Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo / Trevor Co
Air Force athletics nears end of successful 2021-22 season
5/25/2022 7:00:00 AM | General
Air Force athletics is nearing the close of 2021-22 season, as cadet-athletes from the class of 2022 will participate in graduation ceremonies today in Falcon Stadium. The class of 2022 includes athletes from 27 intercollegiate sports, plus cheer and boxing.
The newly-commissioned second lieutenants will be going into career fields such as contracting, remotely piloted aircraft, pilot training, engineering, personnel, acquisitions, diversity recruiting, logistics, aircraft maintenance, financial management, missile operations, intelligence, space operations, cyber operations, systems acquisitions and graduate school.
Air Force athletics has had another banner year. A breakdown of team and individual highlights follows, as well as senior's post-graduate assignments and a short recap of each sport. Baseball and outdoor track are still competing, so those recaps are not complete. The department recognized its top individual award winners and most valuable athletes from each sport earlier this week. To view that list click HERE.
2021-22 BREAKDOWN
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
• Air Force has won three national championships recently. Freshman Scott Rockett became the first Falcon to ever win the air rifle national championship, taking the title during the 2022 NCAA Championships March 12 at the Academy. Rockett reached the finals with a 598, just one point off his career best, in the team competition. He then shot a 250.2 in the finals.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (4)
Men's Cross Country -- Mountain West
Football -- Mountain West Mountain Division Co-Champions
Men's Indoor Track and Field -- Mountain West
Men's Ourdoor Track and Field -- Mountain West
• Air Force has won 27 conference championships the last seven seasons.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS (9)
Halle Hamilton, freshman, (Women's Cross Country) - Mountain West Freshman of the Year
Tristan Trager, senior, (Men's Soccer) - WAC Offensive Player of the Year
Ryan Ioanidis, senior, (Men's Indoor Track and Field) - MW Performer of the Year, Indoor Championships
Wen Zhang, junior (Men's Swimming) WAC Men's Swimmer of the Year
Cierra Winters, senior (Women's Basketball) -- Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year
Wyatt Hendrickson, sophomore (Wrestling) -- Big 12 Outstanding Wrestler Award at championship meet
Genevieve Sabado, freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Freshman of the Year
Sam Gilman, junior (Men's Indoor Track) -- Mountain West Male Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year
Genevieve Sabado, freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals Freshman of the Year
• Air Force cadet-athletes have been recognized as player of the year 41 times the last seven years. The Falcons had a school-record 10 in 2020-21, five in 2019-20, seven in 1018-19, three in 2017-18, five in 2016-17 and three in 2015-16.
COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS (5)
Ryan Cole (2), Men's Cross Country -- Mountain West Men's Cross Country; Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field
Ralph Lindeman (2), Men's Indoor Track and Field -- Mountain West; U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
Chris Gobrecht, Women's Basketball -- Mountain West
• Air Force coaches have earned 39 coach of the year awards the last seven years. The Falcons had three earn the honor last season, three in 2019-20, six in 2018-19, six in 2017-18, five in 2016-17 and 12 in 2015-16.
FALCONS VS. ARMY/NAVY
• Air Force finished 21-8 against Army and Navy this season, including a 14-4 mark against Army and 7-4 record vs. Navy.
• Air Force is 32-10 overall vs. Army and Navy the last two seasons, including a 22-5 mark vs. Army and 10-5 record vs. Navy.
• Air Force is 96-62-7 overall against Army and Navy the last seven years. The Falcons are 60-30-5 vs. Army and 36-32-2 vs. Navy.
Army-Navy Results (Last Seven Years)
Year Overall Army Navy
2021-22 21-8 14-4 7-4
2020-21 11-2 8-1 3-1
2019-20 11-12-1 9-4-1 2-8
2018-19 12-8-4 7-4-3 5-4-1
2017-18 15-15 8-9 7-6
2016-17 15-9 8-5 7-4
2015-16 11-8-2 6-3-1 5-5-1
Totals 96-62-7 60-30-5 36-32-2
LEARFIELD DIRECTOR'S CUP STANDINGS
Air Force is the top service academy and leads the Mountain West in the Learfield Director's Cup standings in 2021-22 following the final winter sports standings. The Falcons have 286.50 points to rank 55th nationally. Air Force has scored in men's cross country (57), football (45), fencing (42), rifle (73), wrestling (37) and men's gymnastics (32.5).
Air Force has been the top service academy 11 consecutive years and in the top three of the Mountain West seven straight, including this season.
2021-22 Learfield IMG College Director's Cup Standings
Mountain West Standings
# School (Nat'l) Points
1. Air Force (55)........... 286.5
2. Utah State (87).......... 149.5
3. New Mexico (91)....... 141.5
Service Academy Standings
# School Nat'l Points
1. Air Force ..... 55........286.5
2. Army............ 110...... 109.5
3. Navy............ 115...... 103.0
ALL AMERICAN HONORS (37 total, 11 academic)
Sam Gilman (2), junior (cross country) -- Finished 26th out of 253 at NCAA championships in 10K (29:25.4); Indoor Track -- second-team All-American honors with a 14th place finish in the 5,000-meters with a time of 13:52.34.
Grant Snyder, junior (water polo) -- Honorable mention, Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC)
Ryan Ioanidis, senior (cross country) -- U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)
Men's Cross Country -- U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)
Women's Cross Country -- U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)
Liam Markus, freshman (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Luke Hughes, sophomore (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Joe Sabo, freshman (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Anthony Tolbert, senior (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
David Brown, freshman (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Larsen McCarroll, junior (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Oliver Zavel, sophomore (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, parallel bars, high bar
Charlie Miles, freshman (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, high bar
Noah Everett, senior (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, parallel bars
Jake Sampier, sophomore (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, floor exercise
Garrett Braunton (2), sophomore (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, all-around, still rings; third-place finish in high bar at NCAA Championships
Erich Upton, freshman (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, all-around
Scott Rockett, freshman (Rifle) -- First-team (air rifle), second-team (aggregate), third team-team (smallbore), College Rifle Coaches Association
Peninah D'Souza, sophomore (Rifle) -- First-team (air rifle), College Rifle Coaches Association
Lauren Hurley, freshman (Rifle) -- Second-team (air rifle), College Rifle Coaches Association
Morgan Kreb, sophomore (Rifle) -- Third-team (small bore), honorable mention (air rifle), College Rifle Coaches Association
Amber Boll, junior (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (vault)
Val Smith, senior (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (beam)
Genevieve Sabado (3), freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (all-around), second-team (bars, beam)
Velandra Brochi (2), freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (all-around), second-team (floor)
Ayla McKean, freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (all-around)
Gabriella Meccia, freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- Second-team USAG (vault)
Jared Van Vleet, senior (Wrestling) -- National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete
Sam Wolf, sophomore (Wrestling) -- National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete
• Air Force has had 290 All-Americans awards the last seven seasons. Air Force had 44 earn the honor last season, 29 earn the honor in a shortened 2019-20, 34 in 2018-19, 48 in 2017-18, 47 in 2016-17 and a school-record 52 in 2015-16.
2020-21 Air Force Season Wraps
Football
Air Force finished the season 10-3 overall and was co-champion of the Mountain West Mountain Division with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons posted double digit wins for the second time in three seasons (2019), fourth time under Head Coach Troy Calhoun and ninth time in school history. Air Force capped the season with a 31-28 victory over Louisville in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas, to record its third consecutive bowl win dating back to 2016, including two straight over Power 5 teams. The team was 6-1 away from home this season, which tied a program record for away/neutral site wins which was first set in 1958. Air Force won the national rushing title for the second straight season and third time overall in program history with a 327.7 per-game average. The Falcons were the only team in the nation to average 300-plus yards. The offensive line, nicknamed the Diesel, powered the rushing attack and became the first Group of 5 team to be a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as the nation's top offensive line. The Falcons had four players earn all-Mountain West honors, as junior fullback Brad Roberts and senior offensive lineman Hawk Wimmer earned first team honors while senior defensive lineman Jordan Jackson and junior outside linebacker Vince Sanford were named to the second team.
