Air Force Track & Field Announces 2026 Coaching Staff
1/8/2026 2:42:00 PM | Track and Field
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Ryan Cole, Air Force's director of track & field and cross country, announced several additions to the 2026 coaching staff this morning (Jan. 8), with the hiring of assistant coach Dan Stoll and the return of several familiar faces to the Falcons' program.
Stoll, who will oversee the Falcons' sprint, hurdle and relay squads, joins the Academy program following a successful athletic and coaching career at the NCAA DIII level. A three-time All-American and 11-time all-conference athlete at Heidelberg University, Stoll coached six All-Americans and 33 all-conference performers during stops at North Park University (assistant coach, 2023-25) and North Central College (graduate assistant, 2022-23).
In addition to Stoll, Air Force's 2026 staff will include two Academy graduates and one former assistant coach. 1Lt Michelle Roca, a 2022 USAFA graduate and the program record-holder in the 400-meter hurdles, will assist with the Falcons' hurdle squad, while serving at nearby Schriever SFB. 1Lt AJ Kedge (Class of 2023) will continue to serve as the program's recruiting coordinator and assist with the distance squad. Currently stationed at Hanscom AFB, Kedge will be returning to USAFA this spring. Scott Irving, who oversaw the Falcons' throwing program for 14 years (1999-2013) and was the coach behind Air Force's two NCAA titles in the javelin, will rejoin the staff to assist the squad's current lineup of javelin throwers.
The remainder of the Falcons' track and field staff includes Cole (men's middle distance, distance), head coach Scott Steffan (jumps, combined events), assistant coach Laura Bowerman (women's middle distance, distance), and assistant coach Kyle Lillie (rotational throws), while former cross country coach Mark Stanforth will continue to assist with the distance program.
Stoll, who will oversee the Falcons' sprint, hurdle and relay squads, joins the Academy program following a successful athletic and coaching career at the NCAA DIII level. A three-time All-American and 11-time all-conference athlete at Heidelberg University, Stoll coached six All-Americans and 33 all-conference performers during stops at North Park University (assistant coach, 2023-25) and North Central College (graduate assistant, 2022-23).
In addition to Stoll, Air Force's 2026 staff will include two Academy graduates and one former assistant coach. 1Lt Michelle Roca, a 2022 USAFA graduate and the program record-holder in the 400-meter hurdles, will assist with the Falcons' hurdle squad, while serving at nearby Schriever SFB. 1Lt AJ Kedge (Class of 2023) will continue to serve as the program's recruiting coordinator and assist with the distance squad. Currently stationed at Hanscom AFB, Kedge will be returning to USAFA this spring. Scott Irving, who oversaw the Falcons' throwing program for 14 years (1999-2013) and was the coach behind Air Force's two NCAA titles in the javelin, will rejoin the staff to assist the squad's current lineup of javelin throwers.
The remainder of the Falcons' track and field staff includes Cole (men's middle distance, distance), head coach Scott Steffan (jumps, combined events), assistant coach Laura Bowerman (women's middle distance, distance), and assistant coach Kyle Lillie (rotational throws), while former cross country coach Mark Stanforth will continue to assist with the distance program.
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