the team captain as a senior … honorable mention all-state as a junior … member of National Honor Society … high school soccer coach was Lou Sagastume.
Personal Parents are David and Lani Gendron … given name is John … has one brother, Scott (24), and one sister, Kristen (22) … would like to become a combat rescue officer following his time at the Academy … hobbies include skiing, hiking and mountain biking … favorite food is chicken parmesan … favorite movie is The Guardian … favorite book is The Heart of a Champion … favorite TV show is Burn Notice … person in history he would most like to meet is Nelson Mandela … greatest moment is sports was beating a rival high school by penalty kick shootout in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs his senior season … credits Coach Sagastume with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Jack is a natural goal scorer and did well in his club and high school as a center forward. He has a knack of finding the back of the net. He brings a very positive attitude to the team and will work hard to develop and become a more polished player. We like having local Colorado players play at the Academy."
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 | Height: 6-0 Weight: 195 Position: Midfielder Hometown: Sammamich, WA High School: Skyline Club Team: Eastside FC
Before Air Force Club: Played for Eastside FC … helped team to three state championships and three other state runner-up finishes … team was ranked 19th in the country in 2009 … advanced to regional semis in 2008 and quarters in '06 and '09.
High School: Four-year letterwinner in soccer … also lettered two years in football and swimming … high school soccer coach was Don Braman.
Personal Parents are Steve and Karin Kim … has two sisters, Lindsey (19) and Melanie (14), and two brothers, Thomas (13) and Bradley (11) … his father and an unlce graduated from the Naval Academy, another uncle graduated from USAFA and his grandfather and another uncle graduated from West Point … also recruited by Oregon State, San Jose State and Portland … favorite food is his mother's fettuccini alfredo … favorite movie is Avatar … favorite book is Harry Potter … greatest moment is sports was scoring the tying goal in the State Cup championship game in the last minute, leading to a PK shootout which his team won … credits his father and club coaches, Stuart Lee and Vince Volpe, with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Mitch is a very strong center back and a ball winner. He has great size and is a vocal player in the back that will add composure to our back line."
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 | Height: 5-10 Weight: 155 Position: Defender / Midfielder Hometown: Rockford, IL High School: Rockford Boylan Catholic Club Team: Rockford Raptors
Before Air Force ODP: Member of the Illinois Olympic Development Program from 2005-08 … selected to the Region II Pool from 2005-09 … helped team to ODP national championship in '07 … traveled to Costa Rica with ODP team in 2009 to play the Costa Rica national youth team … coaches were Ian Barker and Michael DesLauriers.
Club: Played for the Rockford Raptors for 10 years … team captain from 2005-10 … helped team to state runner-up finish in '05 and two third-place finishes at the President's Cup in Arizona … coach was Hugh Ward.
High School: Three-year letterwinner in soccer … first-team all-sectional and all-conference pick as a senior … helped team to two third-place finishes at the state tournament … team won two regional, sectional and super sectional championships … high school soccer coach was Chris Mera.
Personal Parents are Paul and Molly Klazura … has one sister, Megan (24), and one brother, Greg (21) … his brother is a senior soccer player at Notre Dame … his grandfather, Frederick Bradshaw, graduated from West Point in 1947 … considering pilot training following his time at the Academy … hobbies include water skiing, snow skiing and spending time with his family … also recruited by Xavier, Macalester College and Lewis University … favorite food is his mother's apple pie and chocolate chip cookies … favorite movie is Saving Private Ryan … favorite book is The Call of the Wild … favorite TV show is The Office … person in history he would most like to meet is John F. Kennedy … greatest moment is sports was playing in Costa Rica with the Region II ODP team … credits his parents with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Brian was a member of the Region II pool and is an energetic outside midfielder or back. He brings a strong work ethic and a positive attitude to the program. He is a versatile player that will develop very quickly."
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 | Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 Position: Defender / Forward Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO High School: Coronado Club Team: Pikes Peak Rush Nike
Before Air Force Club: Played for the Pikes Peak Rush Nike for 14 years … team captain for the 2009 season … helped team to state cup finals in 2007 … coaches were Dan Highstead, Paul Davison and former Air Force head coach Lou Sagastume.
High School: Four-year letterwinner in soccer … also lettered one year in football and basketball … second-team all-state selection and first-team all-area pick as a senior … also team captain his senior campaign … led team in scoring his final two seasons … honorable mention all-state as a sophomore … team MVP in soccer and football as a senior … five-time academic all-state selection … received the Presidential Excellence Award … high school soccer coach was Matt Brickell.
Personal Parents are Ron and Lisa Lemmon … has one sister, Megan (22) … hobbies include Frisbee golf, biking and climbing … also recruited by Oberlin and UCCS … favorite food is anything from Chipotle … favorite movie is Into The Blue … favorite book is Holes … favorite TV shows are Survivor and SportsCenter … person in history he would most like to meet is his grandfather … credits his parents with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Jason is another great addition to our program from Colorado and comes in as a stealth player. He has a good soccer body and good feet. He can battle for 50-50 balls up top and Isee him getting stronger in this area as he progresses through our system."