Water Polo
Air Force enjoyed its best season in many years, finishing with a 17-9 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Western Water Polo Association. Air Force's 17 wins are the most under head coach Ryan Brown and the most since the 2012 team won 19. The 17 wins tied as the fifth most by any team in the nation. Air Force was also 9-0 at home, the most wins ever in an undefeated home season. Air Force defeated Navy to win The Vase for the fourth time in seven years. With wins over MIT and Brown, the Falcons improved to 11-1, the best start since 1977. Junior Grant Snyder earned first-team all-conference honors. Snyder tied for second in the WWPA and fourth in the nation in goals (87). He also tied for second in the WWPA and sixth in the nation with 111 points. His 87 goals are the second most in school history, the most since 1972, and his 111 points are the fourth most in school history.
Men's Soccer
Air Force concluded the 2021 season after a 4-3 loss to Seattle U in the semifinals of the WAC Tournament. It was Air Force's sixth-straight conference tournament appearance. The Falcons finished third in the league, and successfully defended the home pitch against all WAC opponents faced at home (6-0), highlighted by a season finale win against regular season champs, GCU. Air Force senior forward Tristan Trager was dubbed the WAC's Offensive Player of the Year, while six Falcons earned All-WAC honors. Trager, Jared Dove and London Aghedo won first-team honors, while Lathan Spadafora and goalie Kainoa Likewise won second-team nods. Freshman defender Kobey Stoup earned a spot on the All-Freshman team.
Women's Soccer
Air Force did not qualify for postseason play following a 6-10-2 finish, though the group did manage to provide excitement throughout the entire 2021 season. For the first time in program history, the Falcons defeated both Army and Navy in the same season, holding both service academies goalless. In Larry Friend's final season as head coach, the Falcons mustered a record of 3-0-2 in matches that extended into overtime, with all three wins coming at Cadet Soccer Stadium. As the result of a breakout offensive season, junior Faith Lee was named First-Team All-Mountain West after posting career-highs in goals (5) and assists (3). Freshman defender Hannah Johnson was named to the Mountain West's All-Newcomer team following a season in which she started 17 of 18 matches, but saw time on the pitch in all 18 matches. Her 1,575 minutes led all Falcon outfield players.
Men's Cross Country
The Falcons had a memorable 2021 campaign on the cross country course, as they won their second-straight Mountain West title, earned a No. 11 ranking in the national standings, claimed a top-20 finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and saw junior Sam Gilman become the program's 16th All-American. Ryan Cole was named the MW Coach of the Year for the fourth time in seven years, while a conference-record eight Falcons – Gilman (second place), senior Ryan Ioanidis (third), senior Will Kitzhaber (sixth), junior Scott Maison (seventh), sophomore Luke Combs (ninth), sophomore Sean Maison (10th), junior Ryan Johnson (11th) and junior Ethan Marshall (13th) – captured all-conference honors. Johnson, (Scott) Maison and Ioanidis also nabbed all-region accolades following top-25 performances at the NCAA Mountain Regional.
Women's Cross Country
Members of the cross country freshman class paced the Falcons in every race during the 2021 season, with Lindsey Peters earning Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors and Halle Hamilton becoming the first female in program history to earn the Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors. The women combined for a fourth-place finish at the MW Championships – a placement that only trailed three nationally-ranked teams, and capped the year with a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Mountain Regional – the second-highest finish by an unranked team at that meet.
Volleyball
The Falcons finished the 2021 season with a 7-21 record and a 4-14 mark in Mountain West play. Highlighted by a thrilling, come from behind five-set victory over Power 5 opponent Iowa, the Falcons closed out the non-conference season with three-straight wins. In league play, Air Force posted home wins over Fresno State, Nevada, Wyoming and San Diego State – with the latter marking the Falcons' fourth-straight win over the Aztecs at the Academy. Mac Russ became the first Falcon to earn a MW Freshman of the Week award, while senior Bailey Keith, an all-conference honorable mention selection, became the first Air Force player to be named a semifinalist for the Senior CLASS Award.
Rifle
The Air Force rifle team finished fifth in the NCAA Championships, held at the Air Force Academy, March 11-12. Air Force reached the NCAAs for the eighth straight year and posted the highest finish since 2019. The Falcons set new school records in all three areas: smallbore, air rifle and aggregate during the season. Freshman Scott Rockett became the first Falcon to ever win the NCAA air rifle national championship. Two Falcons, Peninah D'Souza and Lauren Hurley each shot a perfect score of 600 in air rifle, the first Falcons to ever hit that mark. Rockett earned All-American honors in all three disciplines, first team in air rifle, second team in aggregate and third team in small bore. Morgan Kreb earned third-team honors in smallbore and was honorable in air rifle. D'Souza was first team in air rifle and Hurley was second team. Rockett was named the team's MVP.
Hockey
The Air Force hockey team finished the 2021-22 season with a 16-17-3 overall record and placed sixth in the Atlantic Hockey regular season with an 11-12-3 record. Air Force, with just one senior, was picked ninth in the AHA preseason coaches' poll. To say the young team exceeded expectations would be an extreme understatement. Air Force earned a first-round bye in the conference tournament, swept third-seeded Army in a playoff series at West Point and defeated fourth-seeded RIT in the AHA semifinals. The berth in the AHA championship game was the eighth in school history and the first since 2018. The 16 wins tied as the most since 2018. Junior defenseman Brandon Koch was named third-team all-conference and was named to the all-tournament team. Freshmen Clayton Cosentino and Mitchell Digby were named to the all-rookie team. Sophomore Will Gavin, the team's leading scorer with 29 points (16-13-29) was also named all-tournament.
Wrestling
Wrestling concluded the 2021-22 campaign with a 4-9 overall dual record and a 1-8 mark in the Big 12, finishing 10th in the league at the conference tournament. Individually, the Falcons had seven champions across five major tournaments, highlighted by the team's first-ever Big 12 champion in sophomore heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson. Three Falcons placed at the conference tournament and two individuals qualified for the national tournament.
Women's Swimming
Women's Swimming concluded the 2021-22 campaign with a 6-7-1 overall dual mark and a 0-3 finish in Mountain West swimming action. Air Force finished seventh at the league tournament led by freshman standout Corbyn Cormack who placed second in the 200 IM. Individually, the Falcons impacted the program record books 31 times, highlighted by a program record finish by Cormack in the 100 butterfly.
Men's Swimming
The men's swimming team concluded the 2021-22 campaign with an 8-2 record with a 2-0 mark in WAC meets. Air Force posted three WAC records and seven Academy records highlighted by three championship finishes to finish second in the team race at the league tournament. Junior standout swimmer Wen Zhang qualified for the NCAA Tournament at the conclusion of his stellar season.
Diving
Diving concluded the 2021-22 campaign with a pair of divers earning spots in the NCAA Zone E Qualifiers. Freshman men's standout Alex Kenyon and women's Cristin von Schlag led their respective squads in high scores.
Fencing
Air Force men's fencing went 15-15 and the women's team went 13-21 in team competition in 2021-22. The Falcons had three NCAA qualifiers. Air Force finished 16th overall at the NCAA Championships. Air Force capped the season with a 4-0 sweep of service Academy rivals Army and Navy at the All-Academy Duals. Junior Matthew Han captured the NCAA West Regional title in the men's epee. Senior Erin Shea captured the MPSF title in women's saber.
