2009-10
TABLE OF CONTENTS QUICK FACTS
2009-10 ARMY RIFLE ROSTER
CREDITS The 2009-10 Army Rifle media guide is an official publication of the U.S. Military Academy Office of Athletic Communications. The guide was written and edited by Mady Salvani and designed by Ryan Yanoshak. Editing assistance was provided by Tracy Nelson and Annie Holliday. Photos courtesy of Jon Malinowski and DOIM Multimedia Branch. Design of the front covers was by Mady Salvani.
ARMY RIFLE ON THE INTERNET Once again the Army rifle team will have a presence on the Internet, as the Black Knights’ season will be fully chronicled on the Army Athletic Association Web site, maintaineded by Jump TV Sports. Biographical information, stats, feature stories, match reports and much more can be found at: www.goARMYsports.com
Name Chris Arnett* Kelly Buck* Tommy Carr* Sara Lehman* Chris Malachosky Will Mengon John Manzano* Patrick Northam* Charles Ridge* Joshua Savage Ian Young *Letterwinner
Cl. So. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr.
Ht. 6-2 5-5 6-1 5-5 5-7 5-11 5-6 5-10 5-9 5-7 5-7
Hometown/High School New Haven, Ind./Concordia Luth. Reading, Mass./Austin Prep Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns Spring, Texas/Klein Ambridge, Pa./Quigley Catholic Syracuse, N.Y./Syracuse Morgantown, N.C./Freedom Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy Starkville, Miss./Starkville Columbus, Ga./Northside
Head Coach: Maj. Ron Wigger, 10th Season Team Captain: Charles Ridge Head Officer Representative: Major Charles Fagerquist Head Manager: Graham Clark
Page 1 • 2009-10 Army Rifle
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Location ............................................... West Point, N.Y. 10996 Founded ......................March 16, 1802 by an Act of Congress Enrollment ........................................................................4,400 Superintendent .......................Lt. Gen. Franklin L. Hagenbeck Athletic Director ................................................ Kevin Anderson Nickname............................................................. Black Knights Colors ....................................................... Black, Gold and Gray Conference .............................Great America Rifle Conference Head Coach ............. Maj. Ron Wigger (Eastern Kentucky ’83) Record at Army (Years)................................................71-27 (9) Career Record (Years) .................................................71-27 (9) Rifle Office Phone ........................................... (845) 938-4558 Senior Associate Athletic Director ......................... Bob Beretta Rifle Contact .........................................................Mady Salvani Salvani’s Direct Line .......................................(845) 938-3512 Athletic Communications Fax ........................ (845) 466-2556 Salvani’s E-Mail .......................... madeline.salvani@usma.edu Army Official Web Site .......................www.goARMYsports.com Army ‘A’ Line ...................................................(845) 938-ARMY 2009 Record .........................................................................7-6 2009 Conference Finish ..........................................5th (GARC) 2009 NCAA Championships .................................................6th Letterwinners Returning/Lost .............................................7/3 2009-10 Team Captain ...................................... Charles Ridge Facility .................................... Tronsrue Marksmanship Center
Table of Contents/Quick Facts ...............................................................1 Team Roster.............................................................................................1 Tronsrue Marksmanship Center .............................................................2 2009-10 Season Outlook .......................................................................3 Head Coach Maj. Ron Wigger ............................................................. 4-5 Support Staff ...........................................................................................5 Black Knights Profiles ....................................................................... 6-10 2008-09 Season In Review ................................................................. 11 2008-09 Results/Statistics ................................................................. 12 GARC History ........................................................................................ 13 GARC Honors ........................................................................................ 14 Army History.....................................................................................15-16 Army All-Americans ...............................................................................17 Army Records........................................................................................ 18 West Point Administration ................................................................... 19 Athletic Director Kevin Anderson ........................................................ 20 West Point Information ...................................................................21-22 Distinguished Graduates ..................................................................... 23 In The Community ................................................................................ 24 Schedule ................................................................................. Back Cover
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
TRONSRUE MARKSMANSHIP CENTER Army’s athletic program has been significantly enhanced by several state-ofthe-art facilities benefiting numerous Black Knight athletes. The construction and improvement of facilities on the West Point campus has had a positive impact on Army’s 25 intercollegiate sports. The prominent rise of the rifle team as one the top programs in the nation, capturing its first NCAA title in 2005 followed by the bronze in 2006 and silver in 2007 and 2008, is due partly to Tronsrue Marksmanship Center. Completed in January 2000, the range underwent major reconstruction after a portion of the facility was destroyed by fire in 1996. The indoor marksmanship center, located next to Gillis Field House along the banks of the Hudson, is equipped with three ranges to include housing the club pistol team. The rifle range has 20 firing points, six more than the former range, with distances of 10 meters for air rifle and 50 feet for smallbore. The air rifle range, used exclusively for air gun training and competition, also has 20 firing points and is shared by both the rifle and pistol teams. Army acquired 40 (20 smallbore, 20 air rifle) state-of-the-art electronic targets by MEGAlink November of 2006 to put Tronsrue on the cutting edge of technology. Army unveiled its newly minted Tronsrue Marksmanship Center on a national stage when it hosted the 2003 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Rifle Championships, marking the national championship’s first appearance at West Point since 1991. The Black Knights hosted the 2008 NCAA Championships in March, the fifth time in the NCAA’s 29-year rifle history that West Point was chosen as the host site. Army first hosted the tournament in 1981, the second year that the rifle championships came under the NCAA’s auspices. The Black Knights hosted the championship four years later, finishing fifth in putting the finishing touches on an 11-2 season. The NCAA Championships returned to West Point in 1991, and the Black Knights took sixth in air rifle. Army was host again in 2003 and last spring. Tronsrue took center stage again in 2004 when it hosted the Great America Rifle Championships with the Black Knights placing second. Funding for the reconstruction and renovation of the range was included in West Point’s Bicentennial Campaign plan as part of its “Margin of Excellence” initiative. Government funds were utilized along with private funds. The lead donors for the project were George Marion Tronsrue III (USMA ’78) and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Petrie (USMA ’67). On April 13, 2002, the center was dedicated to honor the American soldier and Tronsrue’s father (George Marion Tronsrue, USMA ’52), a four-year member of the Army rifle team. “Tronsrue is the largest collegiate rifle facility in the country,” stated Wigger, the beneficiary of the state-of-the-art facility. “It already has had an immense impact on recruiting. Bringing a prospective candidate into this facility is paramount to a football recruit viewing Michigan’s Stadium in Ann Arbor or Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., for the first time. It is the same effect. “Not only does it provide us an ideal practice facility, but a range that gives us pride knowing it is the best in the country. The dividends are evident in the number of records we have broken and continually challenge.” ARMY TRONSRUE RECORDS Army captured the Great America Rifle Conference regular-season Individual title with 6-0 marks in 2005 and 2008. The Black Knights won their first- Air Rifle, 60 Shots (600): 594 ever GARC Championship in 2008 after finishing runner-up four straight Chris Abalo vs. Memphis, 10/17/06 years. Chris Abalo vs. UAK, 01/22/08 The Black Knights have compiled a 52-16 dual mark over the past Smallbore 3-Position (600): 589 six years, which includes top NCAA finishes. Army captured its first title Chris Abalo vs. TCU, 11/10/07 in 2005 after edging Jacksonville State by a point, took second in 2007 Aggregate: 1177 and 2008, third 2006, fourth in 2004 and sixth last spring. Chris Abalo vs. Memphis, 10/17/06 Team Air Rifle, 240 Shots (2400): 2357 vs. NC State & Nebraska, 11/18/07 Abalo (590), Kern (589), Scherer (587), Hess (591) Smallbore 3-Position, 240 Shots (2400): 2325 vs. TCU, 11/10/07 Abalo (589), Kern (584), Scherer (586), Amiot (578) Combined, 480 shots (4800): 4681 vs. Alaska Fairbanks, 1/16/07 Abalo (587/584), Fiddes (592/583), Hess (589 AR), Amiot (588 AR) Kern (584 SM), Hamilton (574 SM)
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SEASON OUTLOOK presence felt immediately having come from a strong program as member of the Ft. Benning Junior Rifle Club supervised by the U.S. Army Marksmanship unit. Mengon has impressed Wigger with his progress during the preseason training and could break into Army’s counting team based on that performance. Savage and Malachosky round out Army’s rookie squad, and both are working hard in their training. The Black Knights, members of the most competitive rifle conference in the country, will most likely be ranked third or fourth in the preseason trailing NCAA champion West Virginia and Kentucky. After edging the Mountaineers for last year’s conference title, Kentucky finished runnerup at the national championships with Army placing sixth as three GARC teams finished among the national leaders. Wigger feels that on paper Army is about the same level as it was last year, but the only difference is having an All-America or two on the squad. “That doesn’t mean we can’t make a few All-Americans this year,” he notes. “It is hard to predict potential and performance, but we will put in the effort and see what happens.” Army’s schedule is a challenging one this year as four of its 11 dual opponents (West Virginia, Kentucky, Jacksonville State and Navy) were NCAA participants along with the Black Knights. The Mountaineers and Wildcats, who finished first and second, are also members of the Great America Rifle Conference along with Army, while the Gamecocks and Midshipmen finished third and seventh, respectively. Army opens its 2009-10 slate on the road (where it has six dual matches and is part of three tournament fields) for the second straight year when it heads to Alabama to take on Jacksonville State. The Black Knights make their home and GARC debut at Tronsrue Marksmanship Center hosting North Carolina State and Nebraska on Oct. 16 and 18, respectively. The Huskers finished fourth, a spot ahead of Army, at last year’s GARC Championships, while the Wolfpack were seventh. Returning to the road, Army travels to Oxford, Miss., for a pair of GARC matches versus Ole Miss (Oct. 31), and Memphis the next day. Ole Miss will once again be the site for the GARC Championships. The Black Knights will be the host site for this year’s President’s Trophy Match (Nov. 7), taking on defending champion Navy along with Air Force and Coast Guard. Army finished second last year after having its three-year reign snapped by the Midshipmen . As the fall season starts winding down, the Black Knights head to West Virginia to face the defending NCAA champions and GARC rival Mountaineers. Last year West Virginia outpointed the Black Knights 4659-4616 at West Point, and went on to finish runner-up to Kentucky at the GARC Championships. Army closes out its fall campaign hosting the Coast Guard Academy before breaking for the holidays and exams. Following almost a two-month hiatus, the Black Knights usher in the winter slate against defending GARC champion Kentucky (also runner-up at the NCAA Championships) Jan. 16, at Tronsrue. Returning to the road, Army makes back-to-back trips to Pennsylvania in January starting with Ohio State in a match held in conjunction with the Palmyra Invitational on Jan. 24. The Black Knights return to the Keystone State five days later for the NRA Sectionals hosted by the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. The Black Knights put the finishing touches on their mini road slate with a visit to arch-rival Navy Feb. 6. The Midshipmen snapped Army’s three-matcher series win streak last year at West Point after eking out a six-point decision, 5782-5776. The Black Knights will be looking to avenge that loss in their bid to post their third straight win in Annapolis dating back to 2006 when they put the skids to Navy’s 12-match series win streak. The final regular-season dual match is versus USP in the NCAA Qualifier on Feb. 13 as Army looks to qualify for the NCAA Championships (March. 12-13 in Fort Worth, Texas) for the seventh straight year. It will also serve as a tune-up for the GARC Championships (Feb. 27-28) where the Black Knights, who captured their first-ever GARC title in 2008, are hoping to be in the thick of battle once again after finishing fifth last year.
