2012 Air Force Men's Gymnastics Media Guide by Air Force Sports Information

AIR FORCE MEN’S GYMNASTICS

2012 media guide

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY Location .................................... USAF Academy, Colo. Founded ............................................................. 1954 Enrollment ......................................................... 4,400 Colors ..................................................Blue and Silver Nickname ....................................................... Falcons Affiliation ............................................NCAA Division I Conference .........Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Superintendent ....................Lt Gen Michael C. Gould Director of Athletics ........................... Dr. Hans Mueh

Quick Facts | Meet Schedule ................................ 1 Media Information | 2012 Roster ...................... 2-3 Opponent Information .......................................... 4 Head Coach Kip Simons ...................................... 6-7 Assistant Coaches ............................................... 8-9 Support Staff ....................................................... 10 Senior Gymnasts............................................. 12-15 Junior Gymnasts ............................................. 16-18 Sophomore Gymnasts .................................... 19-23 Freshman Gymnasts ....................................... 24-27 2011 Season in Review ................................... 30-32 Meet-By-Meet Scores .................................... 33-36

USAG National Championship Teams ................. 38 National Awards .................................................. 39 Program Awards | Coaching Awards................... 40 Academic Awards ................................................ 41 All-Time Letterwinners ........................................ 42 Academy Records ................................................ 43 Top Performances .......................................... 43-44 The Academy .................................................. 46-47 Air Force Athletics .......................................... 48-49 Gymnastics Training Facilities ............................. 50 Special Feature .................................................... 51 Community Outreach .......................................... 52 Capt Torkelson Tribute ........................................ 53 Overview of the Scoring System.......................... 54

2011 SEASON REVIEW

SUPPORT STAFF Volunteer Coach ................................ Dave Mickelson Officer Rep .................... Maj Cathrine Marchesseault Officer Rep ..................................... Capt Emily Bulger Athletic Trainer........................................Mark Peters Cadet Manager ..................................... Anna Wallace Cadet Manager ........................................ Kaila Weber

CREDITS

DATE Jan. 14 Jan. 22 Jan. 28 Feb. 2 Feb. 18 Feb. 24 Feb. 26 Mar. 2 Mar. 4 Mar. 9 Mar. 17 Mar. 30 Mar. 31 Apr. 7 Apr. 19-21

MEET Rocky Mountain Open at Nebraska Minnesota at Winter Cup Challenge at All-Academy Classic at Army at Temple Illinois-Chicago Illinois-Chicago at Arizona State at Oklahoma USAG Championships USAG Championships MPSF Championships at NCAA Championships

LOCATION USAF Academy, Colo. Lincoln, Neb. USAF Academy, Colo. Las Vegas, Nev. San Jose, Calif. West Point, N.Y. Philadelphia, Pa. USAF Academy, Colo. USAF Academy, Colo. Tempe, Ariz. Norman, Okla. USAF Academy, Colo. USAF Academy, Colo. USAF Academy, Colo. Norman, Okla.

ARENA Cadet West Gym Devaney Center Cadet West Gym LV Sports Center Spartan Gym Gross Center McGonigle Arena Cadet West Gym Cadet West Gym Wells Fargo Center Lloyd Noble Center Cadet West Gym Cadet West Gym Cadet West Gym Lloyd Noble Center

Home competitions are listed in blue. Subject to change | Check GoAirForceFalcons.com for the most up-to-date schedule.

TIME 6:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

The 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide was written and designed by assistant media relations director Valerie Perkin. Additional editing provided by the Air Force media relations office and the gymnastics coaching staff. Photographs were taken by members of the Academy’s DenMar Photo Services and Jeff Mills. The front cover features the Falcons’ three returning USAG national champions, Tory Brown, Devin Menefee and James Okamoto. The front and back inside covers display the All-Academy Championship trophy.

2012 AIR FORCE COMPETITION SCHEDULE

PROGRAM HISTORY

TEAM INFORMATION Team Captain .....................................Devin Menefee Home Facility ................................... Cadet West Gym Scorers Table Phone ...........................(719) 440-5315 2011 MPSF Finish .................................................. 5th 2011 USAG Finish ...................................................1st 2011 NCAA Final Ranking ...................................... 9th Letterwinners R/L ................................................11/7 USAG All-Americans R/L ........................................ 3/3 Newcomers .............................................................. 8 MEDIA INFORMATION Assistant SID/Men’s Gymnastics .......... Valerie Perkin Email ............................. valerie.perkin@usafa.edu Office Phone ..................................(719) 333-8283 Office Fax .......................................(719) 333-3798 Website ................................ GoAirForceFalcons.com

MEET THE FALCONS

COACHING STAFF Head Coach ...............................................Kip Simons Email .................................. kip.simons@usafa.edu Office Phone ..................................(719) 333-7667 Office Fax .......................................(719) 333-7320 Assistant Coach .....................................Jeff Robinson Email ......................... jeffrey.robinson@usafa.edu Office Phone ..................................(719) 333-4609 Assistant Coach ................................. Chuck Schweiss Email ................... charles.schweiss.ctr@usafa.edu Office Phone ..................................(719) 333-6422

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2012 INFORMATION

QUICK FACTS

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

INTERVIEWS: Interviews with Air Force coaches and gymnasts must be arraigned through Valerie Perkin in the Air Force Athletic Media Relations Office. All requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the desired interview time. WORKING PRESS CREDENTIALS: Press and photo credentials for media can be obtained by contacting Valerie Perkin, assistant athletic media relations director, at (719) 333-8286. Requests should be made at least one day prior to the meet. CONTACTING ATHLETES: The private phone numbers and email addresses of Air Force cadet-athletes will not be issued to the media. The cadet-athletes have been instructed not to accept calls from any members of the media without prior notification from the athletic media relations office.

AIR FORCE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

WWW.GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM

Associate Athletic Director | Communications ...............................Troy Garnhart Assistant Athletic Director | Media Relations ..................................... Dave Toller Assistant Media Relations Director ..................................................Nick Arseniak Assistant Media Relations Director ...................................................... Jerry Cross Assistant Media Relations Director .......................................... Melissa McKeown Assistant Media Relations Director ................................................. Valerie Perkin Graphics Coordinator .............................................................. Madeline McGuire Broadcast Executive Producer.......................................................... Brian Jerman Television Production Assistant ........................................................Adam Parker

Visit the official Air Force athletic website - GoAirForceFalcons.com for the most up-to-date information regarding the Falcons’ men’s gymnastics team and all 27 Air Force sports. Results, statistics, rosters, cadet-athlete bios, previews, features, interviews and meet recaps can be found on the team page.

Mailing Address ................................................................ 2169 Field House Drive ..................................................................................... USAF Academy, CO 80840 Website ..................................................................www.GoAirForceFalcons.com Office Phone ..................................................................................(719) 333-2313 Office Fax.......................................................................................(719) 333-3798

PRIMARY MEDIA OUTLETS

Men’s Gymnastics Contact .............................................................. Valerie Perkin Email ............................................................................. valerie.perkin@usafa.edu Office Phone ..................................................................................(719) 333-8286 Cell Phone .....................................................................................(719) 440-5215

MOUNTAIN PACIFIC SPORTS FEDERATION Executive Director ...................................................................................Al Beaird Office Phone ..................................................................................(530) 669-7600 Media Relations Coordinator ........................................................Darren Preston Email ...................................................................................dp725@sbcglobal.net Mailing Address ...................................................................................PO Box 850 ................................................................................... Woodland, CA 95776-0850 Website ................................................................................. www.mpsports.org

Academy Spirit HQ USAFA/PAI USAFA, CO 80840 Phone: (719) 333-2044

Denver Post 101 W. Colfax Ave., 600 Denver, CO 80202 Phone: (303) 954-1296

KOAA-TV (5/30) - NBC 2200 7th Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003 Phone: (719) 630-3930

The Gazett e 30 S. Prospect Colo. Springs, CO 80903 Phone: (719) 636-0250

KRDO-TV (13) - ABC P.O. Box 1457 Colo. Springs, CO 80901 Phone: (719) 575-6360

KKTV (11) - CBS 3100 N. Nevada Ave. Colo. Springs, CO 80907 Phone: (719) 578-0000

DIRECTIONS TO CADET WEST GYMNASIUM Take I-25 to the Air Force Academy North Gate entrance (exit 156-B) and continue west. Visitors will be required to have a current government-issued ID (such as a drivers license) and proof of insurance upon entering the Academy. Turn left onto Parade Loop (second left after the guard post). Follow the road to the right - it turns into Field House Drive. Park in the lots to the east or south of the Cadet Field House. Walk past the Cadet Field House and Falcon Athletic Center to enter the Cadet Gym (doors are north of the outdoor tennis courts).

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

AIR FORCE INTERVIEW POLICIES

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

YR Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr.

HT 5-6 5-9 5-7 5-4 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-8 5-4 5-9 5-7 5-7 5-6 5-9 5-3 5-5 5-6 5-4 6-3 5-3

EVENTS SR, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB PH, SR, PB PH, PB, HB FX, SR, V, PB, HB PH, PB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB HB FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB

CLUB TEAM PRONUNCIATION High Sierra Gymnastics uh-wee-suss Queen City Gymnastics -Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC) -Ace Gymnastics | Orlando Metro gare-ud Legends Gymnastics chap-utt Gold Cup Gymnastics -Colorado Training Center gawd-lip Cypress Academy of Gymnastics how-der Alamo Gymnastics Center heeb-ner Sunrise Gymnastics jess-up Cypress Academy of Gymnastics menn-eff-ee Colorado Training Center -South Coast Gymnastics oak-ah-moh-toe World Olympic Gymnastics -Jenks Gymnastics rahm-ohs G&J Speedway Gymnastics -5280 Gymnastics nee-koh New Hope Academy spy-roh -tom-uh-chef-skee Pittsburgh Northstars zz-eye-sir

CLASS SENIORS Jacob Houder Devin Menefee Tyler Myers J Tomaszewski

SOPHOMORES Kyle Baker Patrick Duffy Tyler Huebner Mac Ritchie Ben Zaiser

5-5 TO 5-6 Skyler Awisus James Okamoto Mac Ritchie Niko Schwab 5-7 TO 5-8 Tory Brown Greg Chaput Patrick Duffy Nick Gaudlip Jacob Houder Devin Menefee Travis Myers 5-9 TO 6-3 Kyle Baker Alex Jessop Corbin Palmer J Tomaszewski

CALIFORNIA James Okamoto Jon Spiro COLORADO Nick Gaudlip Travis Myers FLORIDA Gared Chapman ILLINOIS J Tomaszewski KENTUCKY Kyle Baker MASSACHUSETTS Greg Chaput

N CAROLINA Mac RItchie OHIO Alex Jessop OKLAHOMA Josh Ramos OREGON Tory Brown

PRONUNCIATION

PENNSYLVANIA Ben Zaiser

Skyler Awisus .................................................................................... uh-wee-suss Gared Chapman ........................................................................................gare-ud Greg Chaput .............................................................................................chap-utt Nick Gaudlip .............................................................................................gawd-lip Jacob Houder ...........................................................................................how-der Tyler Huebner .........................................................................................heeb-ner Alex Jessop .................................................................................................jess-up Devin Menefee.................................................................................... men-eff-ee James Okamoto .......................................................................... oak-ah-moh-toe Niko Schwab............................................................................................. nee-koh Jon Spiro .................................................................................................... spy-roh Jared Tomaszewski ...................................................................tom-uh-chef-skee Ben Zaiser............................................................................................... zz-eye-sir

TEXAS Jacob Houder Tyler Huebner Devin Menefee Corbin Palmer

NEVADA Skyler Awisus NEW MEXICO Patrick Duffy Niko Schwab

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

FRESHMEN Skyler Awisus Gared Chapman Greg Chaput Nick Gaudlip Corbin Palmer Josh Ramos Niko Schwab Jon Spiro

5-3 TO 5-4 Gared Chapman Tyler Huebner Josh Ramos Jon Spiro Ben Zaiser

STATE

PROGRAM HISTORY

JUNIORS Tory Brown Alex Jessop James Okamoto

HEIGHT

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

NAME Skyler Awisus Kyle Baker Tory Brown Gared Chapman Greg Chaput Patrick Duffy Nick Gaudlip Jacob Houder Tyler Huebner Alex Jessop Devin Menefee Travis Myers James Okamoto Corbin Palmer Josh Ramos Mac Ritchie Niko Schwab Jon Spiro Jared Tomaszewski Ben Zaiser

2012 INFORMATION

2012 AIR FORCE MEN’S GYMNASTICS ROSTER

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

NEBRASKA Location ................................................ Lincoln, Neb. Founded ............................................................ 1869 Enrollment ...................................................... 24,610 Conference .................................................... Big Ten Nickname .............................................. Cornhuskers Colors ...........................................Scarlet and Cream Facility ........................... Bob Devaney Sports Center Chancellor ................................Harvey Perlman, J.D. Athletics Director ................................ Tom Osborne Head Coach ...................................... Chuck Chmelka 2011 Conf Finish ...................................... 4th (MPSF) 2011 Final Ranking .............................................10th Gymnastics SID .................................. Makayla Hipke Phone ............................................... (402) 472-0694 Email ...................................... mhipke@huskers.com Website ....................................... www.huskers.com

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

NAVY Location .............................................Annapolis, Md. Founded ............................................................ 1845 Enrollment ........................................................ 4,400 Conference ......................Eastern Collegiate Athletic Nickname .................................... Midshipmen, Mids Colors .........................................Navy Blue and Gold Facility ...........................................Macdonough Hall Superintendent ...................Vice Adm Michael Miler Athletics Director ...............................Chet Gladchuk Head Coach .................................. Dr. ShoFukushima 2011 Conf Finish ...................................................5th 2011 Final Ranking .............................................16th Gymnastics SID ........................................ Jeff Barnes Phone ............................................... (410) 293-8771 Email .............................................barnes@usna.edu Website .................................. www.navysports.com

ARIZONA STATE Location .................................................Tempe, Ariz. Founded ............................................................ 1885 Enrollment ...................................................... 72,250 Conference ...........................................................n/a Nickname ..................................................Sun Devils Colors ............................................Maroon and Gold Facility ............................Aspire Kids Training Center President ....................................... Dr. Michael Crow Athletics Director ........................................Lisa Love Head Coach .......................................... Scott Barclay 2011 Conf Finish ...................................................n/a 2011 Final Ranking .............................................18th Gymnastics SID .......................................Paula Auger Phone ............................................... (480) 920-3774 Email ............................. paula@aspirekidsports.com Website .................... www.sundevilgymnastics.com

MINNESOTA

ARMY

Location ......................................Minneapolis, Minn. Founded ............................................................ 1851 Enrollment ...................................................... 51,000 Conference .................................................... Big Ten Nickname ........................................Golden Gophers Colors ............................................Maroon and Gold Facility ............................................... Sports Pavilion President ....................................Robert H. Bruininks Athletics Director .................................... Joel Maturi Head Coach .............................................Mike Burns 2011 Conf Finish ...................................................5th 2011 Final Ranking ...............................................8th Gymnastics SID ...................................... Andy Seeley Phone ............................................... (612) 625-4090 Email ............................................ aseeley@umn.edu Website ............................. www.GopherSports.com

TEMPLE

Location ........................................... West Point, N.Y. Founded ............................................................ 1802 Enrollment ........................................................ 4,400 Conference ......................Eastern Collegiate Athletic Nickname .............................................Black Knights Colors .......................................Black, Gold and Gray Facility .................................................. Gross Center Superintendent ..................... Lt Gen David Huntoon Interim Athletics Director ............... Col Sam Johnson Head Coach ................................... Doug Van Everen 2011 Conf Finish ...................................................6th 2011 Final Ranking .............................................15th Gymnastics SID .....................................Mady Salvani Phone ............................................... (845) 938-3303 Email ............................madeline.salvani@usma.edu Website ............................ www.GoArmySports.com

ILLINOIS-CHICAGO

Location .......................................... Philadelphia, Pa. Founded ............................................................ 1884 Enrollment ...................................................... 39,000 Conference ......................Eastern Collegiate Athletic Nickname .......................................................... Owls Colors ............................................Cherry and White Facility ...............................................McGonigle Hall President ................................. Dr. Ann Weaver Hart Athletics Director ................................ Bill Bradshaw Head Coach ............................................. Fred Turoff 2011 Conf Finish ..................................................2nd 2011 Final Ranking .............................................14th Gymnastics SID ........................................Steve Helm Phone ............................................... (215) 204-7446 Email .................................. steve.helm@temple.edu Website ....................................www.owlsports.com

OKLAHOMA

Location ...................................................Chicago, Ill. Founded ............................................................ 1896 Enrollment ...................................................... 27,300 Conference ......................Eastern Collegiate Athletic Nickname .......................................................Flames Colors ....................... Navy Blue and Fire Engine Red Facility ........................... Physical Education Building Chancellor ..................................Paula Allen-Meares Athletics Director .........................James W. Schmidt Head Coach .......................................Charley Nelson 2011 Conf Finish ................................................... 1st 2011 Final Ranking .............................................12th Gymnastics SID ...................................Robbin Cooley Phone ............................................... (312) 413-9340 Email ...............................................rcooley@uic.edu Website ....................................www.uicFlames.com

USAG CHAMPIONSHIPS

Location ..............................................Norman, Okla. Founded ............................................................ 1890 Enrollment ...................................................... 30.092 Conference .................. Mountain Pacific Sports Fed. Nickname ..................................................... Sooners Colors ........................................ Crimson and Cream Facility .................... Howard McCasland Field House President ............................................... David Boren Athletics Director .............................. Joe Castiglione Head Coach ........................................Mark Williams 2011 Conf Finish ..................................................2nd 2011 Final Ranking ............................................... 1st Gymnastics SID ................................... Ben Coldagelli Phone ............................................... (405) 325-8349 Email ..........................................bcoldagelli@ou.edu Website .............................. www.SonnerSports.com

March 30-31, 2012 | USAF Academy, Colo.

MPSF CHAMPIONSHIPS April 7, 2012 | USAF Academy, Colo.

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS April 19-21, 2012 | Norman, Okla.

THE COACHING STAFF

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

KIP SIMONS HEAD COACH | SEVENTH SEASON OHIO STATE, 1994

Olympian and USAG Hall of Fame selection Kip Simons enters his seventh season as the head coach of the Air Force Academy men’s gymnastics team. Since taking over the Falcons’ program in 2005, Simons has coached one NCAA All-American (two certificates), one Nissen-Emery finalist, six USAG champions (13 titles) and 22 USAG All-Americans (46 certificates), while earning six coaching awards.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2010 USAG Hall of Fame Inductee 1988 Junior Pan-Am Champion 1991 Big Ten Freshman of the Year 1994 Goodwill Games Gold Medalist 1994 Nissen-Emery Award Winner 1995 Pan-American Gold Medalist 1996 Still Rings National Champion 1996 Olympian Two-time World Team Member Two-time NCAA All-American Four-time Big Ten Champion Five-time Junior Olympic Gold Medalist Four-time Ohio State Letterwinner

CAREER COACHING HIGHLIGHTS 2010 CGA Collegiate Head Coach of the Year 2008, 2010 West Region Coach of the Year 2008, 2010 USAG Coach of the Year 2006 MPSF Co-Coach of the Year

“Coaching here is a dream job,” Simons said. “There is nothing more rewarding than to see my athletes maximize their potential as gymnasts and then go on to become the best pilots in the nation. After six years, I truly believe when you look at academic, gymnastics and career opportunities, there is not a better option out there than the Air Force Academy.” In just six years at the helm of the Air Force program, Simons has accumulated several coaching accolades. In 2006, he was voted as the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year. Following the 2008 season, he was selected as the USAG Coach of the Year and the NCAA West Region Coach of the Year. The 2010 season was a banner year for Simons, who was named the USAG Varsity Head Coach of the Year, the NCAA West Region Coach of the Year and the CGA/Collegiate Division National Coach of the Year. Under Simons’ direction, the 2011 Air Force squad recorded one of the best seasons in program history. The Falcons repeated as the USAG national team champions, won their first All-Academy Championship title since 2000 and made the team’s first appearance at the NCAA National Qualifier since 1998. As a team, Air Force broke Academy records on five of six events, while collecting a program-best total score of 347.500. Individually, three gymnasts set or matched Academy-record scores, while a program-best four gymnasts claimed individual USAG titles. Nash Mills, who defended his title on the parallel bars, also claimed first on the still rings, while James Okamoto and Tory Brown won the pommel horse and vault titles, respectively. Last season was just another example of how the program has improved since Simons took over. Air Force claimed its first-ever USAG national title in 2010, while Mills (parallel bars, all-around) and Devin Menefee (vault) combined for three individual USAG titles and eight members competed at the NCAA Championships. In 2009, Simons guided Jake Schonig to his second straight USAG title on the still rings, as well as a place among the national finalists for the Nissen-Emery award. Six of Simons’ gymnasts, including two freshmen, earned spots at the NCAA Championships, while five claimed USAG All-America accolades. During 2008, he coached Greg Stine to the Academy’s first NCAA All-America certificate in 15 years, as Stine claimed top-eight honors at the NCAA Championships in the all-around and on the still rings. As a team, Air Force claimed a third-place finish at the USAG Collegiate Championships, while Stine (allaround, parallel bars) and Schonig (still rings) claimed USAG titles. In 2007, Air Force claimed its first individual USAG title in three years when Stine finished first on the floor exercise, still rings and all-around.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

“Here at the Air Force Academy, I apply the same work-ethic that took me to the Olympic Games to mold my cadets into future leaders of character,” he said. Prior to joining the Academy staff, Simons spent five seasons with the Cal Bears. He was an assistant coach from 2001-05 and then held the title of associate head coach during his final year in Berkeley. During his tenure at Cal, the Bears finished within the top-two at the MPSF Championships every year, winning the conference title in 2004. Simons helped guide Cal to a pair of third-place finishes at the NCAA Championships and coached 19 top-10 finishers, including four national champions.