Men's Basketball
Air Force men's basketball went 11-19 overall and finished 10th in the Mountain West with a 4-13 record in conference play. Air Force more than doubled its win total from a season ago (from five wins to 11). The Falcons posted a winning home record at 7-6. Air Force had a seven-game winning streak the best in the program since 2007. Air Force was also crowned the Sunshine Slam Champions by going 3-0 in the event, including consecutive wins at the host site in Daytona Beach, Fla. Senior guard AJ Walker also earned Sunshine Slam MVP honors.
Women's Basketball
The Falcons crafted their most successful season in program history in 2021-22, as Air Force's 19 overall wins and 11 conference wins were both program-bests. Led by Chris Gobrecht, the Mountain West Coach of the Year, the Falcons claimed four season-sweeps of conference opponents, also a program first. Cierra Winters was named Mountain West Defensive Player while Riley Snyder was named All-Mountain West en route to becoming Air Force's all-time leading Division I scorer. Air Force clinched its first-ever bye in the Mountain West Tournament where the Falcons defeated Nevada to advance to the semifinal round for the first time in program history. Air Force eventually was awarded an at-large berth in the Women's National Invitational Tournament, as the Falcons picked up their first-ever postseason tournament win in the opening round, defeating San Francisco 64-60.
Men's Gymnastics
An All-American high bar performance from sophomore Garrett Braunton capped a 2022 campaign that saw the program improve steadily throughout the year. Braunton, who tied for third on the high bar to match the second-highest NCAA finish in program history, was one of three Falcons to qualify to the NCAA finals. Placing fifth in their NCAA qualifying session – and 10th overall – Air Force accounted for the best overall finish at the NCAA championship meet since the program returned to the team lineup in 2011. The Falcons also finished second in the team standings at the All-Academy Championships and USAG Collegiate Nationals, while placing fourth at the MPSF Championships.
Women's Gymnastics
Air Force showed it is a program on the rise in 2022. Over the course of the spring, the Falcons posted three of the top five team scores in program history, including a season-high 195.700, the second-highest score Air Force has ever received. Genevieve Sabado was a conference-high four-time recipient of the MPSF Freshman of the Week award in 2022, resulting in her selection as the MPSF Freshman of the Year. Sabado is the first-ever Air Force MPSF Women's Gymnastics Freshman of the Year, and the first Air Force gymnast to earn an end-of-the-year major award in over a decade. The Falcons ended the 2022 season placing second at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals with nine All-American selections.
Boxing
Backed by three national champions – senior Lawrence Barrett (125 pounds), junior Walker Morris (185 pounds) and sophomore Victor Benitez (heavyweight), the men finished second at the NCBA National Championships – the first national meet in three years. The men accounted for their 38th NCBA Regional title in 41 years, while the women captured the first in program history. As a combined group, Air Force defeated Army West Point at Globe Life Field in Texas, while also having strong performances at the Bearcat Brawl and Arthur Mercante Invitational.
Golf
Under first-year head coach Tyler Goulding, the Falcons fielded one of the youngest teams in the conference. At the Mountain West Championships, the Falcon lineup consisted of one junior, two sophomores and two freshmen. Freshman Cameron Kahle led the team with a 77.16 on the season. Junior Isaac Layne, the team MVP, was close behind at 77.27. Layne and freshman Christopher Park each shot a 69 during the season, tied at the best round of the season. The Falcons placed 11th at the Mountain West Championships to end the season.
Women's Tennis
Air Force women's tennis posted a 17-9 record in dual matches. The Falcons set a program record with six wins in Mountain West play. The Falcons notched its 13th consecutive winning season, currently the longest streak at the Academy. Air Force won at Wyoming for just the second time ever and defeated conference champion San Diego State 4-0 for its first-ever win over the Aztecs. Senior Vivian Glozman earned All-MW singles and doubles and freshman Karina Chao earned All-MW doubles.
Men's Tennis
Air Force men's tennis posted an 15-9 record for its most wins since 2005. The Falcons set a program record with three Mountain West wins for a third-place finish. Air Force won at UNLV for the first time ever and its two points at the MW Championship tournament were the most since 2005. Senior Robert Baylon earned All-MW singles and doubles. Senior Jordan Azuma earned All-MW doubles and junior Jonathan Mascagni earned All-MW singles. Air Force also defeated Army at the USTA Center in Orlando, FL.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse concluded the 2022 campaign with an 8-7 overall record and a 3-2 mark in the ASUN, finishing third in the league. The Falcons qualified for the conference postseason tournament where they fell to Robert Morris in the semifinals. Seven Air Force players earned All-Conference nods, highlighted by a league high three first teamers. For the first time since joining Div. I, the Falcons had two 50-point scorers.
Baseball (as of May 23)
Air Force closed the regular season with an even 27-27 record while finishing 15-15 in Mountain West play. As a result, the Falcons clinched the final seed of the Mountain West Tournament, and are scheduled to play top-seed UNLV on Thursday, May 26 at 7 pm MT. After a sterling regular season, the Falcons 27 overall wins is the most since 2017, having qualified for the conference tournament for the first time since 2016. Air Force has set a myriad of program-bests in 2022, including the most home runs in a single season (84), as well as the most strikeouts ever by the Falcons pitching staff (397). Sophomore Sam Kulasingam became the single-season all-time hits leader, owning 98 hits this spring. His .412 batting average sits 3rd among all Division players. The Falcons enter the Mountain West Tournament leading the conference in home runs (84) and fielding percentage (.973).
Men's Track and Field (as of May 23) – Backed by eight conference titles and a program-best 16 all-conference (top-three) finishes, the men captured the 2022 title at the Mountain West Indoor Championships in February, as 30 different scorers helped the team to an eight-point comeback championship. Senior Ryan Ioanidis, who swept the titles in the two longest races (3000-meter run, 5000-meter run), was named the MW Performer of the Meet, while head coach Ralph Lindeman captured his 17th coach of the year award and junior Sam Gilman, an All-American in the 5000-meter run, was named the Mountain West Indoor Athlete of the Year. The men set six Academy Records during the indoor season, while Gilman also broke the Mountain West Record at 5000 meters. Backed by three conference titles and scoring (top-eight) finishes in 39 of 48 opportunities, the men also claimed the MW Outdoor title, completing the program's second Triple Crown (cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field). Interim head coach Ryan Cole was named the MW Outdoor Coach of the Year, as the team qualified 12 to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The Falcons have combined for more than 40 improvements to the Air Force Top 25 during the outdoor season and accounted for 26 Athlete of the Week awards from the conference office.
