Air Force Athletics announces 2026 Bolt Award winners
5/21/2026 11:21:00 AM | General
Air Force athletics recently celebrated cadet-athlete accomplishments for the 2025-26 season at the annual Bolt Awards ceremony, May 19, at Arnold Hall.
Major Zach Rasmussen, chief of the intercollegiate liaison branch and a 2012 Academy graduate, served as the architect of the evening.
"This was my first year helping with the Bolt Awards, so I didn't really know what to expect," Rasmussen said. "The energy and atmosphere were electric which is a testament to the hard work that the team put in to make the night special. Emma Cahillane and the entire marketing team crafted an amazing production. Capt. Brett Fogelberg ran point on the voting process and getting the trophies ready. Senior Ethan Ashley and junior Chelsea Boyer were critical links to finding cadet volunteers to present the awards. Also, the Arnold Hall staff was extremely helpful in the setup and execution of the event."
Qualification for a Bolt Award include performances that span the spring of 2025 through the winter of 2026.
2026 Bolt Award Winners
Military Team of the Year (Presented to the team with the highest Military Performance Average)
Spirit (2.978 MPA)
Academic Team of the Year (Presented to the team with the highest Grade Point Average)
Golf (3.28 GPA)
Community Service Award (Presented to the team that demonstrated leadership qualities in community service)
Women's Gymnastics
Manager of the Year
Dallen Rawson, football: Now in his third year with Air Force Football Video, Rawson has distinguished himself as an exceptional cadet whose impact has been felt since the moment he joined the department. From day one, he has demonstrated outstanding initiative, an unwavering work ethic, and a level of dedication that sets the standard for his peers. He consistently volunteers for additional assignments and responsibilities, always putting the needs of the team and department above himself.
Unsung Hero
Holt Oliphant, hockey: Senior team captain Holt Oliphant played a key role in the team finishing the season with 18 overall wins and 11 road wins, both tied as the most wins since 2017-18. A two-way player whose energy and tenacity are infectious, he was fifth on the team in goals and eighth in points. Defensively, he was instrumental on the team's penalty kill, as that unit was fourth in the league and 18th in the nation at 82.5 percent. A two-time CSC Academic All-District and two-time Coaches All-American Scholar selection, his 41 blocked shots were second on the team among the forwards, and he had two game-winning goals on the season.
Male Rookie of the Year
Karson Tompkins, wrestling: Karson Tompkins had an exceptional freshman campaign that ended in a 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championship run. Tompkins, nationally ranked all season and as high as No. 18, posted a 19-11 overall record and was 7-3 in dual action. Tompkins upended three top 20 wrestlers and landed an eighth place podium finish at the Big 12 Conference Championships. He placed second at the Roadrunner Open and third at the Clarion Open.
Female Rookie of the Year
Sela Panuve, boxing: Sela Panuve had a stellar freshman season with the boxing team, capturing the 2025 NCBA national championship at 156 pounds and helping the women to the team title. Panuve rolled through the national tournament, posting three wins in three days – including a victory over Navy in the semifinal and a championship win that avenged an earlier, regional loss to California. Securing her first individual belt, Panuve helped the women capture the first NCBA team title in program history. In addition to her impressive run through the national meet, which included NCBA All-America honors, Panuve captured her first Wing Open title after defeating a senior and former champion.
Upset of the Year
Women's basketball vs. San Diego State: Nine-seed Air Force won an 83-76 thriller over No. 1 seed San Diego State in Las Vegas, securing the Falcons' second-ever semifinal bid in the 2026 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Championship. In a game which saw the lead exchange hands 13 times and fell to a single possession inside the final minute, it was the Falcons who emerged on top at the final buzzer to snap an eight-game winning streak for the outright Mountain West regular-season champions. The Falcon women would go on to win three, defeating No. 5 Boise State in the semifinal round before falling to No. 3 Colorado State in their first-ever championship appearance.
Best Team Performance
Women's Boxing: The Air Force women captured the national boxing team title when they finished first at the National Collegiate Boxing Association Championships. Four Falcons claimed individual titles, with Elise Bell, Naomi Brabham, Maya Lee, and Sela Panuve winning their respective bouts. Four others – Peyton Glenn, Juliana Morris, Cass Rosa, Nebi Tsarni – earned bronze medals for a program-record eight NCBA All-America honors.
Best Comeback Performance
Liliane Aittama, track and field: After missing the majority of last season with injury, Liliane Aittama dominated the oval during her return to the 800-meter run. Capturing three first-place finishes – and never finishing lower than second, Aittama capped the indoor season by breaking the Air Force Record on back-to-back days at the Mountain West Indoor Championships. After taking down the program's 12-year-old standard during the preliminary round on Feb. 27, she shattered that time with a 2:05.97 (adjusted for altitude) to claim a silver medal at the conference meet.