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

2012 INFORMATION

Simons began his collegiate-level coaching career following a stellar career at both the collegiate and national levels. In 1988, Simons dominated the U.S. Junior National Championships and the Junior Pan-American Games, collecting 10 gold medals. During a successful college career at Ohio State, Simons earned numerous honors throughout his four years, including the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the Nissen-Emery Award, which is given to the nation’s top senior gymnast. A native of Bloomsburg, Pa., he was a four-year member of the All-Big 10 team, while earning four Big 10 Conference titles on the parallel bars (1992, 1994), still rings (1992) and high bar (1993). In addition, Simons picked up two NCAA All-America certificates, as the Buckeyes finished third at the national meet during each of his last three seasons. In September 2006, Simons was inducted into the OSU Athletics Hall of Fame by the Varsity “O” Association.

MEET THE FALCONS

Following his collegiate career, Simons competed on two world championship teams, as well as the gold-medal winning teams at the 1994 Goodwill Games and the 1995 Pan-American Games. He also represented the United States as a member of the 1996 Olympic team that finished fifth at the Atlanta Games. “I am able to draw on my 10-year national and international competitive career as the foundation to building my program,” Simons continued. “Having the Olympic Training Center in our backyard is a huge asset to this program. Our coaching staff continues to stay up-to-date on the most current training and competitive strategies.” During the summer of 2010, he was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Joining Simons in the 2010 induction class was 1996 Olympic team gold medalist Dominique Moceanu, 1992 Olympic team bronze medalist Wendy Bruce-Martin, 2000 Olympian Jennifer Parilla, two-time U.S. Men’s Olympic team head coach Kevin Mazeika and 2000 U.S. Olympic trampoline coach Robert Null.

“When I reflect on all facets of my life, I realize that the life lessons I have learned and continue to learn are a direct result of my love for the sport of gymnastics. We all know the sport of gymnastics is very infectious. Once you begin heading down the ‘road of gymnastics’, there is no turning back.” -- Kip Simons

Simons was married in May 2009 to the former Kim Rich of Columbus, Ohio.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

Simons was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in August 2010. The Class of 2010 included Simons, Wendy Bruce, Kevin Mazeika, Dominique Moceanu, Robert Null and Jennifer Parilla, as well as Lifetime Achievement award winner Ellen Garlicki Nyemcsi.

PROGRAM HISTORY

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

In 2010, Simons was named the NCAA West Region Head Coach of the Year and the CGA/Collegiate Division National Head Coach of the Year. He was honored at the banquet prior to the NCAA Championships, along with former assistant Brett McClure, who was voted as the NCAA West Region Assistant Coach of the Year. Simons was also honored as the USAG Varsity Head Coach of the Year for the second time in his five-year tenure with the Falcons.

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

JEFF ROBINSON ASSISTANT COACH | SECOND SEASON AUBURN, 1982 | MEMPHIS STATE, 1983

Jeff Robinson is entering his second season as an assistant coach for the Air Force men’s gymnastics team. Robinson brings over 30 years of experience in gymnastics to the Falcons’ program, ranging from performance to hands-on teaching and coaching. He has also worked in a variety of capacities for the USA Gymnastics Men’s Program for over 20 years. In his first season with the Falcons, Robinson was named the USAG Assistant Coach of the Year, as the Falcons claimed their second USAG team title. Three individual Academy records were set or matched during his first year, while five team marks, as well as the overall team score, were also set. “I am extremely honored and humbled to become a member of the Air Force men’s gymnastics program,” Robinson said upon his hiring in September 2010. “The tradition of excellence here at the Academy is extremely impressive and I am very proud to now be a part of it.” Since 1986, Robinson has worked with USA Gymnastics, including three years as the Junior Olympic Program Coordinator (2006-08). He also served two terms as chairman of the men’s age group competition committee, worked on the Task Force for Elite Training Alternatives committee and has served as a guest clinician and presenter at numerous USAG Men’s Coaching Workshops and at the USAG National and Regional Congress. Robinson was honored with the Frank Comiskey Service Award during the 2011 Junior Olympic Nationals meet, recognizing the work he has done with the Junior Program over the last 25 years. It is the highest honor awarded to an administrator of the USA Gymnastics junior program. He is the co-founder and owner of Gymnastics University LLC, a gymnastics business consultancy firm that assists in areas ranging from facility development and construction to freelance teaching and coaching to business development and staff development. Robinson has also spent the last 21 years working in the entertainment division at Walt Disney World Resort. He was a principal performer for multiple live-action shows, including Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Fantasmic and Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show. He also spent five years as a stunt manager, where he recruited and trained new players, evaluated performances, wrote operational guidelines and safety procedures and inspected the facility. He spent 10 years at Orlando Metro Gymnastics, a club that he co-founded in 1992. As the men’s program director and head coach, Robinson helped develop 10 U.S. Junior and Senior National Team members. He also worked as the head coach for the Barbados International Men’s Gymnastics Delegation and served as the personal coach for Francis ‘Shane’ DeFreitas, who competed at the 1995 World Championships, the 1996 I.E.F. World Championships and the 1996 Olympic Games. He has also served as the boy’s program director and head coach at Brown’s Gymnastics Central (1984-88) and as the general manager, program director and head coach at Gymnastics Plus (1983-84).

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

He has received numerous coaching awards, most recently as a member of the inaugural USA Gymnastics Region VIII Hall of Fame in 2010. A FIG Level III Brevet Coach, Robinson was named Coach of the Year by the Florida USA Gymnastics Men’s Program (2003) and by the Seminole County School Board (1989). Robinson is a 1982 magna cum laude graduate of Auburn University (education: physical education/biology). He went on to earn a master’s degree in education (physical education/business) from Memphis State University in 1983.

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

ASSISTANT COACH | FOURTH SEASON USAF ACADEMY, 1982

On the sidelines as Air Force claimed its first-ever national title at the USAG Collegiate Championships in 2010, Schweiss and former assistant coach Brett McClure shared the USAG Assistant Coach of the Year award. Schweiss repeated as USAG Assistant Coach of the Year in 2011, sharing the award with Jeff Robinson, as the Falcons picked up their second straight title. Schweiss joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard following his graduation from high school. From the National Guard, he attended the Air Force Academy Prep School in 1977 and subsequently entered the Air Force Academy in 1978. Schweiss spent four years as a member of the men’s gymnastics program and served as team captain during his senior year. Schweiss graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982.

“Over 500 Academy graduates attend pilot training every year,” Schweiss said. “I wanted to fly since age 12 and the Air Force Academy was the absolute best opportunity to achieve my flying goal.” Schweiss separated from active duty in 1992, but continued to support the Academy as a liaison officer. He also served as an operations officer for the National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit and worked as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee with the Air Mobility Command Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB, Ill.

“I work with the best student athletes in the world,” he continued. “Not only are they great gymnasts, they are also intelligent and highly motivated young men who will become officers of character in our Air Force.” A senior pilot with over 1,600 hours in the T-38 and over 800 hours in the F-16C, Schweiss has also recorded over 10,000 hours as a pilot with United Airlines. He is currently a Boeing 777 First Officer, domiciled at Washington Dulles.

He retired from the Air Force in July 2010. Schweiss obtained a master’s degree in systems management from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. He is married to Lt Col (ret.) Susan Schweiss (USAFA Class of 1983). They currently reside in Monument, Colo., with their two children, Erik (20, USAFA Class of 2014) and Sarah (18).

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

“Coaching allows me to mold these future officers,” Schweiss said. “Through my experience as a gymnast, officer, fighter pilot and airline pilot, I am able to advise our gymnasts on how to achieve their goals. Whether it’s becoming the best gymnast in the NCAA or becoming a pilot, our Academy provides it all.”

PROGRAM HISTORY

After 20 years of service, he retired from the military in 2000. Four years later, Schweiss re-entered the Air Force Reserve and began his final tour at the Air Force Academy, where he served as an instructor, teaching such courses as boxing, racquetball, SCUBA and unarmed combat. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in October 2006 and served as the Chief of Cadet Intramurals from 2008-10. In that position, Schweiss oversaw the 3,300 cadets who participate each semester in 16 different intramural sports.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

After undergraduate pilot training, he served as a T-38 instructor at Williams AFB, Ariz., prior to being selected for Pilot Instructor duty at Randolph AFB, Texas. Schweiss also flew the F-16 during a tour at Ramstein AB, Germany, completing over 30 combat missions in support of Operation Provide Comfort over Northern Iraq.

MEET THE FALCONS

Lt Col (ret.) Chuck Schweiss enters his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Air Force men’s gymnastics team. A former four-year letterwinner with the Falcons’ program, Schweiss is a two-time recipient of the USAG Assistant Coach of the Year award.

2012 INFORMATION

CHUCK SCHWEISS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

DAVE MICKELSON VOLUNTEER COACH | 11TH SEASON IOWA STATE, 1981

MEET THE FALCONS

Dave Mickelson returns for his 11th season as a volunteer coach for the Air Force men’s gymnastics team. Mickelson joined the Falcons after spending 11 years as the head coach with the Iowa State men’s team, following a six-year stint as the Cyclones’ assistant coach. Mickelson also serves as the Falcons’ meet director for all home competitions, including this year’s conference championships. During Mickelson’s tenure as head coach, Iowa State produced five NCAA All-Americans, including two NCAA individual champions. As a team, ISU picked up a fourth-place team finish at the national meet. As an assistant coach with the Cyclones, Mickelson helped generate 13 NCAA All-Americans, three NCAA individual champions and one Olympian. In addition, Iowa State finished fourth at the NCAA Championships on three occasions, while also earning a second-place mark during his term as an assistant coach.

A 1981 graduate of Iowa State University, Mickelson earned a degree in physical education with an emphasis in athletic administration. He was a three-year letterwinner on the Cyclones’ gymnastics team. During his career, Iowa State earned three Big Eight Conference Championships and two NCAA Championship team titles.

CAPT EMILY BULGER

MAJ CATHRINE MARCHESSEAULT

MARK PETERS

ANNA WALLACE

KAILA WEBER

Officer Representative Second Season

Athletic Trainer Third Season

Cadet Manager First Season

Cadet Manager Second Season

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

Mickelson has served on numerous boards during his career, including the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Committee, the United States Gymnastics Federation Board of Directors and the United States Gymnastics Federation Men’s Program Committee. In addition, he was the chair of the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Committee (1987-91) and spent 10 years as a National Safety Certifier for the U.S. Gymnastics Federation.

MEET THE FALCONS

JACOB HOUDER

SENIOR | 5-8 | ALL-AROUND PINEHURST, TEXAS | TOMBALL HIGH SCHOOL CYPRESS ACADEMY OF GYMNASTICS

CAREER HIGHS All-Around ............................................ 79.250 Floor Exercise ....................................... 13.700 Pommel Horse ...................................... 14.200 Still Rings .............................................. 13.650 Vault ..................................................... 13.600 Parallel Bars .......................................... 14.250 High Bar ................................................ 14.100

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2009 Most Valuable Gymnast 2009 Freshman of the Year Two-Time USAG All-American 2009, 2011 MWC Scholar-Athlete 2009, 2011 CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete 2011 MPSF Academic All-Conference

JUNIOR (2011): Returned to the rotation after missing sophomore season with injury...competed on the pommel horse in 11 of 13 team competitions...posted a season-high mark of 13.700 at the All-Academy Championships…named to the USA Gymnastics Scholar-Athlete team…also received academic awards from the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (academic all-conference), Mountain West Conference (scholar-athlete) and College Gymnastics Association (all-America scholar-athlete). SOPHOMORE (2010): Did not see competitive action due to injury. FRESHMAN (2009): Received the team’s Most Valuable Gymnast award…also named Freshman of the Year…NCAA participant…competed in every meet for the Falcons…two-time USAG All-American…Academy record holder on the pommel horse…first set the mark at 13.850 at the All-Academy Championships… upped the mark to 14.200 at the Southwest Cup…matched that score one month later at the USAG Championships (team finals)…holds three of the top four scores in program history…won the pommel horse title at the Southwest Cup…finished fourth on that event at the USAG Championships to claim first USAG All-America certificate…also posted the squad’s top scores of the season on the parallel bars (14.250, at Arizona State) and high bar (14.100, at Navy Open)…won the parallel bars during three competitions, including back-to-back meets at Navy and Temple…also won that event at the Southwest Cup, while placing first on the parallel bars… claimed USAG All-America honors on the high bar with a third-place finish…competed on the floor exercise during six meets, posting a season-high 13.700 in the dual meet at Illinois-Chicago…tallied a 13.650 in only appearance on the still rings at the Rocky Mountain Open… tallied a career-high 13.600 on the vault at Temple…scored a 79.250 in only appearance in the all-around at the Rocky Mountain Open…named a Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete…received All-America Scholar-Athlete first-team honors from the College Gymnastics Association. HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Tomball High School...member of the National Honor Society...graduated Summa Cum Laude...competed at the club level for the Cypress Academy of Gymnastics...coached by Tom Meadows and Colby Van Cleave...attended the U.S. Championships on two occasions...six-time Junior Olympic National Qualifier...four-time J.O. National All-Around finalist...three-time Region 3 team member...fourtime USAG Academic All-American first-team selection. PERSONAL: Son of Delyn and Jan Houder...is an only child...majoring biochemistry, while earning a minor in German...future plans include becoming a pilot…served as Safety and Medical NCO for 2010 Basic Cadet Training…four-time selection to the Dean’s List…three-time selection to the Superintendent’s List for excellence in military, academic and athletic excellence…hobbies include reading, playing soccer, listening to blues and gospel music and speed skating…spent the summer working as a gymnastics coach during Falcon Sports Camps and completing the Powered Flight program…competed at the same gymnastics club as classmate Devin Menefee...favorite event is the horizontal bar...member of Cadet Squadron 17.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

SENIOR | 5-7 | FLOOR, RINGS, VAULT, PARALLEL BARS, HIGH BAR HOUSTON, TEXAS | CYPRESS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL CYPRESS ACADEMY OF GYMNASTICS

2012 INFORMATION

DEVIN MENEFEE SENIOR (2012): Team captain.

All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise ....................................... 13.850 Pommel Horse ................................................. Still Rings .............................................. 15.350 Vault ..................................................... 15.950 Parallel Bars ..................................................... High Bar ................................................ 13.600

2010 USAG National Champion (vault) Two-Time USAG All-American Three-Time NCAA Participant Academy Record Holder (vault)

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Cypress Creek High School...four-time Academic All-American...competed at the club level for Cypress Academy of Gymnastics...coached by Tom Meadows and Colby Van Cleave...threetime national semifinalist on the still rings...won the Texas state still rings championship in 2007...team recorded three top-three team finishes at the national meet, including a first-place finish...five-time competitor at the Junior Olympic National Championships.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PERSONAL: Son of Richard and Michelle Menefee...nickname is “TC”…has one older brother, Dillon... majoring in mechanical engineering...future career plans include becoming a pilot or developmental engineer…served as Assistant Director of Operations for squadron, Deputy Course Commander during Basic Cadet Training and Land Speed Capstone Team Lead…has also served as C Flight NCO, Major Training Events NCO and Athletic Clerk…received Prop and Wings...hobbies include building, music and rock climbing...built two electric guitars...competed at the same club as classmate Jacob Houder...spent the first summer session doing research for a brand new Land Speed Capstone project that included going to California for races at El Mirage and learning the ins and outs of electrical vehicles and Land Speed Racing… also completed the Powered Flight program, taking solo flight on the Fourth of July, and served as the Deputy Course Commander for all seven courses at Jack’s Valley during BCT…both grandfathers served in the military...favorite event is the still rings, because “I love the strength needed and the performance”… member of Cadet Squadron 38.

PROGRAM HISTORY

FRESHMAN (2009): Competed in every meet for the Falcons, including the NCAA Championships…Academy record holder on the vault…USAG All-American on that event…first set program vault standard of 15.800 in a winning effort at the Southwest Cup…it was just the second collegiate vault of career…improved that mark to 15.850 at the MPSF Championships…finished seventh on that event for the squad’s best individual finish at the conference meet…posted a career-best 14.450 on the still rings at the USAG Championships…became just the fourth Air Force gymnast to crack the Falcons’ top-20 scoring list…competed on the floor exercise, posting a season-best mark of 13.700 at Illinois-Chicago…also participated on the high bar, scoring a career-high 13.200 at Navy and again at the USAG Championships…that is tied for the 18th highest score in Academy history…originally set personal-best marks on three of four events at the Pacific Coast Classic…helped Air Force to five of the top six spots on the still rings in the win over Army.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SOPHOMORE (2010): USAG National Champion on the vault…became just the second Air Force gymnast to earn a national vault title…set Academy record with a 15.950 on the winning vault…USAG All-American on that event…holds a share of the top three vault scores in Academy history…participated at the NCAA Championships on the still rings and vault…competed on those two events in every team competition… posted the eighth-best still rings score in Academy history (15.350) against Illinois-Chicago…also recorded the program’s 10th-highest score on that event (15.250) during a triangular meet with Stanford and Illinois-Chicago…won the still rings at four competitions…also won the vault at two…competed on the floor exercise in seven meets…collected a career-best 13.850 on that event at the Southwest Cup.

MEET THE FALCONS

CAREER HIGHS

JUNIOR (2011): Competed on the still rings in every competition...scored a 14.800 to finish 12th in the first session of the NCAA National Qualifier…qualified to the semifinals of the NCAA Championships with that score…tallied a season-high 14.900 during the team finals of the USAG Championships...also posted marks of 14.800 on three occasions, including a pair of winning efforts at the All-Academy Championships and at Brockport…also won the still rings title outright at against Army (14.100) and at Minnesota (14.500)…helped Air Force sweep the event titles in the dual meet with the Black Knights…..participated on the vault in 10 meets...posted a season-high mark of 15.700 at the Illinois-Chicago Quad on March 6... also competed on the high bar during seven competitions...scored a career-best 13.600 at Brockport… added a score of 13.500 at Illinois-Chicago.

TRAVIS MYERS

SENIOR | 5-7 | POMMEL, PARALLEL BARS WOODLAND PARK, COLO. | HOME SCHOOL COLORADO TRAINING CENTER

CAREER HIGHS All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise .................................................. Pommel Horse ...................................... 11.800 Still Rings ......................................................... Vault ................................................................ Parallel Bars .......................................... 13.600 High Bar ...........................................................

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2009 Hardest Worker 2011 CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete 2011 MWC Scholar-Athlete 2011 MPSF Academic All-Conference

JUNIOR (2011): Participated on the parallel bars in four competitions, recording a career-best 13.600 at the Illinois-Chicago Quad on March 6...also competed on the pommel horse in two meets...named to the USA Gymnastics Scholar-Athlete Team…also earned academic honors from the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (academic all-conference), Mountain West Conference (scholar-athlete) and College Gymnastics Association (all-America scholar-athlete). SOPHOMORE (2010): Did not see competitive action. FRESHMAN (2009): Did not see competitive action…shared the team’s Hardest Worker Award. HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Was home schooled...graduated with a 4.0 GPA...qualified for the National Chemistry Olympiad...competed at the club level for the Colorado Training Center...coached by Ron Brant... two-time qualifier for the Junior Olympic Nationals...two-time All-America first-team selection...picked up a third-place finish at the 2008 Colorado Open...finished fourth at the 2008 Black Jack Invitational. PERSONAL: Full name is Travis Ray Myers...son of Don and Lenora Myers...has two younger brothers, Steffen and Leo...also has two younger sisters, Lizzie and Allyson...majoring in mathematics and chemistry... future plans include becoming a pilot…served as Academic NCO...named to the Superintendent’s List for excellence in military, academic and athletic excellence…two-time member of the Dean’s Aces List…plays the French horn in the Academy’s Cadet Orchestra…received Jump Wings in 2009, after jumping out of a plane five times...grandmother, Jacqueline Johnson, served in the Army...favorite book is ‘The Lord of the Rings’...spent part of the summer completing Operation Air Force in South Korea…favorite event is the pommel horse, because “it is long and tiring to learn a new skill, but that makes it more rewarding”... member of Cadet Squadron 33.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

SENIOR | 6-3 | HIGH BAR HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. | WILLIAM FREMD HIGH SCHOOL

2012 INFORMATION

JARED TOMASZEWSKI

JUNIOR (2011): Trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center…coached by Ron Brant and Vitaly Marinitch.

