LONDON (Army News Service, July 29, 2012) – U.S. service members were among more than 10,000 Olympians from across the world who marched into Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of Olympiad XXX on July 27.
Sixteen U.S. military athletes and four coaches are representing the United States in six different sporting venues: shooting, fencing, boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, track and field and the modern pentathlon.
Visit  www.defense.gov/home/features/2012/0712_olympics/
For stories, pictures and biographies.

The London 2012 Opening Ceremony officially opens the Summer Olympic Games on July 27 at Olympic Stadium in London.

U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs

By Gary Sheftick and Tim Hipps
U.S. Army Public Affairs

---

ARMY MEN GO UNDEFEATED FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR, AIR FORCE DOMINATES WOMEN’S COMPETITION

Naval Station Great Lakes, IL – The All-Army Men’s Indoor Volleyball Team went undefeated and struck gold at the 2012 Armed Forces Championship for the second straight year.  This year, Army posted a prefect 6-0 record and managed to lose only two sets in the entire Championship.  Remarkably, the team only lost three sets in the 2011 Armed Forces Championship.

Army players filled four of the six positions on the All Tournament Team. Specialist Abraham Kauhane (defensive specialist) of the Hawaii National Guard; Sergeant Bryan Allen (setter) of the California National Guard; Sergeant Joe Rossetter (outside hitter) Ohio Army Reserves; and Staff Sergeant Kevin Franz (outside hitter) of Fort Leonard Wood, MO were all honored.  Air Force Second Lieutenant Mark Harris (outside hitter) of Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH and Technical Sergeant Jessie Denton (middle blocker) of Joint Base Lewis McCord, WA rounded out this year’s six-man, All-Tournament team.

The Air Force captured the men’s silver medal.  Only three Service teams competed at the Armed Forces Men’s Indoor Championship, as the Navy was not able to field a team.  Army’s Head Coach Sergeant Angel Rivera of Yongsan, Korea earned the right to coach the Armed Forces Men’s Indoor Volleyball Team at the 2012 CISM Invitational, 9-17 July in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

In the Armed Forces Women’s Championship Airman First Class Meghan Hass of Aviano, Air Force Base, Italy, led Air Force to a perfect 6-0 record as they dethroned Army to win the gold. Good hitters and good defense was the key for the Air Force.

Airman First Class Hass and teammate Captain Elizabeth Hoeltje (defensive specialist) also of Aviano Air Force Base, Italy both made the All-Tournament Team.  They were joined by Coast Guard Lieutenant Christine Rostowfski (setter) of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Army Specialist Alona Brinson (middle blocker) of Hunter Army Air Field, GA; Marine Corps First Lieutenant Jessie Sims (outside hitter) of Albany NY; and Army Second Lieutenant Alysia Franco (outside hitter) of Fort Bragg, NC.  

Army posted two key match victories over Navy to win the silver medal. Air Force Women’s Head Coach Senior Master Sergeant Jeffery Barrow of Gowen Field, ID will coach the Armed Forces Women’s Indoor Volleyball Team in the 2012 CISM World Military Championship, 9-17 July in Amsterdam, Netherlands.   

Check out photos and more at www.facebook.com/armedforcessports

By Mr. Ken Polk, Armed Forces Sports

AIR FORCE WOMEN CONTINUE TRIATHLON DOMINANCE, NAVY MEN RETURN TO TOP OF PODIUM

NB Ventura County, CA – The sun was out and shining on the competitors of the 2012 Armed Forces Triathlon Championship, hosted by Naval Base Ventura County, CA on 23 June. Athletes from across the branches of Service competed in the 16th annual Armed Forces Triathlon Championship and the 12th in a row hosted by Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu. The Armed Forces Triathlon Championship is an Olympic distance race, where competitors compete in a 1500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, and 10-kilometer run.

