Aaliyah Ricketts

Photo by: Josh Armstrong

Class:
Senior
Events:
Long Jump, Triple Jump
Hometown:
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Height:
5-7
High School:
Widefield
Squadron:
28 Blackbirds

SENIOR YEAR | 2022-23: Team captain.

JUNIOR YEAR | 2021-22: Impacted the program’s Top 25 in the long jump and triple jump…equaled the 13th-best long jump distance in Academy history (17’9½”) during a winning effort at the Air Force Twilight Open…also moved into No. 16 on the program’s all-time triple jump standings at that meet (36’8¼”)…recorded a career-best indoor long jump of 17’5½” at the Invitational at the Peak meet…that mark ranks No. 18 on the program’s all-time standings…added a season-best triple jump of 35’6¾” during that meet.

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2020-21: Competed in the long jump and triple jump during seven meets…posted personal-best indoor marks in both events at the UCCS Open – long jump (16’7¼”), triple jump (34’6¼”)…added an outdoor-best long jump of 16’3¼” at the Jack Christiansen Invitational…used a wind-aided (+3.2) mark of 17’5¼” to finish second at the Air Force Twilight Open.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2019-20: Participated in the long jump and triple jump during six indoor meets...recorded career-best marks in both events during collegiate debut at the Air Force Holiday Open – long jump (16’5¾”), triple jump (35’9¼”)...that triple jump distance led the team in 2020.

HIGH SCHOOL: Widefield High School...four-year varsity letterwinner in track and field...won the triple jump at the 2018 Colorado 4A High School State Championships...also collected a third-place finish in the long jump at the state meet...four-time 4A state qualifier in both the long jump and triple jump...seven-time all-league honoree (five-time first teamer, two-time second teamer)...two-time all-conference...named a 4A All-Star by the Colorado Springs Gazette four times (twice on the first team, twice on the second team)...selected to the Down Under Sports All-State Colorado Track and Field Team...earned four varsity letters in basketball...all-time leading scorer for Widefield varsity basketball...member of the 1000 Point Club...earned all-state honorable mention honors as a junior...four-year all-league selection (honorable mention: 2015-16, 2018-19; second-team: 2016-17; first-team: 2017-18)...named to the CSML All-Defensive Team as a sophomore...two-time all-conference selection...23-time Player of the Game...named a 4A All-Star (second-team)...also lettered in volleyball...earned the WHS Three-Sport Athlete Award during the 2016-18 seasons...four-time academic all-state honoree (twice in track and field, once in basketball, once in volleyball)...named Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year...recipient of the Colorado Springs Gazette’s Best and Brightest Award in 2019...received the Les Schwab Tire Center’s Academic Team Championship Award...named WHS Science Student of the Month...served as president of the National Honor Society...earned a varsity letter in student athletic training...also served as Red Cross Club president, Spirit Club co-president, Link Crew mentor and peer mediator...creator of the WHS Leadership Academy...class valedictorian.

PERSONAL: Full name is Aaliyah Jasmyn Ricketts...daughter of Paul and Joleen Ricketts...has one older brother, Devon, who is a member of the men’s basketball team at Tabor College...also has one younger sister...majoring in biology...commissioning as a pilot after graduation…team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee...served as Squadron Superintendent during the Fall of 2021…also served as Section Chief...named 2021 USAFA BCT Outstanding Cadet NCO...named to the Commandant’s List for excellence in military performance...also named to the Athletic Director’s List...earned Jump Wings in the summer of 2020...can play the guitar and ukulele...also likes to draw and paint during free time…served as Expeditionary Group Commander over the summer, overseeing 1200 cadets in various Academy programs (Operation Air Force, Sports Camps, Summer Seminar and academic classes)...member of Cadet Squadron 28.