Friday, April 12
12 PM MT
Air Force Academy
vs
USA Gymnastics Nationals - Qualifying
Women’s Gymnastics represents at USAG Collegiate Nationals
4/14/2024 5:42:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Putting a stamp on a statement season, Air Force women's gymnastics left its mark at the 2024 USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals, ending a successful weekend highlighted by a strong team finish, a pair of individual national titles, and a bevy of All-American honors for the Falcons.
Air Force, opening the weekend of competition in the first of two qualifying sessions, finished second with a 193.675, advancing into the championship round with first-place Texas Woman's University (195.175).
Starting off strong on beam, the Falcons earned a 48.925, scoring the highest event total of both qualifying sessions and closing the season with its highest two finishes of 2024 after earning a season-best 49.075 at the Mountain West Championship. Three Falcons went for a 9.800 or better, with anchor Kylee Greene finishing with sole possession of first place, leading the pack at 9.850 and closing the season with her third-consecutive competition to earn the score. Freshman Clara Wallace led once again for the Falcons, scoring a 9.825, landing a solid triple series and sticking her dismount to tie for second. Senior Kimberly Kinkade, making a late-season statement on beam, closed her collegiate career with a 9.800 to set a new career-best entering her final competition as a Falcon.
On floor, Air Force finished with a 48.050 led off by Maggie Slife's 9.875, good for a share of second place. Specialist Gianna Martyna, proving a pillar of consistency for the Falcons throughout 2024, followed up with a 9.800. On vault, the Falcons logged a 48.250 with Gabriella Meccia (9.725) and Sarah Willis (9.700) leading the way. Closing on bars, Slife put a stamp on the day's competition, scoring a 9.850 to lead Air Force to a 48.450 finish on the day and solidify the Falcons' spot in the championship round.
Head Coach Jennifer Green on the Falcons' qualifying round:
"Friday at USAGs is super hard. That's where the pressure is, to advance into Saturday. We started strong, but struggled a bit on floor, which is a bit unusual for us. We didn't have our best day, but it happens, and we made it through. That's what matters, and we came back stronger on Saturday."
Out of the second session on Friday evening, Lindenwood and host West Chester advanced into Saturday's competition, rounding out the championship lineup with the Falcons and TWU to determine who would finish the weekend with the USAG national crown.
On Saturday, Air Force finished in third place but took a huge step forward from Friday's qualifier, finishing with a 194.850. Showing nothing but focus and willpower for their fellow teammates, the Falcons opened on floor scoring a 48.400, then finished on vault with a 48.600 to come just shy of a season best.
Air Force put up its best performances in the second half of the evening, as Slife nailed the first 9.900 of the meet on bars to eventually earn a share of first place along with Lindenwood's Kaylee Cooper and Hannah Moon. Ayla McKean and Madison Carlisle both shined in the event, helping lead the way to a 49.000 finish among a field of solid scores across the board to earn the Falcons' best team finish of the weekend and fifth 49-or-better bars finish of 2024. Air Force finished the evening with a strong showing on beam, earning a 48.850, led by Wallace's career finish of a 9.875 to tie for first place. Slife (9.850) and Greene (9.825) both closed the night in third and fourth, respectively.
Coach Green on Air Force's championship showing:
"They did amazing. I couldn't have asked for more from what they did on Saturday night. There were really tight scores on floor in the beginning of the evening which rose as the meet went on, and if floor hadn't fallen the way it did for us, our performances in the later events would have had us right in the mix with the top teams."
Coach on the championship atmosphere in Hollinger Field House:
"Saturday, the energy in the gym was amazing. We had a pretty good crowd made up of family and Air Force gymnastics fans that were there. The crowd was great for us and that's always a motivator, having them there to lift you up. I think our team feeds off the energy even if it's not necessarily all our fans cheering. You just put it in your mind that it's all for you."
Greene, Slife and Wallace, competing in individual championships on Sunday, could not have represented the Academy in a better light, as all three finished in their respective rotations with top-two finishes and a pair of national titles under their belts.
Wallace was named National Beam Champion after showing out with an impressive triple series and a stuck landing, scoring a 9.8875. Competing in the middle of the lineup on Sunday, her title-worthy finish stood throughout the remainder of the rotation on the way to being named "beam queen –" the first for Air Force since 2004. Greene, performing last in the lineup and aiming to claim the crown for herself, earned a 9.8125 to finish in second place with a routine highlighted by a well-executed gainer to lock in the one-two finish for Air Force.