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NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
A young but experienced Army rifle team makes its 2009-10 debut on the road, where it has six dual matches and its part of three tournament field, against NCAA participant Jacksonville State. Highlighting the schedule is NCAA champion West Virginia, the President’s Trophy Match along with the Palmyra Tournament. Army has finished among the leaders at the NCAA and Great America Rifle Conference championships since head coach Ron Wigger lifted the program to the forefront of the nation’s best programs shortly after taking the reins 10 years ago. His Black Knights were not listed among the preseason national or GARC favorites last year following the graduation of a senior class that turned in top three finishes all four years a the NCAA Championships to include Army’s first-ever title. Despite those odds, a young Army team overcame a slow first half start with a strong second half performance highlighted by qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the sixth straight year. Four of the five members of the Army squad that competed at the NCAAs return to form this year’s nucleus. “The one missing element that we don’t have this year that we have had the last few years is a ‘go to person’,” noted Wigger who has compiled a 71-27 nine-year mark. “Right now, we don’t have that elite performer we have had in the past, but we have experience in that direction.” It will be a tall task to qualify for the NCAAs as Wigger heads into the season for the first time in several years without an All-American attached to Army’s name. Senior team captain Charles Ridge is the most experienced shooter among the seven returning letterwinners in which four freshmen received certificates last year. Ridge was a member of Army’s four-man firing unit in both disciplines at the 2009 NCAA Championships after qualifying individually in smallbore the previous year. Sophomore Kelly Buck turned in a strong performance at the NCAAs where she finished fourth individually in smallbore, just the fourth freshman to finish among the leaders under Wigger. Also returning as NCAA participants with Buck and Ridge are junior John Manzano and sophomore Sara Lehman. Rounding out the rest of Army’s returning letterwinners are junior Patrick Northam, sophomores Chris Arnett and Tommy Carr with newcomers Chris Malachosky, William Mengon, Joshua Savage and Ian Young, comprising the rest of the roster in which 73 percent is made up of underclassmen. “I feel the team has as much parity as any team I have had,” noted Wigger who feels it is too early to predict what to expect of a young team yet to have a competitive match. “Right now I have seven to eight members of the squad vying for one of the four counting positions week in and week out, and my job of picking the team is going to be extremely challenging. It was the same way last year. “Until we have a few competitions, it will be hard for me to start weeding out who the top performers will be. It may be all season where I am constantly in flux and changing. “ Army’s seven returning letterwinners ranked among the team’s top eight performers throughout last year, and, along with a talented freshman class provide Wigger a deep squad. Ridge assume the leadership role with two years of NCAA experience to draw upon and is capable of taking the team to a higher level in its bid to qualify for the NCAA Championships for the seventh straight year. Ridge, Buck, Lehman and Manzano are among Army’s most consistent returning shooters. A member of both firing units in her first trip last year to the NCAA Championships, Lehman competed at the U.S. Nationals over the summer. Wigger is looking for her to emerge as one of his top shooters in this her final year of eligibility. Buck is coming off a strong finish last year and Ridge is equally proficient in both events, while Manzano is the hardest worker on the team. Carr, Arnett and Northam continue to make progress during the preseason and are expected to provide the team with solid scores, Young has the top resume among the newcomers and could make his
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
HEAD COACH RON WIGGER Since taking over the reins of Army’s rifle program 10 years ago, Maj. Ron Wigger, a two-time National “Coach of the Year” selection, led the Black Knights to their first NCAA title and a nod from President George W. Bush in April 2006. “To be able to make history here at the Academy has been very rewarding,” said Wigger, who returned Army to national prominence in the new millennium en route to compiling a 64-21 dual mark for a winning percentage of .753. Wigger started rewriting Army’s record books soon after taking over the program. The Black Knights earned a team berth to the NCAA Championships by his second year. In 2004, the Black Knights qualified in both disciplines followed by the most successful season in school history the following year when Army capped its magical campaign by winning the 2005 NCAA title. The Black Knights won by the closest margin in NCAA history, edging Jacksonville State by a single point for the crown along with dethroning perennial powerhouse and six-time defending champion Alaska Fairbanks. Not only was it the first national title in rifle history, but the first since pistol captured the NRA crown in 1991. It was also the first NCAA crown by any Army varsity program since 1949 (fencing). The Black Knights started off their 2005 “Cinderella” season winning eight straight matches that included a perfect 6-0 Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) mark en route to capturing their first regular-season title. Army repeated as runner-up at the conference championships. Honors continued to roll in for the team that etched its name into the history annals as a school-record five riflemen earned AllAmerica accolades by the National Rifle Association (NRA), and Wigger repeated as the national and GARC “Coach of the Year.” It was the third GARC coaching honor in Army’s fouryear association. The 2005-06 campaign was capped with Army finishing among the Top Four at the NCAA’s for the third straight year after capturing the bronze trophy, equaling their secondhighest finish at the championships. Army’s 9-2 season mark (broken in 2007) was the highest win total since posting a 13-3 showing in 1998-99. Included in its season highlights was the Black Knights’ first win over Navy since 1990 after snapping the Mids’ 12-match win streak. Army finished second at the GARC Championships followed by its third straight trip to the NCAA Championships.
Ron Wigger Eastern Kentucky ‘83 10th Season Record At Army: 64-21 The team concluded the season with a visit to the White House in April where Army (based on its 2005 title) was among a dozen NCAA championship teams that met with President George Bush during a special ceremony in the Rose Garden. Five Black Knights were selected by the NRA for All-American honors, equaling the school mark set the previous year, en route to collecting seven certificates. Two of the last three years proved to be exciting campaign under Wigger, capped by runner-up honors at the NCAA Tournament in 2007 and 2008, along with winning the team’s first GARC Championship in 2008. Army posted a 10-2 dual mark in 2007 and bettered that last year with a 10-1 and lone loss to Alaska Fairbanks. Five Black Knights were accorded All-America honors in 2007 and four earned certificates in 2008. Prior to winning its first NCAA title in 2005, Wigger guided the Black Knights to a fourthplace finish at the 2004 meet after meeting the qualifying standards in both disciplines for the first time since 1987. Wigger concluded his second year at the helm by leading Army’s air rifle team to a berth at the 2002 NCAA Tournament and a fifth-place finish in that discipline after edging Navy by a point. It was the first time that the Black Knights, who were reinstated to the varsity ranks in 1997-98 following a threeyear hiatus, qualified since 1992. Since taking over the program in the fall of 2000, Wigger has had an All-American every year, including a record five three consecutive seasons - 2005, 2006 and 2007 - and four last year. One of the finest coaches in the history of the program, Wigger has developed 11 All-Americans, including six first-team picks, which have combined for 31 certificates.
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Kim Pienkowski was a first team All-America selection in air rifle Wigger’s inaugural year, becoming the first Black Knight named to that unit since 1991. A three-time honoree under Wigger, she was an honorable mention selection in both disciplines her senior year. Chris Abalo made history in 2005 as the first Army plebe selected an All-American in both disciplines and just the second Black Knight to accomplish that feat. He repeated the next three years, setting a school record with eight first team All-America certificates. The most decorated shooter in school history, Abalo excelled both nationally and internationally. Last year he captured Army’s first NCAA individual title (smallbore), set a national smallbore prone record and NCAA smallbore mark, and competed with the USA Team at the World Cub. Twice he was voted the NCAA Shooter of the Match and was a three-time GARC Shooter of the Year. Stephen Scherer earned a pair of first team all-America certificates along with competing at the Olympic Games in Beijing last year. Two-time team captain Paul Charbonneau, a four-year member of Wigger’s first class, was a four-time All-American. Last year, David Amiot and Brian Kern joined Abalo and Scherer in garnering All-America certificates. In another Army first, Abalo and Wesley Hess competed at the World Junior Shooting Championships in the spring of 2006, with Abalo setting the pace for Team USA in two of the three events in which he qualified. Wigger has enjoyed an equally prosperous showing in the GARC where Army has crowned seven individual champions over the past six years, along with claiming three shooter of the year awards in Abalo (2006-09) along with a pair of rookie of the year honors (Abalo 2005/Scherer 2008). In addition, Army has earned 65 All-GARC certificates. Over the past eight years, Wigger’s teams have established new school marks, shattering team and individual records that were on the books when he took over the program. All three team scores (air rifle, smallbore and aggregate), along with seven individual marks, were broken and reset his first three years. Abalo holds four of the six school marks, with Scherer and John Fiddes holding the remaining two. Competing against the top rifle programs in the nation, Wigger has compiled a winning percentage of .724 (71-27) over nine years at the helm to rank third all-time in victories. He was instrumental in Army joining the Great America Rifle Conference in 2001-02 after leading the Black Knights to a 7-1 mark the previous year. He guided Army
HEAD COACH RON WIGGER
Page 5 • 2009-10 Army Rifle
The Wigger File •Since taking over the reins in 2000-01, Ron Wigger has breathed new life into the program. Army had an individual qualifier in air rifle his first season, earned a team berth (first since 1992) in that event the following year along with an individual qualifier. •Army has qualified the last six years for the NCAAs in both team events, and finished in the Top Four five times. Its selection in 2004 was Army’s first since 1987, while its fourth place finish was the second-best at the time. •The Black Knights captured their first NCAA title in school history in 2005 followed by the bronze in 2006 and the silver the past two years. •The Army mentor was recognized nationally as the “Coach of the Year” in 2004 and 2005 by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association along with earning GARC honors three times, including backto-back honors in 2004 and 2005. •Since joining the Great America Rifle Conference (GARC), he has led the Black Knights to the regular-season crown in 2006 and 2008 along with the school’s first championship title last year. •Ron Wigger’s father, Lones, is a twotime Olympic gold medalist and four-time qualifier who holds 29 world records. •Coach Wigger was among the final six shooters vying for one of two 1992 Olympic team spots. His sister, Deena, competed at the 1988 Olympic Games where she finished 10th in smallbore. •Still active competitively, Wigger was the smallbore prone champion in the Master Service (Military) category at the 2006 National Championships. He was runnerup at the Senior Men’s Prone Rifle and 37th out of 93 overall this past June. Year 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2009-08 (9 Years)
Wigger Year-By-Year Record Pct. 7-1 5-4 7-6 8-3 8-2 9-2 10-2 10-1 7-6 71-27
.875 .556 .538 .727 .800 .818 .833 .909 .538 .724
GARC -4th 5th 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 5th
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
to a fourth-place finish its inaugural year in the GARC, one of the top conferences in the country, and his efforts earned him “Coach of the Year” plaudits. His peers bestowed that honor upon him again in 2004 and 2005 after Wigger guided Army to second place during the 2004 regular-season, while going undefeated the following year. Army has collected its share of GARC honors in the eight years it Maj. Ron Wigger (left) with his father, Lones. has been a member, earning eight in 2004, 15 in 2005, 10 in 2006, nine in 2007 and 11 Runner-up at the USA Shooting National in 2008 .. The Black Knights have earned 25 Championships in 1987 and 1991, Wigger first team certificates, 26 second team certifi- was a member of the All-Guard smallbore rifle cates and 14 honorable mentions. team that captured the 1993 national team Charbonneau became the first Black championship at Camp Perry, Ohio. He was Knight crowned a GARC champion in 2003. also among the final six shooters competing Abalo is a five-time GARC champion, winning for a spot on the 1992 Olympic Team. a pair of titles in smallbore and aggregate, Wigger placed first in his signature event in while Scherer captured the air rifle title last the Master Service (Military) category at the year and was runner-up to Abalo in the aggre- 2006 National Championships, and seventh gate. Abalo was a .three-time “Shooter of the among 256 shooters in the Open Division. Year”, and top rookie along with Scherer. At the 2008 USA Shooting National ChamWigger has carved out an impressive slate pionships, he was runner-up in the Senior both as a coach and competitor at the nation- Men’s Prone Rifle event and 37th overall. al and international levels. Ranked among He also holds the Distinguished Rifle the nation’s top shooters in smallbore prone, Marksmanship Badge. Wigger competed for one of two berths in that As a collegian, Wigger was a member of event at the 2004 Olympic Trials. Eastern Kentucky’s nationally ranked rifle The Army mentor was awarded the Inter- team that finished third at the 1983 NCAA national Distinguished Shooter Badge by USA Championships. Commissioned in the InShooting in the summer of 2002 based on fantry Branch following graduation in 1983, his gold medal performance in smallbore Wigger earned his master’s degree in sport prone at the 1988 World Cup in Mexico City. management at the U.S. Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala. Wigger’s sister, Deena, SUPPORT STAFF competed at the 1988 Olympic Games, finishing 10th in smallbore, while his father, Lones, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time qualifier. Lones, one of the inaugural members of the USA Shooting Hall of Fame, was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in 2008. Wigger and his wife, the former Lorraine Bravo, reside at West Point with their daughters: Alicia, 18; Karina, 16; and MiMaj. Charlie Fagerquist Graham Clark chelle, 11. Head Officer Representative Head Manager
SHOOTER PROFILES
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
CHARLES
RIDGE
SENIOR LANGHORNE, PA. NESHAMINY H.S. Elected to lead the team this year as its captain ... one of the most seasoned shooters that young Army squad will rely on ... has two years of NCAA championship experience and one of four returnees who competed at last year’s meet ... equally strong in both events and will be counted on for leadership as lone senior on squad ... excellent student who earned Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Academic honors ... three-year letterman. Awards/Honors •Elected by Peers to Lead Team as the Captain in 2009-10 •Member of Army’s Air Rifle Team at 2008 NCAA Qualifier •Qualified Individually in Smallbore for 2008 NCAA Championships •2008 Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association All-Academic Award
… highest smallbore score of 572 recorded against the Wildcats ... score bettered previous mark of 570 set in first collegiate meet versus Memphis. Prior to West Point: Competed for Langhorne Rod and Gun Club ... Pennsylvania Junior air rifle champion and two-time three-position champion … five-time air rifle Junior Olympic qualifier … helped lead club team to the 2004 NRA three-position air rifle championship. Personal: Given name is Charles Kenneth Ridge … son of Ken and Jill Ridge … majoring in French.