The United States Air Force Women continued their dominance capturing their 4th consecutive title since 2009. Along the way, Capt Kathy Rakel (Luke AFB, AZ) brought her 3rd consecutive women’s individual gold medal. Sharing the women’s podium were Rakel’s Air Force teammates SSgt Jolene Wilinson (Gowen Field, ID) and Capt Stephanie Mitchell (Maxwell AFB, AL) earning the silver and bronze medals respectively.

On the men’s side, the Army dominated upfront placing two soldiers 1st and 2nd, but ultimately, the Army men placed 3rd. Army 1LT Nicholas Vandam (Fort Carson, CO) improved his 2011 bronze medal performance and took the gold with a time of 1:45:31. Next was Army 1LT Nicholas Sterghos (Fort Hood, TX) for the silver and Navy’s LT JG Derek Oskutis (Naval Outlying Field Imperial Beach, CA) for the bronze. While the Army started strong, Navy cruised to the team gold scoring four racers in the top ten and all in the top 20. The Navy men returned to the top of podium for the first time since 2009.

Joining the 2012 Armed Forces Triathlon Championship were the Canadian national military team, as they are preparing, along with the United States, for the 2012 Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Triathlon Championship in Lausanne, Switzerland from 22-26 August. The top available six men and six women from the Armed Forces Championship qualify for the United States Armed Forces Triathlon Team.

The 2012 team will consist of: Women: SSgt Jolene Wilkinson (USAF), Gowen Field, ID Capt Stephanie Mitchell (USAF), Maxwell AFB, AL 1LT Maia Paris (USA), Fort Bliss, TX LCDR Colleen O'Connor (USN), NAB North Island, CA Capt Justine Whipple (USMC), HQMC Quantico, VA

Men: 1LT Nicholas Vandam (USA), Fort Carson, CO 1LT Nicholas Sterghos (USA), Fort Hood, TX LT JG Derek Oskutis (USN), Naval Outlying Field Imperial Beach, CA LT JG Kyle Hooker (USN), NAS Whidbey Island, WA CS2 Samuel Dannenbring (USN), NOSC Denver, CO Capt Ken Corigliano (USAF), Cannon AFB, NM

2012 Armed Forces Triathlon Women's Results:

Individual:
Rakel, Kathy Capt, USAF, 1:59:54
Wilkinson, Jolene SSgt, USAF, 2:05:19
Mitchell, Stephanie Capt, USAF, 2:08:16

Team:
1st – USAF, 17 pts
2nd – USMC, 36 pts
3rd – Navy, 42 pts
4th – Army, 47 pts
*displacement scoring used for final team results

Mens’s:

Individual:
1st: Vandam, Nicholas 1LT, Army, 1:45:31
2nd: Sterghos, Nicholas 1LT, Army, 1:47:12
3rd: Oskutis, Derek LT JG, Navy, 1:48:56

Team:
1st – Navy, 71 pts
2nd – USAF, 92 pts
3rd – Army, 127 pts
4th – USMC, 132 pts
*displacement scoring used for final team results

By Steven Dinote, Armed Forces Sports

Photos provided by Brigitta Bruehl, All-Army Sports

---

“TEAM USA COMPETES AT THE CISM WOMEN’S MILITARY WORLD SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP”

Warendorf, Germany – The United States Women’s Armed Forces Soccer team is competing in the 2012 Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Women’s Soccer Championship hosted by the German Delegation in the beautiful city of Warendorf, Germany. 

Team USA is made up of women from across the branches of Service.  During a two-week trial/training camp held at MacDill AFB, FL; the US women headed across the ocean for the 8th edition of the CISM Women’s Soccer Championship from 18-30 June.

Below are articles highlighting the action throughout the tournament.

DUELS BETWEEN NEIGHBORS

(By Helge Stuckenberg/Carsten Koslowski) Warendorf, Germany - The qualifying matches for the places 5 - 8 were characterized by derbies: in Warendorf, the Netherlands played against Belgium while the USA faced Canada in Ostbevern. As expected, the favorites prevailed in both cases: The Netherlands won 3 - 1 and the USA succeeded with a score of 2 - 0.