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 | Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 Position: Defender Hometown: Keller, TX High School: Keller Fossil Ridge Club Team: FC Dallas Academy
Before Air Force USAFA Prep School: Team MVP last season.
Club: Played for the FC Dallas U.S. Soccer Development Academy club team from 2008-09 … coach was Oscar Pareja … also played for the TFC Futbol Club and Dallas Texans Red ... helped team to the North America Memorial Day Cup championship in 2008 … quarterfinalists at the Dallas Cup in '08
High School: Four-year letterwinner in soccer … also lettered one year in track … started on varsity team all four years … region and district offensive player of the year as a senior … district utlilty player of the year as a junior … two-time team captain … qualified for regional championships in the 400-meters in track … member of National Honor Society … high school soccer coach was Howard Putter.
Personal Parents are Octavio and Lisa Ramos … has one sister, Gabriela (16) … would like to attend pilot training following his time at the Academy … hobbies include long boarding, hiking and paintball … also recruited by Brown, Old Dominion, Cincinnati and Dayton … favorite food is lasagna … favorite movie is Zombieland … favorite book is Gates of Fire … favorite TV show is The Office … person in history he would most like to meet is Abraham Lincoln … greatest moment is sports was recording a hat trick against a Turkish team at the 2007 Gothia Cup … credits his mother with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Clint brings good size to our midfield and center back positions. He has great feet and as a natural defender, he reads the play well. He was the MVP of our Prep School team and look forward to seeing him on the field this year."
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 | Height: 5-8 Weight: 178 Position: Midfielder Hometown: Alameda, CA High School: Alameda Club Team: Mustang Soccer Club
Before Air Force ODP: Member of the California Youth Soccer North Olympic Development Program from 2004-09 … selected to the Region IV Pool from 2008-09 … helped team to ODP regional championship and national runner-up finish in 2009 … team also finished second at nationals in 2006 … coaches were Robin Kane, Godwin Odea and Mario Sanchez.
Club: Played for the Mustang U.S. Soccer Development Academy club team from 2008-10 … coach was Carl Edwards … participated in the 2007 United Soccer League National Camp and the 2005 ID2 (National Identification) Camp … also played for the San Jose Lobitos, the Burlingame Juventus and the Bay Oaks Soccer Club.
High School: Four-year letterwinner in soccer … three-time all-league selection, including a first-team pick as a senior … two-time team MVP … three-time team captain … earned the 2009 league scholar athlete award … high school soccer coach was Eric Smiler.
Personal Parents are Ajit amd Lori Rana … has one brother, Aneesh (25) … given name is Ajaya … hobby is art … also recruited by UNLV, Cal Poly, West Point, UC Irvine, San Jose State and San Diego State … favorite food is Nepalese food … favorite movie is Stepbrothers … favorite book is Animal Farm … favorite TV show is Family Guy … person in history he would most like to meet is Abraham Lincoln … greatest moment is sports was winning the quarterfinals is the State Cup on a free kick in overtime … credits his father with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "AJ was a highly recruited Division I player that can play in the back or as a defensive midfielder. He is a very strong ball winner who has great vision and will have immediate impact with the team. AJ is a very good striker of the ball and pretty complete player."
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 | Andrew Salazar Height: 5-8 Weight: 136 Position: Midfielder Hometown: Las Vegas, NV High School: Advanced Technologies Academy Club Team: Neusport FC Club
Before Air Force ODP: Member of the Nevada '92 team from 2005-08 and 2009-10 … also member of the Region IV pool team … coach was Jose Gomez.
Club: Played for the Neusport FC club team from … coach was Frank D'Amelio … helped team to state cup championship and third-place finish at regionals in 2005.
High School: Four-year letterwinner in soccer for Legacy High School … four-time team captain … two-time all-city selection … member of National Honor Society … high school soccer coach was Jose Gomez.
Personal Parents are Andy and Patricia Salazar … has one sister, Angela (16), and one brother, Angelo (12) … would like to attend pilot training following his time at the Academy … hobbies include reading history books, playing X-Box 360 and all kinds of sports … also recruited by Colorado College, Vassar and Westminster College … enjoys all kinds of food … favorite movie is Forrest Gump … favorite book is The Bible … favorite TV show is anything on the History Channel … person in history he would most like to meet is Alexander the Great … credits his father with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Andrew is a skillful soccer player who plays in the center of the park and has good vision. He is growing into his body and will benefit being in our year-round system with strength and fitness to become a more complete player."