Women's Track and Field (as of May 23) – The women have been rewriting the Air Force Record Book this season, tallying one program record and 34 additions to the all-time standings in the indoor season and two more standards and 30 improvements to the Academy's Top 25 so far this outdoor season. The Falcons finished fourth at the annual Air Force Invitational and added top-10 finishes at the Aztec Invitational, Jim Click Shootout and both Mountain West Championship meets. Air Force also finished 11th in the Relay Cup standings at the famed Drake Relays – a finish that matches the best placement in program history. Four women have combined for seven conference awards. Two Falcons qualified to the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Class of 2022 Senior Assignments
Baseball
CJ Dornak, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Cayden Zimmermann, Hel. Pilot, Fort Rucker, AL
Nathan Price, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Zach Argo, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Stevan Fairburn, Medical School, Ala.-Birmingham
Braydon Altorfer, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Gabriel Garcia, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Rob Martin, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Women's Basketball
Audrey Gadison, Missiles, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Briana Autrey-Thompson, Finance, Robins AFB, GA
Haley Jones, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Cierra Winters, Acquisitions, Los Angeles AFB, CA
Riley Snyder, Force Supprt, Charleston AFB, SC
Men's Basketball
AJ Walker, Management, USAFA Prep, CO
Abe Kinrade, Acquisitions, Wright-Paterson AFB, OH
Boxing
Lawrence Barrett, Missiles, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Ryan Dinndorf, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Maddie Lloyd, Hel. Pilot, Fort Rucker, AL
Alan Manzo, Civil eng., Vanenberg AFB, CA
Ayaz Mustafa, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Maksat Omar, Serving in Kazakhstan military
Zach Phillips, Combat Systems, Pensacola, FL
Samantha Thompson, Euro-Nato Pilot, Sheppard AFB, TX
Cheer/Spirit
Trey Shuford, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Payton Wilson, Pilot, Columbus AFB, OH
Haley Hartley, Pilot, Columbus AFB, OH
Shanna Hoven, Intelligence, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Fencing
Nestor Levin, Nuclear Chemist, Grad School, TBA
Chip Maurer, Cyber Warfare, Keesler AFB, MS
Aaron Mayfield, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Will Nikolai, Cyber Warfare, Biloxi AFB, MS
Zack Yung, Missiles, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Erin Shea, Astronautical Eng., Grad School, Purdue
Football
Brock Assel, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Kolby Barker, Acquisitions, Beale AFB, CA
Ryan Booth, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Warren Bryan, Space Ops, Vandenburg AFB, CA
Tre Bugg III, Space Force Acquisitions, TBA
Noah Bush, Acquisitions, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Kris Campbell, Logistics, Eglin AFB, FL
Ethan Erickson, Ops Research, Hill AFB, UT
David Eure, Acquisitions, Travis AFB, CA
Jake Goldberg, Financial Mgt, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
Brandon Gooding, Aircraft Maint., Beale AFB, CA
Brice Honaker, RPA, Randolph AFB, TX
Caleb Humphrey, Aircraft Maint., Minot AFB, ND
Jordan Jackson, Civil Engineer, TBA
James Jones, Missiles, McDill AFB, FL
Dalton King, Pilot, Columbus AFB, OH
Brandon Lewis, Contracting, Hurlburt Field, FL
Cedrick McNeal, Missiles, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Demonte Meeks, Civil Engineer, Elmendorf AFB, AK
Benjamin Mercer, Aircraft Maint., Mildenhall AFB, Eng
Kenny Ngaima, Acquisitions, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
McKenly O'Neal, Acquisitions, Hanscom AFB, MA
Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl, Missiles, Malmstrom AFB, MT
Jake Spiewak, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Corvan Taylor, Acquisitions, Los Angeles AFB, CA
Lakota Wills, Acquisitions, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Hawk Wimmer, Space Ops, USAFA Prep School, CO
Golf
Colter Baca, Air Battle Manager, Tyndall AFB, FL
Jonathan Farmer, Marines, Marine CB, Quantico, VA
Women's Gymnastics
Valerie Smith, Space Ops, Vandenberg, AFB, CA
Daija Stevenson, Intelligence, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Natalie Meyer, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Grace Bardes, Logistics, Barksdale AFB, LA
Cameo Stapleton, Acquisitions, Hanscomb AFB, MA
Men's Gymnastics
Beckett Andersen, Acquisitions, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Colin Douglas, Cyber, Keesler AFB, MS
Noah Everett, Physicist, Patrick SFB, FL
Collin Hickey, Cyber, Keesler AFB, MS
Hockey
Alex Schilling, Acquisitions, Los Angeles SFB, CA
Lacrosse
Quentin Carlile, Missiles, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Brenden Crouse, Acquisitions, Maxwell AFB, AL
Chase Douglas, Space Ops, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Cole Grindberg, Acquisitions, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
August Johnson, Missiles, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Christian Marshall, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Brian Michael, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Ian Mullins, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Caden Wolfson, Acquisitions, Hill AFB, UT
Rifle
Peter Fiori, Post-graduation status pending
Ryan Habeck, Security Forces, Minot AFB, ND
Devin Schwindt, Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, OH
Women's Soccer
Keelyn Osoba, Grad School, CU-Boulder
Natalia Gutierrez, Intel., Goodfellow AFB, TX
Bella Colandrea, Cyber Grad School, Keesler AFB, MS
Tatiana Limon, Post-graduation status pending
Men's Soccer
Thomas Canady, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Giuliano Daniel, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Jared Dove, Acquisitions, Boston, MA
Kainoa Likewise, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Michael Neacsu, Acquisitions, Boston, MA
Lathan Spadafora, Acquisitions, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Dylan Stanley, Force Support, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Tristan Trager, Acquisitions, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Women's Swimming and Diving
All Armbruster, Med. Service Corps, Eglin AFB, FL
Emily Bardak, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Lia Campbell, Space Ops, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Krystal Irwin, Post-graduation status pending
Evelyn Johnson, Space Ops, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Curi von Schlag, Grad School, Texas A&M
Caroline Wittich, Intelligence, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Men's Swimming and Diving
Logan Davis, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Adam Grimm, Dev. Engineer, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Andrew Limpert, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Jack Macceca, Missiles, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Corey Shepard, Pilot, Sheppard AFB, TX
Women's Tennis
Alex Kuo, Space Ops/Grad School, Notre Dame
Men's Tennis
Jordan Azuma, Acquisitions, Holloman AFB, NM
Robert Baylon, Missiles, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Alex Krawietz, Finance, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Women's Track and Field/Cross Country
Mikayla Gallagher, Astro. Eng., Buckley SFB, CO
Kristin Kerrigan, Acquisitions, Hanscom AFB, MA
Jenna Kill, Helicopter Pilot, Fort Rucker, AL
Ari Martinez, Grad school, Notre Dame
Brid O'Connell, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Frankie Porambo, Contracting, Nellis AFB, NV
Grace Proesch, Space Ops., Vandenberg SFB, CA
Michelle Roca, Grad school, Harvard
Adrianna Wilder, Acquisitions, Hanscom AFB, MA
Erika Willis, Med. School, Rocky Vista
Men's Track and Field/Cross Country
La'akea Aiu, Intelligence, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Garrett Blenkush, Dev. Engineer, Kirtland AFB, NM
William Broadus, Missiles, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Ryan Brown, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Calvin Ciganik, Civil Engineer, JB Charleston, SC
Charles Dimnwaobi, Missiles, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Ethan Gardner, RPA, Randolph AFB, TX
Sean Geither, Grad school, Purdue
Jake Hall, Cyber, Keesler AFB, MS
Ryan Ioanidis, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
AJ Kedge, Acquisitions, Hanscom AFB, MA
Will Kitzhaber, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Wyatt Murphy, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Nick Oesterling, Space Ops, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Jarod Pankau, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Frank Rossi, Grad school, Northeastern
LaShawn Taylor, Missiles, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Joseph Wittig, Grad school, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Matt Zacharias, Cyber, Keesler AFB, MS
Volleyball
Abigail Collins, Security Forces, Minot AFB, ND
Vittoria Juarez, Space Ops, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Bailey Keith, Med School, Texas A&M
Lily Landis, Air Battle Mgt, Tyndall AFB, FL
Water Polo
Anthony Tolbert, Grad/Cyber, Wright Patt. AFB, OH
Zach Shelley, Acquisitions, Los Angeles SFB, CA
James Daugherty, Acquisitions, Los Angeles SFB, CA
Henry Yavitt, Acquisitions, Los Angeles SFB, CA
Corey Tanis, Acquisitions, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
Gavin Jones, Missiles, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Sam Fuller, Acquisitions, Maxwell AFB, AL
Wrestling
Bradley Bitting, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Hunter Bleakney, Pilot, JBL Lewis-McChord, WA
Trey Brisker, Pilot, USAFA Prep, USAFA
Vinny Dolce, Acquisitions, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Sidney Flores, Acquisitions, Los Angeles AFB, CA
Kayne Hutchison, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Jack Johnson, Pilot, Hurlburt AFB, FL
Harlan Steffensmeier, Civil Eng., Spangdahlem, GE
Jake Thompson, Maintenance, Yokota AFB, Japan
Jared Van Vleet, Medical School, Oklahoma State
The newly-commissioned second lieutenants will be going into career fields such as contracting, remotely piloted aircraft, pilot training, engineering, personnel, acquisitions, diversity recruiting, logistics, aircraft maintenance, financial management, missile operations, intelligence, space operations, cyber operations, systems acquisitions and graduate school.