HIGH SCHOOL: William Fremd High School…two-year varsity letterwinner in gymnastics…served as cocaptain of team during senior year…participated at the 2007 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Boys Gymnastics State Championships…two-year varsity letterwinner in football…named to the “A” Honor Roll all four years…recipient of the IHSA Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

PERSONAL: Full name is Jared C.J. Tomaszewski…son of Steve Tomaszewski and Gail Lencioni …has two older brothers, Steve and Kyle, that both graduated from the Air Force Academy…Steve is a 2009 USAFA graduate, who received his master’s degree from Indiana in space policy analysis and is attending Intel School in San Angelo, Texas…Kyle is a 2011 Academy graduate, who majored in astronautical engineering… also has one younger sister, Abigail, who is a junior at William Fremd High School…majoring in civil engineering and earning a minor in Arabic…future career plans include becoming a civil engineering officer… served as Wing Safety NCO, Confidence Course CIC and Squadron Executive Officer…named to the Dean’s List ever semester…hobbies include golfing and Frisbee…spent six weeks this summer in Rabat, Morocco, to study Arabic through the Cadet Summer Language Immersion Program…also served as the commander of the confidence course in Jack’s Valley…favorite event is the high bar, because “first off, it’s one of the only events that I fit on, and it is both dangerous and fun. There is never a dull moment when you’re on the bar, which makes workouts always interesting, and there is such a wide variety of elements that can be incorporated into routines”…member of Cadet Squadron 38.

MEET THE FALCONS

SOPHOMORE (2010) - FRESHMAN (2009): Served as the cadet manager for the Air Force men’s gymnastics team.

PROGRAM HISTORY AIR FORCE ACADEMY

TORY BROWN

JUNIOR | 5-7 | ALL-AROUND PORTLAND, ORE. | TIGARD HIGH SCHOOL MULTNOMAH ATHLETIC CLUB

CAREER HIGHS All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise ....................................... 14.900 Pommel Horse ................................................. Still Rings ......................................................... Vault ..................................................... 15.950 Parallel Bars .......................................... 14.300 High Bar ................................................ 14.500

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2011 USAG National Champion (Vault) Three-Time USAG All-American Two-Time NCAA Participant 2010, 2011 Participant at Winter Cup Academy Record Holder (Vault)

SOPHOMORE (2011): USAG National Champion on the vault…matched the Academy record on that event with a 15.950 at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships…placed seventh at the conference meet with that score…three-time USAG All-American…placed fourth on the floor exercise and high bar, in addition to winning the vault title…claimed six first-place finishes on the year…won the vault at the All-Academy Championships, at Springfield and at the USAG Championships…also shared titles on the high bar at the all-academy meet and at Brockport…won the parallel bars in the home meet with Army… helped Air Force sweep the event titles in the dual meet with the Black Knights…competed at the Winter Cup Challenge, collecting three top-four finishes in the preliminary round and two career-best scores… finished 15th on the vault at the NCAA Championships (Event Preliminary)…competed on the floor exercise in every team competition…recorded a career-best 14.900 on the floor in the regular season finale against Washington…that score is the seventh-highest score in Academy history…also recorded a careerhigh mark on the parallel bars (14.300) at the meet against Washington…that score is ranked 11th on the Falcons’ all-time list…scored a career-best 14.500 on the high bar at Brockport…that mark is tied for sixth on the program’s all-time list…led the team on the vault, posted the squad’s second-highest scores of the season on the floor exercise and parallel bars and ranked third on the team on the high bar. FRESHMAN (2010): Competed in six meets, including the Winter Cup Challenge…placed eighth on the vault at that meet with a career-best score of 15.600…that score is the seventh-best score in Academy history…competed on the floor exercise, vault, parallel bars and high bar during the first two team competitions…scored a season-best 14.150 on the floor at the Rocky Mountain Open…added career-best scores on the parallel bars (13.550) and high bar (13.400) at the Minnesota Triangular…also competed on the parallel bars and high bar at Army…was a member of the Falcons’ high bar rotation at the USAG Championships and MPSF Championships. HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Tigard High School…recipient of the Rotary Award…competed at the club level for Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC)…coached by Shuichi Goto…named 2008 Most Improved Gymnast…twotime Academic All-America honor at the Junior Olympic National Championships…three-time junior national qualifier…2009 Oregon state gymnastics champion…finished second at the Region 2 Championships. PERSONAL: Son of Steve and Kelly Brown…has one younger sister, Julia…majoring in management, while earning a minor in Japanese…future career plans include becoming a pilot…served as a four-degree coach…spent the Fall 2011 semester in Japan as a part of the Academy’s semester abroad program… completed Operation Air Force at Lackland AFB, Texas, over the summer…received a ride in an F-16 during Ops…also worked Falcon Sports Camps and took leave…hobbies include paddle boarding, hiking, running and rock climbing…is fluent in Japanese…favorite event is the high bar, because “learning new skills is the most fun”…member of Cadet Squadron 30.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

JUNIOR | 5-9 | POMMEL, PARALLEL BARS, HIGH BAR SYLVANIA, OHIO | ST. FRANCIS DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL SUNRISE GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise ....................................... 13.200 Pommel Horse ...................................... 13.400 Still Rings ......................................................... Vault ................................................................ Parallel Bars .......................................... 13.700 High Bar ................................................ 12.300

2010 Hardest Worker

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: St. Francis de Sales High School…2009 Northwest Ohio district diving champion on the men’s one meter…two-time state qualifier in one-meter diving…maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout all four years…competed at the club level at Sunrise Gymnastics Academy…coached by Steve Reamy, Chris Brown and Yusaku Hijioka…Junior Olympic national qualifier…was Class 3 Ohio state champion in 2003. PERSONAL: Son of Leonard and Julie Jessop…has two older brothers, Austin and Andrew…majoring in civil engineering…future plans include becoming a CE officer…hobbies include bicycling…favorite event is the high bar, because “I used to be terrified of it, and overcoming that fear took a lot of work”…member of Cadet Squadron 40.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

FRESHMAN (2010): Earned the team’s Hardest Worker award…competed on the pommel horse and parallel bars during three meets…set a career-high score of 13.250 on the pommel horse at Army…tallied a personal-best 13.700 on the parallel bars at the Springfield Triangular meet…also competed on the high bar at Arizona State, collecting a score of 11.300.

MEET THE FALCONS

CAREER HIGHS

SOPHOMORE (2011): Participated on the floor exercise in three competitions...scored a career-best 13.200 on that event at against Stanford, Illinois and Illinois-Chicago on March 4...matched that score two days later against Ohio State, UIC and Temple...also competed on the pommel horse during the March 6 quad meet, recording a debut score of 13.400...also participated on the high bar in two meets, posting a personal-best 12.300 at the Rocky Mountain Open.

2012 INFORMATION

ALEX JESSOP

PROGRAM HISTORY AIR FORCE ACADEMY

JAMES OKAMOTO

JUNIOR | 5-6 | ALL-AROUND YORBA LINDA, CALIF. | ESPERANZA HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH COAST GYMNASTICS TRAINING CENTER

CAREER HIGHS All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise ....................................... 13.150 Pommel Horse ..................................... 14.600 Still Rings ......................................................... Vault................................................................ Parallel Bars .................................................... High Bar ............................................... 14.000

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2010 Freshman of the Year 2011 USAG National Champion (Pommel) Two-Time USAG All-American Two-Time NCAA Participant 2011 Participant of Winter Cup 2010 CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete 2011 MPSF Academic All-Conference

SOPHOMORE (2011): USAG National Champion on the pommel horse…USAG All-American...competed on the pommel horse in every competition...scored a season-high 14.400 at Nebraska...that score was the highest on the team in 2011 and the fifth-highest score in program history...recorded four of the eighthighest scores in Academy history…scored a 14.300 to win the pommel horse title at the Rocky Mountain Open…became the third Falcon to win a RMO title since 2000…earned the Academy’s Athlete of the Week award following the Rocky Mountain Open…scored a 14.250 in the winning effort at the USAG Championships…matched that score at the NCAA national qualifier…placed 26th in the event preliminary round of the NCAA Championships (13.750)…won the pommel horse against Army (13.800)…helped Air Force sweep the event titles in the dual meet with the Black Knights…competed at the Winter Cup Challenge, placing ninth in the preliminary round…also debuted on the high bar…scored a personal-best 14.000 on three occasions (at Brockport, at Springfield, at USAG Championships/Team Finals)…those scores are tied for 15th on the program’s all-time list…academic all-conference selection from the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. FRESHMAN (2010): Earned the team’s Freshman of the Year award…USAG All-American on the pommel horse…placed second on that event at the national event finals…also competed at the NCAA Championships on that event…competed on the pommel horse in every meet…recorded a career-best score of 14.600 at the team finals of the USAG Championships…that score is the third-highest total in Academy history…added five additional top-20 pommel horse scores, including four in the top 10…in collegiate debut, became just the second Air Force gymnast to clear the 14.000 mark on that event...competed on the floor exercise at the MPSF Championships, earning a score of 13.150. HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Esperanza High School…Principal’s Award…named Distinguished Aztec…selected to the Principal’s Honor Roll…competed at the club level for South Coast Gymnastics Training Center… coached by Xiaoping Li and Jian Shen…four-time Junior Olympic National Qualifier…three-time J.O. national semi-finalist on the pommel horse…two-time J.O. national semi-finalist on the high bar…three-time USAG Academic All-American first-team selection…named Gymnast of the Year. PERSONAL: Full name is James Tsurumatsu Okamoto…son of Thomas and Evelyn Okamoto…has two sisters, Ariel and Jean…majoring in management and earning a minor in Japanese…future career plans include becoming a pilot…served as Element Leader and Element NCO…was named to the Dean’s List for two semesters…hobbies include rock climbing …is a big fan of hardcore music…spent one session of summer in Japan as a part of the Cadet Summer Language Immersion Program…also served as Combat Survival Training cadre and completed Operation Air Force in Georgia…has an uncle that served in the Marines and a grandfather who served in the Army…favorite event is the high bar…member of Cadet Squadron 07.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

SOPHOMORE | 5-9 | ALL-AROUND UNION, KY. | BEECHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL QUEEN CITY GYMNASTICS CLUB

2012 INFORMATION

KYLE BAKER

FRESHMAN (2011): Did not see competitive action.

All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise .................................................. Pommel Horse ................................................. Still Rings ......................................................... Vault ................................................................ Parallel Bars ..................................................... High Bar ...........................................................

PERSONAL: Full name is Kyle William Baker…son of Bill and Wendy Baker…has one younger brother, Kevin, and one younger sister, Kadence…majoring in systems engineering management…member of Cadet Squadron 14.

MEET THE FALCONS

CAREER HIGHS

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Beechwood High School…posted a 4.0 (or higher) GPA all four years…graduated Summa Cum Laude…recipient of the Commonwealth Diploma…four-time Academic All-American, as a first-team selection…member of the National Honor Society…competed at the club level for Queen City Gymnastics…coached by Keith Pettit, Norm Stulz and Sean Sawyer…two-time qualifier for the Junior Olympic National Championships.

2011 SEASON REVIEW PROGRAM HISTORY AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PATRICK DUFFY

SOPHOMORE | 5-7 | ALL-AROUND ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. | LA CUEVA HIGH SCHOOL GOLD CUP GYMNASTICS

CAREER HIGHS All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise .................................................. Pommel Horse ..................................... 14.200 Still Rings ......................................................... Vault................................................................ Parallel Bars .................................................... High Bar ..........................................................

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2011 CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete

FRESHMAN (2011): Competed on the pommel horse in every team competition...posted a career-best score of 14.200 at the All-Academy Championships...that is the eighth-highest score in Academy history… also recorded marks on the program’s top-20 all-time list of 13.650 (18th, at Nebraska) and 13.600 (19th, three times, including the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships)…named to the College Gymnastics Association’s Scholar-Athlete team. HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: La Cueva High School…selected as a State of New Mexico Higher Education Department Recognition Program Scholar in 2009-10…posted a 4.5 weighted GPA…two-time academic letterwinner…member of the National Honor Society…selected for the National Youth Leadership Forum all four years…three-year member of Nobel’s National Society of High School Scholars…named Who’s Who Among High School Students in 2008…competed at the club level for Gold Cup Gymnastics…coached by Jerry Nickels…member of two state championship teams (2009, 2010)…2009 Gymnast of the Year…fourtime USAG Junior Olympic Qualifier…four-time USAG First-Team Academic All-American…USAG Region I Select Team in 2005, representing gymnastics from California, Nevada, Hawaii and Arizona…named to the USAG Southern California State All-Star Team in 2005…two-time selection to the USAG Nevada State All-Star Team…placed first in the all-around at the USAG Southern California State North Conference meet in 2006…two-time Most Decorated Gymnast Award…two-time participant at the International Gymnastics Camp…also attended Falcon Sports Camps in 2009, earning the Best Attitude Award. PERSONAL: Son of Pat and Diana Duffy…father was a 1981 Academy graduate and spent 28 years as a fighter pilot, retiring as a Colonel…mother is a 1983 Academy graduate…nickname is “Patty”…has one younger sister, Katherine…majoring in electrical engineering…served as A3 Element NCO…named to the Superintendent’s List for excellence in military, academic and athletic performance…hobbies include surfing, water skiing, extreme sports, and working on cars…loves techo music…is one-quarter Japanese…spent the summer completing Combat Survival Training and the Jump program…also took leave during one summer session…favorite event is the pommel horse…member of Cadet Squadron 12.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

SOPHOMORE | 5-4 | POMMEL HORSE, STILL RINGS, PARALLEL BARS SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS | CLAUDIA TAYLOR JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL ALAMO GYMNASTICS CENTER

CAREER HIGHS All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise .................................................. Pommel Horse ................................................. Still Rings .............................................. 14.700 Vault ................................................................ Parallel Bars ..................................................... High Bar ...........................................................

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Claudia Taylor Johnson High School…graduated Summa Cum Laude…competed at the club level for Alamo Gymnastics Center…coached by Yuegin Sun and Brandon Kays…served as team captain…placed eighth on the still rings at Nationals. PERSONAL: Full name is Phillip Tyler Huebner…goes by Tyler…son of Phil and Lori Huebner…has one younger brother, Tate…majoring in Foreign Area Studies…future plans include becoming an A-10 pilot… served as four degree coach…named to the Athletic Director’s List for excellence in athletic performance… spent the summer completing Combat Survival Training, Global Engagement and the Space program… hobbies include rock climbing and mountain climbing…grandfather served in the military…favorite event is the still rings, because “that’s where I excel”…member of Cadet Squadron 15.

MEET THE FALCONS

FRESHMAN (2011): Competed on the still rings in every team competition...scored a career-best tally of 14.700 in the regular season finale against Washington...that score is one of the top 20 marks in Academy history (19th tie).

2012 INFORMATION

TYLER HUEBNER

2011 SEASON REVIEW PROGRAM HISTORY AIR FORCE ACADEMY

MAC RITCHIE

SOPHOMORE | 5-5 | ALL-AROUND CONCORD, N.C. | CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL G&J SPEEDWAY GYMNASTICS CLUB

CAREER HIGHS All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise ....................................... 14.500 Pommel Horse ................................................. Still Rings .............................................. 13.900 Vault ..................................................... 15.200 Parallel Bars .......................................... 14.200 High Bar ................................................ 14.400

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2011 Freshman of the Year

FRESHMAN (2011): Selected as the team’s Freshman of the Year…competed on the floor exercise, parallel bars and high bar in every team competition…also competed on the still rings in 12 of 13 meets…scored a career-best 14.500 on the floor exercise in the regular season finale against Washington…that score is ranked 15th on the program’s all-time record book…posted a career-best score of 14.200 on the parallel bars at the team finals of the USAG National Championships…helped Air Force set a new team mark of 57.700 at that meet…that score is ranked 13th in the program record book…won the high bar title against Army with a score of 13.700…helped Air Force sweep the event titles in the dual meet with the Black Knights…posted a career-high 14.400 on that event at Springfield…that score is the seventh-highest total in Academy history…scored a personal-best 13.900 on the still rings at Brockport…also vaulted during three meets…recorded a career-best 15.200 at the Rocky Mountain Open…that score is tied for 16th on the program’s all-time list. HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Concord High School…competed at the club level for G&J Speedway Gymnastics… coached by Jie Ding…member of the 2010 regional team…three-time state all-around champion…also won numerous individual event titles. PERSONAL: Full name is Breeden McEachern Ritchie…goes by Mac…son of Jack and Jennifer Ritchie… has one older brother, Ben, and one younger brother, George…currently undecided on a major…hobbies include playing golf…favorite event is the parallel bars, because “I like doing it and I don’t ever get bored of it”…member of Cadet Squadron 27.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

FRESHMAN | 5-3 | ALL-AROUND PITTSBURGH, PA. | HOME SCHOOL PITTSBURGH NORTHSTARS GYMNASTICS CLUB

All-Around ....................................................... Floor Exercise .................................................. Pommel Horse ................................................. Still Rings ......................................................... Vault ..................................................... 15.600 Parallel Bars ..................................................... High Bar ...........................................................

2011 USAG All-American

PERSONAL: Full first name is Benjamin, but goes by Ben…nickname is Benji…son of Barry and Kim Zaiser… has one older sister, Bekah, who was a 2010 All-American gymnast at Florida…also has an older brother, Aaron, who is a 2011 graduate of the Academy and the men’s gymnastics team…majoring in civil engineering…future plans include either becoming a pilot or working in security forces…served as B3 Element NCO…spent the summer hanging out with family and friends from home…hobbies include playing the piano and paintball…favorite event is the floor exercise, because “I get an adrenaline rush when I hit my floor set”…member of Cadet Squadron 12.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Was home schooled…passed AP tests in chemistry, statistics, physics and Calculus AB…two-time USAG Academic All-American…competed at the club level for Pittsburgh Northstars… coached by Scott Carslaw…participated at the 2009 Nationals in Cincinnati…four-time national qualifier… placed second on the pommel horse at the 2008 state championships…received the Greg Young Award, which goes to someone who shows respect to the coaches.

MEET THE FALCONS

CAREER HIGHS

FRESHMAN (2011): USAG All-American on the vault…scored a 15.500 to finish fifth at the USAG National Championships...competed on the vault in 12 meets...recorded a career-best score of 15.600 during five competitions...first tallied that score at Nebraska...posted that score in four consecutive meets (at IllinoisChicago Quad, at Brockport, at Springfield, against Washington)…that mark is the eighth-best score in Academy history…won the vault titles at Nebraska and during the Falcons’ regular season finale against Washington.

2012 INFORMATION

BEN ZAISER

PROGRAM HISTORY AIR FORCE ACADEMY

SKYLER AWISUS

FRESHMAN | 5-6 | STILL RINGS, PARALLEL BARS, HIGH BAR RENO, NEV. | RENO HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SIERRA GYMNASTICS

“I chose the Academy because it will give me every-

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Reno High School…member of the National Honor Society…AP Scholar…served as senior class president…member of the Student Council Leadership Class…member of the Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America and the Burrito Lovers Club…competed at the club level for High Sierra Gymnastics… coached by Plamen “Patso” Avramov and Stephanie DeBoor…served as team captain…received the HSG High Performer award in 2011.

thing that I am looking for in my life: a chance to compete in NCAA Gymnastics, an education at one of the highest-rated schools in the United States, and the ability to serve my country in the greatest Air Force in the world.”

2010 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2011 TEAM INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

PERSONAL: Full name is Skyler James Awisus…nickname is “Thor”…son of Mark and Kim Awisus…has two younger brothers, Mitchell and Micah…majoring in mechanical engineering…hobbies include jet skiing and listening to music…grandfather served in the Air Force during World War II…favorite event is the parallel bars, because “it has always come naturally to me”…member of Cadet Squadron 34.