First tournament goal for Belgium 

In the first match for the 5 - 8 places, the Dutch team defeated its neighbor from Belgium by 3 - 1.  In the first half, the spectators that had gathered in the stadium of the Sports School saw a tenacious fight with Oranje being the predominant team that, however, found the compactly acting Belgian defense a hard nut to crack. Torny de Kok and their team mates were not able to capitalize on the chances they had. 

In the second half, Belgium even had the chance to take the lead, but Daisy Ryckmann who was brilliantly set free by her team mates misses the mark. This had dire consequences later on, because the Netherlands were able to decide the match in their favor within four (!) minutes: First, Jessica Torny safely slid a low pass from the right side into the net (57th), then only two minutes later, she scored again with a header after a cross from the left, and finally, Natalie Donkersloot hit the goal and increased the score to 3 - 0 (60th).

The matter had been settled, but the encounter still had one highlight to offer: In the 77th minute, the Belgian team, unfairly stopped during a counter-attack, was awarded a free-kick, which was scooped into the net by Sofie Sarlet. The high and unreachable shot meant that the Belgians, in their fourth match, had scored their first goal of the tournament.

Delaney Brown makes the difference

In the second clash between neighbors, the USA had the upper hand against Canada. In a relatively one-sided match, the USA was not able to convert their superiority as players into compelling chances to score a goal. Consequently, they would have had no reason to complain if the Canadians had scored a goal, whoch of course would have changed the course of the match entirely: In the 37th minute, Leanne Fomenko escaped her opponent in what was Canada's only real chance to score, and shot the ball from 16 meters distance. The US goalkeeper Elizabeth Reed, however, was able to parry the shot.

The fact that the American victory remained unchallenged was mainly due to Delaney Brown. Time and again, the American number 10 caused dangerous situations by making clever passes and in standard situations. In the 41st minute, the Canadians were not able to clear after her free kick, which led to Wendy Emminger scoring the opener from 10 meters distance. Of course there was a little bit of luck involved since her shot was deflected beyond reach. After a corner by Brown, Rachael Emory's header only hit the inside of the left goal post in the 57th minute. Only seconds later, Sarah Thomas failed against the Canadian goalkeeper Chantel Marson who was able to direct the shot to the right post this time. When nobody was expecting further actions anymore, Brown herself dotted the i and crossed the T of the deserved yet dull American victory by scoring with a brilliant free kick from more than 20 meters distance in the 88th minute.

The Netherlands thus take on the USA in the match for the 5th place on June 28th, while Belgium will be up against Canada in the match for the 7th place on the same day.

A NIGHTMARE CALLED KATIA

 (By Carsten Koslowski) If some of the players of the US team had a restless night after their match against Brazil, their bad dreams might have had a real name: Katia Cilene. In Brazil’s 5 – 0 victory, the forward almost single-handedly brought down their opponent with four strikes – among them a flawless hat-trick in the first half – thus putting an end to USA’s dream of reaching the semi-finals. By the forward’s “one-woman show”, Brazil safely won Group B and will be meeting the Republic of Korea in the semi-finals.

About a quarter-hour after the start of the match, the rain in Beelen’s Neumühlenstadion abated noticeably. As if this would have been their attack signal, the Brazilians turned up the heat and already decided the game for themselves within the next half hour. The US girls who were positioned quite well initially and even got their first chance to score by Raegan McDowell were now caught by surprise. Thanks to the accuracy of the Brazilian forward Katia, the match was practically decided by the half-time break.

The first strike

For 10 minutes, the match was characterized by the two teams carefully getting a feel for each other. When McDowell, after a beautiful individual performance over the right side, came into a shooting position and only narrowly missed the goal, this seemed to be a wake-up call for Brazil. Only three minutes later, the exceptional forward Katia had her first strike. Credit must be given to her goal keeper Luana whose goal kick presented the ball on a plate to the forward whose opponent misjudged its trajectory. Katia initially failed against the splendid reaction of US keeper Elizabeth Reed but managed to net the ball with a follow-up shot via the inside of the left post. A US player’s attempt to clear the ball off the line came too late.