Air Force athletics has had another banner year. A breakdown of team and individual highlights follows, as well as senior's post-graduate assignments and a short recap of each sport. Baseball and outdoor track are still competing, so those recaps are not complete. The department recognized its top individual award winners and most valuable athletes from each sport earlier this week. To view that list click HERE.
2021-22 BREAKDOWN
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
• Air Force has won three national championships recently. Freshman Scott Rockett became the first Falcon to ever win the air rifle national championship, taking the title during the 2022 NCAA Championships March 12 at the Academy. Rockett reached the finals with a 598, just one point off his career best, in the team competition. He then shot a 250.2 in the finals.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (4)
Men's Cross Country -- Mountain West
Football -- Mountain West Mountain Division Co-Champions
Men's Indoor Track and Field -- Mountain West
Men's Ourdoor Track and Field -- Mountain West
• Air Force has won 27 conference championships the last seven seasons.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS (9)
Halle Hamilton, freshman, (Women's Cross Country) - Mountain West Freshman of the Year
Tristan Trager, senior, (Men's Soccer) - WAC Offensive Player of the Year
Ryan Ioanidis, senior, (Men's Indoor Track and Field) - MW Performer of the Year, Indoor Championships
Wen Zhang, junior (Men's Swimming) WAC Men's Swimmer of the Year
Cierra Winters, senior (Women's Basketball) -- Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year
Wyatt Hendrickson, sophomore (Wrestling) -- Big 12 Outstanding Wrestler Award at championship meet
Genevieve Sabado, freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Freshman of the Year
Sam Gilman, junior (Men's Indoor Track) -- Mountain West Male Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year
Genevieve Sabado, freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals Freshman of the Year
• Air Force cadet-athletes have been recognized as player of the year 41 times the last seven years. The Falcons had a school-record 10 in 2020-21, five in 2019-20, seven in 1018-19, three in 2017-18, five in 2016-17 and three in 2015-16.
COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS (5)
Ryan Cole (2), Men's Cross Country -- Mountain West Men's Cross Country; Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field
Ralph Lindeman (2), Men's Indoor Track and Field -- Mountain West; U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
Chris Gobrecht, Women's Basketball -- Mountain West
• Air Force coaches have earned 39 coach of the year awards the last seven years. The Falcons had three earn the honor last season, three in 2019-20, six in 2018-19, six in 2017-18, five in 2016-17 and 12 in 2015-16.
FALCONS VS. ARMY/NAVY
• Air Force finished 21-8 against Army and Navy this season, including a 14-4 mark against Army and 7-4 record vs. Navy.
• Air Force is 32-10 overall vs. Army and Navy the last two seasons, including a 22-5 mark vs. Army and 10-5 record vs. Navy.
• Air Force is 96-62-7 overall against Army and Navy the last seven years. The Falcons are 60-30-5 vs. Army and 36-32-2 vs. Navy.
Army-Navy Results (Last Seven Years)
Year Overall Army Navy
2021-22 21-8 14-4 7-4
2020-21 11-2 8-1 3-1
2019-20 11-12-1 9-4-1 2-8
2018-19 12-8-4 7-4-3 5-4-1
2017-18 15-15 8-9 7-6
2016-17 15-9 8-5 7-4
2015-16 11-8-2 6-3-1 5-5-1
Totals 96-62-7 60-30-5 36-32-2
LEARFIELD DIRECTOR'S CUP STANDINGS
Air Force is the top service academy and leads the Mountain West in the Learfield Director's Cup standings in 2021-22 following the final winter sports standings. The Falcons have 286.50 points to rank 55th nationally. Air Force has scored in men's cross country (57), football (45), fencing (42), rifle (73), wrestling (37) and men's gymnastics (32.5).
Air Force has been the top service academy 11 consecutive years and in the top three of the Mountain West seven straight, including this season.
2021-22 Learfield IMG College Director's Cup Standings
Mountain West Standings
# School (Nat'l) Points
1. Air Force (55)........... 286.5
2. Utah State (87).......... 149.5
3. New Mexico (91)....... 141.5
Service Academy Standings
# School Nat'l Points
1. Air Force ..... 55........286.5
2. Army............ 110...... 109.5
3. Navy............ 115...... 103.0
ALL AMERICAN HONORS (37 total, 11 academic)
Sam Gilman (2), junior (cross country) -- Finished 26th out of 253 at NCAA championships in 10K (29:25.4); Indoor Track -- second-team All-American honors with a 14th place finish in the 5,000-meters with a time of 13:52.34.
Grant Snyder, junior (water polo) -- Honorable mention, Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC)
Ryan Ioanidis, senior (cross country) -- U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)
Men's Cross Country -- U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)
Women's Cross Country -- U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)
Liam Markus, freshman (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Luke Hughes, sophomore (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Joe Sabo, freshman (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Anthony Tolbert, senior (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
David Brown, freshman (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Larsen McCarroll, junior (water polo) -- Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic team
Oliver Zavel, sophomore (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, parallel bars, high bar
Charlie Miles, freshman (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, high bar
Noah Everett, senior (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, parallel bars
Jake Sampier, sophomore (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, floor exercise
Garrett Braunton (2), sophomore (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, all-around, still rings; third-place finish in high bar at NCAA Championships
Erich Upton, freshman (Men's Gymnastics) -- USAG, all-around
Scott Rockett, freshman (Rifle) -- First-team (air rifle), second-team (aggregate), third team-team (smallbore), College Rifle Coaches Association
Peninah D'Souza, sophomore (Rifle) -- First-team (air rifle), College Rifle Coaches Association
Lauren Hurley, freshman (Rifle) -- Second-team (air rifle), College Rifle Coaches Association
Morgan Kreb, sophomore (Rifle) -- Third-team (small bore), honorable mention (air rifle), College Rifle Coaches Association
Amber Boll, junior (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (vault)
Val Smith, senior (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (beam)
Genevieve Sabado (3), freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (all-around), second-team (bars, beam)
Velandra Brochi (2), freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (all-around), second-team (floor)
Ayla McKean, freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- First-team USAG (all-around)
Gabriella Meccia, freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- Second-team USAG (vault)
Jared Van Vleet, senior (Wrestling) -- National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete
Sam Wolf, sophomore (Wrestling) -- National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete
• Air Force has had 290 All-Americans awards the last seven seasons. Air Force had 44 earn the honor last season, 29 earn the honor in a shortened 2019-20, 34 in 2018-19, 48 in 2017-18, 47 in 2016-17 and a school-record 52 in 2015-16.
2020-21 Air Force Season Wraps
Football
Air Force finished the season 10-3 overall and was co-champion of the Mountain West Mountain Division with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons posted double digit wins for the second time in three seasons (2019), fourth time under Head Coach Troy Calhoun and ninth time in school history. Air Force capped the season with a 31-28 victory over Louisville in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas, to record its third consecutive bowl win dating back to 2016, including two straight over Power 5 teams. The team was 6-1 away from home this season, which tied a program record for away/neutral site wins which was first set in 1958. Air Force won the national rushing title for the second straight season and third time overall in program history with a 327.7 per-game average. The Falcons were the only team in the nation to average 300-plus yards. The offensive line, nicknamed the Diesel, powered the rushing attack and became the first Group of 5 team to be a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as the nation's top offensive line. The Falcons had four players earn all-Mountain West honors, as junior fullback Brad Roberts and senior offensive lineman Hawk Wimmer earned first team honors while senior defensive lineman Jordan Jackson and junior outside linebacker Vince Sanford were named to the second team.