GARED CHAPMAN

PROGRAM HISTORY

FRESHMAN | 5-4 | ALL-AROUND WINTER PARK, FLA. | WINTER PARK HIGH SCHOOL ACE GYMNASTICS CLUB | ORLANDO METRO GYMNASTICS

“I chose the Air Force Academy because it is an opportunity to help the country and community. It is a high-caliber education, with prestige. I know it will build character and also offer me the opportunity

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Winter Park High School…AP Scholar…served as president of the Interact Club…IB Diploma candidate…member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society…competed at the club level for Ace Gymnastics (coached by John Hallett, Mike Turner and Greg Weller) and Orlando Metro Gymnastics (coached by Casimiro Suarez)…five-time national qualifier (2007-11)…three-time Florida state team member…three-time Region 8 team member…member of the 2010 Region 8 team that won the national championship…2008 state champion on the parallel bars…2009 state champion on the floor exercise and vault…2009 Region 8 champion on the high bar…received first-team Academic All-American honors for three straight years.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

to continue gymnastics.”

PERSONAL: Full name is Gared Ryan Chapman…son of Eddie and Christine Chapman…has one younger halfsister, Ann, and one younger half-brother, Will…considers electrical engineering or physics as possible majors… spent eight years playing in a school orchestra…enjoys writing and playing music…comes from a family with a strong military history…has one uncle, Brook “Holly” Rollins, who is currently serving in the Air Force Reserves…favorite events are the still rings, because “I feel in control and secure”, and the high bar, because “it’s a lot of fun to fly through the air”…member of Cadet Squadron 04.

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

FRESHMAN | 5-7 | ALL-AROUND WORCESTER, MASS. | ST. JOHN’S HIGH SCHOOL LEGENDS GYMNASTICS

“I chose USAFA because the second that I saw the school, I could just see myself being there. Also, I was excited to compete on a Division I gymnastics team. I could see what Kip was doing with the program, how he was changing it, and was excited to be a part of that team. My other reason is my dream to one day fly and become a fighter pilot.”

PERSONAL: Full name is Gregory Arthur Chaput…goes by Greg…son of Arthur and Dawn Chaput…has one older sister, Colby, who is a senior at the Air Force Academy and was a member of the women’s gymnastics team until injury ended her collegiate career…majoring in business…future plans include becoming a fighter pilot, serve for at least 20 years and then open a gym…attended the Academy’s Prep School…won the pommel horse and all-around at regionals…hobbies include playing basketball with friends, relaxing and throwing a Frisbee...favorite event is the pommel horse, because “it’s one of the events that you have to put the most work into, practicing circles and keeping a good line, but in the end, after doing millions of drills and trying to perfect your circle, it all pays off when you learn a new skill or hit your routine in a clutch situation”…member of Cadet Squadron 34.

“I wanted to surround myself with the best and the

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Rampart High School…member of the student council for four years…served as student body president during senior year...also served as president of the National Honor Society…competed at the club level for the Colorado Training Center…coached by Ron Brant…placed ninth on the high bar at the 2011 Junior Olympic Nationals…finished second in the all-around at the 2011 Region IX Championships…five-time qualifier to the Junior Olympic Nationals…four-time first-team Academic All-American.

PROGRAM HISTORY

FRESHMAN | 5-7 | ALL-AROUND COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. | RAMPART HIGH SCHOOL COLORADO TRAINING CENTER

2011 SEASON REVIEW

NICK GAUDLIP

MEET THE FALCONS

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: St. John’s High School…competed on the varsity wrestling team as a freshman…competed at the club level for Legends Gymnastics…coached by Dewayne Davenport and Debbie Naka…four-time competitor at Nationals as a member of the Region 6 team.

2012 INFORMATION

GREG CHAPUT

academy environment is one that I felt would be beneficial in many ways.”

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PERSONAL: Full name is Nicholas Frank Gaudlip…goes by Nick…nickname is “Biebs”…son of Fred and Beth Gaudlip…father is retired Air Force…has one older brother, Austin…majoring in biology…future plans include going into the orthopedic surgery field…has lived “pretty much everywhere” by growing up in a military family…was born in England and has dual citizenship…hobbies include trout fishing, golfing and hunting…favorite quote is “When are champions made? Every day at practice”…favorite event to train on is the pommel horse, because “it is definitely the most difficult, so new skills are the most rewarding”…favorite event for competition is the high bar, because “it’s a crowd pleaser and I feed on the energy of everybody watching”…member of Cadet Squadron 40.

CORBIN PALMER

FRESHMAN | 5-9 | ALL-AROUND FRISCO, TEXAS | CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL WORLD OLYMPIC GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Centennial High School…competed at the club level for World Olympic Gymnastics Academy…coached by Sergei Pakanich.

“The Air Force Academy provides many opportunities that I knew I could not get anywhere else, and of course, USAFA is the best service academy.”

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

PERSONAL: Full name is Corbin Dodd Palmer…son of Tony and Kelly Palmer…has one older brother, Colton, and one younger brother, Conner…majoring in biology…future plans include working in the medical field…attended the Academy’s Prep School…hobbies include gymnastics and going to the movies…Eagle Scout…loves to camp and spend time outdoors…favorite event is the high bar, because “the release moves and skills are the most fun out of all the events. I love to fly high”…member of Cadet Squadron 32.

JOSH RAMOS

PROGRAM HISTORY

FRESHMAN | 5-3 | ALL-AROUND BROKEN ARROW, OKLA. | BISHOP KELLEY HIGH SCHOOL JENKS GYMNASTICS

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Bishop Kelley High School…member of the National Honor Society…honor roll selection… member of the National Society of High School Scholars…competed at the club level for Jenks Gymnastics… coached by Neptali Narvaez…two-time Oklahoma state champion (2009, 2010)…three-time member of the Region 3 team (2007, 2009, 2010)…qualified to three Junior Olympic meets (2008-10). “I never really considered attending a military academy before, but the offer for gymnastics was great. And afterwards, the opportunities are end-

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

less.”

PERSONAL: Full name is Steven Joshua Ramos…goes by Josh…son of Pete and Elaine Ramos…has two younger sisters, Megan and Mika…hobbies include video games and playing the guitar and piano…favorite event is the high bar, because “it’s my best event”…member of Cadet Squadron 04.

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

FRESHMAN | 5-6 | ALL-AROUND AZTEC, N.M. | GOLDEN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (COLORADO) 5280 GYMNASTICS

people and the lifestyle very well. I have wanted to be in the military since I was five or so and decided that I would see about going to college at the same time. It just fit very well overall.”

PERSONAL: Full name is Nicholas William Schwab…goes by Niko…son of William (Tripp) and LeAnne Schwab… has one younger sister, Katya…majoring in chemical engineering…hobbies include fly fishing, archery, target shooting (rifle and pistol) and skydiving…likes to partake in high-adrenaline activities…grandfather served in the military…also has an aunt, uncle and cousin that are in the military…favorite event is the floor exercise, because “I get to be explosive and powerful, and it’s a great chance to ‘fly high’. It is also a fine balance of strength and agility that is hard to find, and the challenge of doing so is exciting”…member of Cadet Squadron 06.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

JON SPIRO

to do something extraordinary with my life. USAFA

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Capistrano Connections Academy…competed at the club level for New Hope Academy of Gymnastics in Fountain Valley, California…coached by Guonian Wu…ranked third in the nation on the still rings two years in a row (2010, 2011)…five-time qualifier to the Junior Olympic Nationals…ranked first on the still rings and second on the pommel horse in Region 1 (California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona) during 2011… four-time USA Gymnastics Academic All-American…member of the Level 10 team that won the state championship…also a member of the club team that won the Iron Man Competition (top club in Southern California).

PROGRAM HISTORY

FRESHMAN | 5-4 | ALL-AROUND LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIF. | CAPISTRANO CONNECTIONS ACADEMY NEW HOPE ACADEMY OF GYMNASTICS

“I chose the Air Force Academy because I wanted

MEET THE FALCONS

“I chose USAFA because I feel like I fit in with the

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Golden Senior High School…received leadership and citizenship awards during both sophomore and junior years…competed at the club level for 5280 Gymnastics, the home of Alexander “Sasha” Artemev…coached by Vladimir Artemev and Roman Gryshayev…advanced to the second day of floor exercise competition at the 2010 Nationals…member of the 2010 Region IX team…placed 91st in the all-around at the 2010 national championships.

2012 INFORMATION

NIKO SCHWAB

provides exciting opportunities to its cadets and even more opportunities after graduation. They extra activities, like flying in gliders and jets, parachuting, and traveling. They will all be amazing experiences. Also, 2010 was a great year for the

PERSONAL: Full name is Jonathan Scott Spiro…goes by Jon…son of Scott and Patsy Spiro…has one younger brother, Nick, who is also a gymnast…currently undecided on a major…hobbies include boating, fishing and music…also plays the electric guitar…has one grandfather who was enlisted in the Air Force for 27 years…also has a grandfather that served in the Air Force for several years as a flight surgeon…favorites events are the still rings and pommel horse…member of Cadet Squadron 27.

men’s gymnastics team and I can’t wait to be a part of that.”

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

have an outstanding academic program and the

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

SKYLER AWISUS FRESHMAN

KYLE BAKER SOPHOMORE

TORY BROWN JUNIOR

GARED CHAPMAN FRESHMAN

GREG CHAPUT FRESHMAN

PATRICK DUFFY SOPHOMORE

NICK GAUDLIP FRESHMAN

JACOB HOUDER SENIOR

TYLER HUEBNER SOPHOMORE

ALEX JESSOP JUNIOR

DEVIN MENEFEE SENIOR

TRAVIS MYERS SENIOR

JAMES OKAMOTO JUNIOR

CORBIN PALMER FRESHMAN

JOSH RAMOS FRESHMAN

MAC RITCHIE SOPHOMORE

NIKO SCHWAB FRESHMAN

JON SPIRO FRESHMAN

JARED TOMASZEWSKI SENIOR

BEN ZAISER SOPHOMORE

2010 SEASON IN REVIEW

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

FALCONS BACK AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS Making its first appearance as a team at the NCAA national meet in 13 years, Air Force scored a 339.700 to finish sixth in the first session of the National Qualifier on April 14. Five Falcons advanced to the event preliminary meet on April 15, with Tory Brown posting the squad’s best finish of the night (15th on the vault with a score of 15.850.

A DOMINATING PERFORMANCE One night after winning the USAG national team title, Air Force claimed four of the six individual event titles. Nash Mills repeated as the parallel bars champion, while winning his first-ever still rings title. The Falcons also had two first-time national champions, as James Okamoto won the pommel horse and Tory Brown finished first on the vault.

WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU? Tory Brown matched the Academy vault record of 15.950 to finish seventh on that event at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships on April 2. With an improvement of 0.050, Brown tied Devin Menefee’s 2010 mark.

DID YOU KNOW? The trio of Nash Mills (still rings, parallel bars), James Okamoto (pommel horse) and Tory Brown (vault) helped Air Force set a program record for the most USAG champions in a single championship meet.

MORE NEWS FROM THE CONFERENCE MEET Nash Mills claimed a pair of top-10 finishes during his final home competition. He scored a 14.900 to place seventh on the parallel bars, while collecting the same score to tie for 10th on the still rings. Air Force accounted for a team score of 344.800 – the fifth-highest score in program history – to finish fifth at the MPSF Championships.

QUICK FACTS With his win on the parallel bars, Nash Mills became just the fourth Falcon to claim back-to-back titles on the same event, joining Levi Torkelson (p-bars, 1999-00), Greg Stine (all-around, 2007-08) and Jake Schonig (rings, 2008-09). QUITE THE NIGHT Six Falcons combined for 11 USAG All-America awards. Tory Brown and Colton Wulf paced the Falcons with three accolades apiece. In addition to winning the vault, Brown finished fourth on the floor and high bar, while Wulf was the runner-up on both the high bar and all-around and took third on the floor exercise. Nash Mills added two USAG All-America awards with national titles on the still rings and parallel bars to bring his career total to seven, while Ben Zaiser (vault) and Matt Thorne (parallel bars) each claimed their first.

KEEP ON CLIMBING Just two weeks after cracking the nation’s top-10 for the first time in program history, the Falcons have improved to eighth in the nation. That ranking, a four-score average of 343.900, is not only the highest in Academy history, but matches the best-ever ranking by a service academy gymnastics team. With three weeks listed among the top 10, the Falcons are currently ranked with the 2003 Army squad for the longest top-10 streak by an academy team.

BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS!! Air Force successfully defended its USAG national team title on March 25.

GOING FOR TWO After claiming two USAG national titles, setting an Academy record and helping the Falcons to its second straight USAG team championships, Nash Mills was named the MPSF Gymnast of the Week and the Air Force Athlete of the Week. It is the second time of the season – and the fifth of his career – that Mills has claimed the MPSF honor. He has now achieved that title more than any other gymnast in Academy history.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS The Academy’s parallel bars records got a major rewrite during the USAG team championship on March 25. Air Force set a new team record of 57.700 (a program improvement by 0.600), as all four scoring finishers surpassed the 14-point mark. The rotation was highlighted by Nash Mills, who scored a 15.200 to break his own Academy standard on that event. In addition, Matt Thorne (14.200), Mac Ritchie (career-best 14.200) and Dan Klimkowski (career-best 14.100) contributed to the new overall team score.

THE MORE YOU KNOW Nash Mills broke his own Academy record on the parallel bars during the team competition on March 25, with a 15.200. He became the first Falcon to surpass the 15-point mark on that event, while helping Air Force to its second team title in as many years. On March 26, Mills successfully defended his USAG title on the parallel bars (14.600), while winning his first title on the still rings with a career-best 15.300.

FOUR RECORDS FALL IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE The Falcons posted its highest total in Academy history on March 20, recording a combined score of 347.500 during their regular season finale. In addition to setting a new overall team score, Air Force also set program standards on the floor exercise (59.600), still rings (59.400) and parallel bars (57.100).

FALCONS EARN INDIVIDUAL USAG AWARDS Nash Mills was named the USAG Most Outstanding Senior, while Jeff Robinson and Chuck Schweiss were selected as the top assistant coaches. Nash Mills became the sixth Falcon to earn the USAG’s highest award – and the fourth in the last five years to do so. In addition, it is the second straight season that Air Force has taken home the division’s top assistant coaching honors, as Schweiss and former assistant Brett McClure took the honor last year.

MILLS EARNS ANOTHER WEEKLY HONOR Nash Mills picked up his third CGA National Gymnast of the Week award on March 23. The senior collected three first-place finishes, as the Falcons set a program-best team total (347.500) against Washington on March 20. He won the still rings with a personal-best score of 15.300, while also winning the parallel bars (14.400) and high bar (14.000).

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

Jan. 15

Jan. 22 Jan. 30 Feb. 3-5 Feb. 18 Feb. 20

Mar. 4

Mar. 11

Mar. 13

Mar. 26 Apr. 2

Apr. 14

Home meets in bold will be at Cadet West Gym. * Meet does not count in overall record.

MORE TITLES Air Force swept the titles during its regular season finale with Washington. In addition to Nash Mills’ three titles (still rings, parallel bars, high bar) and Colton Wulf’s Academyrecord win on the floor exercise, Nick Owen won his second consecutive pommel horse title (14.200), while Ben Zaiser scored a career-best matching 15.600 to win the vault. AIR FORCE CLAIMS FIRST TOP-10 RANKING Air Force cracked the national ranking’s top-10 for the first time in program history on March 14, with a three-score average of 343.300 (10th). They are the first service academy team to enter the top 10 since the 2009 season. FALCONS TAKE TWO AT SPRINGFIELD With the third-highest team score in Academy history at 343.300, Air Force easily defeated William and Mary (338.000) and Springfield (330.000) at the Springfield Triangular on March 13. Air Force captured four event titles. Nash Mills won the parallel bars and high bar, while Tory Brown placed first on the vault and Nick Owen won the pommel horse. IT WAS NICE WHILE IT LASTED Backed by four of the top five spots on the high bar, the Falcons improved the Academy record on that event for the second straight meet on March 13. Nash Mills won the event with a 14.800, while Colton Wulf placed second with a 14.600. Mac Ritchie and James Okamoto placed fourth (14.400) and fifth (14.000), respectively. FALCONS BREAK HIGH BAR RECORD Highlighted by the top four scores on the high bar, Air Force shattered the Academy record by nearly one point at Brockport on March 11. All four scoring gymnasts scored above a 14.100, as Tory Brown and Colton Wulf tied for first with matching career-best scores of 14.500 – the fourth-highest individual scores in program history. Nash Mills was the runner-up with a 14.300, while Mac Ritchie tied for third at 14.100. MORE WINNERS FROM BROCKPORT Tory Brown and Colton Wulf were not the only Falcons to win events at the Brockport trimeet on March 11. Matt Thorne tied for first on the parallel bars with a career-best tally of 14.300 – the eighth-best score in program history – while Devin Menefee matched his season-best mark of 14.800 to win the still rings. MILLS CLAIMS SECOND CGA HONOR OF THE YEAR After setting an Academy record on the high bar and winning three event titles at IllinoisChicago, Nash Mills was named the College Gymnastics Association Gymnast of the Week (Collegiate Division) for the second time this season and the fourth time of his career.

PROGRAM HISTORY

Apr. 15

WULF SETS ACADEMY RECORD ON FLOOR Colton Wulf scored a 15.400 to win the floor exercise and move into first on the program’s all-time list during the Falcons’ meet with Washington on March 20. Wulf’s score – a personal improvement by 0.600 – broke Greg Stine’s 2008 record of 15.200 and became just the second Air Force gymnast to better the 15-point mark on that event.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

Mar. 20 Mar. 25

4th of 5 (327.300) L, 327.300-350.750 L, 327.300-346.500 L, 327.300-334.500 W, 327.300-321.200 W, 330.000-307.500 L, 334.400-343.000 No Team Scores L, 331.300-345.600 1st of 3 (345.000) W, 345.000-334.550 W, 345.000-331.350 4th of 4 (338.000) L, 338.000-357.800 L, 338.000-351.600 L, 338.000-351.600 2nd of 4 (341.600) L, 341.600-343.700 W, 341.600-339.000 W, 341.600-332.900 2nd of 3 (341.400) L, 341.400-347.400 W, 341.400-299.500 1st of 3 (343.300) W, 343.300-338.800 W, 343.300-330.000 W, 347.500-238.700 1st of 5 (345.700) W, 345.700-344.600 W, 345.700-335.100 W, 345.700-334.500 W, 345.700-332.600 No Team Scores 5th of 5 (344.800) L, 344.800-362.250 L, 344.800-360.700 L, 344.800-356.050 L, 344.800-346.500 6th of 6 (339.700) L, 339.700-363.500 L, 339.700-356.000 L, 339.700-356.000 L, 339.700-346.850 L, 339.700-340.000 No Team Scores

MEET THE FALCONS

Mar. 6

Rocky Mountain Open U.S. Olympic Training Center* No. 3 Oklahoma No. 9 Nebraska Arizona State No. 14 Army at No. 10 Nebraska at Winter Cup Challenge at No. 9 Minnesota at All-Academy Championships No. 15 Navy No. 14 Army at Illinois-Chicago Quad No. 2 Stanford No. 3 Illinois No. 13 Illinois-Chicago at Illinois-Chicago Quad No. 9 Ohio State No. 13 Illinois-Chicago No. 11 Temple at Brockport Triangular No. 8 Minnesota No. 19 Brockport at Springfield Triangular No. 14 William and Mary No. 15 Springfield Washington at USAG Championships No. 13 William and Mary No. 17 Springfield No. 16 Army No. 15 Navy at USAG Championships MPSF Championships No. 2 Stanford No. 1 Oklahoma No. 3 California No. 11 Nebraska at NCAA National Qualifier No. 1 Oklahoma No. 4 Illinois No. 5 Penn State No. 8 Minneosta No. 12 Illinois-Chicago at NCAA Championships

FALLING RECORD WARNING The Falcons posted its highest team total in Academy history on March 20, recording a combined score of 347.500 during their regular season finale. In addition to setting a new overall team score, Air Force also set program standards on the floor exercise (59.600), still rings (59.400) and parallel bars (57.100).

2012 INFORMATION

2011 GYMNASTICS RESULTS

CAUTION, FALLING RECORDS Nash Mills used a 14.900 performance on the high bar to break the Academy’s 2008 record by 0.250 points. The senior now owns a share of two Academy records, as Mills used a 14.900 mark on the parallel bars last year to match that program standard.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

HIGHER AND HIGHER Air Force also set a new team standard on the vault at 62.800 during the March 6 meet at Illinois-Chicago. It is the second time in three meets that the Falcons have improved the Academy record on the vault. Air Force tallied a 341.600 to place second at the four-team meet that featured Ohio State, Illinois-Chicago and Temple. That score is the secondhighest team total of the season and the sixth-highest overall score in Academy history.

