Air Force tops Mountain West, service academies in final Learfield Cup Standings
6/30/2022 2:25:00 PM | General
Falcons’ remarkable year capped with second straight MW title, 11th straight service academy top standing
Air Force's remarkable 2021-22 academic year was completed today with its second straight Mountain West title and 11th straight service academy top ranking in the final Learfield Director's Cup standings. Air Force has been in the top three of the Mountain West seven straight seasons. The Falcons ranked second among non-Power 5 FBS programs, trailing only BYU.
Air Force scored 354.50 points to rank 67th nationally. The Falcons scored in men's cross country (57), football (45), fencing (42), rifle (73), wrestling (37), men's gymnastics (32.5), men's outdoor track (18) and baseball (50). Air Force's 354.50 points is the most since scoring a school-record 427.50 in 2015-16.
2021-22 Learfield IMG College Director's Cup Standings
Mountain West Standings
# School (Nat'l) Points
1. Air Force (67)...............354.50
2. San Diego State (91)....205.50
3. New Mexico (96)......... .195.50
4. Colorado State (106)... 167.00
5. Boise State (113)......... 158.00
Service Academy Standings
# School Nat'l Points
1. Air Force ..... 67......... 354.50
2. Army............. 111........ 159.50
3. Navy............. 136....... 128.00
2021-23 Highlights
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.
• Senior (2nd Lt.) Mahala Norris won the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. Norris is the first Air Force Division I female to ever claim a national title in a running event – and the first Falcon overall on the track since 1964.
• The men's and women's air rifle team won the national championship in 2018-19.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (5)
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
Baseball -- Mountain West
• Air Force has won 28 conference championships the last seven seasons.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS (14) – School Record
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 (2), freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Freshman of the Year; USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals Freshman of the Year
Sam Gilman (2), junior (Men's Indoor Track) -- Mountain West Male Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year; Mountain West Male Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year
Sam Kulasingham, sophomore (Baseball) -- Mountain West Tony Gwynn Player of the Year
Paul Skenes (3), sophomore (baseball) -- Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year; MW Tournament Most Valuable Player; John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year
• Air Force cadet-athletes have been recognized as player of the year 46 times the last seven years, including a school-record 14 this season. The Falcons had 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.
ALL AMERICAN HONORS (48 total, 16 academic)
Sam Gilman (3), 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; Outdoor Track -- first-team All-American with a fifth place finish in the 5,000-meters
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; Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-America
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
Paul Skenes (4), sophomore (Baseball) -- First-team Collegiate Baseball; Baseball Writers Association; D1 Baseball; Baseball America
Sam Kulasingam sophomore (Baseball) -- Third-team Collegiate Baseball
Devin Schwindt, junior (Rifle) - Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-America
Ryan Habeck, sophomore (Rifle) - Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-America
Peninah D'Souza, sophomore (Rifle) - Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-America
Sean Geither, senior (Track and Field) - Second-team All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)
* - Earned both athletic and academic honors
• Air Force has had 301 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.
Air Force scored 354.50 points to rank 67th nationally. The Falcons scored in men's cross country (57), football (45), fencing (42), rifle (73), wrestling (37), men's gymnastics (32.5), men's outdoor track (18) and baseball (50). Air Force's 354.50 points is the most since scoring a school-record 427.50 in 2015-16.
2021-22 Learfield IMG College Director's Cup Standings
Mountain West Standings
# School (Nat'l) Points
1. Air Force (67)...............354.50
2. San Diego State (91)....205.50
3. New Mexico (96)......... .195.50
4. Colorado State (106)... 167.00
5. Boise State (113)......... 158.00
Service Academy Standings
# School Nat'l Points
1. Air Force ..... 67......... 354.50
2. Army............. 111........ 159.50
3. Navy............. 136....... 128.00
2021-23 Highlights
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.
• Senior (2nd Lt.) Mahala Norris won the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. Norris is the first Air Force Division I female to ever claim a national title in a running event – and the first Falcon overall on the track since 1964.
• The men's and women's air rifle team won the national championship in 2018-19.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (5)
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
Baseball -- Mountain West
• Air Force has won 28 conference championships the last seven seasons.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS (14) – School Record
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 (2), freshman (Women's Gymnastics) -- Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Freshman of the Year; USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals Freshman of the Year
Sam Gilman (2), junior (Men's Indoor Track) -- Mountain West Male Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year; Mountain West Male Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year
Sam Kulasingham, sophomore (Baseball) -- Mountain West Tony Gwynn Player of the Year
Paul Skenes (3), sophomore (baseball) -- Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year; MW Tournament Most Valuable Player; John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year
• Air Force cadet-athletes have been recognized as player of the year 46 times the last seven years, including a school-record 14 this season. The Falcons had 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.
ALL AMERICAN HONORS (48 total, 16 academic)
Sam Gilman (3), 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; Outdoor Track -- first-team All-American with a fifth place finish in the 5,000-meters
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; Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-America
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
Paul Skenes (4), sophomore (Baseball) -- First-team Collegiate Baseball; Baseball Writers Association; D1 Baseball; Baseball America
Sam Kulasingam sophomore (Baseball) -- Third-team Collegiate Baseball
Devin Schwindt, junior (Rifle) - Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-America
Ryan Habeck, sophomore (Rifle) - Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-America
Peninah D'Souza, sophomore (Rifle) - Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-America
Sean Geither, senior (Track and Field) - Second-team All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)
* - Earned both athletic and academic honors
• Air Force has had 301 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.
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