Adding insult to injury

During this scene, US player Rachael Emory was injured so badly that she had to be substituted by Christin Brodie after several minutes of treatment on the sideline. When Brodie entered the field, the score already was 2 – 0. The Brazilians had taken advantage of the opponent’s lower numbers with stone-cold efficiency. During a fast attack of the South Americans, Emory was missing in the defense line, Katia was set free brilliantly and unstoppably hammered the ball into the upper left corner from eight meters distance (18th minute).

The USA needed some time to recover from this double strike. It was not until half an hour later when they started to attack their opponent’s penalty area again but Amanda Messinger’s lob was not good enough for Brazil’s keeper Luana. They US did not really find their way back into the game, even playmaker Delaney Brown was hardly able to shine with her fast long passes as she did against Belgium. Thus, the offense was missing those surprising moments needed to threaten the Brazilian defense.

Katia scores and scores

The last doubts as to how the match might end were again removed by Katia two minutes before the break. After US keeper Reed had performed another outstanding save, this time against Natalia who had been set free nicely, Katia stood exactly where a striker is supposed to stand and tapped in the ball achieving a hat-trick and a 3 – 0 half-time lead.

In the second half, Brazil only did what was necessary while the US girls struggled hard but were unable to create enough forward momentum. After Josiele’s volley was stopped by the fantastically reacting Reed (49th minute) and a header of the lively winger Jane only hit the bar (63rd minute), the goal getter on duty had to get involved once more: Katia headed the 4 – 0 after a free kick in the 70th minute. Following this, the forward who has scored eight goals in this tournament so far was substituted under the applause of the approximately 250 spectators. The US girls probably weren’t too sad about that.

US keeper saved half a dozen

Brazil’s remaining players then showed that they also function without their prolific scorer by even scoring a 5 – 0 in the 77th minute. After a free kick into the US penalty area, Tatiane kept her cool and achieved the final result by a low drop kick. However, also keeper Elizabeth Reed, the best US player on this afternoon, was able to excel once more: In the 82nd minute, she saved a penalty resulting from a foul on Maria Rita by Courtney Day. The Brazilians most likely didn’t care much about this that day.

Brazil wins Group B and will be facing off against the Republic of Korea in Ostbevern on the 26th of June 2012 at 19:00 hrs. Coming in third in their group, the USA will initially be facing off against Canada in the classification matches for the 5th-8th place in the same stadium on the same day at 16:30 hrs. 

EMMINGER BREAKS INTO BELGIUM'S STRONGHOLD

(By Carsten Koslowski)  The US team has kept its chances alive to reach the semi-finals of group B by scoring a 3 – 0 victory against Belgium. The spectators in the idyllically-situated Neumühlenstadion at Beelen saw a US team that dominated the whole match and made a lot of goal scoring chances. Belgium put up a great fight to limit the damage, but didn't really stand a chance and could consider itself lucky to receive only three goals.

After a surprising 0 – 3 against France in the first group stage match, the US team was bound to win. That's why they started the match in an offensive manner of play against an opponent who apparently did not want to get run over as in the first group stage match against Brazil. That the Belgian team really managed to do so, however, was mainly due to the American insufficiency to capitalize on clear scoring chances and the performance of the Belgian goalkeeper Mélissa Houbotte.

Terrific first half time

Already after 120 seconds, Randee Farrell was able to get past the Belgian defense quite easily, but was stopped in the last nick of time by a rather rough but still fair action. This set the course for the match: The American players besieged the Belgian goal, very often by long passes kicked by the outstanding Delaney Brown and made their chances nearly with each passing minute, whereas the Belgian team around captain Yorka Vuye put up a strong bulwark of defense against them and fought fiercely for every single ball.