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

2011 HONORS Most Valuable Gymnast Nash Mills Freshman of the Year Mac Ritchie

USAG Assistant Coach of the Year Jeff Robinson, Chuck Schweiss

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

USAG Most Outstanding Senior Nash Mills USAG National Champions Tory Brown ......................................V Nash Mills ................................ ST, PB James Okamoto ............................ PH USAG All-Americans Tory Brown ......................... FX, V, HB Nash Mills ................................SR, PB James Okamoto ............................ PH Mac Ritchie ....................................PB Colton Wulf ...................... AA, FX, HB Ben Zaiser ........................................V

CGA All-Academic Team Patrick Duffy Jacob Houder Derek Kvedar Travis Myers Aaron Zaiser MPSF Academic All-Conference Jacob Houdre Travis Myers James Okamoto Aaron Zaiser MWC Scholar-Athlete Jacob Houder Travis Myers

Winter Cup Participants Tory Brown Nash Mills James Okamoto

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Visa Championship Participant Colton Wulf

CGA Gymnast of the Week Nash Mills ... Feb. 23, Mar. 9, Mar. 23 MPSF Gymnast of the Week Colton Wulf ............................. Feb. 1 Nash Mills .............................. Feb. 22 Nash Mills ............................. Mar. 29

FALCONS CLAIM ALL-ACADEMY TITLE With a combined score of 345.000, Air Force won the All-Academy Championship title on Feb. 20. Backed by a share of four titles, the Falcons improved their season-best team score by over 10 points to defeat Navy (334.550) and Army (331.350) and claim their first win at the service academy championship since 2000. MILLS EARNS WEEKLY AWARD TRIFECTA Nash Mills picked up three weekly awards, after pacing the Falcons to the All-Academy Championship title. Mills was named USAFA Athlete of the Week, MPSF Gymnast of the Week and CGA National Gymnast of the Week. Mills claimed a share of two event titles and won the allaround outright at the All-Academy Championships. FIRST-PLACE FINISHERS Four Falcons earned at least a share of event titles at the All-Academy Championships on Feb. 20. Nash Mills tied for first on the still rings and parallel bars, en route to winning the all-around. Mills tied with Devin Menefee for the top spot on the rings, while sharing top honors on the parallel bars with Colton Wulf. Tory Brown won the vault outright, while tying for first on the high bar. MENEFEE WINS STILL RINGS Devin Menefee won the still rings, as the Falcons accumulated their second-highest score of the season (331.300) at Minnesota on Feb. 18. The junior tallied a season-high score 14.500 to win the event, pacing Air Force to two of top three scores on the rings. Nash Mills collected a season-best 14.300 to finish third. BROWN LEADS FALCONS AT WINTER CUP Tory Brown had a strong showing at the Winter Cup Challenge on Feb. 3, recording three top-four finishes and two career-best scores. During the first preliminary session, Brown placed third on the high bar with a careerbest 13.650. He also added fourth-place scores on the vault (15.100) and parallel bars (career-best 13.750). His high bar mark is the 14th-best high bar score in Academy history, while his parallel bars tally is ranked 18th on the program’s all-time list. A SIGN OF THE TIMES The selection of Nash Mills, Tory Brown and James Okamoto to the 2011 Winter Cup marked the second straight year that Air Force has sent three gymnasts to the prestigious national meet. From 1990-2009, Air Force qualified three gymnasts to the annual Winter Cup Challenge. However, over the past two years, four gymnasts – Brown (2010, 2011), Mills (2010, 2011), Okamoto (2011) and Joel Uptmor (2010) – have qualified to the meet a total of six times. WULF EARNS MPSF HONOR Colton Wulf claimed his first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Gymnast of the Week honor on Feb. 1, after pacing the Falcons on a pair of events with career-best totals at Nebraska. Wulf scored a career-best tally of 14.650 on the floor exercise – the highest on the team to date and the 10th-best floor exercise score in Academy history – to finish second, while also leading the team with a fifth-place score of 13.900 on the parallel bars. In his collegiate debut on that event, Wulf posted the best score by an Air Force gymnast this season and the 15th-best parallel bars score in program history.

MOVING ON UP In just his second meet, Ben Zaiser posted a 15.600 to win the vault title at Nebraska on Jan. 30. That score is the Falcons’ second-highest score of the season and the eighth-best vault total in Academy history. AIR FORCE DEFEATS ARMY Six different Falcons won event titles, as Air Force defeated Army on Jan. 22, by a score of 330.000-307.500. Air Force dominated every event, including sweeps of at least the top four spots on the floor, horse and high bar. GOING SIX-FOR-SIX Air Force took the top spot on all six events. Colton Wulf won the floor exercise with a 14.000 debut, while James Okamoto earned the top spot on the pommel horse (13.800) and Devin Menefee finished first on the still rings (14.100). Nash Mills won the vault with a 15.400, while Tory Brown and Dan Klimkowski tied for first on the parallel bars (13.400) and Mac Ritchie earned the top score on the high bar (13.700). Mills also claimed the top score in his all-around debut, earning a score of 81.100. DID YOU KNOW? The Falcons claimed their sixth straight win over Army. GET OUT THE BROOMS Air Force claimed the top five spots in two events, while adding the top four spots in an additional event. James Okamato led Patrick Duffy, Nick Owen, Jacob Houder and Tory Brown to the top five spots on the pommel horse, while Mac Ritchie, Nash Mills, Colton Wulf, Derek Kvedar and Brown claimed the top five scores on the high bar. Wulf, Aaron Zasier, Dan Klimkowski and Brown also combined to sweep the top four of the floor exercise. OKAMOTO WINS POMMEL HORSE TITLE James Okamoto scored a 14.300 to win the pommel horse title at the Rocky Mountain Open on Jan. 15. Posting the squad’s top finish on his signature event for the second straight year, Okamoto became just the third Air Force gymnast to claim an event title at the RMO since 2001. He joined Jake Schonig (still rings, 2008) and Aaron Jackson (floor exercise, 2003) as Falcons who have taken home the top finish at the squad’s season-opening meet. FALCONS MATCH BEST PRESEASON RANKING Air Force was tabbed 13th in the CGA Preseason Coaches’ Poll – matching its highest ranking ever. It is the third straight year that the Falcons were listed among the nation’s top teams, as well as receiving the highest ranking among the three service academies. WHAT I DID OVER MY SUMMER VACATION Colton Wulf had a busy summer. Immediately following six weeks of BCT, Wulf became the first Air Force gymnast to compete at the Visa National Championships. The freshman finished 16th in the all-around at the Junior Division, highlighted by a seventh-place finish on the rings. A HALL OF FAME COACH Head coach Kip Simons, a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team, was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame on Aug. 13. He was one of six inductees into the prestigious Hall of Fame, joined by Wendy Bruce, Kevin Mazeika, Dominique Moceanu, Robert Null and Jennifer Parilla.

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gymnastics Media Guide PB -----------------

HB -----------------

AA -----------------

COMPETITION Rocky Mountain Open Army at Nebraska at Winter Cup Challenge at Minnesota at All-Academy Championships at Illinois-Chicago, with Stanford, Illinois at Illinois-Chicago, with Ohio State, Temple at Brockport, with Minnesota at Springfield, with William and Mary Washington at USAG Championships (Team Finals) at USAG Championships (Event Finals) MPSF Championships at NCAA Championships (team qualifier) at NCAA Championships (event prelims)

FX 13.800 13.500 13.950 12.650 13.800 14.050 13.300 12.600 14.400 14.300 14.900 14.200 14.300 14.250 14.050 --

PH -----------------

SR -----------------

V 15.900 14.900 15.200 15.100 15.600 15.850 15.400 15.700 15.600 15.900 14.600 15.800 15.700 15.950 15.900 15.850

PB 12.700 13.400 12.550 13.750 12.800 13.200 13.200 13.500 13.300 12.200 14.300 13.500 -14.200 13.550 --

HB 13.300 12.800 10.750 13.650 11.700 14.000 14.100 12.500 14.500 10.700 13.600 14.100 14.200 14.150 14.000 --

AA -----------------

FX -----------------

PH 12.300 13.600 13.650 -13.400 14.200 13.500 13.600 13.300 13.500 13.000 13.500 -13.600 12.850 --

SR -----------------

V -----------------

PB -----------------

HB -----------------

AA -----------------

FX -----------------

PH 13.000 12.800 12.500 -12.300 13.700 --12.900 12.700 13.200 13.300 -12.100 12.850 --

SR -----------------

V -----------------

PB -----------------

HB -----------------

AA -----------------

FX -----------------

PH -----------------

SR 12.800 13.700 13.300 -13.800 14.200 13.700 14.200 13.600 14.300 14.700 14.100 -13.950 14.050 --

V -----------------

PB -----------------

HB -----------------

AA -----------------

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

TYLER HUEBNER Fr.

V -----------------

PROGRAM HISTORY

JACOB HOUDER Jr.

SR -----------------

2011 SEASON REVIEW

PATRICK DUFFY Fr.

PH -----------------

MEET THE FALCONS

TORY BROWN So.

FX -----------------

2012 INFORMATION

KYLE BAKER Fr.

COMPETITION Rocky Mountain Open Army at Nebraska at Winter Cup Challenge at Minnesota at All-Academy Championships at Illinois-Chicago, with Stanford, Illinois at Illinois-Chicago, with Ohio State, Temple at Brockport at Springfield College Washington at USAG Championships (team finals) at USAG Championships (event finals) MPSF Championships at NCAA Championships (team qualifier) at NCAA Championships (event prelims)

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

ALEX JESSOP So.

DAN KLIMKOWSKI Sr.

DEREK KVEDAR Sr.

DEVIN MENEFEE Jr.

NASH MILLS Sr.

FX 13.100 -----13.200 13.200 ---------

PH -------13.400 ---------

SR -----------------

V -----------------

PB -----------------

HB 12.300 -----11.800 ----------

AA -----------------

FX 14.000 13.600 13.350 -13.900 14.450 --14.100 14.100 14.500 14.100 -14.350 14.400 --

PH 12.800 11.900 12.050 -13.100 13.100 --12.900 12.200 14.000 13.700 -12.700 12.350 --

SR 13.400 13.400 13.900 -12.700 13.500 --12.200 13.900 14.800 14.300 -14.300 14.200 --

V ---------------

HB ---------------

AA ---------------

PB 12.900 13.400 13.650 -13.200 13.800 --13.700 13.300 13.100 14.100 -14.050 14.200 --

FX -----------------

PH -----------------

SR -----------------

V -----------------

PB -----------------

HB 12.500 13.000 13.100 -11.600 ----12.600 13.300 --12.900 -13.300

AA -----------------

FX -----------------

PH -----------------

SR 14.000 14.100 13.750 -14.500 14.800 14.200 14.400 14.800 14.700 14.600 14.900 12.450 14.400 14.800 13.400

V 15.200 14.300 --14.700 15.650 14.500 15.700 15.000 15.300 -14.900 -15.400 ---

PB -----------------

HB 12.100 12.100 12.650 --11.500 -13.500 13.600 --12.100 -----

AA -----------------

FX 13.600 13.100 13.400 12.600 13.400 13.600 13.500 13.900 14.000 13.500 14.400 13.700 -14.000 13.800 --

PH -12.700 13.000 -12.900 13.700 13.700 13.400 12.700 --------

SR 13.600 13.800 13.750 13.300 14.300 14.800 14.400 14.500 14.700 14.900 15.300 15.000 15.300 14.900 14.100 --

V 15.900 15.400 15.200 14.000 14.700 15.600 15.800 15.800 15.300 15.600 15.200 15.200 -15.100 15.450 --

PB 12.100 12.600 13.600 11.000 12.600 14.300 14.100 13.800 13.900 14.700 14.400 15.200 14.600 14.900 13.800 --

HB 12.900 13.500 14.100 12.950 13.800 13.800 14.000 14.900 14.300 14.800 14.000 13.900 -13.800 12.550 --

AA -81.100 83.050 -81.700 85.800 85.500 86.300 84.900 --------

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gymnastics Media Guide PB 13.200 12.800 ----12.900 13.600 ---------

HB -----------------

AA -----------------

FX -----------------

PH 14.300 13.800 14.400 12.200 13.500 14.000 12.500 14.200 12.300 12.800 11.400 14.000 14.250 13.750 14.250 13.750

SR -----------------

V -----------------

PB -----------------

HB ----13.200 13.600 13.100 13.300 14.000 14.000 13.800 14.000 -13.550 13.300 --

AA -----------------

FX -----------------

PH 12.200 13.000 12.750 -13.100 13.800 14.100 12.400 13.300 13.900 14.200 13.300 -13.750 12.800 --

SR -----------------

V -----------------

PB -----------------

HB -----------------

AA -----------------

FX 12.800 13.200 13.250 -12.300 14.350 14.400 14.300 13.700 14.200 14.500 13.500 -14.100 12.900 --

PH -----------------

SR 12.900 13.400 12.750 -13.200 13.700 13.300 13.200 13.900 13.800 13.100 13.800 --13.800 --

V 15.200 -14.600 -13.800 ------------

PB 13.300 12.900 13.350 -12.700 13.400 13.200 13.400 13.100 12.600 13.900 14.200 -14.150 13.900 --

HB 12.100 13.700 13.450 -12.700 13.200 13.700 12.700 14.100 14.400 13.400 13.600 -14.000 13.850 --

AA -----------------

FX -----------------

PH -----------------

SR -----------------

V -----------------

PB 13.300 -13.850 -13.500 13.300 13.900 14.200 14.300 13.500 14.200 14.200 13.900 11.850 14.350 --

HB -----------------

AA -----------------

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

MATT THORNE Jr.

V -----------------

PROGRAM HISTORY

MAC RITCHIE Fr.

SR -----------------

2011 SEASON REVIEW

NICK OWEN So.

PH 11.700 -----11.800 ----------

MEET THE FALCONS

JAMES OKAMOTO So.

FX -----------------

2012 INFORMATION

TRAVIS MYERS Jr.

COLTON WULF Fr.

AARON ZAISER Sr.

BEN ZAISER So.

AIR FORCE TEAM

FX -14.000 14.650 -14.400 14.500 14.500 14.800 14.300 14.200 15.400 14.900 14.600 14.800 14.450 --

PH --12.000 ---11.600 12.400 -12.300 13.600 13.700 -12.250 11.800 --

SR -13.700 12.500 -13.400 14.000 13.500 13.600 13.450 14.200 14.400 13.800 -13.350 13.500 --

V -14.800 14.900 --15.500 15.400 14.400 15.300 15.300 15.000 15.200 -15.550 15.000 --

PB --13.900 -12.600 14.300 12.900 13.800 14.100 13.500 14.200 14.000 -14.300 13.900 --

HB -13.300 13.300 -13.600 13.900 14.000 14.200 14.500 14.600 13.900 14.000 14.300 13.900 14.150 13.850

AA --81.250 ---81.900 83.200 -84.100 86.500 85.600 -84.150 82.800 --

FX 13.600 13.900 13.950 -14.300 14.500 14.000 11.900 13.600 14.400 14.800 14.100 -14.350 14.600 14.750

PH -----------------

SR 12.000 ----------------

V 15.300 15.200 15.000 -14.700 13.950 15.000 14.200 15.100 15.200 15.300 14.700 -15.400 15.300 --

PB -13.000 ---------------

HB -----------------

AA ----------------

FX -----------------

PH -----------------

SR -----------------

V -14.600 15.600 -15.300 14.050 15.200 15.600 15.600 15.600 15.600 15.300 15.500 15.400 15.000 --

PB -----------------

HB -----------------

AA -----------------

COMPETITION Rocky Mountain Open Army at Nebraska at Minnesota at All-Academy Championships at Illinois-Chicago, with Stanford, Illinois at Illinois-Chicago, with Ohio State, Temple at Brockport, with Minnesota at Springfield, with William and Mary Washington at USAG Championships MPSF Championships at NCAA Championships

FX 55.000 55.000 55.950 56.400 57.800 56.400 56.200 56.800 57.100 59.600 57.300 57.750 57.500

PH 52.400 53.200 53.800 53.100 55.700 53.800 54.600 52.400 52.900 55.000 54.900 53.800 52.750

SR 53.900 55.300 54.700 56.000 57.800 55.800 56.700 57.000 58.100 59.400 58.300 57.550 57.150

V 62.300 60.300 61.000 60.300 62.600 61.800 62.800 61.800 62.400 61.100 61.500 62.300 61.650

PB 52.700 52.700 55.000 52.200 55.800 54.400 55.400 56.000 55.000 57.100 57.700 57.550 56.350

HB 51.000 53.500 53.950 53.300 55.300 55.800 55.900 57.400 57.800 55.300 56.000 55.850 55.300

AA 327.300 330.000 334.400 331.300 345.000 338.000 341.600 341.400 343.300 347.500 345.700 344.800 339.700

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

PROGRAM HISTORY

USAG NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONS

2010

2011

2010 TEAM: Tory Brown, Garrett Canter, Jacob Houder, Alex Jessop, Dan Klimkowski, Derek Kvedar, Travis Langham, Kyle Mefford, Devin Menefee, Nash Mills, Travis Myers, Chase Nobles, James Okamoto, Nick Owen, Matthew Thorne, Joel Uptmor, Thomas Wilkinson, Brennan Wolford, Aaron Zaiser. Head Coach: Kip Simons. Assistant Coaches: Brett McClure, Lt Col Chuck Schweiss.

2011 TEAM: Kyle Baker, Tory Brown, Patrick Duffy, Jacob Houder, Tyler Huebner, Alex Jessop, Dan Klimkowski, Derek Kvedar, Devin Menefee, Nash Mills, Travis Myers, James Okamoto, Nick Owen, Mac Ritchie, Matt Thorne, Colton Wulf, Aaron Zaiser, Ben Zaiser. Head Coach: Kip Simons. Assistant Coaches: Jeff Robinson, Chuck Schweiss

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gymnastics Media Guide

Terry Higgins, finalist .................... 1966 Joel Miller, finalist ........................ 1992 Aaron Jackson, finalist .................. 2003 Jeff Andersen, finalist ................... 2004 Jake Schonig, finalist..................... 2009

WINTER CUP SELECTIONS

USAG TOP SENIOR Jerry Michael Cline ....................... 1994 Aaron Jackson............................... 2003 Kurt Antonio ................................. 2007 Greg Stine ..................................... 2008 Jake Schonig ................................. 2009 Nash Mills ..................................... 2011

NCAA ALL-AMERICANS

1997 Ben Smith ...................................All-Around, Floor Exercise Geoff Jensen ..................................................Floor Exercise Casey Guerrero............................................ Pommel Horse Erin Montague....................................................... High Bar 1998 Andrew Fisher ......................................... All-Around, Vault Peter Lueck .................................................. Pommel Horse Ryan Mahoney ................................................ Parallel Bars Erin Montague....................................................... High Bar Javin Peterson ......................................................Still Rings Levi Torkelson.............................................. Pommel Horse 1999 Andrew Fisher ....................................................All-Around Levi Torkelson..................... All-Around, Floor, Parallel Bars Jeff Anderson .............................................. Pommel Horse Javin Peterson ......................................................Still Rings Jason Smith ..........................................................Still Rings Mikel Daniel ................................................................Vault Erin Montague....................................................... High Bar 2000 Jeff Andersen.......................... All-Around, Still Rings, Vault James Hayes .................................................... Parallel Bars Javin Peterson ......................................................Still Rings Levi Torkelson............... All-Around, Floor, Pommel, P-Bars 2001 Levi Torkelson........................................................ High Bar Scott Lewis ...................................................... Parallel Bars Andrew Fisher .............................................................Vault Justin Jones ...................................................Floor Exercise Aaron Jackson................................................Floor Exercise Matt Kenkel .................................... Still Rings, Parallel Bars Stephen Sistare ....................................................Still Rings 2002 Aaron Jackson...........All Around, Floor, Rings, Parallel Bars Matthew Kenkel .............................................. Parallel Bars Stephen Sistare ....................................................Still Rings 2003 Jeff Andersen........... All-Around, Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars Aaron Jackson..........All-Around, Floor, Rings, Vault, P-Bars 2004 Jeff Andersen................All-Around, Rings, P-Bars, High Bar Kent Reichle...................................................Floor Exercise Greg Stine ..........AA, Floor, Pommel, Rings, Vault, High Bar 2005 Kent Reichle.................................................................Vault Ryan Stromstad .............................................Floor Exercise