2008-09: Competed in second half of season after spending fall as exchange student at St. Cyr (French Military Academy) ... turned in career-high 585 in air rifle shooting individually at the GARC Championships ... broke previous mark by three points ... score ranked 10th among field of 49 shooters ... fired 563 as member of Army’s firing smallbore unit en route to recording team’s highest aggregate score of 1148 to rank 18th ... highest individual finish was third place against USP in regular-season finale ... posted a season-high 578 in smallbore, two shy of career mark, against defending NCAA champion Alaska Fairbanks ... finished fourth overall after turning in Army’s third highest match score of the meet ... headed to NCAA Championships as member of both disciplines ... fired a 571 in smallbore and 580 in air rifle helping Army to sixth-place finish. 2007-08: Earned first career start as member of the Black Knights’ air rifle unit at the NCAA Qualifier … posted 575 along with recording personal best 580 in smallbore to qualify individually for the NCAA Championship... turned in a strong performance in first NCAA meet with a 577 in smallbore ... mark was the fourth best score by a Black Knight ... finished 28th in smallbore at the GARC Championships and 33rd in air rifle ... recorded a 579 smallbore score in fourthplace finish against TCU in the fall … career-high 582 in air rifle posted in home conference sweep of North Carolina State and Nebraska ... turned in fifth best mark in that meet by a Black Knight in air rifle to finish seventh while 573 in smallbore tied for fifth place … fired 581 for third best score by a Black Knight in win over Kentucky. 2006-07: Spent first season competing individually in home matches in both disciplines … turned in a season-high 581 air rifle score in first collegiate match against Memphis to tie for ninth place … second best mark of 580 recorded at the GARC Championships ... score was the fourth best fired by a Black Knight ... registered a 578 during the regular-season against NCAA participant Kentucky
Ridge’s Career Highs Smallbore Air Rifle
580 585
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NCAA Qualifier GARC Championships
02/15/08 03/01/09
SHOOTER PROFILES
JOHN
PATRICK
NORTHAM
JUNIOR SYRACUSE, N.Y. WESTHILL H.S.
JUNIOR MORGANTOWN, N.C. FREEDOM H.S.
Dedicated shooter who has a constant desire to practice ... has love of sport that teammates appreciate ... among hardest workers on team ... has made steady progress since freshman year ... capable of performing at higher level and could prove to be one of Army’s top shooters final two seasons ... one of four returning shooters with NCAA Championship experience ... competed as member of last year’s smallbore team ... two-year letterman.
Named Army’s most improved shooter last year ... continues to grow and develop along with sharpening mental game ... just lacking experience necessary to be a key factor ... has potential to shoot big numbers ... battling for spot on firing teams this year after competing individually in both disciplines first two years ... arrived at West Point with limited competitive experience at the high school level ... excellent student who twice garnered CRCA all-academic honors.
2008-09: The lone sophomore among five Black Knights competing at the NCAA Championships ... worked way into starting lineup in smallbore by third meet of season ... posted a season-high 575 (one off career high) smallbore score in meet with Nebraska ... score was Army’s second highest in the match ... highest individual finish of third place posted against The Citadel ... started off season as member of the air rifle unit ... set season-high 580, one shy of personal best, at the NRA Sectionals ... previous high 579 recorded during the fall in meets against Air Force, West Virginia and TCU ... recorded highest individual finish of fourth place in win over the Falcons ... posted a 567 in air rifle and 556 in smallbore in helping Army to fifth-place finish at the GARC Championships ... turned in a 571 smallbore score competing in first NCAA meet ... helped the Black Knights post a 2291 to finish fifth in that event.
Awards/Honors •2008 Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association All-Academic Team •2009 Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association All-Academic Team
2007-08: Appeared in four home matches during the fall campaign competing in both events … part of traveling team in first road trip to Annapolis, Md., for regular-season finale at Navy ... competed at the Great America Rifle Championships in air rifle ... fired season highs in both guns in match versus Alaska Fairbanks in second half of season ... registered a 575 in smallbore and 581 in air rifle ... turned in second highest score in air rifle of 571 in Navy meet ... posted a 566 smallbore score against Nebraska and North Carolina State in final match of fall season. Prior to West Point: Earned a host of awards in 2006 at the Outdoor Junior Championships held at Camp Perry … received high expert award for smallbore prone, high junior award and the Whistler Boys’ team award … earned three varsity letters in hockey as a defenseman at Westhill H.S. … top student in engineering in graduating class. Personal: Given name is John Michael Manzano … son of John and Linda Manzano … oldest of three boys … younger brothers Dan (18) and Ryan (16) … majoring in Engineering Psychology.
Manzano’s Career Highs Smallbore Air Rifle
576 581
NC State/Nebraska Alaska Fairbanks
2008-09: Recorded career highs firing individually in both disciplines ... posted a personal best 575 in air rifle against Ole Miss in the fall and a few weeks later set a new high in smallbore, shattering previous high by six points, behind a 572 against TCU ... equaled smallbore score in second half of season against NCAA defending champion Alaska Fairbanks ... member of five-man team at the President’s Trophy Match ... posted Army’s third highest match score with a 564 ... recorded team’s second highest score against TCU in that discipline registering a 572. 2007-08: Competed in both disciplines appearing in all five home meets first year on the squad ... drew first collegiate nod in season opener versus Akron ... turned in best performance in both events against TCU later in the fall ... recorded a 571 mark in air rifle and 566 showing in smallbore ... second best mark of 556 in smallbore recorded second half of season against NCAA defending champion Alaska Fairbanks ... also fired a 556 in air rifle ... second highest score in air rifle (563) recorded in triangular sweep of North Carolina State and Nebraska. Prior to West Point: Captured 2006 North Carolina state games in air rifle with a 575 … shot six years with the North State Shooting Club (high power) and the North Carolina Rifle and Pistol Association (high power)… on 2004 National Junior championship team that captured the Minuteman High Power Trophy at Camp Perry (Ohio). Personal: Given name is Patrick Allen Northam … son of Linda and George Northam … younger siblings in Alyssa (10) and Edward (7) … Eagle Scout who has been on backpacking trips to New Mexico and the Boundary Waters between Canada and the U.S. … enjoys shooting, hiking, climbing and blacksmithing in spare time … majoring in English.
Northam’s Career Highs Smallbore
11/18/07 01/22/08
Air Rifle
572 572 575
Page 7 • 2009-10 Army Rifle
Alaska Fairbanks TCU Mississippi
01/21/09 11/15/08 10/17/08
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
MANZANO
SHOOTER PROFILES KELLY
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
CHRIS
BUCK
ARNETT
SOPHOMORE READING, MASS. AUSTIN PREPARATORY SCHOOL
SOPHOMORE
NEW HAVEN, IND. CONCORDIA LUTHERN SOPHOMORE Earned spot on team last year as a walk-on ... despite limited experience, made presence felt competing individually in several matches ... has potential to be first walk-on under present-head coach Ron Wigger to be member of counting team ... turned in strong smallbore numbers during preseason workouts ... letterman. 2008-09: Walk-on who made presence felt competing individually in both disciplines ... first collegiate competition was home match against GARC rival Ole Miss ... recorded career-high 576 mark in air rifle against TCU in posting Army’s fifth highest match score in that meet ... just missed equaling that score after firing 575s in second half of season against Alaska Fairbanks and Navy, respectively ... career high 561 in smallbore posted against USP in the NCAA Qualifier in regular-season finale ... turned in Army’s fourth highest mark in air rifle (570) in first appearance at the GARC Championships. Prior to West Point: Four-year member of the Concordia Lutheran H.S. JROTC rifle team … competed three times at the West Regional Championships with highest finish of fourth place in the aggregate scoring in 2007 … last year helped team to the bronze while finishing sixth individually … placed 29th at the 2007 JROTC National Championships and competed three times at the USA Shooting Junior Olympics … earned medalist honors at state match all four years capturing smallbore twice (2006 and 2008), 3P air and international air rifle back-to-back seasons (2006 and 2007) and sporter 3P air rifle in 2005 … served as team captain and JROTC Battalion Commander in 2007-08 … lettered in soccer. Personal: Given name is Christopher Michael Arnett … parents’ names are Larry and Marianne Arnett … older brother Andrew served in Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division in 2005 … majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Arnett’s Career Highs Smallbore Air Rifle
561 576
USP TCU
02/14/09 11/15/08
Proved to be a pleasant surprise last year ... closed out season strong with a fourth place finish in smallbore at the NCAA Championships ... heads into second season as one of the team’s best smallbore shooters ... one of two Army freshmen to compete at NCAAs ... fired in both disciplines ... strong under pressure and shoots well in big matches ... letterman. 2008-09: Worked way into Army’s NCAA lineup in both disciplines following strong showing at the NCAA Qualifier ... in first-ever appearance led team to fifth place finish in smallbore along with placing fourth individually ... fired a career-high 580 to rank sixth in the team competition along with qualifying for the finals ... registered the second highest mark of 98.1 in the finals to jump two spots to place fourth with a 678.2 composite ... recorded Black Knights’ top mark in smallbore at the GARC Championships behind a 573, which ranked 13th overall ... also member of air rifle unit as Army finished fifth in the aggregate scoring ... posted team’s third highest match score in air rifle at the NCAA Qualifier with a 581 ... mark equaled career high set previous week against Navy in sixth-place finish ... recorded career-high 576 (later broken) mark in smallbore against USP at the Qualifier for Army’s second highest score at the meet ... member of counting unit in both disciplines throughout the season. Prior to West Point: Silver medalist twice in women’s air rifle along with medalist honors in women’s 3P smallbore at USA JORC Shooting Championships January and December of 2006 … also picked up another honor capturing the bronze in women’s 3P smallbore … won a gold meal at the Intermediate Junior NRA Sectionals 3P smallbore in 2007 … competed the past three years at the Palmyra Invitational in both disciplines with top scores of 546 in smallbore and 556 in air rifle … Rhode Island Outdoor metric 3P state champion and second place honors at the Junior Match 7 metallic sights … three-year member of the Massachusetts Junior State Team … also competed for Reading Rifle and Revolver Club, capturing the junior title in 2006 … garnered first place honors in 3P smallbore at the 2007 Intermediate Junior NRA Sectionals … played forward in hockey at Austin Preparatory School. Personal: Given name is Kelly Lin Buck … parents’ names are Andrew and Viwanna Buck … hails from service family … paternal grandfather (Thomas Buck) and great aunt (Margaret Buck) were in the Army, while father and uncles (Thomas and Paul Buck) were in the Navy … majoring in Psychology.
Buck’s Career Highs Smallbore Air Rifle
580 581 581
Page 8 • www.goARMYsports.com
NCAA USP Navy
03/13/09 02/14/09 02/07/09
SHOOTER PROFILES SARA
CARR
LEHMAN
SOPHOMORE LEBANON, PA. CEDAR CREST H.S.
SOPHOMORE ST. JOHNS, MICH. ST. JOHNS H.S.
Much improved shooter coming off solid freshman year during which time he draw duty on counting team several times ... looking to build upon last year performance and has potential to be among Army’s top shooters ... improved scores, experience and confidence gained along with a strong work ethic should take him to the next level ... provides depth in both disciplines ... has a great future as a Black Knight ... letterman. 2008-09: Competed in nine of 13 regular-season matches ... worked way into counting unit in smallbore in five straight meets ... recorded season-high 574 smallbore mark in regular-season finale versus USP ... career-high 583 air rifle shot against NCAA defending champion Alaska Fairbanks ... score was the third highest by a Black Knight ... first collegiate match was against TCU as member of smallbore unit ... went on to compete with Army’s firing unit in that discipline in next four matches to include NRA Sectionals ... competed individually at the GARC Championships firing a 560 in smallbore and 570 in air rifle for 1130 combined mark ... air rifle score was fourth best by a Black Knight. Prior to West Point: Five-year member of the Palmyra Sportsmen Junior Smallbore and Air Rifle units … competed four years at the NRA National Smallbore Matches … Qualifier in Junior Olympic Rifle Championships in air rifle (2007 and 2008) along with smallbore (2008) … competed at USA Shooting National Smallbore and Air Rifle matches in 2007 … competitor at PA Junior Olympic Rifle Championships from 2004 to 2007 and at the Palmyra Collegiate NCAA Invitational Matches the past four years … won 2007 American Legion State title in air rifle … held rank of cadet colonel in Civil Air Patrol … four-year member of the outdoor track and cross country teams at Cedar Crest H.S. Personal: Given name is Thomas Patrick Carr … son of Thomas and Belinda Carr … older sister Lindsay (23) … paternal grandfather, James Meador, served four years as a Military Policeman in the Army … majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Carr’s Career Highs Smallbore Air Rifle
574 583
USP Alaska Fairbanks
02/14/09 01/21/09
Heads into final year of eligibility after competing two years at the club level at the University of Michigan ... easily made the move to the collegiate level contributing immediately in both disciplines ... excellent attitude and enthusiam ... seasoned and exciting shooter looking to make mark ... one of two freshmen who competed in both events at the NCAA Championships ... letterman. 2008-09: Closed out first year as member of both counting events at the NCAA Championships ... recorded a 569 mark in smallbore along with firing a 575 in air rifle as the Black Knights finished fifth and seventh, respectively, in those discipline at the NCAAs en route to a sixth-place aggregate finish ... worked way into smallbore and air rifle lineups at season’s start ... member of Army’s firing smallbore unit 10 times and 12 times in air rifle ... turned in team’s second highest smallbore match score with 579 to finish third overall against NCAA defending champion Alaska Fairbanks ... bettered that score with 581 in runner-up finish against Navy ... placed fourth in that event against The Citadel and North Carolina State in season opener ... recorded career-high 583 in air rifle after firing Army’s third highest match score of the meet against TCU ... competed as firing member of both disciplines at GARC Championships helping Army to a fifthplace finish ... recorded 564 in smalbore and 576 in air rifle to place 23rd and 27th, respectively, at the championships. Prior to West Point: Attended the University of Michigan, competing two years as a member of the club rifle team … placed second in smallbore and third in air rifle at the 2008 Western Intercollegiate Rifle Conference championships … 2008 Ohio State Indoor 3P champion … served as captain of team last year … owns several Junior National smallbore records … competed in tennis, track and field, dance and volleyball at St. Johns H.S. Personal: Given name is Sara Catherine Lehman …. parents’ names are Steven Lehman and Julie and Keith Peterson … older brother Nathan … has played violin since fifth grade … majoring in Sociology.