Water Polo
Air Force enjoyed its best season in many years, finishing with a 17-9 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Western Water Polo Association. Air Force's 17 wins are the most under head coach Ryan Brown and the most since the 2012 team won 19. The 17 wins tied as the fifth most by any team in the nation. Air Force was also 9-0 at home, the most wins ever in an undefeated home season. Air Force defeated Navy to win The Vase for the fourth time in seven years. With wins over MIT and Brown, the Falcons improved to 11-1, the best start since 1977. Junior Grant Snyder earned first-team all-conference honors. Snyder tied for second in the WWPA and fourth in the nation in goals (87). He also tied for second in the WWPA and sixth in the nation with 111 points. His 87 goals are the second most in school history, the most since 1972, and his 111 points are the fourth most in school history.
Men's Soccer
Air Force concluded the 2021 season after a 4-3 loss to Seattle U in the semifinals of the WAC Tournament. It was Air Force's sixth-straight conference tournament appearance. The Falcons finished third in the league, and successfully defended the home pitch against all WAC opponents faced at home (6-0), highlighted by a season finale win against regular season champs, GCU. Air Force senior forward Tristan Trager was dubbed the WAC's Offensive Player of the Year, while six Falcons earned All-WAC honors. Trager, Jared Dove and London Aghedo won first-team honors, while Lathan Spadafora and goalie Kainoa Likewise won second-team nods. Freshman defender Kobey Stoup earned a spot on the All-Freshman team.
Women's Soccer
Air Force did not qualify for postseason play following a 6-10-2 finish, though the group did manage to provide excitement throughout the entire 2021 season. For the first time in program history, the Falcons defeated both Army and Navy in the same season, holding both service academies goalless. In Larry Friend's final season as head coach, the Falcons mustered a record of 3-0-2 in matches that extended into overtime, with all three wins coming at Cadet Soccer Stadium. As the result of a breakout offensive season, junior Faith Lee was named First-Team All-Mountain West after posting career-highs in goals (5) and assists (3). Freshman defender Hannah Johnson was named to the Mountain West's All-Newcomer team following a season in which she started 17 of 18 matches, but saw time on the pitch in all 18 matches. Her 1,575 minutes led all Falcon outfield players.
Men's Cross Country
The Falcons had a memorable 2021 campaign on the cross country course, as they won their second-straight Mountain West title, earned a No. 11 ranking in the national standings, claimed a top-20 finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and saw junior Sam Gilman become the program's 16th All-American. Ryan Cole was named the MW Coach of the Year for the fourth time in seven years, while a conference-record eight Falcons – Gilman (second place), senior Ryan Ioanidis (third), senior Will Kitzhaber (sixth), junior Scott Maison (seventh), sophomore Luke Combs (ninth), sophomore Sean Maison (10th), junior Ryan Johnson (11th) and junior Ethan Marshall (13th) – captured all-conference honors. Johnson, (Scott) Maison and Ioanidis also nabbed all-region accolades following top-25 performances at the NCAA Mountain Regional.
Women's Cross Country
Members of the cross country freshman class paced the Falcons in every race during the 2021 season, with Lindsey Peters earning Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors and Halle Hamilton becoming the first female in program history to earn the Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors. The women combined for a fourth-place finish at the MW Championships – a placement that only trailed three nationally-ranked teams, and capped the year with a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Mountain Regional – the second-highest finish by an unranked team at that meet.
Volleyball
The Falcons finished the 2021 season with a 7-21 record and a 4-14 mark in Mountain West play. Highlighted by a thrilling, come from behind five-set victory over Power 5 opponent Iowa, the Falcons closed out the non-conference season with three-straight wins. In league play, Air Force posted home wins over Fresno State, Nevada, Wyoming and San Diego State – with the latter marking the Falcons' fourth-straight win over the Aztecs at the Academy. Mac Russ became the first Falcon to earn a MW Freshman of the Week award, while senior Bailey Keith, an all-conference honorable mention selection, became the first Air Force player to be named a semifinalist for the Senior CLASS Award.
Rifle
The Air Force rifle team finished fifth in the NCAA Championships, held at the Air Force Academy, March 11-12. Air Force reached the NCAAs for the eighth straight year and posted the highest finish since 2019. The Falcons set new school records in all three areas: smallbore, air rifle and aggregate during the season. Freshman Scott Rockett became the first Falcon to ever win the NCAA air rifle national championship. Two Falcons, Peninah D'Souza and Lauren Hurley each shot a perfect score of 600 in air rifle, the first Falcons to ever hit that mark. Rockett earned All-American honors in all three disciplines, first team in air rifle, second team in aggregate and third team in small bore. Morgan Kreb earned third-team honors in smallbore and was honorable in air rifle. D'Souza was first team in air rifle and Hurley was second team. Rockett was named the team's MVP.
Hockey
The Air Force hockey team finished the 2021-22 season with a 16-17-3 overall record and placed sixth in the Atlantic Hockey regular season with an 11-12-3 record. Air Force, with just one senior, was picked ninth in the AHA preseason coaches' poll. To say the young team exceeded expectations would be an extreme understatement. Air Force earned a first-round bye in the conference tournament, swept third-seeded Army in a playoff series at West Point and defeated fourth-seeded RIT in the AHA semifinals. The berth in the AHA championship game was the eighth in school history and the first since 2018. The 16 wins tied as the most since 2018. Junior defenseman Brandon Koch was named third-team all-conference and was named to the all-tournament team. Freshmen Clayton Cosentino and Mitchell Digby were named to the all-rookie team. Sophomore Will Gavin, the team's leading scorer with 29 points (16-13-29) was also named all-tournament.
Wrestling
Wrestling concluded the 2021-22 campaign with a 4-9 overall dual record and a 1-8 mark in the Big 12, finishing 10th in the league at the conference tournament. Individually, the Falcons had seven champions across five major tournaments, highlighted by the team's first-ever Big 12 champion in sophomore heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson. Three Falcons placed at the conference tournament and two individuals qualified for the national tournament.
Women's Swimming
Women's Swimming concluded the 2021-22 campaign with a 6-7-1 overall dual mark and a 0-3 finish in Mountain West swimming action. Air Force finished seventh at the league tournament led by freshman standout Corbyn Cormack who placed second in the 200 IM. Individually, the Falcons impacted the program record books 31 times, highlighted by a program record finish by Cormack in the 100 butterfly.
Men's Swimming
The men's swimming team concluded the 2021-22 campaign with an 8-2 record with a 2-0 mark in WAC meets. Air Force posted three WAC records and seven Academy records highlighted by three championship finishes to finish second in the team race at the league tournament. Junior standout swimmer Wen Zhang qualified for the NCAA Tournament at the conclusion of his stellar season.
Diving
Diving concluded the 2021-22 campaign with a pair of divers earning spots in the NCAA Zone E Qualifiers. Freshman men's standout Alex Kenyon and women's Cristin von Schlag led their respective squads in high scores.
Fencing
Air Force men's fencing went 15-15 and the women's team went 13-21 in team competition in 2021-22. The Falcons had three NCAA qualifiers. Air Force finished 16th overall at the NCAA Championships. Air Force capped the season with a 4-0 sweep of service Academy rivals Army and Navy at the All-Academy Duals. Junior Matthew Han captured the NCAA West Regional title in the men's epee. Senior Erin Shea captured the MPSF title in women's saber.
Men's Basketball
Air Force men's basketball went 11-19 overall and finished 10th in the Mountain West with a 4-13 record in conference play. Air Force more than doubled its win total from a season ago (from five wins to 11). The Falcons posted a winning home record at 7-6. Air Force had a seven-game winning streak the best in the program since 2007. Air Force was also crowned the Sunshine Slam Champions by going 3-0 in the event, including consecutive wins at the host site in Daytona Beach, Fla. Senior guard AJ Walker also earned Sunshine Slam MVP honors.