2009 Jacob Houder................................Pommel Horse, High Bar Josiah Loeser ........................................................Still Rings Devin Menefee ............................................................Vault Jake Schonig .........................................................Still Rings Joel Uptmor ...................................................Floor Exercise 2010 Garrett Canter ....................................................... High Bar Dan Klimkowski ....................................................Still Rings Devin Menefee ............................................................Vault Nash Mills .......... All-Around, Rings, Vault, P-Bars, High Bar Chase Nobles ............................................... Pommel Horse James Okamoto ........................................... Pommel Horse 2011 Tory Brown .......................... Floor Exercise, Vault, High Bar Nash Mills ....................................... Still Rings, Parallel Bars James Okamoto ........................................... Pommel Horse Matt Thorne .................................................... Parallel Bars Colton Wulf ................ Floor Exercise, High Bar, All-Around Ben Zaiser ....................................................................Vault

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Jim Weaver (Trampoline) ............. 1962 Doug Reynolds (Tumbling) ........... 1964 Terry Higgins (P-Bars) ................... 1966 Bill Ritter (Floor) ........................... 1972 John Tomich (Vault)...................... 1973 Joel Miller (Rings) ......................... 1992 Tim Hess (Floor)............................ 1993 Greg Stine (AA, Rings)................... 2008

1996 Brian Rizzoli ...................................................Floor Exercise

2008 Jake Schonig .........................................................Still Rings Tyler Sickles ........................................................... High Bar Greg Stine .......... All-Around, Floor, Rings, P-Bars, High Bar Brennan Wolford ................................................All-Around

PROGRAM HISTORY

Joel Miller ..................................... 1992 Jeff Andersen................................ 2004 Greg Stine ..................................... 2007 Tory Brown ......................... 2010, 2011 Nash Mills ........................... 2010, 2011 Joel Uptmor .................................. 2010 James Okamoto ............................ 2011

1995 Brian Rizzoli ...................................................Floor Exercise David Cobb ............................................................ High Bar Beau Neal ........................................... All-Around, High Bar Ben Smith ...........................................................All-Around Chad Silva .............................................................. High Bar

2007 Kurt Antonio .......................................................All-Around Brian Boardman ..........................................................Vault Jake Schonig .........................................................Still Rings Tyler Sickles ........................................................... High Bar Greg Stine ....... All-Around, Floor, Pommel, Rings, High Bar Brennan Wolford........................All-Around, Floor Exercise

2011 SEASON REVIEW

NISSEN-EMERY FINALISTS

1994 Jerry Michael Cline ....... All-Around, Pommel, Rings, P-Bars Brian Rizzoli ...................................................Floor Exercise Troy Belin ....................................................................Vault Jim Miller ............................................................... High Bar

MEET THE FALCONS

Jerry Michael Cline All-Around .............................. 1994 Brian Rizzoli Floor Exercise ......................... 1994 Erin Montague High Bar ................................. 1999 Javin Peterson Still Rings ................................ 2000 Levi Torkelson Parallel Bars ................. 1999, 2000 Aaron Jackson Vault....................................... 2003 Greg Stine All-Around ...........2004, 2007, 2008 Pommel Horse ....................... 2004 Floor Exercise ......................... 2007 Still Rings ................................ 2007 Parallel Bars ........................... 2008 Jake Schonig Still Rings ...................... 2008, 2009 Devin Menefee Vault....................................... 2010 Nash Mills All-Around .............................. 2010 Still Rings ................................ 2011 Parallel Bars ................. 2010, 2011 Tory Brown Vault....................................... 2011 James Okamoto Pommel Horse ....................... 2011

USAG ALL-AMERICANS

2012 INFORMATION

USAG CHAMPIONS

MOST VALUABLE GYMNAST 1965......................................................Terry Higgins 1966......................................................Terry Higgins 1967................................................... Lawrence Thal 1968....................................................... Pat O’Grady 1969..................................................Chuck Kennedy 1970........................................................ Rick Solana 1971..........................................Anthony Nardecchia 1972............................................................Bill Ritter 1973.......................................................... Steve Hoit 1974...................................................... John Tomich 1975...................................................Bruce Edstrom 1976.....................................................Kirk Stephens 1977......................................................... Mark Fulks 1978......................................................... Mark Fulks 1979...................................................... Mike Otomo 1980..........................................................Don Knauf 1981.................................................... Bob Hamilton 1982............................................ Preston Thompson 1983.................................................. Tom Eannarino 1984................................................... Robert Mondy 1985.....................................................Keith Morgan 1986.................................................Steve Gustafson 1987...................................................... Frank Shines 1988..............................................Marcus Kaneshiro 1989....................................................... Sven Brown 1990...................................................Scott Hamilton 1991.......................................................... Joel Miller 1992.......................................................... Joel Miller 1993....................................................Ryan Marshall 1994............................................ Jerry Michael Cline 1995.......................................................... Beau Neal 1996....................................................... Brian Rizzoli 1997.......................................................... Ben Smith 1998........................................................Peter Lueck 1999...................................................Erin Montague 2000.....................................................Jeff Andersen 2001....................................................Aaron Jackson 2002....................................................Aaron Jackson 2003....................................................Aaron Jackson 2004.....................................................Jeff Andersen 2005................................................. Ryan Stromstad 2006...................................................... Brian Moore 2007................................................ Brian Boardman 2008..........................................................Greg Stine 2009.....................................................Jacob Houder 2010..........................................................Nash Mills 2011..........................................................Nash Mills

TEAM CAPTAINS

USAFA ‘TOP SIX’ AWARDS

1956..............................................Henry Canterbury 1957..............................................Henry Canterbury 1958......................................................Clark Lovrien 1959.................................................... Thomas Stack 1960.......................................................... Mike Love 1961................................................... Paul O’Conner 1962.......................................... Randy Schamberger 1963............................... Lloyd Harmon, Jim Weaver 1964...................................................... Robert Jobin 1965...................................................... William Cole 1966......................................................Terry Higgins 1967.............................................. Rick Weizenegger 1968....................................................... Pat O’Grady 1969..................................................Chuck Kennedy 1970..................................................Chuck Kennedy 1971................................................Nino Nardecchia 1972............................................ Breck Cunningham 1973............................................ Breck Cunningham 1974..................................................Phil Nardecchia 1975...................................................Bruce Edstrom 1976....................................................... Micky Duval 1977.....................................................Kirk Stephens 1978......................................................... Mark Fulks 1979...................................................... Mike Otomo 1980..........................................................Don Knauf 1981.....................................................Mike Spencer 1982..................................................Chuck Schweiss 1983.................................................. Tom Eannarino 1984.................................................. Tom Eannarino 1985.....................................................Keith Morgan 1986.................................................Steve Gustafson 1987...................................................... Frank Shines 1988..............................................Marcus Kaneshiro 1989........................................................ Chris Mauk 1990.......................................................Ken Kemper 1991................................... Erik Bowman, Joel Miller 1992.......................................................... Joel Miller 1993...............................Brian Copes, Ryan Marshall 1994..........................Jerry Michael Cline, Jim Miller 1995.......................................................... Troy Belin 1996.....................................Brian Rizzoli, Ben Smith 1997....................................................... Mark Wolfe 1998.......................................................... Greg Meis 1999....................................................... Jason Smith 2000.................................................. Nathan Drewry 2001................................................... Andrew Fisher 2002.................................James Hayes, Matt Kenkel 2003....................................................Aaron Jackson 2004................................. Jeff Andersen, Mike Berry 2005................................ Kent Reichle, Brian Moore 2006...................................................... Brian Moore 2007..........................Kurt Antonio, Brian Boardman 2008........................ Brian Boardman, Kevin Murphy 2009............................... Josiah Loeser, Jake Schonig 2010..................... Garrett Canter, Brennan Wolford 2011..........................................................Nash Mills 2012..................................................Devin Menefee

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

The following “Top-Six” awards are handed out annually by the Air Force Academy Athletic Department. The awards are decided by the department’s senior staff and chosen from all 27 sports. 1966 .................. Terry Higgins, Most Valuable Male 1986 ................................Tim Mills, Scholar-Athlete 1991 ......................... Erik Bowman, Scholar-Athlete 1992 .................... Joel Miller, Athletic Achievement 2003 .................. Aaron Jackson, Athletic Excellence

COACHING AWARDS CGA NATIONAL HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR Kip Simons .........................................................2010 NCAA REGIONAL HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR Carl Townsend ................................. 1978 (Midwest) Lou Burkel.............................. 1989, 1992 (Midwest) Lou Burkel..............................................2005 (West) Kip Simons ................................... 2008, 2010 (West) NCAA REGIONAL ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR Brett McClure ........................................2010 (West) CGA ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR Ivan Merritt .......................................................1998 USAG HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR Kip Simons ...............................................2008, 2010 USAG ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR Brett McClure ....................................................2010 Chuck Schweiss........................................2010, 2011 Jeff Robinson .....................................................2011 WAC COACH OF THE YEAR Lou Burkel................................................1988, 1990 MPSF COACH OF THE YEAR Kip Simons .........................................................2006 CGA HONOR COACH AWARD Lou Burkel..........................................................2006 Capt Levi Torkelson ...........................................2010 CGA HONORARY LIFETIME AWARD Karl Schwenzfeier ...................................................... Lou Burkel..........................................................2008 CGA SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD Karl Schwenzfeier ....................................1973, 1977 Larry Fariss ........................................................2001 Lou Burkel......................................1989, 1990, 2005

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

MOUNTAIN PACIFIC SPORTS FED.

GYMNAST OF THE YEAR

ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

Joel Miller ..........................................................1992

Chris Mauk ........................................................1988 Ken Kemper .......................................................1990

James Hayes ..................................................... 2002 Bill Hermann ..................................................... 2002 Aaron Jackson......................................... 2002, 2003 Justin Jones ...................................................... 2002 Scott Lewis ....................................................... 2002 Matthew Joseph ............................................... 2003 Patrick McAndrew .................................. 2003, 2004 Kent Reichle...................................2003, 2004, 2005 Matthew Joseph ............................................... 2004 Noah Rich ......................................................... 2004 Brian Boardman ............................2006, 2007, 2008 Jake Schonig ..................................2007, 2008, 2009 Brennan Wolford ...........................2008, 2009, 2010 Aaron Zaiser ..................................2009, 2010, 2011 Jacob Houder.................................................... 2011 Travis Myers ..................................................... 2011 James Okamoto ................................................ 2011

NCAA POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS Steve Hoit ..........................................................1973 Ken Kemper .......................................................1990 Joel Miller ..........................................................1992 NACDA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD

Paul Comeau, Pommel Horse ............................1989 Scott Hamilton, Vault .......................................1990 Jerry Michael Cline, Floor Exercise ....................1991 Joel Miller, Still Rings ...............................1990, 1991

Erik Bowman .....................................................1991

ALL- CONFERENCE TEAM

CGA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

Jerry Michael Cline All-Around ......................................................1991 Floor Exercise .................................................1991 Joel Miller Still Rings ..............................................1991, 1992 Jim Miller All-Around ......................................................1992 WAC SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Erik Bowman ...........................................1990, 1991

GYMNAST OF THE WEEK Greg Stine ........................................ 2007 (2x), 2008 Nash Mills ....................... 2009, 2010 (2x), 2011 (2x) Jake Schonig ..................................................... 2009 Colton Wulf ...................................................... 2011

ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM ALL-ANNIVERSARY TEAM * Erik Bowman .....................................................1991 Joel Miller ..........................................................1991 Brian Stuart .......................................................1991 SCHOLAR-ATHLETES

* The MPSF, which celebrated its 15th year of competition in 2007-08, chose the all-anniversary team based on a vote by the gymnastics head coaches from five league schools.

MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE SCHOLAR-ATHLETES James Hayes ........................................... 2001, 2002 Aaron Jackson................................................... 2003 Patrick McAndrew .........................2002, 2003, 2004 Brian Boardman ..................................... 2007, 2008 Jacob Houder.......................................... 2009, 2011 Thomas Wilkinson ............................................ 2010 Travis Myers ..................................................... 2011

PROGRAM HISTORY

Chris Mauk ....................................1987, 1988, 1989 Ken Kemper ...................................1987, 1989, 1990 Erik Bowman ....................... 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 Brent Johnson..........................................1987, 1988 Joel Miller ............................ 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 Brian Stuart .......................................................1990 Michael Cline ....................... 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 Joel Jenne’ ........................... 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 Brock Devos ...................................1993, 1994, 1995 Jacque Joffrion ..............................1993, 1994, 1995 Brian Rizzoli ......................... 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 Ron Marciniak ...................................................1994 Chad Silva ............................ 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Mark Wolfe .............................................1996, 1997 Greg Meis ................................................1995, 1996 Mark Emiley...................................1995, 1996, 1997 Geoff Jensen ..................................1995, 1996, 1997 Matt Jensen ...................................1995, 1996, 1997

Jeff Andersen...............competed 1999-00, 2003-04

2011 SEASON REVIEW

Ken Kemper .......................................................1990 Erik Bowman ...........................................1990, 1991 Joel Miller ......................................1990, 1991, 1992 Joel Jenne’ ...............................................1993, 1995 Brian Rizzoli .......................................................1994 Chad Silva ............................ 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Geoff Jensen ........................ 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 Greg Meis ..........................................................1995 Matt Jensen .............................................1997, 1998 James Hayes III ..............................1999, 2000, 2001 Justin Jones .......................................................2000 Scott Lewis ....................................2000, 2001, 2002 Aaron Jackson..........................................2002, 2003 Patrick McAndrew ...................................2002, 2003 Noah Rich ..........................................................2003 Brian Boardman ............................2006, 2007, 2008 Jake Schonig ..................................2007, 2008, 2009 Brennan Wolford.....................................2007, 2010 Aaron Zaiser ............................................2008, 2011 Jacob Houder...........................................2009, 2011 Thomas Wilkinson .............................................2010 James Okamoto .................................................2010 Patrick Duffy ......................................................2011 Derek Kvedar .....................................................2011 Travis Myers ......................................................2011

MEET THE FALCONS

CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

2012 INFORMATION

NATIONAL ACADEMIC HONORS

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions ABEYTA, Derek................................ 88 ABSHIRE, Thomas ........................... 74 ALDRICH, Richard ..................... 80, 81 ALEXANDER, Dana .................... 69, 70 ANDERSEN, Jeff .............99, 00, 03, 04 ANTONIO, Kurt ..............04, 05, 06, 07 ANNANIE, Douglas.......................... 88 BAKER, Gary.................................... 63 BAKER, Kyle .................................. 11 BELIN, Troy ....................92, 93, 94, 95 BELL, Richard .................83, 84, 85, 86 BENTON, Julian ......................... 03, 04 BERRY, Edwin............................ 05, 06 BERRY, Michael..............01, 02, 03, 04 BLACK, Jon ...................................... 57 BOARDMAN, Brian ........05, 06, 07, 08 BONECK, James .............................. 83 BOWEN, Thomas ........................... 57 BOWMAN, Erik ..............88, 89, 90, 91 BRADSHAW, James ......................... 58 BREWER, George II ............. 80, 81, 82 BREWER, Gregory ..........76, 77, 78, 79 BROOKS, Charlie ................. 85, 86, 87 BROWN, Sven ..................... 87, 88, 89 BROWN, Tory ..........................10, 11 BURLINGAME, Barry ................. 66, 67 BURNS, Scott .................................. 02 BUTLER, George.................. 59, 60, 61 BUTLER, Michael ...................... 66, 67 CANTER, Garrett ............07, 08, 09, 10 CANTERBURY, Henry .......... 57, 58, 59 CASTLE, Leroy ................................. 57 CHASE, Joseph .......................... 70, 71 CHESTNUT, William ........................ 81 CLAUSON, Vaughn .............. 69, 70, 71 CLINE, Jerry Michael ......91, 92, 93, 94 CLINE, Paul ............................... 93, 94 CLOSE, Gary .............................. 64, 65 COBB, David...................92, 93, 94, 95 COLE, William ..................... 63, 64, 65 COMEAU, Paul ...............87, 88, 89, 90 COPES, R. Brian................... 91, 92, 93 CORBETT, Jason .................. 97, 98, 99 CUNNINGHAM, Breck ......... 71, 72, 73 DALEY, Jerome................................ 63 DANIEL, Mikel ................98, 99, 00, 01 DEANS, Chris............................. 06, 07 DEVOS, Brock.................92, 93, 94, 95 DOUGLAS, David ............90, 91, 92, 93 DOYLE, Steven .................... 02, 03, 05 DOZIER, Norman ...................... 89, 90 DREWRY, Nathan ...........96, 97, 99, 00 DRUECKE, Kipp ......................... 08, 09 DUDLEY, Garry .................... 66, 67, 68 DUFFY, Patrick .............................. 11 DUNN, Roger ............................ 63, 64 DUVALL, Michael ...................... 75, 76 EANNARINO, Tom..........81, 82, 83, 84 EASTMAN, William ......................... 08 EATON, Brian ...................... 69, 70, 71 EDSTROM, Bruce ...................... 74, 75 EDWARDS, John.............................. 63 EGLINTON, Gary ....................... 65, 66 FISHER, Andrew .............98, 99, 00, 01 FISTER, Bruce ............................ 63, 64 FLICKINGER, James ............. 77, 78, 79 FLOOD, William ........................ 63, 64 FRETZS, Robert ......................... 69, 70 FRUSHOUR, George ............ 65, 66, 67 FULKS, Mark ..................75, 76, 77, 78 GARBODEN, Andrew ................ 85, 86 GARRETT, James ............71, 72, 73, 74 GIBBONS, William..................... 60, 61 GILMORE, Samuel..........75, 76, 77, 78

GLANDON, Nathan ......................... 05 GOGGINS, Edward .......................... 80 GOODMAN, Patrick .................. 75, 76 GREGORY, Scott........................ 82, 83 GUERRERO, Casey .........96, 97, 98, 99 GUSTAFSON, Stephen ...83, 84, 85, 86 HALL, Robert............................. 62, 63 HAMILTON, Robert ............. 79, 80, 81 HAMILTON, Scott...........87, 88, 89, 90 HAMMOND, Terry .......................... 67 HARDEE, Patrick ................. 62, 63, 64 HARMON, Lloyd.................. 61, 62, 63 HAYES, James III ............99, 00, 01, 02 HENDRICKS, John............................ 60 HERMANN, Bill ..............00, 01, 02, 03 HESS, Timothy ...............90, 91, 92, 93 HIGGINS, Terry ................... 64, 65, 66 HOIT, Stephen ...............70, 71, 72, 73 HOLLOWAY, Josh ............................ 03 HOUDER, Jacob .......................09, 11 HOUSE, Thomas.................. 57, 58, 59 HOWELL, John .......................... 58, 59 HUEBNER, Tyler ............................ 11 HULL, Merton ................................. 61 HUNT, Thomas ..............76, 77, 78, 79 HYATT, Mark....................... 72, 73, 74 ILLINGSWORTH, Robert .................. 67 JACKSON, Aaron ............00, 01, 02, 03 JENNE, Joel ......................... 93, 94, 95 JENSEN, Geoffrey ..........95, 96, 97, 98 JENSEN, Matthew ..................... 97, 98 JESSOP, Alex ............................10, 11 JOBIN, Robert ..................... 62, 63, 64 JOFFRION, Jacque ............... 94, 95, 96 JOHANSEN, Albert .......................... 60 JOHNSON, Brent ....................... 87, 88 JOLLY, Lawrence ................. 57, 58, 59 JONES, Justin ...................... 00, 01, 02 JOSEPH, Matthew ..................... 03, 04 KANESHIRO, Marcus ........... 86, 87, 88 KEMPER, Kenneth..........86, 87, 88, 90 KENKEL, Matthew..........99, 00, 01, 02 KENNEDY, Charles ............. 68, 69, 70 KING, Gerald ............................. 63, 64 KIRK, Charles ............................ 77, 78 KLIMKOWSKI, Dan .........08, 09, 10, 11 KNAUF, Donald ..............77, 78, 79, 80 KNOPKE, Carl Jr................... 66, 67, 68 KOPF, Christopher .............. 64, 65, 66 KOS, Ronald .............................. 61, 62 KOZMA, William ............................. 65 KRAYE, Howard................... 60, 62, 63 KRESS, John .............................. 85, 86 KVEDAR, Derek ......................... 09, 11 LANGHAM, Travis ........................... 10 LAWLESS, Michael .................... 82, 83 LEONARD, Michael ................... 66, 67 LEWIS, Arthur ..................... 58, 59, 60 LEWIS, Scott ....................... 00, 01, 02 LOBUE, Paul .................................... 86 LOESER, Joshua......................... 05, 06 LOESER, Josiah ...............06, 07, 08, 09 LOVE, Michael .................... 58, 59, 60 LOVRIEN, Clark ................... 57, 58, 59 LOWE, Gregory .................. 68, 69, 70 LUSHBAUGH, Robert ................ 67, 68 McANDREW, Patrick ........... 02, 03, 04 McCLURE, Kurtis ....................... 85, 86 McLEAN, Daniel .............................. 66 McKINNEY, Craig ...................... 64, 65 McNAUGHTON, Mark ..................... 04 MACPHERSON, John ................. 66, 67 MAHONEY, Ryan....................... 97, 98 MAJOR, Michael ............................. 93