Lehman’s Career Highs Smallbore Air Rifle
581 583
Page 9 • 2009-10 Army Rifle
Navy TCU
02/07/09 11/15/08
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
TOMMY
SHOOTER PROFILES CHRIS
WILL
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
MALACHOSKY
MENGON
FRESHMAN SPRING, TEXAS KLEIN H.S.
National Junior Olympic Qualifier with promising talent looking to enhance skills ... drew limited competitive experience at the high school level but is working hard to gain more experience and knowledge in order to flourish at the collegiate level ... has talent to be successful. Prior to West Point: Competed with Lake Houston 4-H Club all four years of high school ... finished 29th in field of 100 shooters at National Junior Olympics ... led the 4-H team to the NRA Junior Rifle Sectional Championships in 2008 along with taking runner-up honors that year at the U.S. Army Junior Air Rifle Championship ... came on the heels of first place honors in the American Legion Air Rifle Postal Championships in 2007 ... served as the 4-H Club president senior year and was the treasurer sophomore season. Personal: Given name is Christopher Adam Malachosky ... parents’ names are Ed and June Malachosky .... cousins Andrea Nyce and William Slotter are currently serving in the Air Force, while uncle, William Slotter, is a member of the National Guard ... member of National Honor Society ... graduated ninth in class of 796 students ... major is undeclared.
FRESHMAN AMBRIDGE, PA. QUIGLEY CATHOLIC
Exciting newcomer expected to challenge for one of the top eight spots ... late bloomer who came on strong at end of senior year of high school ... progressed by leaps and bounds in the preseason ... in the thick of battle for spot on counting team ... continues to work on accuracy in both disciplines ... has experience at the Junior Olympic level. Prior to West Point: Qualified for Junior Olympics in air rifle ... helped lead the Frazier Simplex Rifle Team to the Pittsburgh Suburban League title ... NRA four-position match winner ... competed for Beaver County Sportsman’s Club in the Beaver Valley Conservation League, turning in a high score of 299 ... placed among leaders in multiple prone matches throughout Pennsylvania ... qualified for the American Legion 3-position Air National Championships with a 582 ... earned three letters in golf at Quigley Catholic H.S. ... served as team captain senior year. Personal: Given name is William Albert Mengon ... parents’ names are Caroline and Dan Mengon ... Eagle Scout ... president of the National Honor Society ... three-year member of Mock Trial, capturing section and district championships along with third in state (out of 275 teams) in 2008 ... team captain senior year ... major is undeclared.
IAN
JOSHUA
YOUNG
SAVAGE
FRESHMAN COLUMBUS, GA. NORTHSIDE H.S.
FRESHMAN STARKVILLE, MISS. STARKVILLE H.S.
Enters freshman year with solid base that will aid in continued growth and development ... Junior National prone record holder and a Mississippi State prone champion ... brings positive attitude and work ethic to the range. Prior to West Point: Five-time Mississippi State junior prone champion ... prone champion (master classification) the last four years ... junior national record in men’s prone of 597 recorded at the Olympic Center in 2007 ... also fired state smallbore record of 3197 that year ... shot independently ... at one point competed for Cross Roads Shooting Sports Association (CRSSA) ... ran cross country junior and senior years at Starkville H.S. Personal: Given name is Joshua Matthew Savage ... parents’ names are John and Christy Savage ... member of the National Honor Society ... Eagle Scout ... major is undeclared.
Talented shooter with solid high school resume ... capable of making presence felt immediately as he battles veterans in bid to break into spot in the lineup ... received excellent coaching as member of the Ft. Benning Junior Rifle Club which is supervised by the U.S. Army Marksmanship unit. Prior to West Point: Lettered four years at Northside H.S. ... served as team captain senior year ... led high school team to three state titles along with garnering all-state honors during that period as well ... member of the Ft. Benning Junior Rifle Club. Personal: Given name is Ian Richard Young ... parents’ names are Dennis and Lauren Young ... youngest of three ... has an older sister (Kathryn) and brother (Matthew) ... National Honor Society member ...cousin John McCarthy is serving in the Marine Corps ... major is undeclared.
Page 10 • www.goARMYsports.com
SEASON IN REVIEW ident’s Trophy Match, but the Black Knights threw a scare at Navy before suffering a six-point defeat (5782-5776) in the “Star” Match at Tronsrue Marksmanship Center. The Black Knights outpointed Navy by a point in smallbore, but the Midshipmen’s 2921-2914 win in air rifle lifted them to their first win over Army since 2005. A strong showing at the NRA Sectionals helped Army’s position as the Black Knights moved from ninth place to sixth place with the three-score system. Army posted its second highest Kelly Buck score of 2300 in smallbore while its 4627 aggregate was one off its season high. Army closed out its season against USP in its NCAA Qualifier rolling to a 4625-4256 decision. The Black Knights’ fired their third highest aggregate score of the season in closing out their dual slate 7-6, while their 2335 in air rifle was one point shy of their season high. The Black Knights headed to the GARC Championships with high hopes as the defending champions. Regular-season champion and No. 1 ranked Kentucky, captured the GARC title after edging No. 1 West Virginia by five points. Army finished fifth in the team standings compiling a 4553 following a fourth place showing in smallbore (2256) and fifth in air rifle (2297). Senior captian Wesley Hess finished sixth individually in air rifle with a 101 for a final 686.999 after firing the fourth highest score among the eight qualifiers in the shootoff. Freshman Kelly Buck turned in the Black Knights’ top match score of 573 in smallbore, finishing 13th in a field of 48. In the combined scoring, Charles Ridge finished 18th with an 1148 and Hess was 22nd with an 1147 (586 AR, 561 SM). At the NCAAs, Hess recorded the highest score of 102.1 in the air rifle shoot-off to finish fourth individually with a final composite of 689.1. He led the Black Knights in the team competition, where they posted a 2320, with a 587 to rank sixth among the eight shooters who qualified for the finals. It is the second time in his career that Hess among the NCAA leaders in air rifle, having placed sixth in 2007. Buck posted the second highest score of 98.1 in the individual smallbore finals with a 678.2 composite to nip Kentucky’s Ethan Settlemires (678.1) for fourth place. The freshman fired a career-high 580 in the team competition in leading Army to fifth place with a 2291. Buck ranked sixth among the eight individuals who advanced to the finals. She also was a member of Army’s air rifle (fired a 578) that finished seventh) as Army finished sixth among the eight-team field with a two-day-total of 4611, nipping Navy by five points for that spot.
Page 11 • 2009-10 Army Rifle
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
A rebuilding Army rifle team peaked at just the right time as the Black Knights are among the top eight teams in the country to qualify for the 2009 NCAA Championships being hosted by Texas Christian University March 13-14. It was the sixth straight year that the Black Knights, who finished runner-up in 2008 and 2007, earned a bid to the NCAAs under head coach Ron Wigger. The top eight teams for the NCAA Championships are determined on an average of the three highest aggregate (smallbore and air rifle) regular season scores, with no more than one match at any given site. That average score is added to the Qualifier to determine the top eight teams. Army headed into its NCAA Qualifier ranked seventh with a 4622.67 average, just below Navy (4629.00), but moved into the No. 6 spot after firing a 4625 while the Midshipmen dropped into the seventh position. “We made a lot of progress coming together this year as a team,” stated head coach Ron Wigger. “I feel good about the future as well as our conference tournament and the NCAAs Championships. “We have had good chemistry and it has been a fun year watching the team develop.” West Virginia (4664) and Kentucky (4658.33), two of the GARC (Great America Rifle Conference) teams Army fell to, listed No. 1 and 2, respectively, in the NCAA Qualifier rankings. Though the Black Knights were the 2008 GARC Champions, the graduation losses were heavy resulting in being picked third in the preseason poll. Army, which was runner-up at the NCAA Championships the past team years, was picked sixth in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches preseason season rankings. Army opened its fall slate sweeping a triangular against The Citadel and North Carolina State, but lost four of its next seven matches to close out the fall 5-4. Army fell to GARC rivals Nebraska, Kentucky and West Virginia to post a 3-3 mark. By the second half of the season, Army’s young team, made up of freshmen and sophomores with one senior and three juniors, came together with strong performances. With the team’s youth came inconstancies for Wigger, but it was a problem he continued to address and work on in the second half of the year. The Black Knights ushered in the portion of the schedule with a win over Ohio State at the Palmyra Tournament, followed by a season-high 4628 in a close loss to NCAA defending champion Alaska Fairbanks. A strong showing at the NRA Sectionals was followed by a home meet with Navy. The Midshipmen rolled to a 50-point margin over Wesley Hess Army in the fall to capture the Pres-
2008-09 STATISTICS NCAAs
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
2008-09 Results (7-6, 3-0 GARC) Army Date Opponent SBR A.R. AGG. Oct. 04 at The Citadel 2278 2320 4598 w/NC State* 2278 2320 4598 Oct. 10 at Nebraska* 2293 2307 4600 Oct. 11 vs. Air Force 2859 2313 5760 Oct. 17 MISSISSIPPI* 2286 2901 4595 Oct. 18 WEST VIRGINIA* 2290 2309 4616 Nov. 1 Pres. Trophy 2831 2873 5704 Nov. 8 at Kentucky* 2280 2310 4590 w/Memphis* 2280 2310 4590 Nov. 15 TEXAS CHRISTIAN 2284 2336 4620 Jan. 17 Ohio State+ 2270 2320 4590 Jan. 21 ALAS-FAIRBANKS 2301 2327 4628 Jan. 30 at NRA Sectionals 2300 2327 4627 Feb. 7 NAVY 2862 2914 5776 Feb. 14 USP (NCAA qual.) 2290 2335 4625 Feb. 28 at GARC Champ. 2256 (4th) March 1 at GARC Champ. 2297 (6th) March 13 at NCAA Champ. 2219 (5th) March 14 at NCAA Champ. 2320 (7th)
Opponent SBR AR. 2197 2224 2207 2274 2296 2323 2821 2869 2268 2318 2313 2346 2nd 2304 2354 2244 2306 2297 2336 2250 2337 2308 2337
4658 4550 4633 4520 4645
2861 2110
5782 4256
2921 2146
AGG. 4416 4418 4619 5690 4586 4659
Smallbore ...........................................5th Kelly Buck .......................................... 580 Charles Ridge .....................................571 John Manzano ....................................571 Sara Lehman...................................... 569 Total .................................................. 2219 Air Rifle ...............................................7th Wesley Hess ........................................587 Charles Ridge .................................... 580 Kelly Buck ...........................................578 Sara Lehman.......................................575 Total................................................... 2320
5th 6th
Wesley Hess in air rifle and Kelly Buck in smallbore placed fourth, respectively, in
*GARC Match Home Matches in Bold CAPS +1st at Palmyra Tournament (Palmyra, Pa.)
their events.