Best Male Individual Performance
Texas Tanner, track and field: Texas Tanner finished fourth in the hammer throw at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships, becoming the first Falcon in 60 years to secure All-American honors in a men's throwing event – and the first to do so in that event. Tanner posted a throw of 75.22 meters (246'9") – the second-best distance in program history – on his third attempt to vault into fourth and guaranteed his eventual spot on the podium with First-Team All-America status. His fourth-place finish is the Mountain West's best hammer throw finish since 2003 and the Academy's best finish in any throwing event since 1965.
Best Female Individual Performance
Milahnie Perry, women's basketball: In Air Force's 83-76 win over top-seeded San Diego State in the Mountain West Championship quarterfinals, Milahnie Perry scored a career high 33 points while adding nine rebounds - also a career best. Perry's 33 points represented a tournament-high finish in 2026 and now ranks as the fifth-highest single-game performance in Mountain West women's basketball tournament history. Perry's showing against the Aztecs resulted in the first win of a nine seed over a No. 1 in the Mountain West tournament since 2002. She scored 92 points in the tournament and led Air Force to a historic tournament runner-up finish, and was named Mountain West Championship MVP, a program first. Perry now holds the single season record for points scored in the mountain west tournament.
Athletic Director's Award
Elise Bell, boxing and Carter Nogle, wrestling: Elise Bell is a two-time national champion and helped the women's boxing team to back-to-back national championships. Carter Nogle finished fifth at the NCAA championships.
Male Athlete of the Year
Texas Tanner, track and field: After a stellar junior outdoor season that culminated with All-America honors in the hammer throw and Athlete of the Year awards from both the USTFCCCA and Mountain West, Texas Tanner's success continued into the indoor season, where he became the first member of the men's team to earn indoor All-America honors in a throwing event as first-team shot put and second-team weight throw. Tanner, who was named the Field Performer of the Meet after sweeping the conference shot put and weight throw titles at the Mountain West Championships, was a two-time NCAA Qualifier and reset his own Air Force Records in the weight throw and shot put – with the latter (20.25 meters) marking the first 20-meter throw by any Service Academy athlete and securing a fifth-place finish at the national championships.
Female Athlete of the Year
Maggie Slife, women's gymnastics: As well as being a back-to-back Bolt Awards female athlete of the year, she is a back-to-back reigning Mountain West Gymnast of the Year and the top-ranked gymnast in the Mountain West across all four events. Slife is currently the highest-ranked non power four conference vault and bars gymnast in the country. On beam and floor, Slife is the second-highest ranked non power four gymnast in the nation. Slife has broken the MW all-around record three times in 2026 and has posted scores inside the MW top 10 on 11 separate occasions this season.
Major Zach Rasmussen, chief of the intercollegiate liaison branch and a 2012 Academy graduate, served as the architect of the evening.
"This was my first year helping with the Bolt Awards, so I didn't really know what to expect," Rasmussen said. "The energy and atmosphere were electric which is a testament to the hard work that the team put in to make the night special. Emma Cahillane and the entire marketing team crafted an amazing production. Capt. Brett Fogelberg ran point on the voting process and getting the trophies ready. Senior Ethan Ashley and junior Chelsea Boyer were critical links to finding cadet volunteers to present the awards. Also, the Arnold Hall staff was extremely helpful in the setup and execution of the event."
Qualification for a Bolt Award include performances that span the spring of 2025 through the winter of 2026.
2026 Bolt Award Winners
Military Team of the Year (Presented to the team with the highest Military Performance Average)
Spirit (2.978 MPA)
Academic Team of the Year (Presented to the team with the highest Grade Point Average)
Golf (3.28 GPA)
Community Service Award (Presented to the team that demonstrated leadership qualities in community service)
Women's Gymnastics
Manager of the Year
Dallen Rawson, football: Now in his third year with Air Force Football Video, Rawson has distinguished himself as an exceptional cadet whose impact has been felt since the moment he joined the department. From day one, he has demonstrated outstanding initiative, an unwavering work ethic, and a level of dedication that sets the standard for his peers. He consistently volunteers for additional assignments and responsibilities, always putting the needs of the team and department above himself.
Unsung Hero
Holt Oliphant, hockey: Senior team captain Holt Oliphant played a key role in the team finishing the season with 18 overall wins and 11 road wins, both tied as the most wins since 2017-18. A two-way player whose energy and tenacity are infectious, he was fifth on the team in goals and eighth in points. Defensively, he was instrumental on the team's penalty kill, as that unit was fourth in the league and 18th in the nation at 82.5 percent. A two-time CSC Academic All-District and two-time Coaches All-American Scholar selection, his 41 blocked shots were second on the team among the forwards, and he had two game-winning goals on the season.
Male Rookie of the Year
Karson Tompkins, wrestling: Karson Tompkins had an exceptional freshman campaign that ended in a 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championship run. Tompkins, nationally ranked all season and as high as No. 18, posted a 19-11 overall record and was 7-3 in dual action. Tompkins upended three top 20 wrestlers and landed an eighth place podium finish at the Big 12 Conference Championships. He placed second at the Roadrunner Open and third at the Clarion Open.