Women's Basketball
The Falcons crafted their most successful season in program history in 2021-22, as Air Force's 19 overall wins and 11 conference wins were both program-bests. Led by Chris Gobrecht, the Mountain West Coach of the Year, the Falcons claimed four season-sweeps of conference opponents, also a program first. Cierra Winters was named Mountain West Defensive Player while Riley Snyder was named All-Mountain West en route to becoming Air Force's all-time leading Division I scorer. Air Force clinched its first-ever bye in the Mountain West Tournament where the Falcons defeated Nevada to advance to the semifinal round for the first time in program history. Air Force eventually was awarded an at-large berth in the Women's National Invitational Tournament, as the Falcons picked up their first-ever postseason tournament win in the opening round, defeating San Francisco 64-60.
Men's Gymnastics
An All-American high bar performance from sophomore Garrett Braunton capped a 2022 campaign that saw the program improve steadily throughout the year. Braunton, who tied for third on the high bar to match the second-highest NCAA finish in program history, was one of three Falcons to qualify to the NCAA finals. Placing fifth in their NCAA qualifying session – and 10th overall – Air Force accounted for the best overall finish at the NCAA championship meet since the program returned to the team lineup in 2011. The Falcons also finished second in the team standings at the All-Academy Championships and USAG Collegiate Nationals, while placing fourth at the MPSF Championships.
Women's Gymnastics
Air Force showed it is a program on the rise in 2022. Over the course of the spring, the Falcons posted three of the top five team scores in program history, including a season-high 195.700, the second-highest score Air Force has ever received. Genevieve Sabado was a conference-high four-time recipient of the MPSF Freshman of the Week award in 2022, resulting in her selection as the MPSF Freshman of the Year. Sabado is the first-ever Air Force MPSF Women's Gymnastics Freshman of the Year, and the first Air Force gymnast to earn an end-of-the-year major award in over a decade. The Falcons ended the 2022 season placing second at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals with nine All-American selections.
Boxing
Backed by three national champions – senior Lawrence Barrett (125 pounds), junior Walker Morris (185 pounds) and sophomore Victor Benitez (heavyweight), the men finished second at the NCBA National Championships – the first national meet in three years. The men accounted for their 38th NCBA Regional title in 41 years, while the women captured the first in program history. As a combined group, Air Force defeated Army West Point at Globe Life Field in Texas, while also having strong performances at the Bearcat Brawl and Arthur Mercante Invitational.
Golf
Under first-year head coach Tyler Goulding, the Falcons fielded one of the youngest teams in the conference. At the Mountain West Championships, the Falcon lineup consisted of one junior, two sophomores and two freshmen. Freshman Cameron Kahle led the team with a 77.16 on the season. Junior Isaac Layne, the team MVP, was close behind at 77.27. Layne and freshman Christopher Park each shot a 69 during the season, tied at the best round of the season. The Falcons placed 11th at the Mountain West Championships to end the season.
Women's Tennis
Air Force women's tennis posted a 17-9 record in dual matches. The Falcons set a program record with six wins in Mountain West play. The Falcons notched its 13th consecutive winning season, currently the longest streak at the Academy. Air Force won at Wyoming for just the second time ever and defeated conference champion San Diego State 4-0 for its first-ever win over the Aztecs. Senior Vivian Glozman earned All-MW singles and doubles and freshman Karina Chao earned All-MW doubles.
Men's Tennis
Air Force men's tennis posted an 15-9 record for its most wins since 2005. The Falcons set a program record with three Mountain West wins for a third-place finish. Air Force won at UNLV for the first time ever and its two points at the MW Championship tournament were the most since 2005. Senior Robert Baylon earned All-MW singles and doubles. Senior Jordan Azuma earned All-MW doubles and junior Jonathan Mascagni earned All-MW singles. Air Force also defeated Army at the USTA Center in Orlando, FL.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse concluded the 2022 campaign with an 8-7 overall record and a 3-2 mark in the ASUN, finishing third in the league. The Falcons qualified for the conference postseason tournament where they fell to Robert Morris in the semifinals. Seven Air Force players earned All-Conference nods, highlighted by a league high three first teamers. For the first time since joining Div. I, the Falcons had two 50-point scorers.
Baseball (as of May 23)
Air Force closed the regular season with an even 27-27 record while finishing 15-15 in Mountain West play. As a result, the Falcons clinched the final seed of the Mountain West Tournament, and are scheduled to play top-seed UNLV on Thursday, May 26 at 7 pm MT. After a sterling regular season, the Falcons 27 overall wins is the most since 2017, having qualified for the conference tournament for the first time since 2016. Air Force has set a myriad of program-bests in 2022, including the most home runs in a single season (84), as well as the most strikeouts ever by the Falcons pitching staff (397). Sophomore Sam Kulasingam became the single-season all-time hits leader, owning 98 hits this spring. His .412 batting average sits 3rd among all Division players. The Falcons enter the Mountain West Tournament leading the conference in home runs (84) and fielding percentage (.973).
Men's Track and Field (as of May 23) – Backed by eight conference titles and a program-best 16 all-conference (top-three) finishes, the men captured the 2022 title at the Mountain West Indoor Championships in February, as 30 different scorers helped the team to an eight-point comeback championship. Senior Ryan Ioanidis, who swept the titles in the two longest races (3000-meter run, 5000-meter run), was named the MW Performer of the Meet, while head coach Ralph Lindeman captured his 17th coach of the year award and junior Sam Gilman, an All-American in the 5000-meter run, was named the Mountain West Indoor Athlete of the Year. The men set six Academy Records during the indoor season, while Gilman also broke the Mountain West Record at 5000 meters. Backed by three conference titles and scoring (top-eight) finishes in 39 of 48 opportunities, the men also claimed the MW Outdoor title, completing the program's second Triple Crown (cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field). Interim head coach Ryan Cole was named the MW Outdoor Coach of the Year, as the team qualified 12 to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The Falcons have combined for more than 40 improvements to the Air Force Top 25 during the outdoor season and accounted for 26 Athlete of the Week awards from the conference office.