The US girls failed to decide the game at an early stage and were denied by the Belgian goalkeeper or got into their own way on several occasions. The clearest chance was wasted by Rachael Emory, who was brilliantly set free by Farrell in the 17th minute, but missed the empty goal. After several futile attempts, the stronghold was broken into by Wendy Emminger's header. Once again, the US player approached the Belgian goalkeeper alone, but this time she kept her cool, took the goalkeeper for a ride and scored the overdue 1 - 0.

Early decision in the second half

It was almost surprising how quickly the Americans sealed the deal in the second half time after failing to do so a dozen times in the first half. Immediately after entering the match after the starting whistle for the second half-time, Kirsten Laraway scored the 2 - 0 with a fulminant distance shot - a preliminary decision. In the 57 th minute, Courtney Day headed the ball into the goal and sealed the deal. Belgium was defeated. Now the game increasingly lost its momentum, which did not keep the US girls from making further top-class scoring chances. However, they did not manage to get past Houbotte in the opponent's goal who scattered several good scoring chances. The Belgian team that put up a great fight could thank their goalkeeper that the result stayed within reason.

Keeping chances alive to reach the semi-final

With an unchallenged 3 – 0 victory, the American players kept their chances alive to reach the semi-final. In the last group stage match in Beelen on 24th of June at 17.00 hrs, they now will face Brazil that is at the top of the table.

GROUP B: FRANCE BEATS USA 3-0

(By Helge Stuckenberg) (20-6-2012) The second match of Group B, staged at „Stadtstadion Warendorf“, saw France clearly beating the USA 3-0. The French team, spurred on by the excellent playmaker Salma Amani (EA Guingamp), already opened the score in the 6th minute when Laetitia Mariani exploited a blunder from the US defense and sent the ball in high at the far post.

As the first half went on, the quick and agile French players, who time and again were able to break through on the wings, continued to retain control of the game, but were not able to convert their superiority into further goals. Neither a far-range shot fired by Laura Pichonnier nor a Salma Amani solo did bring about the 2-0.

After the break, the supporters of the two teams – small in number but extremely vociferous – saw essentially the same action taking place: France had more possession, while the USA relied on sporadic counterattacks to create danger. Thus, it did not come as a surprise when Ingrid Pinto (56’), following some great link-up play, extended the lead with a low shot from short range.

Afterwards, the US team put up a better effort and was awarded some set pieces from dangerous positions but in the end still had to concede the 3-0: Laura Pichonnier (75’) used a cross from the left to head in and settle the final score, capitalizing on an error by US keeper Elizabeth Reed.
The entire team of France put up a convincing performance. Provided they retain their form, they must be considered a serious title contender, with the potential to keep up with the brilliant football displayed by Brazil and the Republic of Korea in their respective opening matches.

Click here for photos of Group B matches.

Warendor, Germany – The United States Women’s Armed Forces Soccer team has arrived in Germany to compete in the 8th CISM Women’s Military World Soccer Championship.

The Armed Forces Women’s Soccer trial camp was held at MacDill AFB, FL from 7-17 June. After two weeks of trials and training, Team USA arrived in Warendorf on the 18th of June. 

Team USA Roster: 

Major Randee Farrell, US Military Academy, New York ARMY
Captain Delaney Brown, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, ARMY
Captain Courtney Day, JB Charleston, South Carolina USAF
Captain Wendy Emminger, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey USAF
Captain Geralyn Hall, Albuquerque MEPS, Albuquerque, New Mexico ARMY
Captain Anna Lebo, Fort Carson, Colorado ARMY
Captain Reagan McDowell, JB Lewis-McChord, Washington USAF
Captain Brittney Perkowski, US Air Force Academy, Colorado USAF
Captain Sarah Thomas, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois USAF
Captain Michelle Veach, Greensburg Recruiting Company, Greensburg, Pennsylvania USAF
First Lieutenant Christin Brodie, Ramstein Air Base, Germany USAF
First Lieutenant Rachael Emory, Soto Cano, SOUTHCOM USAF
Lieutenant Junior Grade Kristen  Laraway, San Diego, California NAVY
First Lieutenant Amanda Messinger, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey USAF
First Lieutenant Celine Ziobro, Creech Air Force Base, Nevada USAF
Ensign Kathryn Kelly, Washington DC NAVY
Ensign Elizabeth Reed, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts NAVY
Airman First Class Elaine Green, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware USAF