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 | Orlando Saldana Height: 5-10 Weight: 175 Position: Defender Hometown: Houston, TX High School: Cypress Falls Club Team: Houstonians FC
Before Air Force USAFA Prep School: Played at the Prep School in 2009.
Club: Played for the Houstonians FC team from 2005-09 … coach was Mirko Castillo … helped team to state and regional championship and national semifinals in 2007 … team also won state championship in '09.
High School: Two-year letterwinner in soccer … first-team all-district selection as a senior … led team to district championship … high school soccer coach was Kevin Napier.
Personal Parents are Orlando and Maria Saldana … has one sister, Sandra (25) … planning to major in engineering … would like to attend pilot training following his time at the Academy … hobbies include playing the saxophone and watching movies … also recruited by Denver, Creighton and Tulsa … enjoys all kinds of Mexican food … favorite movie is Old School … favorite book is Ender's Game … favorite TV show is Entourage … person in history he would most like to meet is Albert Einstein … credits his father with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Orlando is a center back that has good feet and defensive presence. He is a USAFA Prep school graduate and will add maturity to our program."
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 | Height: 5-11 Weight: 150 Position: Forward Hometown: Mililani, HI High School: Mid-Pacific Institute Club Team: Honolulu Bulls
Before Air Force ODP: Member of Island/State Pool Olympic Development Program from 2003-07 … also played in the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association Senior All-Star game.
Club: Played for the Honolulu Bulls club team … team captain ... coaches were Phil Neddo and Roy Gonsalves … helped team to six consecutive state championships and the U19 Division I championship in '09 … was the division's top goal scorer.
High School: Four-year letterwinner in soccer … named Gatorade Hawaii Player of the Year as a senior … conference co-offensive player of the year … led team to Division II state championship as a sophomore and senior … second-team all-state selection and first-team all-conference as a junior … two-time team captain … all-state honorable mention and second-team all-conference as a sophomore … all-state and all-conference honorable mention as a freshman … high school soccer coach was Jayson Abe.
Personal Parents are Craig and Eileen Sullivan … has one sister, Nicole (32), and one brother, Christopher (28) … hobbies include playing guitar and surfing … also recruited by St. Mary's College, UMass-Amherst and Rhode Island … favorite food is Hawaiian food … favorite book is The Outsiders … favorite TV show is That 70's Show … person in history he would most like to meet is Michael Jackson … greatest moment is sports was winning the league championship, the first ever by his high school … credits his brother with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Cody is another welcome addition to our program from Hawaii, joining Zane Dydasco and Cody Felipe. He is a tenacious forward that will continue to develop in our system of play. He comes in under the radar but I think we'll see him put points on the board early in his career."
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 | Michael Thrasher Height: 5-9 Weight: 165 Position: Midfielder Hometown: Birmingham, AL High School: Oak Mountain Club Team: Birmingham United
Before Air Force ODP: Member of the Alabama State ODP team from 2005-10 … also spent one year with region team.
Club: Played for the Birmingham United for seven seasons, including three with its US Soccer Academy team … helped team to three state championships.
High School: Three-year letterwinner in soccer … all-state selection as a senior … all-state honorable mention as a junior … two-time all metro and all-county … two-time Birmingham News scholar-athlete … helped team to the 2008 Alabama 6A State Championship as a sophomore … member of National Honor Society … high school soccer coach was Ryan Patridge.
Personal Parents are Jamie and Karla Thrasher … has two sisters, Mary Allison (16) and Lucy (11) … nickname is "Thrash" … planning to major in engineering … would like to attend pilot training following his time at the Academy … hobbies include playing tennis and video games … also recruited by Mercer and Oglethorpe.
Coach Hill's Comments "Mike is a hard working midfielder that has played in Development Academy System. He reads the game well and is a good program player. He is a natural leader that will grow into our system."
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| PHOTO UNAVAILABLE | Coleman Vivian Height: 5-2 Weight: 105 Position: Forward Hometown: Fayetteville, GA High School: Landmark Christian School Club Team: AFC Lightning
Before Air Force Club: Played for the AFC Lightning U.S. Soccer Development Academy club team from 2008-10 … coaches were Robin Dixon and Steve Muccillo … also played for AFC Lightning cub team for seven seasons.
High School: Four-year letterwinner in soccer … team captain as a senior … member of National Honor Society … high school soccer coach was Deaniel Wesche.
Personal Parents are Al and Jo Vivian … has one brother, Louis (18) … planning to major in foreign area studies … favorite food is BBQ ribs … favorite book is 1989 … favorite TV show is Lost … person in history he would most like to meet is Helen Keller … greatest moment is sports was winning the region championship, the first ever by his high school … credits his high school coach with the biggest influence on his sports career.
Coach Hill's Comments "Coleman is maybe the smallest player to ever roster on our team but he plays big. His speed of play and pace is impressive along with his intelligent reading of the game. As a quick, skillful player he will get in behind the defense as an outside forward." |
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