SEASON HIGHS TEAM Air Rifle 2336 ............... vs. TCU .............................................. 11/15/08 2335 ............... vs. USP ............................................. 02/14/09 2335 ............... vs. Navy ............................................ 02/07/09 2327 ............... vs. Alaska Fairbanks........................ 01/21/09 2326 ............... vs. West Virginia .............................. 10/18/09 2320 ............... vs. Ohio State ................................... 01/17/09 2320 ............... vs. The Citadel/NC State ................. 10/04/08 Smallbore 2301 ............... vs. Alaska Fairbanks........................ 01/21/09 2300 ............... NRA Sectionals ................................ 01/30/09 2300 ............... vs. Air Force ...................................... 10/11/08 2293 ............... vs. Nebraska .................................... 10/10/08 2290 ............... vs. USP (Qualifier) ............................ 02/14/09 2290 ............... vs. West Virginia .............................. 10/18/09 2286 ............... vs. Ole Miss ...................................... 10/17/09 Aggregate 4628 ............... vs. Alaska Fairbanks........................ 02/21/09 4627 ............... NRA Sectionals ................................ 01/30/09 4625 ............... vs. USP (Qualifier) ........................... 02/14/09 4620 ............... vs. TCU .............................................. 11/15/08 4616 ............... vs. West Virginia .............................. 10/18/08 4613 ............... vs. Air Force ...................................... 10/11/08 4600 ............... vs. Nebraska .................................... 10/10/08
INDIVIDUAL Air Rifle 593............. Stephen Scherer vs. USP ..................... 02/14/09 592............. Wesley Hess vs. Air Force ..................... 10/11/08 592............. Wesley Hess vs. Nebraska ................... 10/10/08 591 ............. Wesley Hess vs. Mississippi ................. 10/17/08 591 ............. Stephen Scherer vs. Navy .................... 02/07/09 590............. Stephen Scherer at NRA Sectionals .... 01/30/09 589............. Wesley Hess vs. USP ............................ 02/14/09 589............. Wesley Hess vs. Navy ........................... 02/07/09 589............. Wesley Hess at NRA Sectionals ........... 01/30/09 589............. Wesley Hess vs. UAF ............................. 01/21/09 589............. Wesley Hess vs. West Virginia.............. 10/18/08 Smallbore 589............. Stephen Scherer vs. Nebraska ............ 10/10/08 589............. Stephen Scherer vs. Citadel/NC State ...... 10/04/08 588............. Stephen Scherer at NRA Sectionals .... 01/30/09 585............. Stephen Scherer vs. UAF ...................... 01/21/09 585............. Stephen Scherer vs. Air Force .............. 10/11/08 584 ............ Stephen Scherer vs. Memphis/KY ......11/08/08 584 ............ Stephen Scherer vs. Ole Miss .............. 10/17/08 583............. Stephen Scherer vs. USP ..................... 02/14/09 583............. Stephen Scherer vs. TCU ...................... 11/15/08 583............. Stephen Scherer vs. West Virginia....... 10/18/08
Page 12 • www.goARMYsports.com
GARC Kentucky grabbing the final spot in the six-team field. The Huskers were second at the 2006 NCAA Championships followed by thirdplace Army with Mississippi and Kentucky finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. Army was runner-up in 2007 with GARC champion Kentucky finishing fourth, while the Black Knights won the silver again in 2008 with Nebraska, Kentucky and West Virginia sweeping the fourth through six spots, respectively. Army quickly solidified its position in the GARC, finishing fourth at the championships its first year (2001-02) along with runner-up honors four straight seasons before laying claim to its first title in 2008. The Black Knights were regular season winners in 2005 and 2008. Army has come away with the lion’s share of GARC awards the past five years, earning 50 all-league certificates and seven major awards. Chris Abalo picked up his third straight “Shooter of the Year” citation lin 2008 after earning rookie honors in 2005, while Scherer was the 2008 “Rookie of the Year.” Wigger earned coaching citations in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
2009 Honors
Army Smallbore Team
Shooter of the Year: ........................................... Tom Csenge (Kentucky) Rookie of the Year: ....................................Ethan Settlemires (Kentucky) Coach of the Year: ............................................ Harry Mullins (Kentucky)
Ridge Buck Manzano Lehman
Army 2009 GARC All-Stars First Team
Standing 87-92 97-96 87-85 86-92
Kneeling 92-96 94-92 93-92 94-96
Army Air Rifle Team
Senior of the Year: ................................................ Wesley Hess (Army) Team Sportsmanship: ................................................Memphis/Ole Miss
Prone 98-98 98-96 99-100 97-99
Air Rifle Targets 93-95-96-94-93-97 93-95-95-96-95-93 97-99-97-99-99-99 93-99-96-98-96-94
Buck Manzano Hess Lehman
Total 563 573 556 564
Total 568 567 586 576
Smallbore .......................................................................Stephen Scherer
Army’s Top Individual Scorers
Air Rifle ...................................................................................Wesley Hess Combined .......................................................................Stephen Scherer
SM 569 560
Amiot Ridge
A.R. 580 571
Combined 17th (1149) 30th (1131)
Honorable Mention Air Rifle ............................................................................Stephen Scherer Combined ..............................................................................Wesley Hess
2009 Championship Results A.R.
SM
Total
Kentucky
2340
2310
4650
West Virginia
2350
2295
4645
Nebraska
2327
2293
4620
Ole Miss
2322
2254
4576
ARMY
2297
2256
4553
Memphis
2295
2244
4539
N.C. State
2298
2239
4537
Wesley Hess was named the GARC Senior of the Year.
Page 13 • 2009-10 Army Rifle
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The Great America Rifle Conference, currently seven strong to include Army, Kentucky, Memphis, Mississippi, Nebraska, West Virginia, and North Carolina State, has been hailed as one of the toughest conferences in the country. Army head coach Ron Wigger knew that the future of the Black Knights’ program would be enhanced and strengthened when he opted to join the GARC seven years ago. Not only is it a conference that excels at the range, but its student-athletes also shine in the classroom. Army captured the National Collegiate Rifle Championship title in 2005, and though it was the Black Knights’ first-ever, it was the 19th time that a member of the GARC claimed that honor. West Virginia has captured 14 NCAA titles and has been runnerup six times. Kentucky was runner-up three times and Xavier twice. The GARC, which began in 1998, has been well represented at the last eight NCAA championships with a national champion in Army (2005), six seconds and a pair of third-place finishes. At the 2005 NCAA Championships, Army captured the title with a 4659 composite, two points higher than third-place Nebraska with
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
GARC HONORS AND AWARDS
Paul Charbonneau
John Fiddes
David Amiot
All-GARC SELECTIONS
First Team 2004 .......Paul Charbonneau ......................... Air Rifle, Aggregate 2005 .......Chris Abalo ...................Smallbore, Air Rifle, Aggregate .................Mike Jablonski ............................Smallbore, Aggregate .................Paul Charbonneau .............................................Air Rifle 2006 .......Chris Abalo ...................Smallbore, Air Rifle, Aggregate 2007 .......Chris Abalo ...................Smallbore, Air Rifle, Aggregate .................John Fiddes ........................................................Air Rifle 2008 .......Chris Abalo ...................Smallbore, Air Rifle, Aggregate .................Stephen Scherer ..........Smallbore, Air Rifle, Aggregate .................Wesley Hess .......................................................Air Rifle 2009 .......Stephen Scherer .........................Smallbore, Aggregate .................Wesley Hess .......................................................Air Rifle Second Team 2002 .......Jared Lostetter ...................................................Air Rifle 2003 .......Kim Pienkowski ..............................................Aggregate .................Paul Charbonneau ......................Smallbore, Aggregate 2004 .......John Fiddes ..................................... Air Rifle, Aggregate .................Paul Charbonneau .........................................Smallbore .................Lucas Leinberger ...........................................Smallbore 2005 .......David Amiot ..................................... Air Rifle, Aggregate .................John Fiddes .................................Smallbore, Aggregate .................Lucas Leinberger ...........................................Smallbore .................Mike Jablonski ...................................................Air Rifle .................Paul Charbonneau .........................................Aggregate 2006 .......Lucas Leinberger ........................Smallbore, Aggregate .................John Fiddes .................................Smallbore, Aggregate .................David Amiot ........................................................Air Rifle 2007 .......David Amiot ....................................................Smallbore .................Wesley Hess .......................................................Air Rifle .................John Fiddes ....................................................Aggregate 2008 .......Brian Kern ....................Smallbore, Air Rifle, Aggregate Honorable Mention 2002 .......Jared Lostetter ...............................................Aggregate 2003 .......Kim Pienkowski ...............................Smallbore, Air Rifle 2004 .......John Fiddes ................................................... Smallbore .................Lucas Leinberger ...........................................Aggregate 2005 .......Paul Charbonneau .........................................Smallbore .................John Fiddes ........................................................Air Rifle 2006 .......John Fiddes ........................................................Air Rifle .................David Amiot ....................................................Aggregate 2007 .......Brian Kern ......................................................Smallbore .................David Amiot ....................................................Aggregate
Wesley Hess
Kim Pienkowski
2008 .......David Amiot ........................................................Air Rifle 2009 .......Wesley Hess ...................................................Aggregate .................Stephen Scherer ................................................Air Rifle Shooter of the Year 2006/07/08 .................................................................Chris Abalo Rookie of the Year 2005 ..............................................................................Chris Abalo 2008 ....................................................................Stephen Scherer Coach of the Year 2002 ............................................................................ Ron Wigger 2004 ............................................................................ Ron Wigger 2005 ............................................................................ Ron Wigger Scholar Athlete 2005 .......................................................................Mike Jablonski 2007/08 .......................................................................David Amiot GARC Champions 2003 .......Paul Charbonneau .........................................Smallbore 2005 .......Chris Abalo ..................................Smallbore, Aggregate 2007 .......Chris Abalo ......................................Smallbore, Air Rifle 2008 .......Stephen Scherer ................................................Air Rifle 2008 .......Chris Abalo .....................................................Aggregate 12-time Selection Chris Abalo.........................................................................2005-08 11-Time John Fiddes .......................................................................2004-07 Eight-Time Paul Charbonneau .......................................................2003-2005 Seven-Time David Amiot .......................................................................2005-08 Six-Time Stephen Scherer ...............................................................2008-09 Five-Time Lucas Leinberger...............................................................2004-06 Kim Pienkowski ...................................................................... 2003 Mike Jablonski ........................................................................ 2005
Page 14 • www.goARMYsports.com
HISTORY
The 2005 team captured the first NCAA title in school history.