Head Coach:  Agustine Mendez, Converse, Texas
Assistant Coach:  Captain Jamie L. Andrews, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii

Team Captain:  Sharla K. Alexander, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida
Chief of Mission:  LTC Anthony Johnson, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
Team Doctor:  Captain Jeanne Patzkowski, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
Team Trainer:  Chief Master Sergeant Kevin Davalos, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina
Match Delegate Captain Melinda M. Breiding, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

---

“USAF WOMEN AND ARMY MEN BOWL THEIR WAY TO OVERALL TEAM GOLD”

From Left to right: Mr. Ken Polk - Armed Forces Sports; SSG Allan Smith – Schweinfurt, Germany; CPT Vincent Gothard – Ft Bragg, NC; Coach Don D. Aguilar – Ft Bliss, TX; SPC Adam Ahmad – USAR (also All Events Men’s Individual – Silver); 1SG Thomas Wynne – Ft Hood, TX

Lackland AFB, TX - The Skylark Lanes was filled with bowlers from across the Services to compete at the 2012 Armed Forces Bowling Championship 14-18 May at Lackland AFB, TX. The Air Force Women cruised their way to overall gold throughout the tournament by knocking down 19,328 pins.  The Marines took silver, followed by the Army and Navy.  Overall women’s champion was Capt Danielle Crowder (USAF) with 5,069 pins.  MSgt Wanda Volpp from the Marine Corps earned silver with 4,832 pins; with USAF TSgt Kristin Odekirk knocking down 4,820 pins. 

On the Men’s side, the Army led by over 600 pins on their way to gold.  USAF squeezed by the Navy for silver, with the USMC Men placing fourth.  USAF SMSgt Marty Bedford captured gold with 5,646 pins.  Army’s SPC Adam Ahmad grabbed silver by bowling a total of 5,532 pins.  Navy’s DC2 Mike Zyllus took bronze with 5,353 pins. 

The Marine Corps will host next year’s championship in 2013, with the site to be announced soon.  The Armed Forces Bowling Championships have been competed for over 40 years.  For more information please visit www.armedforcesports.com or check us out on Facebook at, www.facebook/armedforcessports. 

Complete 2012 Bowling Results:

Men's Team Challenge Event (6 Games)
1st place Air Force 5503 pins
2nd place Navy 5497 pins
3rd place Army 5489 pins
4th place USMC 5098 pins

Women's Team Challenge Event (6 Games)
1st place Air Force 4891 pins
2nd place USMC 4408 pins
3rd place Army 4122 pins
4th place Navy 1979 pins

Men’s Doubles Competition (6 Games)
1st place (Navy) CW03 Joe Gomez and DC2 Mike Zyllus, 2891 pins
2nd place (Army) SPC Adam Ahmad and SSG Allan Smith 2761 pins
3rd place (USAF) SMSgt Marty Bedford and SMSgt Randy Lightsey 2638 pins

Women’s Doubles Competition (6 Games)
1st place (Air Force) Kristin Odekirk and Capt Danielle Crowder 2639 pins
2nd place (USMC) MSgt Wanda Volpp and LCpl Denna Goddard 2257 pins
3rd place (USAF) MSgt Annette Gagarin and SSgt Natasha Sanchez 2245 pins