On bars, Slife set the tone early, performing first in the rotation and earning a 9.8375 – A score which held through the majority of competition before West Chester's Jordan Coleman claimed the top spot which held to the end. Mere minutes after being unseated on bars, Slife's power and confidence dominated on floor to score a 9.900, earning the highest finish of the day, worthy of national-champion status.
Wallace and Slife's combined championship titles marks just the second time in Air Force history earning two USAG national titles.
On performances in the individual championships and its impact on the team:
"Having competitors out there (on Sunday) helps with the team's confidence, individual confidence, branding ourselves in a better light, helps with recruiting, it helps with everything. And the way our cadets carried themselves did the Air Force Academy right."
USAG All-Americans:
For their weekend performances, five Falcons were named as 2024 USA Gymnastics All-Americans, bringing home eight total national superlatives:
Slife and Wallace combined for five All-American honors, as both were named first-team honorees in the all-around. In addition, Slife was tabbed as first-team All-American in bars and floor, and Wallace was a first-team selection on balance beam. Greene was named a first-team All-American on beam. Rounding out the list, Kinkade and McKean were selected as second-team honorees on beam and all-around, respectively.
All individuals eligible for Sunday's individual competition received automatic first-team honors.
In 2024, Air Force was one of two programs to land two First-Team All-Americans in the all-around and stood alone with three total all-arounders named to the list. The Falcons have earned five or more All-American honors in five of the past six seasons.
Coach on what USAG Nationals means for her and her program:
This championship is another opportunity for our athletes to experience what it's like to qualify for post-season. Any time you get to experience what a championship feels like, the more you have the will get back and do it again. (This event) showcases some of the incredible talent we have all over the country … the best part is we get to hear other people's stories, what their struggles are, and have a mutual respect and understanding for each other."
On managing a three-meet weekend:
"This weekend was a lot, and we didn't have a practice day on the front end, which we typically do. We got in late Wednesday night and got up really early on Thursday to get a practice in, so Thursday was a long day for us. And coming east is a little harder, so the time change was a small factor. But we did everything right - we kept to our usual routine of full workouts and recovery, (team trainer Lisa Smith) had, like, four whole bags of equipment that's used to help with recovery, so we were in good hands."
In closing:
"I think the future is bright. I think we had a great season full of highs. Getting (Slife) to regionals was big for this program, but the goal is for the team to get there.
There is lots of good to take away from this year, but we didn't quite accomplish everything that we aspire toward, so I hope that continues to motivate our team onward and upward. For 2025, we expect to be adding competitors that will have an immediate impact on our success, so the work isn't done."
Air Force, opening the weekend of competition in the first of two qualifying sessions, finished second with a 193.675, advancing into the championship round with first-place Texas Woman's University (195.175).
Starting off strong on beam, the Falcons earned a 48.925, scoring the highest event total of both qualifying sessions and closing the season with its highest two finishes of 2024 after earning a season-best 49.075 at the Mountain West Championship. Three Falcons went for a 9.800 or better, with anchor Kylee Greene finishing with sole possession of first place, leading the pack at 9.850 and closing the season with her third-consecutive competition to earn the score. Freshman Clara Wallace led once again for the Falcons, scoring a 9.825, landing a solid triple series and sticking her dismount to tie for second. Senior Kimberly Kinkade, making a late-season statement on beam, closed her collegiate career with a 9.800 to set a new career-best entering her final competition as a Falcon.
On floor, Air Force finished with a 48.050 led off by Maggie Slife's 9.875, good for a share of second place. Specialist Gianna Martyna, proving a pillar of consistency for the Falcons throughout 2024, followed up with a 9.800. On vault, the Falcons logged a 48.250 with Gabriella Meccia (9.725) and Sarah Willis (9.700) leading the way. Closing on bars, Slife put a stamp on the day's competition, scoring a 9.850 to lead Air Force to a 48.450 finish on the day and solidify the Falcons' spot in the championship round.
Head Coach Jennifer Green on the Falcons' qualifying round:
"Friday at USAGs is super hard. That's where the pressure is, to advance into Saturday. We started strong, but struggled a bit on floor, which is a bit unusual for us. We didn't have our best day, but it happens, and we made it through. That's what matters, and we came back stronger on Saturday."
Out of the second session on Friday evening, Lindenwood and host West Chester advanced into Saturday's competition, rounding out the championship lineup with the Falcons and TWU to determine who would finish the weekend with the USAG national crown.
On Saturday, Air Force finished in third place but took a huge step forward from Friday's qualifier, finishing with a 194.850. Showing nothing but focus and willpower for their fellow teammates, the Falcons opened on floor scoring a 48.400, then finished on vault with a 48.600 to come just shy of a season best.