Sgt. O.L. Gallman, the first coach to reach the 100-win plateau during his nine-year tenure (1955-63). Army was dominant in the 1960s, compiling 91 wins along with a 12-0 mark and a first-place finish at the NRA Sectionals in 1966-67. The 1970s were the most prolific in school history as Army compiled 102 wins, with the 1977-78 squad recording a school-record 18-0 mark under Master Sgt. Ken Hamill. Included among the wins were victories over the Coast Guard, the Royal Military College of Canada, Navy and Ohio State along with a first-place finish at the NRA Sectionals. Two years later (1980), the NCAA sponsored its first rifle championships, and Army finished among the leaders as it tied for seventh place that inaugural year. West Point took center stage the following year as host for the NCAA Rifle Championships with freshman David Cannella, who would go on to become one of the finest shooters in school history, helping Army to a sixth-place finish. The Black Knight qualified all four years for the NCAA tournament during Cannella’s tenure, during which time he earned eight All-America accolades to include five first team certificates. The Black Knights found themselves part of the NCAA field the first 12 years, finishing as high as third in 1986. Army was runner-up in smallbore and fourth in air, while three shooters were accorded AllAmerica honors that year. Rhonda Barush placed ninth in smallbore at the NCAAs and Gordon Taras was 15th as both garnered All-America accolades. Barush closed out her career as a five-time All-America after making that list all four years, while Taras went on to become a six-time All-American. Army competed in the MAC (Mid-Atlantic and Metropolitan Championships) in the mid ‘80s, winning the title over a three-year period (1987-89) during which time Randy Powell, an eight-time All-America, helped write the headlines. Rifle was discontinued at the intercollegiate ranks in the mid-90s, competing the next three years at the club level before returning to varsity status in 1997-98. Capt. Doug Clark, an Air Force exchange officer, over the program’s head reins when it returned to the intercollegiate ranks. Army compiled a 17-7 mark its first year back, but was not eligible to compete at the NCAA Championships until the following season. The Black Knights posted a 13-1 mark Clark’s second year and hosted the Mid-Atlantic Championships, where they finished first in smallbore and third in the aggregate scoring. Clark led Army to a 35-14 record during his three-year tenure, capped in 2000 when plebe Kim Pienkowski was accorded honorable mention NRA All-America honors in air rifle. Three members of the squad, Ben Minchhoff, Pienkowski and Joy Monson qualified for the final tryouts for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team. Wigger took over the program the following year and met with instant success as Army’s lone loss in a 7-1 campaign was to Navy. Pienkowski qualified individually for the NCAAs in air rifle, where she finished 12th in her first appearance. She was selected for first team NRA All-American honors in air rifle, the first Black Knight named to that unit since Cannella in 1984. Army joined the Great America Rifle Conference, considered one of the top leagues in the country, the following year. Wigger was voted “Coach of the Year” after leading Army to a fourth-place finish its inaugural season. The Black Knights then put the finishing touches on the 2002 campaign by qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in air rifle, their first visit as a team since 1991, where they edged Navy by a point for fifth place. Jared Lostetter, who finished ninth at the NCAAs after
Page 15 • 2009-10 Army Rifle
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Rifle has enjoyed a long and distinguished 83-year history at West Point since testing its mettle in 1919 when it outshot Pennsylvania 940-849 in the lone match of the season. By the time the NCAA began sponsoring collegiate rifle in 197980, the sport had been in place at the U.S. Military Academy for 58 years, never had a losing record, and posted 15 undefeated seasons, while suffering no more than one to two losses on 31 occasions. The rich tradition of the sport continues today under present coach Ron Wigger, who rewrote the history annals after leading Army to its first NCAA Rifle Championship in school history following a onepoint edging of Jacksonville State for the 2005 crown. It also proved to be the closest title match in NCAA history. Army, placing fourth in 2004, was third in 2006 followed by a pair of runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2008. Following its inaugural season in 1919 under Capt. P.W. Newgarden, Army returned to the varsity ranks from 1923 through 1936. During that span, rifle registered seven undefeated seasons along with a school record 12 wins competing outdoors in 1925. The Black Knights turned in an exceptional effort during the 1933 season, registering a 6-1 record indoors and unblemished 5-0 mark during the spring outdoor campaign. The sport was discontinued for the 1937 and 1938 seasons before returning to the range in 1939, which was also the inaugural year of the Army-Navy rivalry. The Mids edged Army the first two years of the series, but the Black Knights erased that early start by winning 11 of the next 13 matches, including a run of six straight, in pulling out to an 11-4 lead in the rivalry. After Navy claimed the next three matches, the Black Knights strung together a pair of 5-0 runs during a 14-4 stretch to pull out to a commanding 25-11 advantage that helped carry Army through some rough times. Navy dominated the series from the 1990’s into the new millennium before Army snapped loose from a 12-match losing streak on Mid soil in the Black Knights’ regularseason finale in 2006. Army has won the last three matches to hold a 37-30 lead. Army ushered in the decades of the ‘40s with a 43-4 record over a five-year span, including three unbeaten seasons (1941, 1942, and 1944). Overall, the sharpshooters registered an 84-10 mark, including a school record 13 wins during the 1946 campaign. The Black Knights bettered their win total in the decade of the ‘50s, compiling 100 wins along with breaking the school victory total after going undefeated with a 16-0 showing in 1957-58 followed by unbeaten marks in 1958-59 (15-0) and 1959-60 (8-0) under Master
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
HISTORY qualifying individually in air rifle, teamed with Paul Charbonneau, Pienkowski and Jesus Tavaras as that foursome combined for a 1541. Lostetter was selected a second team All-American in air rifle, and Pienkowski was named to the All-Academic team. The Black Knights, who hosted the 2003 NCAA Tournament, did very little traveling that year as the top teams in the country dotted Army’s home schedule. Army however failed to qualify for the NCAAs, but two members of the squad were accorded All-America honors. Pienkowski was tabbed an honorable mention in both smallbore and air rifle, while Charbonneau was selected to the second unit in smallbore, the first Black Knight named in that discipline since 1992. Charbonneau, a GARC second team all-star pick in smallbore and the aggregate scoring, took medalist honors in smallbore at the 2003 championships, breaking his own school mark with an 1177. The 2003-04 season was another banner year as the Black Knights finished fourth in the team scoring at the NCAAs after qualifying for the first time in both events since 1987. It was also Army’s best showing since placing third in 1986. Army posted its highest score of the season in both smallbore and aggregate en route to placing fourth. Wigger, along with Navy’s coach Bill Kelley, was selected as “Co-Coach of the Year” by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association. It was the second honor for Wigger that season, having been selected for that same accolade by the GARC. Charbonneau, who was eighth individually in air rifle at the NCAA’s, capped the season with a pair of All-America certificates in air rifle and smallbore. He was also named to the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association All-Collegiate team. The Black Knights were runner-up that year at the GARC Championships, their highest showing since joining the league. The combination of the experience returning and the talent of the newcomers would prove a perfect fit for Army’s magical ride in 200405. The Black Knights captured the GARC regular-season title with a perfect 6-0 mark, while posting an 8-2 dual record. After posting the third-highest score in the country at the NCAA Qualifier, Army fell by four points to arch-rival Navy in its final dual match. Army walked off with a majority of the GARC awards, claiming 15 of 30 all-star certificates along with copping two of the major awards with freshman sensation Chris Abalo named the “Rookie of the Year” and Wigger repeating as “Coach of the Year.” The Black Knights finished second at the conference championships and Abalo earned medalist honors in smallbore and the aggregate scoring. The next stop was the NCAA Championships where Army found itself in second place the opening day, trailing defending champion Alaska Fairbanks by six points following the smallbore competition. Army scored a 2321 in air rifle the final day to nip Jacksonville State, first in that discipline, by a point for the 2005 NCAA title as just three points separated the top four place winners. Abalo finished fourth in both events and Leinberger was seventh in air rifle, while Wigger repeated as National “Coach of the Year.” Five Black Knights combined for a school record seven All-America certificates with Abalo garnering first team honors and Jablonski second team plaudits in both events. Highlighting the 2005-06 dual meet season was Army’s first win over Navy since 1990, snapping the Mids’ 12-match series win streak, en route to posting a 9-2 mark. Army also wrestled the President’s Trophy Match from Navy. Named the GARC “Shooter of the Year”, Abalo led Army to runner-up honors at the conference championships. The Black Knights put the final touches on the campaign earning the bronze at the NCAA Championships. Five Black Knights
were selected for NRA All-America honors with Abalo repeating as a first team pick in both events, while John Fiddes also garnered a pair of certificates. Abalo was crowned an NRA National Collegiate champion in smallbore and air rifle based on his performance at the NRA Sectionals, which coincided with the NCAA Qualifier. The 2006-07 season saw Army defeat Navy for the second straight year along with posting its first win over the Midshipmen at West Point since 1985 in posting a 10-2 mark - its highest total since 1998-99. The Black Knights were runner-up at the NCAA’s and GARC Championships. Abalo repeated as the GARC’s top shooter along with being named the CRCA “Shooter of the Match” at the NCAAs where he finished third in air rifle and fourth in smallbore. In 2007-08 Abalo led the Black Knights to their first-ever GARC Championship, runner-up honors at the NCAA’s and first-ever team title in smallbore, along with winning the Palmyra Tournament. Army closed out the year with a 10-1 mark that included its third straight win over Navy. The most decorated shooter in school history, Abalo was the GARC’s Shooter of the Match for the third straight year, captured the NCAA smallbore title, set a national smallbore prone record and NCAA smallbore record, and repeated as a first team All-American in both events. Freshman Stephen Scherer became just the third Cadet in West Point history to compete at the Olympic Games (Beijing) after finishing first at the Trials in air rifle. The GARC “Rookie of the Year,” he finished third in smallbore and fifth in air rifle at the NCAA’s along with earning first team All-America honors. Caught in a rebuilding year in 2008-09, Army turned in a strong showing at the NCAA Championships with a sixth place finish. Senior team captain Wesley Hess and freshman Kelly Buck finished fourth individually in air rifle and smallbore, respectively. Hess was named the Great America Conference’s “Senior of the Year,” repeated as a first team GARC all-star in air rifle along with earning honorable mention in the combined scoring. He capped his senior team with first team NRA All-America honors in air rifle for the second time in his career.
Coaching Records Coach Capt. P.W. Newgarden Self Coached Maj. C.A. Bagby Lt. R.A. Schow Capt. F.A. Macon Capt. H.C. Barnes Lt. F.X. Mulvihill Lt. T.S. Riggs Lt. O.C. Kromer Capt. R.L. Jewett Lt. Col. J.L. Throckmorton Maj. C.F. Leonard Maj. H.N. Moorman Lt. R.A. Wise Maj. C.E. Mowry Lt. Col. George Murray Col. E.T. Miller Maj. J.R. Waterman Sgt. Maj. O.L. Gallman Sgt. Maj. A.J. O’Neill Master Sgt. Ken Hamill Capt. Doug Clark Maj. Ron Wigger Totals
Page 16 • www.goARMYsports.com
Years Season 1 1919 1 1923 3 1924-26 1 1927 2 1928-29 2 1930-31 5 1932-35 1 1936 2 1939-40 1 1941 3 1942, 47-48 1 1943 1 1944 1 1945 1 1946 3 1949-51 2 1952-53 1 1954 9 1955-63 10 1963-67 1968-74 21 1967-68 1974-94 3 1997-00 9 200084
W 1 5 22 7 10 10 40 9 11 9 22 11 10 4 13 29 17 10 101 95
L 0 1 0 1 1 2 4 1 3 0 4 1 0 2 1 6 4 1 12 13
Pct. 1.000 .833 1.000 .875 .909 .833 .909 .900 .786 1.000 .846 .917 1.000 .667 .929 .829 .810 .909 .894 .880
279
54
.838
35 14 71 27 821 152
.714 .724 .844
ALL-AMERICANS First Team Year 1942 1947 1948
Chris Abalo (USMA ’08)
1951 1956 1957 1958 1963 1964 1965 1966 1968 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987
Year 1990 1991 2001 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Name Dale Herr* Dale Herr Kim Pienkowski^ Paul Charbonneau^ Chris Abalo+ Chris Abalo+ Chris Abalo+ Wesley Hess^ Chris Abalo+ Stephen Scherer+ Brian Kern* Wesley Hess^
Eight-Time Selection Chris Abalo, 2005-08 Five-Time Selection David Cannella, 1982-84 Three-Time Selection Amos Mathews, 1947-49 William Bradburn, 1963-65
Second Team
David Cannella (USMA ’84)
Year 1936 1940 1942 1948 1950 1952 1962 1963 1964 1965 1967 1969 1970
Name C.T. Compton Walter Gunster John Baer Howard Wehrle William DeGraf Lucien Bolduc William DeGraf Stewart Paterson John King John Ward Ladd Metzner John Ward Michael Wilkan Gary Chambers Paul Bigelman David Taylor Jim Plunkett Robert Strong
Year 1971
1972 1974 1978 1981 1983 1984 1985
Name Peter Kippie Jim Plunkett Robert Strong Greg Wenzloff Gary Stinnett Robert Strong Robert Jacobs Gary Stinnett Daniel Szarenski Daniel Szarenski David Cannella+ Robert Jacobs* Rhonda Barush* Rhonda Barush* David Cannella* Rhonda Barush^ Randy Powell+ Gordon Taras+
Paul Charbonneau (USMA ‘05)
Highlights Eight Time All-Americans Chris Abalo ‘08 (SB 05-08; AR 05-08) David Cannella ‘84 (SB 881-84; AR 05-08) Randy Powell ‘88 (SB 85-88; AF 85, -88) Six-Time All-Americans Gordon Taras ‘87 (SB 85-87; AR 84, 85, 87)
Year Name 1986 Rhonda Barush* Randy Powell+ 1987 Randy Powell^ Gordon Taras^ 1988 Randy Powell+ 1991 Dale Herr 1992 Duncan Lamb* 2002 Jared Lostetter^ 2003 Paul Charbonneau* 2004 Paul Charbonneau* 2005 Mike Jablonski+ Lucas Leinberger* David Amiot^ 2006 Lucas Leinberger* David Amiot^ John Fiddes* 2007 David Amiot* Brian Kern* 2008 David Amiot+ Brian Kern^
Honorable Mention Year Name 1970 Jim Plunkett 1971 Blake Gendron Myron Pangman 1972 Blake Gendron Jim Plunkett 1972 Blake Gendron Jim Plunkett Key: * Smallbore
Year Name 1981 William Schneider* Robert Jacobs^ 1984 Gordon Taras^ 1988 Dale Herr^ 2000 Kim Pienkowski^ 2003 Kim Pienkowski+ ^ Air Rifle
Page 17 • 2009-10 Army Rifle
Year Name 2005 Paul Charbonneau^ 2006 John Fiddes^ Brian Kern* 2007 John Fiddes*
+Smallbore and Air Rifle
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
1949
Name Richard Wise Amos Mathews Lucien Bolduc Amos Mathews Lucius Bolduc Amos Mathews Stewart Peterson Gordon Rogers Gordon Rogers James Jones William Bradburn William Bradburn William Bradburn Michael Fuller David Taylor David Cannella+ David Cannella + David Cannella^ Rhonda Barush* Gordon Taras* Gordon Taras* Randy Powell*
ARMY RECORDS INDIVIDUAL 597, Stephen Scherer Olympic Trials, 03/02/08 597, Chris Abalo Junior Olympics, 03/21/06 Air Rifle, Season Avg.: 589.46, Chris Abalo, 2007-08 Smallbore Three-Position (600): 590, Chris Abalo, 02/04/07 Smallbore Standing: 199, John Fiddes vs. Ohio State, 1/21/06 Smallbore Kneeling: 199, Chris Abalo vs. Kentucky, 10/08/05 Smallbore Season Avg.: 586.167, Chris Abalo, 2007-08
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Air Rifle, 60 Shots (600):
TEAM Air Rifle, 240 Shots (2400): 2357 vs. NC State & Nebraska, Nov. 18, 2007: Wesley Hess (591), Chris Abalo (590), Brian Kern (589), Stephen Scherer (587) Smallbore Three-Position, 240 Shots (2400): 2337 vs. Texas Christian, Nov. 10, 2007: Chris Abolo (589), Stephen Scherer (586), Brian Kern (584), Davida Amiot (578)
2008 NCAA Smallbore Sweep (l-r) Stephen Scherer (3rd), Brian Kern (2nd), Chris Abalo (1st)
Combined Air Rifle/Smallbore, 480 shots (4800): 4686 vs. Navy, Feb. 9, 2008: Chris Abalo (588/588), Stephen Scherer (591/585), David Amiot (583/582), Brian Kern (580 SM), Wesley Hess (589 AR)
Army At The NCAA Championships Year 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 2001-02 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
Coach Master Sgt. Ken Hamill Master Sgt. Ken Hamill Master Sgt. Ken Hamill Master Sgt. Ken Hamill Master Sgt. Ken Hamill Master Sgt. Ken Hamill (Ret.) Master Sgt. Ken Hamill (Ret.) Master Sgt. Ken Hamill (Ret.) Master Sgt. Ken Hamill (Ret.) Master Sgt. Ken Hamill (Ret.) Master Sgt. Ken Hamill (Ret.) Maj. Ron Wigger Maj. Ron Wigger Maj. Ron Wigger Maj. Ron Wigger Maj. Ron Wigger Major Ron Wigger Major Ron Wigger
Smallbore 4473 4561 4537 4561 4575 4559 4622 4572 4579 --4558 --4638 2328 2318 2307 2318 2219
The NCAA began sponsoring collegiate rifle in 1979-80 •#Army was third in smallbore in 1990 •!Sixth in air rifle in 1991 and •+Seventh in smallbore in 1992
Air 1428 1499 1477 1512 1483 1504 1516 1522 --1485 --1541 1538 2331 2332 2337 2334 2320
Aggregate 5901 6060 6014 6073 6058 6063 6138 6094 4579 1485 4558 1541 6176 4659 4650 4644 4652 4539
Place 7th 6th 6th 5th 6th 5th 3rd 6th # ! + 9th 4th 1st 3rd 2nd 2nd 6th
•The Black Knights have garnered Top 3 finishes under present head coach Ron Wigger four of the past five years. •After capturing the team title in 2005, Army copped the bronze in 2006 and the silver the next two years.