Women's Track and Field (as of May 23) – The women have been rewriting the Air Force Record Book this season, tallying one program record and 34 additions to the all-time standings in the indoor season and two more standards and 30 improvements to the Academy's Top 25 so far this outdoor season. The Falcons finished fourth at the annual Air Force Invitational and added top-10 finishes at the Aztec Invitational, Jim Click Shootout and both Mountain West Championship meets. Air Force also finished 11th in the Relay Cup standings at the famed Drake Relays – a finish that matches the best placement in program history. Four women have combined for seven conference awards. Two Falcons qualified to the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Class of 2022 Senior Assignments
Baseball
CJ Dornak, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Cayden Zimmermann, Hel. Pilot, Fort Rucker, AL
Nathan Price, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Zach Argo, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Stevan Fairburn, Medical School, Ala.-Birmingham
Braydon Altorfer, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Gabriel Garcia, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Rob Martin, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Women's Basketball
Audrey Gadison, Missiles, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Briana Autrey-Thompson, Finance, Robins AFB, GA
Haley Jones, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Cierra Winters, Acquisitions, Los Angeles AFB, CA
Riley Snyder, Force Supprt, Charleston AFB, SC
Men's Basketball
AJ Walker, Management, USAFA Prep, CO
Abe Kinrade, Acquisitions, Wright-Paterson AFB, OH
Boxing
Lawrence Barrett, Missiles, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Ryan Dinndorf, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Maddie Lloyd, Hel. Pilot, Fort Rucker, AL
Alan Manzo, Civil eng., Vanenberg AFB, CA
Ayaz Mustafa, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Maksat Omar, Serving in Kazakhstan military
Zach Phillips, Combat Systems, Pensacola, FL
Samantha Thompson, Euro-Nato Pilot, Sheppard AFB, TX
Cheer/Spirit
Trey Shuford, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Payton Wilson, Pilot, Columbus AFB, OH
Haley Hartley, Pilot, Columbus AFB, OH
Shanna Hoven, Intelligence, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Fencing
Nestor Levin, Nuclear Chemist, Grad School, TBA
Chip Maurer, Cyber Warfare, Keesler AFB, MS
Aaron Mayfield, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Will Nikolai, Cyber Warfare, Biloxi AFB, MS
Zack Yung, Missiles, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Erin Shea, Astronautical Eng., Grad School, Purdue
Football
Brock Assel, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Kolby Barker, Acquisitions, Beale AFB, CA
Ryan Booth, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Warren Bryan, Space Ops, Vandenburg AFB, CA
Tre Bugg III, Space Force Acquisitions, TBA
Noah Bush, Acquisitions, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Kris Campbell, Logistics, Eglin AFB, FL
Ethan Erickson, Ops Research, Hill AFB, UT
David Eure, Acquisitions, Travis AFB, CA
Jake Goldberg, Financial Mgt, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
Brandon Gooding, Aircraft Maint., Beale AFB, CA
Brice Honaker, RPA, Randolph AFB, TX
Caleb Humphrey, Aircraft Maint., Minot AFB, ND
Jordan Jackson, Civil Engineer, TBA
James Jones, Missiles, McDill AFB, FL
Dalton King, Pilot, Columbus AFB, OH
Brandon Lewis, Contracting, Hurlburt Field, FL
Cedrick McNeal, Missiles, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Demonte Meeks, Civil Engineer, Elmendorf AFB, AK
Benjamin Mercer, Aircraft Maint., Mildenhall AFB, Eng
Kenny Ngaima, Acquisitions, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
McKenly O'Neal, Acquisitions, Hanscom AFB, MA
Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl, Missiles, Malmstrom AFB, MT
Jake Spiewak, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Corvan Taylor, Acquisitions, Los Angeles AFB, CA
Lakota Wills, Acquisitions, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Hawk Wimmer, Space Ops, USAFA Prep School, CO
Golf
Colter Baca, Air Battle Manager, Tyndall AFB, FL
Jonathan Farmer, Marines, Marine CB, Quantico, VA
Women's Gymnastics
Valerie Smith, Space Ops, Vandenberg, AFB, CA
Daija Stevenson, Intelligence, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Natalie Meyer, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Grace Bardes, Logistics, Barksdale AFB, LA
Cameo Stapleton, Acquisitions, Hanscomb AFB, MA
Men's Gymnastics
Beckett Andersen, Acquisitions, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Colin Douglas, Cyber, Keesler AFB, MS
Noah Everett, Physicist, Patrick SFB, FL
Collin Hickey, Cyber, Keesler AFB, MS
Hockey
Alex Schilling, Acquisitions, Los Angeles SFB, CA
Lacrosse
Quentin Carlile, Missiles, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Brenden Crouse, Acquisitions, Maxwell AFB, AL
Chase Douglas, Space Ops, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Cole Grindberg, Acquisitions, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
August Johnson, Missiles, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Christian Marshall, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Brian Michael, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Ian Mullins, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Caden Wolfson, Acquisitions, Hill AFB, UT
Rifle
Peter Fiori, Post-graduation status pending
Ryan Habeck, Security Forces, Minot AFB, ND
Devin Schwindt, Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, OH
Women's Soccer
Keelyn Osoba, Grad School, CU-Boulder
Natalia Gutierrez, Intel., Goodfellow AFB, TX
Bella Colandrea, Cyber Grad School, Keesler AFB, MS
Tatiana Limon, Post-graduation status pending
Men's Soccer
Thomas Canady, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Giuliano Daniel, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Jared Dove, Acquisitions, Boston, MA
Kainoa Likewise, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Michael Neacsu, Acquisitions, Boston, MA
Lathan Spadafora, Acquisitions, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Dylan Stanley, Force Support, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Tristan Trager, Acquisitions, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Women's Swimming and Diving
All Armbruster, Med. Service Corps, Eglin AFB, FL
Emily Bardak, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Lia Campbell, Space Ops, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Krystal Irwin, Post-graduation status pending
Evelyn Johnson, Space Ops, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Curi von Schlag, Grad School, Texas A&M
Caroline Wittich, Intelligence, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Men's Swimming and Diving
Logan Davis, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Adam Grimm, Dev. Engineer, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Andrew Limpert, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Jack Macceca, Missiles, Vandenburg SFB, CA
Corey Shepard, Pilot, Sheppard AFB, TX
Women's Tennis
Alex Kuo, Space Ops/Grad School, Notre Dame
Men's Tennis
Jordan Azuma, Acquisitions, Holloman AFB, NM
Robert Baylon, Missiles, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Alex Krawietz, Finance, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Women's Track and Field/Cross Country
Mikayla Gallagher, Astro. Eng., Buckley SFB, CO
Kristin Kerrigan, Acquisitions, Hanscom AFB, MA
Jenna Kill, Helicopter Pilot, Fort Rucker, AL
Ari Martinez, Grad school, Notre Dame
Brid O'Connell, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Frankie Porambo, Contracting, Nellis AFB, NV
Grace Proesch, Space Ops., Vandenberg SFB, CA
Michelle Roca, Grad school, Harvard
Adrianna Wilder, Acquisitions, Hanscom AFB, MA
Erika Willis, Med. School, Rocky Vista
Men's Track and Field/Cross Country
La'akea Aiu, Intelligence, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Garrett Blenkush, Dev. Engineer, Kirtland AFB, NM
William Broadus, Missiles, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Ryan Brown, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Calvin Ciganik, Civil Engineer, JB Charleston, SC
Charles Dimnwaobi, Missiles, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Ethan Gardner, RPA, Randolph AFB, TX
Sean Geither, Grad school, Purdue
Jake Hall, Cyber, Keesler AFB, MS
Ryan Ioanidis, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
AJ Kedge, Acquisitions, Hanscom AFB, MA
Will Kitzhaber, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Wyatt Murphy, Pilot, Laughlin AFB, TX
Nick Oesterling, Space Ops, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Jarod Pankau, Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
Frank Rossi, Grad school, Northeastern
LaShawn Taylor, Missiles, Vandenberg SFB, CA
Joseph Wittig, Grad school, Wright-Patt. AFB, OH
Matt Zacharias, Cyber, Keesler AFB, MS
Volleyball
Abigail Collins, Security Forces, Minot AFB, ND
Vittoria Juarez, Space Ops, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Bailey Keith, Med School, Texas A&M
Lily Landis, Air Battle Mgt, Tyndall AFB, FL
Water Polo
Anthony Tolbert, Grad/Cyber, Wright Patt. AFB, OH
Zach Shelley, Acquisitions, Los Angeles SFB, CA
James Daugherty, Acquisitions, Los Angeles SFB, CA
Henry Yavitt, Acquisitions, Los Angeles SFB, CA
Corey Tanis, Acquisitions, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
Gavin Jones, Missiles, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Sam Fuller, Acquisitions, Maxwell AFB, AL
Wrestling
Bradley Bitting, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Hunter Bleakney, Pilot, JBL Lewis-McChord, WA
Trey Brisker, Pilot, USAFA Prep, USAFA
Vinny Dolce, Acquisitions, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Sidney Flores, Acquisitions, Los Angeles AFB, CA
Kayne Hutchison, Pilot, Vance AFB, OK
Jack Johnson, Pilot, Hurlburt AFB, FL
Harlan Steffensmeier, Civil Eng., Spangdahlem, GE
Jake Thompson, Maintenance, Yokota AFB, Japan
Jared Van Vleet, Medical School, Oklahoma State
Falcons fall in shootout with Boise State
Sunday, September 21
Troy Calhoun and Players POST Boise State 2025
Sunday, September 21
Utah Tech gives Falcons a loss in four sets
Saturday, September 20
Falcons fall in 5 sets to Northern Colorado
Saturday, September 20