MARKSTEINER, Joseph ............. 74, 75 MARSHALL, Parker ........97, 98, 99, 00 MARSHALL, Ryan ...........89, 90, 92, 93 MARTIN, Michael...................... 65, 66 MASON, Richard ....................... 57, 58 MAUK, Christopher ............ 87, 88, 89 MEIS, Gregory................95, 96, 97, 98 MENEFEE, Devin ................ 09, 10, 11 MILLER, James ...............91, 92, 93, 94 MILLER, Joel...................89, 90, 91, 92 MILLER, Roy .............................. 65, 66 MILLS, Michael ..............77, 78, 79, 80 MILLS, Nash ...................08, 09, 10, 11 MILLS, Timothy ................... 84, 85, 86 MONDY, Robert .............81, 82, 83, 84 MONTGOMERY, Paul .......... 79, 80, 81 MONTAGUE, Erin...........96, 97, 98, 99 MOORE, Brian................03, 04, 05, 06 MORGAN, Keith .............82, 83, 84, 85 MURPHY, Kevin .............05, 06, 07, 08 MYERS, Travis............................... 11 NARDECCHIA, Anthony....... 69, 70, 71 NARDECCHIA, Philip ......71, 72, 73, 74 NEAL, Latimer ................93, 94, 95, 96 NEFF, Ted........................................ 62 NEVIN, Michael................... 76, 77, 78 NEWHOUSE, John II ........................ 63 NICKERSON, Eric ............................. 70 NOBLES, Chase ......................... 09, 10 OAKESHOTT, Glenn ............ 68, 69, 70 O’CONNELL, William ................. 74, 75 O’CONNOR, Paul ................ 59, 60, 61 O’GRADY, James ................. 66, 67, 68 O’ROURKE, James ........................... 60 OKAMOTO, James ...................10, 11 OTOMO, Michael...........76, 77, 78, 79 OWEN, Nicholas ............................. 11 PACKER, Frank .......................... 63, 64 PAQUETTE, James..........71, 72, 73, 74 PAYAUYS, Ryan ............................... 88 PEELE, Eric .....................03, 04, 05, 06 PETERSON, Javin ................. 98, 99, 00 PFAU, William ..................... 79, 80, 81 PLAISTED, Glen ..............78, 79, 80, 81 PODRASKY, David ........................... 91 PORTER, Christopher ................ 71, 72 PRENDERGAST, Brian ......... 68, 69, 70 PROPOGGIO, Ron ..........81, 82, 83, 84 QUANBECK, Gordon ....................... 71 RABINS, John ............................ 72, 73 RAUSCH, John ........................... 61, 62 REAVES, Irving .......................... 81, 82 REICHLE, Kent ................02, 03, 04, 05 REYNOLDS, Douglas ........................ 64 RICH, Noah ............................... 03, 04 RIGHTMER, Charles .................. 82, 83 RITCHHART, Kenneth...................... 72 RITCHIE, Mac ................................ 11 RITTER, William .............70, 71, 72, 73 RIZZOLI, Brian ................93, 94, 95, 96 ROBERTS, Jon ................................. 06 ROBERTSON, Dennis ....................... 67 ROSTAGNO, Anthony ......... 90, 91, 92 RUND, Berton ..................... 75, 76, 77 SANDERS, Robert Scott................... 78 SCHAMBERGER, John ..................... 76 SCHAMBERGER, Randall ..... 60, 61, 62 SCHEMENAUR, Roger ......... 57, 58, 59 SCHONIG, Jacob.............06, 07, 08, 09 SCHWEISS, Charles ........79, 80, 81, 82 SHAFER, Jonathan .............. 57, 58, 59 SHEPARD, Richard .......................... 58 SHINES, Franklin ............84, 85, 86, 87 SICKLES, Tyler ................05, 06, 07, 08

SILVA, Chad ...................94, 95, 96, 97 SISTARE, Stephen ............... 00, 01, 02 SMITH, Benjamin ...........94, 95, 96, 97 SMITH Jason ..................96, 97, 98, 99 SMITH, Karl ......................... 66, 67, 68 SMITH, Kenneth ................. 57, 58, 59 SMULL, Richard ........................ 61, 62 SOGARD, Jeffrey ................. 69, 70, 71 SOLANA, Richard ............................ 70 SPENCER, Michael .............. 79, 80, 81 SQUIER, Craig ................................. 68 ST. CYR, Christopher ....................... 82 STACK, Thomas ................... 57, 58, 59 STEELE, William .................. 90, 91, 92 STINE, Greg ....................03, 04, 07, 08 STEPHENS, Dallas...........74, 75, 76, 77 STROMSTAD, Ryan ................... 04, 05 STUART, Brian................90, 91, 92, 93 STYLES, James ................................. 75 SULLIVAN, Paul ............................... 60 TAYLOR, Randy ..............77, 78, 79, 80 TERRELL, Andrew............................ 06 THAL, Lawrence .................. 65, 66, 67 THOMPSON, Preston .....79, 80, 81, 82 THOMPSON, Robert ....................... 87 THORNE, Matthew ........08, 09, 10, 11 TOMICH, John................................. 74 TORKELSON, Levi ...........98, 99, 00, 01 TORNOW, Robin ................. 62, 63, 64 TORREANO, Mark ............... 66, 67, 68 TRACEY, Robert .................. 69, 70, 71 TRAVIS, Byron ................................. 59 TRINIDAD, Pedro ...........85, 86, 87, 88 UPTMOR, Joel ........................... 09, 10 VAN DOREN, Peter ............. 92, 93, 94 VRETTOS, John.................... 63, 64, 65 WALKER, Philip ............................... 71 WATKINS, Jerome........................... 86 WEAVER, James .................. 61, 62, 63 WEIZENEGGER, Richard ............ 66, 67 WENGERT, Alix ............................... 88 WENRICH, Robert ..........75, 76, 77, 78 WHILES, Jared........................... 97, 98 WHITTENBERG, Karl ........... 66, 67, 68 WIEST, David ..................... 58, 59, 60 WILHELM, James ...................... 60, 61 WILKINSON, Mark .............. 76, 77, 78 WILKINSON, Thomas ...................... 10 WINN, Derek .................................. 80 WITZEL, Robert ............................... 75 WOLF, Craig .............................. 89, 90 WOLFE, Mark.................94, 95, 96, 97 WOLFORD, Brennen ......07, 08, 09, 10 WOOD, Chris .................................. 06 WULF, Colton.................................. 11 YOUNG, Gerard ........................ 60, 61 YUEN, Jeffrey .................80, 81, 82, 83 ZAISER, Aaron ................08, 09, 10, 11 ZAISER, Ben .................................. 11 ZAMZOW, Mark.............75, 76, 77, 78 Returning gymnasts in bold.

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gymnastics Media Guide

Event Floor Exercise Pommel Horse Still Rings Vault Parallel Bars Horizontal Bar All-Around/Team

INDIVIDUAL Score 9.850 9.600 9.900 9.800 9.550 9.900 56.350

Gymnast Jerry Michael Cline Jeff Andersen Joel Miller Andrew Fisher Levi Torkelson Jerry Michael Cline Jerry Michael Cline

TEAM Year 1993 2000 1991 2000 1998 1994 1994

Score 37.350 38.050 37.750 37.700 37.700 38.250 223.125

Year 1995 2000 2000 2000 1998 1995 1998

TEAM Score 59.600 57.500 59.400 62.800

Year 2011 2010 2011 2011

57.700 57.800 347.500

2011 2011 2011

2012 INFORMATION

ACADEMY RECORDS (1956 - 2007)

ACADEMY RECORDS (2008 - PRESENT)

Parallel Bars Horizontal Bar All-Around/Team

INDIVIDUAL Score 15.400 14.800 15.700 15.950 15.950 15.200 14.900 88.200

Gymnast Colton Wulf Chase Nobles Greg Stine Tory Brown Devin Menefee Nash Mills Nash Mills Greg Stine

Year 2011 2010 2008 2011 2010 2011 2011 2008

MEET THE FALCONS

Event Floor Exercise Pommel Horse Still Rings Vault

TOP PROGRAM MARKS - TEAM SCORES (2008 - PRESENT) VAULT 62.800 62.600 62.450 62.400 62.350

POMMEL HORSE 57.500 USAG Championships 55.700 at All-Academy Meet 55.950 at Army 55.550 at Arizona State 55.100 at Southwest Cup

03/26/10 02/20/11 03/12/10 03/19/10 02/27/09

PARALLEL BARS 57.700 at USAG Championships 57.550 MPSF Championships 57.100 Washington 56.650 Stanford 56.350 2x, last NCAA Qualifier

03/25/11 04/02/11 03/20/11 03/05/10 04/14/11

STILL RINGS 59.400 59.350 59.100 59.000 59.000

03/20/11 03/07/10 02/03/08 03/05/10 03/09/08

HIGH BAR 57.800 57.400 56.500 56.000 55.900

03/13/11 03/11/11 03/12/10 03/25/11 03/06/11

Washington Illinois-Chicago at Springfield College Stanford Illinois-Chicago

at Illinois-Chicago at All-Academy Meet Illinois-Chicago at Springfield at Springfield

at Springfield at Brockport at Army at USAG Championships 3x, last at Illinois-Chicago

03/06/11 02/20/11 03/07/10 03/14/11 03/14/10

TEAM TOTALS 347.500 Washington 346.450 Illinois-Chicago 345.700 at USAG Championships 345.000 at All-Academy Meet 344.800 MPSF Championships

03/20/11 03/07/10 03/25/11 02/20/11 02/02/11

PROGRAM HISTORY

03/20/11 03/07/10 03/09/08 03/07/08 02/20/11

2011 SEASON REVIEW

FLOOR EXERCISE 59.600 Washington 58.650 Illinois-Chicago 58.350 Illinois-Chicago 58.100 Illinois-Chicago 57.800 at All-Academy Meet

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

TOP PROGRAM MARKS - FLOOR EXERCISE (2008 - PRESENT) 15.400 15.200 15.100 15.050 15.000 15.000 15.000 14.950 14.950 14.900 14.900 14.900

Colton Wulf Greg Stine Greg Stine Greg Stine Greg Stine Greg Stine Greg Stine Joel Uptmor Aaron Zaiser Colton Wulf Tory Brown Greg Stine

TOP PROGRAM MARKS - PARALLEL BARS (2008 - PRESENT)

Washington (03/20/11) at Southwest Cup (03/01/08) Illinois-Chicago (03/09/08) at NCAA National Qualifier (04/17/08) at Army (01/01/08) at USAG Championships-Team (03/28/08) at NCAA All-Around Finals (04/18/08) Illinois-Chicago (03/07/10) Army (01/31/09) at USAG Championships-Team (03/25/11) Washington (03/20/11) at MPSF Championships (04/05/08)

15.200 14.900 14.900 14.900 14.850 14.750 14.750 14.700 14.700 14.600

TOP PROGRAM MARKS - POMMEL HORSE (2008 - PRESENT) 14.800 14.700 14.600 14.550 14.400 14.300 14.300 14.300 14.250 14.250

Chase Nobles Chase Nobles James Okamoto Chase Nobles James Okamoto James Okamoto Chase Nobles Dan Klimkowski James Okamoto James Okamoto

Greg Stine Jake Schonig Jake Schonig Greg Stine Jake Schonig Greg Stine Greg Stine Jake Schonig Jake Schonig Jake Schonig Jake Schonig Jake Schonig Greg Stine Jake Schonig

USAG Championships-Team (03/26/10) Illinois-Chicago (03/07/10) USAG Championships-Team (03/26/10) at Army (03/12/10) at Nebraska (01/30/11) Rocky Mountain Open (01/15/11) at Arizona State (03/19/10) at Springfield College (03/14/10) at NCAA National Qualifier (04/14/11) at USAG Championships-Event (03/26/11)

14.900 14.800 14.650 14.600 14.550 14.500 14.500 14.400 14.350 14.350

Tory Brown Devin Menefee Tory Brown Tory Brown Tory Brown Nash Mills Tory Brown Tory Brown Nash Mills Devin Menefee

Nash Mills Nash Mills Greg Stine Colton Wulf Greg Stine Colton Wulf Tory Brown Mac Ritchie Nash Mills Greg Stine

at Illinois-Chicago (03/06/11) at Springfield College (03/13/11) at Springfield College (02/03/08) at Springfield College (03/13/11) at Nebraska (03/22/08) at Brockport (03/11/11) at Brockport (03/11/11) at Springfield College (03/13/11) Stanford, Illinois-Chicago (03/05/10) at USAG Championships-Team (03/28/08)

TOP PROGRAM MARKS - ALL-AROUND (2008 - PRESENT)

Illinois-Chicago (03/09/08) at USAG Championships-Team (03/27/09) at Nebraska (03/22/08) at NCAA National Qualifier (04/17/08) at Southwest Cup (02/27/09) at Springfield College (03/03/08) at USAG Championships-Team (03/28/08) at USAG Championships-Event (03/29/08) at USAG Championships-Team (03/28/08) at USAG Championships-Event (03/28/09) at MPSF Championships (04/05/08) Illinois-Chicago (03/07/08) at Pacific Coast Classic (02/23/08) at Springfield College (02/03/08)

88.200 87.400 87.200 87.150 87.050 86.800 86.800 86.500 86.400 86.300 86.300 86.300

TOP PROGRAM MARKS - VAULT (2008 - PRESENT) 15.950 15.950 15.900 15.900 15.900 15.900 15.850 15.850 15.850 15.850

at USAG Championships-Team (03/25/11) MPSF Championships (04/02/11) at Arizona State (02/26/10) at USAG Championships-Event (03/29/08) at MPSF Championships (04/05/08) Stanford, Illinois-Chicago (03/05/10) at Army (01/01/08) at Springfield College (03/13/11) at Southwest Cup (03/01/08) at USAG Championships-Event (03/26/11)

TOP PROGRAM MARKS - HIGH BAR (2008 - PRESENT)

TOP PROGRAM MARKS - STILL RINGS (2008 - PRESENT) 15.700 15.650 15.650 15.650 15.600 15.600 15.600 15.550 15.550 15.500 15.500 15.500 15.500 15.500

Nash Mills Nash Mills Nash Mills Greg Stine Greg Stine Nash Mills Greg Stine Nash Mills Greg Stine Nash Mills

MPSF Championships (04/02/11) USAG Championships-Event (03/27/10) at NCAA National Qualifier (04/14/11) at Springfield College (03/13/11) Rocky Mountain Open (01/15/11) Rocky Mountain Open (01/15/11) at NCAA Event Preliminary (04/15/11) at All-Academy Championships (02/20/11) at Minnesota (01/30/10) at MPSF Championships (04/04/09)

Greg Stine Greg Stine Greg Stine Greg Stine Greg Stine Greg Stine Greg Stine Colton Wulf Greg Stine Nash Mills Nash Mills Nash Mills

Illinois-Chicago (03/09/08) at Southwest Cup (03/01/08) at NCAA National Qualifier (04/17/08) at Army (02/01/08) at Springfield College (02/03/08) at USAG Championships-Team (03/28/08) at NCAA All-Around Finals (04/18/08) Washington (03/20/11) at MPSF Championships (04/05/08) at Illinois-Chicago (03/06/11) at Springfield Triangular (03/14/10) at Arizona State (02/26/10)

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions The United States Air Force Academy offers a four-year program of instruction and experience designed to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Each cadet graduates with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. COURSE OF STUDY Cadets are exposed to a balanced curriculum that provides the knowledge, skills and responsibilities essential to a career Air Force officer. The entire USAFA experience is integrated and mapped to achieve a set of desired outcomes in every graduate. The core academic curriculum includes courses in basic sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. Cadets take additional elective courses to complete requirements for one of 32 major areas of study. About 50 percent of the cadets complete majors in science and engineering; the remainder graduate in the social sciences and humanities. Some of the most popular majors include management, aeronautical engineering, foreign area studies, history, behavioral science, civil engineering, astronautical engineering, electrical engineering and engineering mechanics. FACULTY COMPOSITION The majority of the Academy’s faculty members, more than 500 total, are Air Force officers. They are selected primarily from career-officer volunteers who have established outstanding records of performance and dedication. Each has at least a master’s degree and more than 55 percent have doctorates or other terminal degrees in their field of study. About 30 percent of the faculty are civilians who bring great depth of disciplinary and educational expertise and provide academic stability and continuity. Faculty members are intensely focused on cadet learning as an integral part of their officer development. The Air Force Academy has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for the most accessible and involved faculty for four years in a row. To provide greater contributions by a diverse faculty, the Academy has several distinguished visiting professors and endowed professors who serve one or more years. Officers from other services, as well as officers from allied countries are also members of the faculty. Distinguished civilian and military lecturers also share their expertise with the cadets during the academic year. ATHLETIC PROGRAM The Academy’s athletic program is designed to improve physical fitness, teach athletic skills and develop leadership qualities. To achieve its goals, the Academy offers some of the most extensive physical education, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletic programs in the nation. Cadets take at least three different physical education courses each year. MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING An air, space and cyberspace-oriented military education, training and leadership program begins with basic cadet training and continues throughout the four years. Seniors are responsible for the organizational leadership of the cadet wing, while juniors and sophomores seek to develop team and interpersonal leadership and instructional skills. Cadets are projected into as many leadership roles as possible to prepare them to be effective Air Force officers.

Fundamental concepts of military organization -- drill, ethics, honor, Air Force heritage and physical training -- are emphasized the first summer during basic cadet training. Freshmen study the military role in United States society, as well as the mission and organization of the Air Force. Sophomores receive instruction in communication skills and juniors study combat and operational aspects of the Air Force. The Academy offers courses in flying, navigation, soaring and parachuting, building from basic skills to instructor duties. Some cadets may fly light aircraft with the Cadet Flying Team. Summer training for cadets is divided into three, threeweek training periods. There are a variety of programs available and each cadet is required to complete two training periods each summer with leave during the other period. All new cadets take six weeks of basic cadet training in their first summer. Combat survival training is a required three-week program during cadets’ second summer. For other secondsummer training periods, cadets have options such as working with Airmen in an operational unit at an Air Force installation, airborne parachute training, soaring or basic free-fall parachute training. During their last two summers, all cadets are offered leadership training as supervisors or instructors in the summer programs listed above. Extracurricular activities also are an integral part of the education program. The cadet ski club, drum and bugle corps, cadet chorale and forensics are a few of the programs available to Academy cadets. NOMINATIONS Nominations to the Academy may be obtained through a congressional sponsor or by meeting eligibility criteria in other categories of competition established by law. For information on admission procedures, write to HQ USAFA/RRS; 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200; USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025. For more information, visit: www.usafa.edu

HISTORY OF THE ACADEMY In 1948, a board of leading civilian and military educators was appointed to plan the curriculum for an academy that would meet the needs of the newly established Air Force. The board determined that Air Force requirements could not be met by expanding the other service academies and recommended an Air Force Academy be established without delay. In 1949, then Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Symington appointed a commission to assist in selecting a site and on April 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized creation of the United States Air Force Academy. After considering 580 sites in 45 states, the commission narrowed the choice to three locations. During the summer of 1954, Secretary of the Air Force Harold Talbott selected a site near Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado contributed $1 million toward purchase of the property. In July 1955, the first Academy class entered interim facilities at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, while construction began. It was sufficiently completed for occupancy by the cadet wing in late August 1958. Initial construction cost was $142 million. Women entered the Academy on June 28, 1976, as members of the class of 1980.

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

2012 INFORMATION MEET THE FALCONS

SUPERINTENDENT | THIRD YEAR | AIR FORCE ACADEMY, 1976 Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould is Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He directs a four-year academic, military training, athletic and character development program leading to a bachelor’s degree and commission as an Air Force officer. The general is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 1976. His career encompasses a wide range of assignments, ranging from head football coach of the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, to serving as Air Force aide to the President of the United States.