Female Rookie of the Year
Sela Panuve, boxing: Sela Panuve had a stellar freshman season with the boxing team, capturing the 2025 NCBA national championship at 156 pounds and helping the women to the team title. Panuve rolled through the national tournament, posting three wins in three days – including a victory over Navy in the semifinal and a championship win that avenged an earlier, regional loss to California. Securing her first individual belt, Panuve helped the women capture the first NCBA team title in program history. In addition to her impressive run through the national meet, which included NCBA All-America honors, Panuve captured her first Wing Open title after defeating a senior and former champion.
Upset of the Year
Women's basketball vs. San Diego State: Nine-seed Air Force won an 83-76 thriller over No. 1 seed San Diego State in Las Vegas, securing the Falcons' second-ever semifinal bid in the 2026 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Championship. In a game which saw the lead exchange hands 13 times and fell to a single possession inside the final minute, it was the Falcons who emerged on top at the final buzzer to snap an eight-game winning streak for the outright Mountain West regular-season champions. The Falcon women would go on to win three, defeating No. 5 Boise State in the semifinal round before falling to No. 3 Colorado State in their first-ever championship appearance.
Best Team Performance
Women's Boxing: The Air Force women captured the national boxing team title when they finished first at the National Collegiate Boxing Association Championships. Four Falcons claimed individual titles, with Elise Bell, Naomi Brabham, Maya Lee, and Sela Panuve winning their respective bouts. Four others – Peyton Glenn, Juliana Morris, Cass Rosa, Nebi Tsarni – earned bronze medals for a program-record eight NCBA All-America honors.
Best Comeback Performance
Liliane Aittama, track and field: After missing the majority of last season with injury, Liliane Aittama dominated the oval during her return to the 800-meter run. Capturing three first-place finishes – and never finishing lower than second, Aittama capped the indoor season by breaking the Air Force Record on back-to-back days at the Mountain West Indoor Championships. After taking down the program's 12-year-old standard during the preliminary round on Feb. 27, she shattered that time with a 2:05.97 (adjusted for altitude) to claim a silver medal at the conference meet.
Best Male Individual Performance
Texas Tanner, track and field: Texas Tanner finished fourth in the hammer throw at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships, becoming the first Falcon in 60 years to secure All-American honors in a men's throwing event – and the first to do so in that event. Tanner posted a throw of 75.22 meters (246'9") – the second-best distance in program history – on his third attempt to vault into fourth and guaranteed his eventual spot on the podium with First-Team All-America status. His fourth-place finish is the Mountain West's best hammer throw finish since 2003 and the Academy's best finish in any throwing event since 1965.
Best Female Individual Performance
Milahnie Perry, women's basketball: In Air Force's 83-76 win over top-seeded San Diego State in the Mountain West Championship quarterfinals, Milahnie Perry scored a career high 33 points while adding nine rebounds - also a career best. Perry's 33 points represented a tournament-high finish in 2026 and now ranks as the fifth-highest single-game performance in Mountain West women's basketball tournament history. Perry's showing against the Aztecs resulted in the first win of a nine seed over a No. 1 in the Mountain West tournament since 2002. She scored 92 points in the tournament and led Air Force to a historic tournament runner-up finish, and was named Mountain West Championship MVP, a program first. Perry now holds the single season record for points scored in the mountain west tournament.
Athletic Director's Award
Elise Bell, boxing and Carter Nogle, wrestling: Elise Bell is a two-time national champion and helped the women's boxing team to back-to-back national championships. Carter Nogle finished fifth at the NCAA championships.
Male Athlete of the Year
Texas Tanner, track and field: After a stellar junior outdoor season that culminated with All-America honors in the hammer throw and Athlete of the Year awards from both the USTFCCCA and Mountain West, Texas Tanner's success continued into the indoor season, where he became the first member of the men's team to earn indoor All-America honors in a throwing event as first-team shot put and second-team weight throw. Tanner, who was named the Field Performer of the Meet after sweeping the conference shot put and weight throw titles at the Mountain West Championships, was a two-time NCAA Qualifier and reset his own Air Force Records in the weight throw and shot put – with the latter (20.25 meters) marking the first 20-meter throw by any Service Academy athlete and securing a fifth-place finish at the national championships.
Female Athlete of the Year
Maggie Slife, women's gymnastics: As well as being a back-to-back Bolt Awards female athlete of the year, she is a back-to-back reigning Mountain West Gymnast of the Year and the top-ranked gymnast in the Mountain West across all four events. Slife is currently the highest-ranked non power four conference vault and bars gymnast in the country. On beam and floor, Slife is the second-highest ranked non power four gymnast in the nation. Slife has broken the MW all-around record three times in 2026 and has posted scores inside the MW top 10 on 11 separate occasions this season.
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