Air Force put up its best performances in the second half of the evening, as Slife nailed the first 9.900 of the meet on bars to eventually earn a share of first place along with Lindenwood's Kaylee Cooper and Hannah Moon. Ayla McKean and Madison Carlisle both shined in the event, helping lead the way to a 49.000 finish among a field of solid scores across the board to earn the Falcons' best team finish of the weekend and fifth 49-or-better bars finish of 2024. Air Force finished the evening with a strong showing on beam, earning a 48.850, led by Wallace's career finish of a 9.875 to tie for first place. Slife (9.850) and Greene (9.825) both closed the night in third and fourth, respectively.
Coach Green on Air Force's championship showing:
"They did amazing. I couldn't have asked for more from what they did on Saturday night. There were really tight scores on floor in the beginning of the evening which rose as the meet went on, and if floor hadn't fallen the way it did for us, our performances in the later events would have had us right in the mix with the top teams."
Coach on the championship atmosphere in Hollinger Field House:
"Saturday, the energy in the gym was amazing. We had a pretty good crowd made up of family and Air Force gymnastics fans that were there. The crowd was great for us and that's always a motivator, having them there to lift you up. I think our team feeds off the energy even if it's not necessarily all our fans cheering. You just put it in your mind that it's all for you."
Greene, Slife and Wallace, competing in individual championships on Sunday, could not have represented the Academy in a better light, as all three finished in their respective rotations with top-two finishes and a pair of national titles under their belts.
Wallace was named National Beam Champion after showing out with an impressive triple series and a stuck landing, scoring a 9.8875. Competing in the middle of the lineup on Sunday, her title-worthy finish stood throughout the remainder of the rotation on the way to being named "beam queen –" the first for Air Force since 2004. Greene, performing last in the lineup and aiming to claim the crown for herself, earned a 9.8125 to finish in second place with a routine highlighted by a well-executed gainer to lock in the one-two finish for Air Force.
On bars, Slife set the tone early, performing first in the rotation and earning a 9.8375 – A score which held through the majority of competition before West Chester's Jordan Coleman claimed the top spot which held to the end. Mere minutes after being unseated on bars, Slife's power and confidence dominated on floor to score a 9.900, earning the highest finish of the day, worthy of national-champion status.
Wallace and Slife's combined championship titles marks just the second time in Air Force history earning two USAG national titles.
On performances in the individual championships and its impact on the team:
"Having competitors out there (on Sunday) helps with the team's confidence, individual confidence, branding ourselves in a better light, helps with recruiting, it helps with everything. And the way our cadets carried themselves did the Air Force Academy right."
USAG All-Americans:
For their weekend performances, five Falcons were named as 2024 USA Gymnastics All-Americans, bringing home eight total national superlatives:
Slife and Wallace combined for five All-American honors, as both were named first-team honorees in the all-around. In addition, Slife was tabbed as first-team All-American in bars and floor, and Wallace was a first-team selection on balance beam. Greene was named a first-team All-American on beam. Rounding out the list, Kinkade and McKean were selected as second-team honorees on beam and all-around, respectively.
All individuals eligible for Sunday's individual competition received automatic first-team honors.
In 2024, Air Force was one of two programs to land two First-Team All-Americans in the all-around and stood alone with three total all-arounders named to the list. The Falcons have earned five or more All-American honors in five of the past six seasons.
Coach on what USAG Nationals means for her and her program:
This championship is another opportunity for our athletes to experience what it's like to qualify for post-season. Any time you get to experience what a championship feels like, the more you have the will get back and do it again. (This event) showcases some of the incredible talent we have all over the country … the best part is we get to hear other people's stories, what their struggles are, and have a mutual respect and understanding for each other."
On managing a three-meet weekend:
"This weekend was a lot, and we didn't have a practice day on the front end, which we typically do. We got in late Wednesday night and got up really early on Thursday to get a practice in, so Thursday was a long day for us. And coming east is a little harder, so the time change was a small factor. But we did everything right - we kept to our usual routine of full workouts and recovery, (team trainer Lisa Smith) had, like, four whole bags of equipment that's used to help with recovery, so we were in good hands."
In closing:
"I think the future is bright. I think we had a great season full of highs. Getting (Slife) to regionals was big for this program, but the goal is for the team to get there.
There is lots of good to take away from this year, but we didn't quite accomplish everything that we aspire toward, so I hope that continues to motivate our team onward and upward. For 2025, we expect to be adding competitors that will have an immediate impact on our success, so the work isn't done."
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Gymnastics
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/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
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AA
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/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
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