His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

COMMANDANT OF CADETS Brig General Richard Clark

DEAN OF FACULTY Brig General Dana Born

COMMANDER, 10TH AIR BASE WING Col Thomas Gibson

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

VICE-SUPERINTENDENT Colonel Tamara Rank

PROGRAM HISTORY

He has held numerous command positions at the group, wing and numbered air force level, and was commander of Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center during 9/11. Prior to his return to the Academy, he was Director of Operations and Plans, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. General Gould is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the T-38, T-41, KC-10, C-5, C-17, C-21, C-141 and KC-135R.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

LT GEN MICHAEL C. GOULD

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

DR. HANS MUEH

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS | EIGHTH SEASON | AIR FORCE ACADEMY, 1966 Dr. Hans J. Mueh is in his eighth year as the director of athletics at the Air Force Academy. A retired Air Force brigadier general, Mueh was vice dean of faculty for two years prior to his retirement from active duty in the summer of 2004. Mueh was heavily involved in Academy athletics before becoming director of athletics. He was the Academy’s faculty athletics representative from 19962004 and was a long-time member of the board of directors for the Air Force Academy Athletics Association.

years, Mueh helped the Falcons to the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Soccer League championship and quarterfinal berth in the NCAA tournament. He was a first-team all-league selection. Following graduation, Mueh completed two assignments in intelligence before attending the University of Wisconsin where he earned his master’s degree in chemistry in 1970. He later earned a doctorate degree in chemistry from Wisconsin in 1976 as a distinguished graduate. Mueh also completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. Between earning the degrees, Mueh returned to USAFA as an instructor in the department of chemistry from 1970-72. He also served as assistant soccer coach and played semi-pro soccer with the Aurora Internationals in Denver during those two years, leading the Internationals to the Colorado state title in 1971.

Since becoming the director of athletics, Mueh has led the Academy to some remarkable feats. In 2007, the Academy was one of only three schools (Michigan State and Boston College) to reach post-season play in football (2007), men’s basketball and ice hockey (2006-07). It marked the first time a service academy has ever had a team compete in the post-season in all three sports.

He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served as an intelligence officer in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam and at Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand, in 1972 and 1973. After earning his doctorate degree, Mueh returned to the Academy in 1976 as an associate professor of chemistry. He remained at the Academy except for a stint in 1985-86 as the special assistant for technical matters at the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon.

In addition, under Mueh’s watch the men’s basketball team has played in an NCAA tournament and the National Invitational Tournament’s Final Four. The ice hockey team won three straight conference championships and made three straight appearances in the NCAA tournament. Mueh was on the selection committee that hired current head coach Frank Serratore and led the Academy’s move into the Athletic Hockey Association.

In 1986, he assumed the position of acting head, department of chemistry, before being selected for his position of permanent professor and head of the department of chemistry in 1987. As faculty athletics representative, he was active in both the Western Athletic Conference and Mountain West Conference, and was the Academy’s representative on the transition team to form the new MWC, the only faculty athletics representative on the team.

The football program, the Academy’s flagship sport, has gone through a major overhaul under Mueh. He led the transition from the retirement of the legendary Fisher DeBerry after 23 years at the helm to hiring current head coach Troy Calhoun, a 1989 Academy graduate. Calhoun’s impact was immediate, leading the Falcons to a 9-4 overall mark and a second-place finish in the Mountain West Conference in 2007. The Falcons qualified for their first bowl game in five years, playing in the Armed Forces Bowl in 2007. The program then posted back-toback eight-win seasons and was 9-4 in 2010, while qualifying for bowl games every year. The school has averaged 9,000 bowl tickets sold during the four years.

He competes in golf, racquetball, handball and tennis, and has promoted Air Force Academy intercollegiate sports throughout his tenure, beginning with work as chairman of the hockey eligibility committee, officer representative to the men’s golf team and five years as the officer representative to the football team. Mueh is married to the former Sally Flax of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children: Kristine, Kurt and Deborah.

Mueh has been just as successful behind the scenes with the administration of the department. Mueh restructured the department with an internal/external model that has streamlined resources and made the department more effective from top to bottom. In addition, he has the department on course to become a federally chartered non-profit organization which will lead to more fund-raising opportunities. Mueh was instrumental in the USAFA Endowment and the announcement of the Holaday Athletic Center, an indoor training facility. The $15 million facility was completed in 2011. Mueh has also been active within the conference and the NCAA. He is a part of the NCAA Division I Amateurism Cabinet and has been active on the NCAA’s academics/eligibility compliance cabinet, the men’s golf committee and the Region 7 postgraduate scholarship committee. Mueh has been equally active within the conference on various leadership committees. He is currently on the awards and recognition committee and has previously served on the joint council executive committee, and committees on championships, television and sportsmanship. Before assuming his duties as vice dean at the Academy, Mueh was permanent professor and head of the department of chemistry at the Academy, a position he held since October 1987 where he oversaw the annual design and instruction of 25 undergraduate courses for 1,500 cadets annually. Mueh was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Celle, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1951. He entered the Air Force in 1962, as a member of the Academy’s eighth graduating class, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in 1966. While at the Academy, Mueh was a two-year letterwinner in soccer as a goalie. He still holds the Academy record for saves in a game with 30, accomplishing it twice in 1965 against North Carolina and Benedictine. In his junior and senior

At halftime of the Utah football game on Oct. 30, 2010, Dr. Mueh congratulated the men’s gymnastics team for winning the program’s first-ever USAG National Championship title.

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

COL BILLY WALKER

JIM TREGO

Vice Director of Athletics

Senior Associate AD | External Affairs

2012 INFORMATION

ATHLETIC SENIOR STAFF

MEET THE FALCONS

WILLIAM CARPENTER

DERMOT COLL

Associate AD | Recruiting Support

Associate AD | Development, Government

The goals of the athletic program are to enhance the physical conditioning of all cadets, to develop the physical skills necessary for officership, to teach leadership in a competitive environment and to build character. There are three subdivisions of the athletic program: intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and physical education.

JOHN COULAHAN

MARTI GASSER

Associate AD | Finance

Associate AD | Intercollegiate Programs | SWA

The intercollegiate program has 17 men’s and 10 women’s NCAA-sanctioned teams, facing some of the top competition in the nation. Men’s teams are football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, cross-country, fencing, golf, gymnastics, indoor and outdoor track, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, water polo and wrestling. The Academy fields women’s teams in basketball, cross-country, fencing, gymnastics, rifle, indoor and outdoor track, swimming and diving, soccer, tennis and volleyball. In addition, the Academy sponsors two non-NCAA programs; boxing and cheerleading.

TROY GARNHART

WAYNE KELLENBENCE

Associate AD | Information, Communications

Associate AD | Support

The football team competes annually for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, which is emblematic of service academy football supremacy. The Falcons have won the trophy 17 times, which is more than any other academy. The winner of the annual rivalry visits the White House to have the trophy presented by the President of the United States.

PROGRAM HISTORY

The majority of the Academy’s men’s and women’s programs compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons compete in this conference against teams from Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, TCU, UNLV and Wyoming. All sports also compete against non-conference opponents, including many nationally-ranked teams.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

Few schools in the country have an athletic program as extensive as the Air Force Academy’s.

The USAFA Cadet Field House is one of the most impressive buildings in the country. It’s a modern, versatile structure with seemingly endless uses. The $5.6 million building is five stories high and 396 feet by 426 feet, the size of three football fields laid side by side. The structure is divided into three areas--basketball arena, ice hockey arena and multipurpose area. The three sections have a combined seating capacity of more than 9,000.

The department’s newest facility, the Holaday Athletic Center, was completed in July 2011. KAREN WARNER Associate AD | Human Resources

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Clune Arena seats 5,858. The Cadet Ice Rink has a seating capacity of 2,470, while the multipurpose area seats 1,000 fans for track and field competitions.

GYMNASTICS TRAINING FACILITIES

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

The Air Force women’s and men’s gymnastics team train and compete in the Academy’s Cadet West Gymnasium. The main gym features the competion area, as well as spectator seating. In the fall of 2011, a second story was added to a pair of the main gym, providing a foam landing pit for tumbling routines. Beneath the new structure includes areas for strorage, stationary bikes and athletic training areas. The set-up can be configured for either a men’s or women’s meet, with a raised floor exercise area and proper “holding areas” for championship meets. The gym features a two-tiered scorers’ table that is wirelessly linked to the judges’ tables located throughout the venue. For daily practices and special dual meet performances, the floor surface can hold all equipment for both the men’s and women’s training. Air Force also has the added benefit of an auxiliary gym that features locker rooms for both the men’s and women’s teams and extra sets of equipment to help maximize the training space of the two gymnastics teams. The second floor of the auxiliary gym features a high bar apparatus and vaulting runway with foam landing pits. Overall, the Cadet Gymnasium is a five-level structure, containing 439,951 square feet of useable space. It houses three complete gyms, 12 squash courts, 21 handball/racquetball courts and nine basketball courts. There are two swimming pools, an indoor rifle range and four indoor tennis courts, along with separate facilities for gymnastics, cheerleading, wrestling, fencing, boxing, aerobic fitness, weight lifting, scuba, baseball, volleyball and judo. The gymnasium also contains an athletic training room, human performance laboratory, lockers for all cadets, and administrative offices of the physical education instructors and support staff. Outdoor facilities associated with the gym include 57 athletic fields (143 acres) for intercollegiate and intramural sports, two baseball diamonds and a 400meter all-weather track.

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

2012 INFORMATION

COACHES IN THE SKY

MEET THE FALCONS 2011 SEASON REVIEW

The Air Force gymnastics coaches received the pportunity to take glider flights over the Academy with cadet instructors from the 94th Flying Training Squadron. Head coaches Kip Simons (men’s gymnastics) and Doug Day (women’s gymnastics), as well as men’s assistant coach Jeff Robinson, took to the skies in August. “Who needs coffee in the morning when you’re pulling 4Gs?” Simons said. Three cadet instructor pilots guided the coaches through this adventure. Simons flew with junior Matt Cosmo, while Day went up with junior Conner Deebel and Robinson had senior Chad Hennig as his cadet pilot. The cadets conducted a basic pre-flight briefing with their respective coaches and took them to the hangar for a hands-on orientation, before heading out to the flight line.

PROGRAM HISTORY

Cosmo explained the pre-flight briefing that happens in the Midfield Building before every flight to get both crew members on the same page about what will happen and who will be doing what. “Our briefings with the coaches involved whether they were fit to fly, explanation of the ground procedures, explanation of anything they might have to do during the flight, the maneuvers we expect to accomplish, and where we’re going in the air.” Although the coaches’ briefings were more informal, the cadet instructors then took the coaches into the hangar. “We give them an overview of the controls and what they will head and experience in the flight, so nothing comes as a complete surprise in the air,” Deebel said.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

“We got them oriented with the front seat,” Cosmo added. “We showed them what everything did, what and what not to touch, and gave them a general tour of our fleet. On the line, it was all last minute discussion about the maneuvers and finally strapping them in, reminding them what they could do in the front, and accomplishing the sortie.” Once in the air, Deebel explained that every coach should have pulled around 4.5Gs and done some simple aerobatics, such as stalls and wing overs, during their flights, which last around 30 minutes. “They also get a pretty sweet view of the cadet area and mountains along the Front Range,” he added. “The opportunity for us to get these orientation rides is just another of the great things about working here at USAFA,” Robinson commented. “What a rush!”

RACE FOR THE CURE

ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM

The members of the Air Force gymnastics program are used to competing against other gymnasts, but once a year, the Falcons come together to compete in a bigger challenge. Members of the men’s and women’s gymnastics teams took to the streets of downtown Denver to participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

The Air Force men’s and women’s gymnastics teams spent time with some students at Monroe Elementary School in Colorado Springs, Colo., as a part of the athletic department’s adopt-a-school program. The after-school program allows the grade-school children to interact with members of each of the Academy’s sports teams throughout the school year.

For three years, the Falcons’ gymnastics program were some of the over 50,000 participants that took part in Denver’s annual race. The race began at Confluence Park and continued around Invesco Field at Mile High, before concluding near the Pepsi Center.

After each gymnast introduced themselves by name, class year, hometown and favorite event, the Falcons and students went through the pre-practice stretching that the gymnastics team does on a daily basis. Following a handstand contest between the men’s and women’s teams, the Falcons divided the students onto two mats and spent the remainder of the time teaching basic tumbling moves, including somersaults, handstands and cartwheels. The students received hands-on attention from the cadets, who assisted and supported the students through each new move.

Denver’s Race for the Cure is one in a series of races that take place every year around the world. The races help raise significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrate breast cancer survivorship and honor those who have lost their battle with the disease.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions | GoAirForceFalcons.com | 2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide

1979-2008 | FOUR-YEAR LETTERWINNER | TWO-YEAR ASSISTANT COACH

Torkelson, who was in his second season as an assistant coach for the men’s program, returned to the Academy midway through the 2008 season, after completing a six-month deployment to Iraq. In addition to his coaching duties with the Falcons’ gymnastics team, Torkelson worked in the athletic department’s scheduling and grading division. “Levi was an amazing role model to our team, day in and day out,” head coach Kip Simons said. “His love and passion for the sport was apparent. He was a great officer, coach, young man and friend. He will be greatly missed.”

“Levi was a huge contributor to our gymnastics program, as a competitor and then as a coach, before going out in the Air Force,” said former head coach Lou Burkel, who coached Torkelson from 1998-2001. “He was a very hard worker with excellent technique. He was amazingly strong and could execute skills you would not think possible. His gymnastics credentials speak for themselves. He was also a good person who was caring and thoughtful. Levi was just a wonderful young man who was doing a terrific job for the Air Force. He leaves a big hole in many of our lives.”

Torkelson was awarded the Bronze Star and the USAFE Arthur S. Flemming Award. He has also won two Company Grade Officer of the Year Awards from the 435 Communications Squadron and the 86 Communications Squadron. “He did a fantastic job, not only coaching the gymnastics team but as a physical education teacher,” said Col Billy Walker, the Academy’s deputy athletic director, who oversees the Olympic sports and physical education department. “He was very well respected by the cadets, a great role model and mentor, not only to the cadets he taught in his PE classes, but especially to the cadetathletes he coached on the gymnastics team.’’

PROGRAM HISTORY

Following his time at the Academy, Torkelson spent four years stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he served as the Deputy Flight Commander for both the Communications Control Center and Mission Systems Flight. He also served as the Officer in Charge for all geographically separated units controlled by the 435 Communication Group. During his time at Ramstein, he was deployed twice. He spent four months as an Executive Officer in Jacobabad, Pakistan, and a year as the Officer in Charge for Screening and Property Exploitation Cells under the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center in Forward Operating Base Abu Ghraib and Victory Base Comply in Iraq.

2011 SEASON REVIEW

A four-year letterwinner on the Falcons’ gymnastics team, Torkelson graduated from the Academy in 2001. A decorated gymnast, he was a two-time national champion on the parallel bars at the USAG Championships. A nine-time USAG All-American, Torkelson is the Academy record-holder on the parallel bars with a score of 9.550. Torkelson remained at USAFA after graduation, serving as an assistant coach for the men’s team during the 2001-02 season.

MEET THE FALCONS

Capt Levi Torkelson, an assistant coach for the men’s gymnastics team, was killed in a tragic automobile accident in San Antonio, Texas, on Dec. 27, 2008.

2012 INFORMATION

CAPT LEVI TORKELSON

In 2010, Torkelson was posthumously awarded the Honor Coach Certificate by the CGA.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

The certificate is awarded to a deceased member of the coaching profession, who was either too young to qualify for the 25 years of service to the sport of gymnastics or had not been nominated for the Honor Coach Award prior to his death. The inscription on the plaque reads “In recognition of his service in coaching and developing gymnasts in the United States. He has gained the respect of his colleagues in the gymnastic world by his inspiring example and accomplishments.”

2012 INFORMATION

2012 Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide | GoAirForceFalcons.com | Back-to-Back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions

OVERVIEW OF THE SCORING SYSTEM FLOOR EXERCISE

Prior to the 2008 season, judging men’s gymnastics was based on the 10.0 system. Every routine that you saw had the highest possible score of a 10.0 if it was performed without any deductions and had the highest possible difficulty allowed. Men’s collegiate gymnastics then adopted the FIG (Federation of International Gymnastics) Scoring System of an open-ended Code of Points. Now, when watching USA and college gymnastics, you will see scores like 15.3, 14.8, 13.9 and so on.

The floor exercise is an event where the gymnast performs multiple tumbling skills in a row and flips forward, backwards and sideways to achieve three of the special requirements. The fourth requirement is a non-acrobatic skill like a press handstand or circles on the floor. The fifth requirement is the dismount. Look for double flipping and double twisting skills that grab your attention.

POMMEL HORSE

2011 SEASON REVIEW

MEET THE FALCONS

Men’s college gymnastics is judged using three components:

Pommel horse is one of the hardest events in gymnastics, requiring strength, balance and flexibility. The gymnast continuously does circles, flairs or scissors while performing require¬ments and finishes with a dismount.

First, the gymnast performs his 10 best or hardest skills. These 10 skills each have value parts ranging from A,B,C,D,E,& F. “A” value corresponds to 0.1 points, “B” to 0.2 points, and so on to an “F” that is worth 0.6 points. The gymnast is free to have as much difficulty as he can do in those 10 skills.

STILL RINGS Pound per pound, rings is one of the hardest events in any sport. The gymnast performs strength moves like the “Iron Cross”, which requires him to hold up to nine times his own body weight. The requirements include holding strength moves, swinging to strength moves, swing skills, kip skills and a dismount.

Second, of those 10 skills, the gymnast performs five that must be used to fulfill the five special requirements on each event. Every time a requirement is fulfilled, the gymnast is awarded 0.5 points. The gymnast receives a maximum of 2.5 points for all five requirements on each event.

VAULT

Third, every gymnast is given 10 points for the execution of the event. If the gymnast falls down or breaks form, the judge takes away points from this total.

Vault is the most explosive event in gymnastics. The gymnast has a choice of three styles of vaults that include a handspring, roundoff or roundoff onto the board. Like diving, vaults are given ratings based on their difficulty. The harder the vault, the higher the rating the vault receives.

After the routine is finished the judges go through the following process: First, they add up the difficulty of the 10 highest skills (max unlimited). Next, they add up the special requirements (max 2.5). Then they add 10 points for execution and make any necessary deductions. This gives them a final score.

PARALLEL BARS

In the old scoring system, if the gymnast performed a perfect routine it would look like this: 3.5 for difficulty + 2.5 for special requirements + 4.0 for execution with no deductions = 10.0

Parallel bars is one of the most versatile events in gymnastics. The gymnast must perform skills in support, upper arm support, skills from hanging, basket skills where the gymnast loops around the p-bars and must finish with a dismount. Look for unique twists and flips where the gymnasts earn their difficulty points.

With the new scoring system, this now looks like: 3.5 difficulty + 2.5 for special requirements + 10.0 for execution with no deductions = 16.0 (The difficulty of 3.5 can be more or less depending on the gymnast’s capability).

HIGH BAR High bar is the most exciting event to watch in gymnastics. It requires the gymnast to swing on the bar, then let go of it and catch again. Other requirements include straddle skills, El-grip skills, long hang skills and a dismount. Watch for high flying release moves that remind you of an X-Games style competition.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

PROGRAM HISTORY

Special Note: Not all events are necessarily equal now. You will tend to see higher scores on vault and rings and lower scores on pommel horse and parallel bars.

Scoring examples: A good pommel horse score ranges from 14.5-15.3 | A good rings score ranges from 15.5-16.3 | A good vault score ranges from 14.8-15.4

2012 AIR FORCE MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GYMNASTICS SCHEDULE Jan. 14

Rocky Mountain Open

USAF Academy, Colo.

6:00 p.m.

Jan. 22

at Nebraska

Lincoln, Neb.

1:00 p.m.

Jan. 28

Minnesota

USAF Academy, Colo.

5:00 p.m.

Feb. 2

at Winter Cup Challenge

Las Vegas, Nev.

2:00 p.m.

Feb. 18

at All-Academy Championships

San Jose, Calif.

2:00 p.m.

Feb. 24

at Army

West Point, N.Y.

6:00 p.m.

Feb. 26

at Temple

Philadelphia, Pa.

1:00 p.m.

Mar. 2

Illinois-Chicago (Senior Night)

USAF Academy, Colo.

6:00 p.m.

Mar. 4

Illinois-Chicago

USAF Academy, Colo.

1:00 p.m.

Mar. 9

at Arizona State

Tempe, Ariz.

7:00 p.m.

Mar. 17

at Oklahoma

Norman, Okla.

7:00 p.m.

Mar. 30

USAG Championships

USAF Academy, Colo.

5:00 p.m.

Mar. 31

USAG Championships

USAF Academy, Colo.

5:00 p.m.

Apr. 7

MPSF Championships

USAF Academy, Colo.

5:00 p.m.

Apr. 19-21

at NCAA Championships

Norman, Okla.

7:00 p.m.

All home meets (white) will be held at the Cadet West Gymnasium.