•Army finished fifth in air rifle in 2002 and ninth overall (prior to that only included places for teams that competed in both events).
•The Black Knights captured their first individual and team title in smallbore in 2008 when Chris Abalo led an Army sweep (first in NCAA history) of the top three places en route to winning that discipline.
•Army captured its first NCAA title in school history at the 2005 Championships.
Page 18 • www.goARMYsports.com
ACADEMY LEADERSHIP
BRIG. GEN. WILLIAM E. RAPP COMMANDANT OF CADETS
BRIG. GEN. PATRICK FINNEGAN DEAN OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD
Lt. Gen. Franklin L. Hagenbeck assumed duties as the 57th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy in June 2006. Hagenbeck was commissioned from West Point in 1971. He earned a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and served as an assistant football coach at Florida State University. While assigned to the Academy’s Department of Physical Education, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Long Island University. His military education includes the Army War College, Army Command and General Staff College and the Infantry Officer Advanced Course. Hagenbeck has commanded at every level from company through division, culminating as Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division. He has also served in the 25th Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division, 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions and The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Among his other assignments, Hagenbeck served as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, and in numerous staff positions. His Joint assignments include: Exchange Officer and Tactics Instructor to the Royal Australian Infantry Center; Deputy Director for PoliticoMilitary Affairs for Global and Multi-Lateral Issues and Western Hemisphere; Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5); and Deputy Director for Current Operations, J33, Joint Staff. He served as Commander, Coalition Joint Task Force Mountain, Operations Enduring Freedom/Anaconda and Deputy Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force 180 in Afghanistan. Hagenbeck’s decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal (oak leaf cluster); Legion of Merit (four oak leaf clusters); Bronze Star (oak leaf cluster); Meritorious Service Medal (two oak leaf clusters); Army Commendation Medal (oak leaf cluster); Army Achievement Medal; Air Assault Badge; Master Parachutist Badge; Expert Infantryman Badge; Australian, British, and Honduran Airborne Wings; Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge and Army Staff Identification Badge.
Brig. General William E. Rapp took command of the United States Corps of Cadets as West Point’s 72nd Commandant of Cadets in October 2009. Rapp was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers from the U.S. Military Academy in 1984. His civilian education includes a Masters of Arts in Political Science and a PhD in International Relations from Stanford University. His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, US Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College where he earned a Masters of Arts in National Security Policy, and the Joint Forces Staff College. He was the distinguished honor graduate of his Infantry Officer Advance Course, Ranger School class, Jumpmaster class, and the Strategist Program at CGSC. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia. Rapp’s early assignments included duties as a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Assistant S3, and the Corps Operations Officer in Germany and at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He commanded an airborne engineer company during Operation Desert Storm. Following grad school, he served as an instructor and assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences at USMA and as an Engineer Battalion S3 and Group S3 at Fort Lewis, Wash. He also served as the Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) before commanding the 54th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Mech) in Bamberg, Germany. Following command, Rapp was selected for the Council of Foreign Relations Fellowship at the Institute for International Policy Studies in Tokyo, Japan. He returned to the States in the summer of 2003 to attend the Army War College before proceeding to Fort Lewis to serve as the Chief of Plans (G3) for I Corps Headquarters. In June 2005, he assumed command of 555th Combat Engineer Group and deployed in support of the 101st Airborne Division for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2007, Rapp completed his command and returned to Iraq as the Director of the Commander’s Initiatives Group serving under GEN Petraeus in Multi-National Forces-Iraq. In his most recent assignment, Rapp served as the Commanding General of the Northwestern Division of the Corps of Engineers in Portland, Oregon. Rapp’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He has earned the Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist wings, Air Assault wings, Ranger Tab, and the Engineer Regiment’s Bronze DeFleury Medal. Rapp is married to the former Debbie Biggi of Sacramento, California. They have three children: Anna Marie, David and Robby.
In the summer of 2005, Brig. Gen. Patrick Finnegan was named Dean of the Academic Board at the United States Military Academy. Upon graduation from West Point in 1971, he was commissioned a second lieutenant, attended the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and earned a Master of Public Administration degree in 1973. As a cadet, he served as Chairman of the Honor Committee and head manager of the Army football team. Finnegan received his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia Law School in 1979. While attending law school, he was a member and editor of the Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. Finnegan has served JAG Corps tours at Bad Kreuznach, Germany (1979-82); the Judge Advocate General’s School, Charlottesville, Va. (198387); Fort Bragg, N.C. (1988-93); MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. (1994-96); and Stuttgart, Germany (1996-98). He served as USMA Staff Judge Advocate from August 1998 until he was appointed as Professor and Head of the Department of Law in July 1999. Prior to his appointment as Dean, Finnegan also served as head officer representative for the Army football team. During his time at Fort Bragg, Finnegan was deployed to the Persian Gulf to participate in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Finnegan’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (oak leaf cluster), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Humanitarian Service Medal, Saudi Arabia/Kuwait Liberation Medal and Defense Meritorious Unit Award (oak leaf cluster). A member of the Virginia Bar and the Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society, Finnegan has also been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Finnegan and his wife, Joan, have two daughters: Katie Finnegan Rucker and Jenna Finnegan Bechen; and three grandchildren.
Page 19 • 2009-10 Army Rifle
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
LT. GEN. FRANKLIN L. HAGENBECK SUPERINTENDENT
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS KEVIN PROFILES ANDERSON PLAYER Since Kevin Anderson was introduced as Army’s Director of Athletics on Dec. 13, 2004, West Point’s intercollegiate athletic program has enjoyed immense success both on and off the “fields of friendly strife.” Boasting more than two decades of leadership and experience, Anderson departed his post as executive associate athletic director at Oregon State University to accept the challenge of re-invigorating Army’s proud athletic program. The veteran administrator has played a large role in accomplishing that goal during his five years along the banks of the Hudson. In that time, Army has sent 19 intercollegiate athletic teams to the NCAAs, captured its first National Championship in more than 50 years, witnessed the revitalization of its hockey and men’s basketball programs, and experienced unparalleled success in several others, such as baseball, women’s volleyball, women’s tennis and women’s basketball. A year ago, Army’s women’s soccer team became West Point’s ninth different intercollegiate program to advance to the NCAAs under Anderson’s watch, while the baseball team reached a regional final for the first time in school history. During the 2004-05 academic year, Anderson’s first at West Point, Army’s athletic program won a National Championship in rifle, sent a record seven teams to postseason appearances, defeated Navy in the year-long series for the first time since 1978 and forged an overall winning percentage of .582. It marked Army’s finest overall performance in more than a decade. Seventeen of Army’s 25 intercollegiate teams carved records of .500 or better that year as the Black Knights put forth their highest year-long winning percentage since a .604 effort in 1993-94. In addition, Army reclaimed the Patriot League’s Presidents’ Cup—signifying the league’s all-sports champion—for the first time since 1997. Army sent its rifle, gymnastics, baseball, lacrosse, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and golf squads to postseason play, surpassing the previous standard of six teams in NCAA action. Six of Army’s eight spring teams won Patriot League titles that year. Army’s success opposite Navy snapped a 27year drought in the all-sports rivalry, giving the Black Knights their first series win over Navy since going 9-8-1 (.528) in 1977-78. The Black Knights used their 2004-05 success as a springboard to continued outstanding performances in 2005-06. Army’s fall and winter teams combined to forge back-to-back winning records for the first time since 1993-94.
Additionally, four Army teams earned NCAA Tournament appearances in 2005-06, highlighted by the women’s basketball team, which earned the Academy’s first postseason berth at the Division I level. In 2006-07, Anderson presided over a resurgence of Army’s men’s basketball and hockey programs, as well as the continued success of the Black Knights’ women’s basketball squad, which set a single season school record for victories at the Division I level. All three programs flourished again the following year with hockey earning its first Atlantic Hockey Association regular-season crown and the men’s basketball squad advancing in the Patriot League postseason for the second straight year, a first since 1995 and 1996. Additionally, a young Black Knights’ baseball team captured its third regular season Patriot League championship in five years and Army’s women’s tennis team earned its fourth consecutive conference championship and accompanying NCAA berth. Three Army teams traveled to the NCAAs last season, headlined by the women’s soccer and baseball squads. The Black Knights’ baseball team gained national attention by reaching the finals of the Austin Regional and nearly upsetting national top seed and NCAA runnerup Texas in a championship game. Off the field, construction of the Foley Athletic Center, a spacious indoor practice facility for football, was completed in the winter of 2007. During Anderson’s time at West Point, Randall Hall, which houses offices, locker rooms and team rooms for men’s and women’s basketball, as well as luxury suites that overlook historic Michie Stadium, was also unveiled. Army’s fabled football home received additional state-of-the-art amenities last summer with the installation of a new FieldTurf playing surface and a sparkling 30-foot-by-50-foot scoreboard, complete with a 20-foot-by-50-foot high-definition video board. In the last year alone, Anderson led the search that resulted in the hiring of Rich Ellerson as Army’s 36th head football coach. He was also instrumental in negotiating a broadcast extension with CBS Sports to televise the Army-Navy football game to 2018, a new national television deal for Army’s football program, separate contracts with three different cities to serve as host for future Army-Navy games, and a landmark agreement with the New York Yankees that will result in Army’s football team playing six games over the next years at Yankee Stadium. As part of the deal, Army will battle Notre Dame next fall in the first college football game to be played at the Yankees’ majestic new home. Prior to his busy 2008-09 academic year, Anderson brokered major broadcast agreements for Army’s football program with ESPN and WABC Radio (770-AM), as well as aligning the Black Knights’ athletics teams with Nike, as part of a significant apparel deal, and Learfield Sports Properties. The Army “A” Club has continued to flourish under Anderson’s leadership, establishing school records for annual giving during each of his four years at the Academy.
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During his time at Oregon State, Anderson directed the athletic department’s external operations, to include marketing and promotions, sports information, ticket operations and the Beaver Athletic Student Fund. He also oversaw Oregon State’s highly successful football, men’s basketball and baseball programs, leading the search and recruitment for head football coach Mike Riley. Anderson, who ranks as the first African-American to hold the position of director of athletics at West Point, was a member of an OSU management staff that balanced the athletic department’s budget for the first time in nearly 15 years. Anderson took residence in Corvallis, Ore., in December 2002 after serving as executive associate athletic director for external affairs at the University of California. He joined the California staff in November 1997 as assistant athletic director for annual programs and was promoted to associate athletic director for development, tickets and the Bears’ baseball team in March 1999. At California, Anderson oversaw all fundraising matters involving capital giving and capital projects, as well as ticketing operations. He also functioned as the primary major gift officer for the athletic department. Under his leadership, California raised more than $5 million annually, including a record number of funds in fiscal years 2001 and 2002. Anderson also headed efforts to raise money for a renovation of California’s Memorial Football Stadium. Before accepting his position with the Golden Bears, Anderson served as area executive director of the YMCA of the East Bay from 1995 to 1997. He was director of annual giving with Stanford University’s athletic department from 1993 to 1995. While at Stanford, Anderson worked with the Stanford University Provost, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Anderson served as director of development, marketing and communications of the San Francisco Education Fund (1990-93) and was Northern California development director for the United Negro Fund (1989-90). He was also a manager with the Xerox Corporation from 1980 through 1989. Anderson graduated from San Francisco State University in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He is also a 1981 graduate of the Xerox Corporation’s New Manager School and the Xerox Marketing School in 1986. He completed the executive management program at the Sports Management Institute in 1995. In addition to his duties at West Point, Anderson has served as chairman for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Division I-A Athletic Directors McClendon Minority Scholarship Steering Committee and is a member of the NCAA’s Basketball Academic Enhancement Group. In September, he became chairman of the Division I Men’s Basketball Issues Committee. Most recently, Anderson was elected Third Vice President of NACDA in June. Kevin and his wife, Moira, have four children: daughters, Olivia and Michaela; and sons, Kevin Jr. and Chauncey.
DISTINGUISHED GRADUATES
GRANT
ROBERT E. LEE ’29 The Academy’s ninth Superintendent (1852-55), Lee was a model cadet during his four years at West Point. He graduated second in his class and never earned a single demerit during his four years at the Academy. At the beginning of the Civil War, he was selected to serve as Commanding General of the Army, but instead resigned his commission and was named General-In-Chief of the Confederate Army from 1861 to 1865. Lee’s surrender to Ulysses S. Grant (USMA 1843), at Appomattox Court House, Va., ended the Civil War. Fort Lee, Va., was named in his honor. ULYSSES S. GRANT ’43 Grant distinguished himself during the Civil War at the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863; his victory secured control of the Mississippi River for the Union. President Abe Lincoln later appointed him Commanding General of the Army in March 1864. On April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, Va., Robert E. Lee (USMA 1829) surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to him, ending the Civil War. Grant later served as the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877. Today, his image graces the $50 bill. GEORGE W. GOETHALS ’80 Goethals became an architect and was builder of the Panama Canal, 1904 TO 1914. JOHN J. PERSHING ’86 Considered the second most senior officer in Army history, behind only George Washington, Pershing served as commander of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. The two-million-plus troops of the AEF made a decisive contribution to the defeat of Imperial Germany. Pershing’s abilities as a leader distinguished him among European commanders, and through repeated successes on the battlefield, promoted American prestige around the world. He served as Army Chief of Staff in 1921, and was named General of the Armies of the United States upon his retirement in 1924.
HAIG
DOUGLAS MacARTHUR ’03 After World War I, MacArthur returned to West Point to serve as the Academy’s 31st Superintendent from 1919 to 1922. During that time, he was responsible for the revitalization of the Academy. He was later promoted to General of the Army and served as Supreme Allied Commander in the Pacific Theater during World War II. During that time, he received the Medal of Honor for leading defense preparation and operations on the Philippine Islands. He later served as Supreme Allied Commander, Japan, and as commander, United Nations Command in the Far East. He was one of only five officers to be promoted to General of the Army (five stars). GEORGE S. PATTON JR. ’09 “Old Blood and Guts,” Patton was one of the most colorful commanders in the Army. During World War II the famed commander of the 2nd Armored Division and later the Third Army displayed courage and daring as prominently as the pair of ivory handled revolvers he wore. Patton accomplished one of the most remarkable feats in military history in December 1944, when he quickly turned the Third Army northward to reinforce the Allied southern flank against the German attack in the Battle of the Bulge. The General’s doctrine of aggressive employment of massive armor forces continue to prove themselves in combat arenas around the world. OMAR N. BRADLEY ’15 During his career, Bradley earned a reputation as one of the best infantry commanders in World War II. He commanded the 82nd Airborne and 28th Infantry Divisions before going on to command the 1st Army and the 12th Army Group. After the war he served as Army Chief of Staff from 1948 to 1949 and served as the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1949 to 1953. He was the last Army officer to be promoted to General of the Army (five stars), and the Bradley fighting vehicle is named in his honor.
KIMBROUGH
KIMSEY
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER ’15 During World War II, Eisenhower served as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces Europe from 1943 to 1944, during which he led the D-Day invasion of Europe. During that time, he was promoted to General of the Army (five stars). After the war, he served as Army Chief of Staff from 1945 to 1948 and was named President of Columbia University in 1948. He served as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 and was one of only five officers to be promoted to General of the Army (five stars). ALEXANDER M. HAIG JR. ’47 Haig served as Chief of Staff to President Richard Nixon from 1973 to 1974; Supreme Allied Commander in Europe 1974 to 1979; President of United Technologies Corporation 1980 to 1981 and Secretary of State during the Reagan administration from 1981 to 1982. FRANK BORMAN ’50 An astronaut from 1962 to 1970, Borman commanded the first circumlunar flight of the earth. He later served as President of Eastern Airlines. FIDEL V. RAMOS ’50 One of the Academy’s international cadets, Ramos served as a Philippine Army officer after graduation. He eventually became the country’s military Chief of Staff and later Secretary of National Defense. He also served as President of the Republic of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. EDWIN E. ALDRIN ’51 An astronaut from 1963 to 1972, Aldrin participated in the first manned lunar landing with Michael Collins (USMA ’52) and was the second man to walk on the moon. EDWARD WHITE ’52 An astronaut from 1962 to 1967, White was the first man to walk in space and was one of the three astronauts killed in the Apollo I disaster in 1967.
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SCHWARZKOPF
H. NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF ’56 As Commander-in-Chief, United States Central Command from 1988 to 1991, Schwarzkopf’s command ultimately responded to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait with the largest U.S. deployment since the Vietnam War, including portions of the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps as well as units from dozens of nations around the world. After retiring, Schwartzkopf received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. PETER M. DAWKINS ’59 Dawkins was Cadet Brigade Commander (First Captain of the U.S. Corps of Cadets) as a senior and became the third Heisman Trophy winner in Army football history. He later served as chairman and CEO of Primerica. JAMES V. KIMSEY ’62 Kimsey was the founding chairman of America Online, and was named chairman emeritus in 1996. He founded the Kimsey Foundation in 1996. MICHAEL W. KRZYZEWSKI ’69 Krzyzewski served as head basketball coach at West Point from 1974 to 1979 before assuming similar duties at Duke University. Krzyzewski has led the Blue Devils to three national championships and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in October 2001. He coached the U.S. at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. RAYMOND T. ODIERNO ‘76 Odierno commanded the 4th Infantry Division during the fall of 2003 which, along with Special Forces units, captured Saddam Hussein in December of that year. Odierno helped plan and coordinate the raid that netted Iraq’s fallen dictator. ROBERT S. KIMBROUGH ’89 Kimbrough was named one of 11 new astronaut candidates by NASA in May 2004. Kimbrough ranks among Army Baseball’s career leaders in saves. A veteran of Desert Storm, he currently works for NASA in Houston as a flight simulation engineer and participated in a space shuttle mission last fall.
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
BORMAN
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
THIS IS WEST POINT
THE UNITED STATES
MILITARY ACADEMY Page 22 • www.goARMYsports.com
THIS IS WEST POINT self-discipline, even while under mental and physical stress. Military development begins with the cadet’s first day at West Point. Most military training takes place during the summer, with new cadets undergoing Cadet Basic Training, or Beast Barracks, their first year, followed the second summer by Cadet Field Training. Cadets spend their third and fourth summers serving in active Army units around the world; attending specialty training such as airborne, air assault or northern warfare or helping to train the first- and second-year cadets. The Cadet Leader Development System seeks to give the cadets increasing responsibility until they are ready to receive their commissions and assume their duties as leaders in today’s Army. Moral and ethical values guide cadets throughout their four years at West Point. Commitment to the Academy’s “Bedrock Values,” based on integrity and respect for the dignity of others, begins on the first day. Integrity is reflected in the Cadet Honor Code which states: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” Respect denotes that cadets treat others with the same respect and dignity they themselves would expect. At West Point, it is not enough to train leaders—they must be leaders of character. Admission is keenly competitive and is open to young men and women from all states and territories and from every socioeconomic level. Prospective cadets must receive a nomination by a member of Congress or from the Department of the Army. The Academy seeks candidates who possess records of success in academics, athletics and leadership indicative of well-rounded individuals. Although the life of a cadet is demanding, there remains an array of club activities ranging from golf, skiing, boxing, crew and orienteering to such organizations as the cadet radio station, Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers-Big Sisters. Additionally, the U.S. Corps of Cadets hosts a Special Olympics event each spring. Today’s Military Academy is a vastly different institution from the small academy legislated into being by Congress in 1802. Originally just 1,800 acres, the Academy has grown to more than 16,000 acres. The first graduating class numbered just two men; today’s classes graduate more than 900 new officers annually, both men and women, who are prepared for leadership roles within the Army. With the expansion of knowledge and the changing needs of the United States Army and the nation, life at West Point has changed to keep pace. Ever mindful of its rich heritage, t h e U . S . Milit a r y Academy is developing leaders for tomorrow, and its focus remains the national needs of the 21st century.
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NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The mission of the U.S. Military Academy is to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country; professional growth throughout a career as an officer in the U.S. Army; and a lifetime of selfless service to the Nation. Founded on March 16, 1802, the Academy celebrated its Bicentennial in 2002. But West Point’s role in America’s history dates to the Revolutionary War, when both sides realized the strategic importance of the commanding plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River. Gen. George Washington considered West Point to be the most strategic position in America. He personally selected Thaddeus Kosciuszko, one of the heroes of Saratoga, to design the fortifications in 1778 after problems arose with French engineers originally placed in charge of the design. In 1779, General Washington transferred his headquarters to West Point. Continental soldiers built forts, batteries and defensive barriers. A 100-ton iron chain was extended across the Hudson to control river traffic. Today, several links from that chain are arranged at Trophy Point as a reminder of West Point’s original fortifications. In 1802 President Thomas Jefferson signed the legislation establishing the U.S. Military Academy to create an institution devoted to the arts and sciences of warfare. This effectively eliminated America’s wartime reliance on foreign engineers and artillerists. West Point became the nation’s first engineering school and served as the model for engineering programs which were eventually established at other colleges. Col. Sylvanus Thayer, the “Father of the Military Academy,” served as Superintendent from 1817 through 1833. He upgraded academic standards, instilled military discipline and emphasized honorable conduct. Early graduates were largely responsible for the construction of the nation’s initial railway lines, bridges, harbors, and roads. Although the curriculum maintains its focus on engineering, in recent decades the program of instruction has markedly changed, providing cadets a selection of more than 40 majors. This tradition of academic and military excellence, guided by a demanding standard of moral and ethical conduct, remains the cornerstone of the West Point experience. It is said at West Point that “much of the history we teach was made by those people we taught.” The Academy has produced famous leaders throughout its illustrious past…Civil War Generals Grant, Sherman, Lee, and Jackson, to name but a few. In World War I, 34 of the 38 corps and division commanders were graduates. World War II would see many graduates reach brigadier general or higher, to include Eisenhower, MacArthur, Bradley and Patton. In more recent conflicts, MacArthur, Ridgway, Westmoreland, Abrams, Schwarzkopf and Abizaid were in command. Academy graduates have also excelled in air and space exploration, and countless others went on from military service to become leaders in medicine, law, business, religion and science. Since its founding, the Military Academy fulfills the same mission as it always has . . . to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets. It accomplishes this mission by developing cadets in three essential areas: intellectual, physical and military. These developmental paths are balanced and fully integrated into the daily life of each young man and woman at the Academy. Intellectual growth is fostered through an academic curriculum that provides a broad liberal education in the arts and sciences. The electives program builds upon the foundation of the core, allowing cadets to develop even greater competence in selected areas. In addition, the fields-of-study and majors nurture the development of creativity, critical thinking, and self-directed learning, essential characteristics of 21st century officers. The four-year academic experience leads to a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army. Physical development is achieved through a rigorous athletic and physical education program. Each cadet participates at the intercollegiate, club or intramural level each semester. This readies the cadet for the physical demands of military life and helps teach good judgment and
NCAA QUALIFIER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2004-PRESENT) • 2005 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Army Rifle In The Community Army’s rifle team falls in line with the rest of West Point’s varsity teams when it comes to visibility in the community. The Black Knights take great pride in reaching out to youth as well as well as serving as role modes. This fall the team participated at Black Knights Alley, a family fun zone prior to Army home football games, as they participated in face paining. Army’s cadet-athletes have a uniqueness about them, which makes them ideal role models for today’s youth.
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2009-10 ARMY RIFLE SCHEDULE OCTOBER 3 at Jacksonville State 16 NORTH CAROLINA STATE* 18 NEBRASKA* 31 at Mississippi*
8 a.m. 2 p.m. 9 a.m. 8 a.m.
NOVEMBER 1 vs. Memphis* at Oxford, Miss. 8 a.m. 7 PRESIDENT’S TROPHY MATCH 9 a.m. 14 at West Virginia* 8 a.m. DECEMBER 6 COAST GUARD JANUARY 16 KENTUCKY* 24 at Palmyra Tournament vs. Ohio State 29 NRA Sectionals (Philadelphia, Pa.)
FEBRUARY 6 at Navy 13 USP (NCAA Qualifier) 20 GARC Championships (Oxford, Miss.) 21 GARC Championships (Oxford, Miss.) MARCH 12 NCAA Championships (Fort Worth, Texas) 13 NCAA Championships (Fort Worth, Texas)
9 a.m. 9 a.m 9 a.m. 2 p.m.
*GARC Match HOME MATCHES IN CAPS All Times Eastern
8 a.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m. TBA TBA