Mixed Doubles Competition (6 Games)
1st place (Air Force) Capt Danielle Crowder and SMSgt Marty Bedford 2585 pins
2nd place (Air Force) TSgt Kristin Odekirk and SMSgt Randy Lightsey 2505 pins
3rd place (Army) SFC Waykisha Minottt and 1SGT Thomas Wynn 2378 pins

Men’s Singles Competition (6 Games)
1st place (Army) SPC Adam Ahmad 1507 pins
2nd place (Air Force) SMSgt Marty Bedford 1431 pins
3rd place (Air Force) SSgt Josh White 1380 pins

Women’s Singles Competition (6 Games)
1st place (Air Force) Capt Danielle Crowder 1286 pins
2nd place (Air Force) SSgt Natasha Sanchez 1226 pins
3rd place (USMC) MSgt Wanda Volpp 1221 pins

Men’s Armed Forces Championship All Events (Total Pins)
1st place (Air Force) SMSgt Marty Bedford 5646 pins
2nd place (Army) SPC Adam Ahmad 5532 pins
3rd place (Navy) DC2 Mike Zyllus 5353 pins

Women’s Armed Forces Championship All Events (Total Pins)
1st place (USAF) Capt Danielle Crowder 5069 pins
2nd place (USMC) MSgt Wanda Volpp 4832 pins
3rd place (Air Force) TSgt Kristin Odekirk 4820 pins

Men's Armed Forces Championship All Events Teams (Total Pins)
1st Place Army 21381 pins
2nd Place Air Force 20747 pins
3rd Place Navy 20666 pins
4th Place USMC 19649 pins

Women's Armed Forces Championship All Events Teams (Total Pins)
1st Place Air Force 19328 pins
2nd Place USMC 17363 pins
3rd Place Army 15655 pins
4th Place Navy 7610 pins

NAVY MEN AND WOMEN “3-PEAT”

LT Lucy Love, LT Heidi Miller, LT Mary Arvidson and LT Ashley Musser

Mayport, FL – The All-Navy Women took the stage as Navy Team-1 and Navy Team -2 captured the gold and silver medals at the 2012 Armed Forces Beach Volleyball Championship. 

Navy Team-1 led by LT Mary Arvidson (USCG Corpus Christi, TX) and LT Ashley Musser (USCG Pensacola, FL) won the “rubber-match” as they faced LT Lucy Love (Miami ISC, FL) and LT Heidi Miller (NAS Corpus Christi) from Navy Team-2.

In their first match on 12 April, Love and Miller defeated Arvidson and Musser 21-18, 18-21, and 15-12.  Arvidson and Musser took the rematch on 13 April winning 16-21, 21-18, and 15-13.  While both matches where close and drew excitement, it was Arvidson and Musser’s dominence that sealed the championship in the final match-up, taking the gold convincingly winning 21-19 and 21-14. 

LT Lucy Love, LT Heidi Miller, LT Mary Arvidson
and LT Ashley Musser

During the double round-robin tournament, Arvidson and Musser finished 5-1, with their only loss to Love and Miller. 

In the Women's consolation match the USAF (SrA Kristiana Scott and 2LT Katie Batchelder) defeated the USA (1LT Erin Leavitt and 1LT Alysia Franco) 18-21, 21-19 and 15-3.

On the Men’s side of the sand, If battling each other for the title “Armed Forces Champion” wasn’t enough for these two powerhouse teams, they also had to battle Mother Nature.

By the time the U.S Army and U.S. Navy Team-1 squared off for the championship, the winds were steady at 25 mph with gusts over 30 mph.  While both teams had to battle the elements, the veteran beach team of AWSCS Goings and LTJG Lanteigne (both from NAS Jacksonville, FL) prevailed to take the gold in a convincing 21-18 and 21-14 victory.

Army SGT Joe Rossetter and SGT Bryan Allen; Navy AWSCS John Goings and LTJG Austin Lanteigne

After losing the first match to Goings and Lanteigne in the double elimination tournament, Team Army’s SGT Joe Rossetter (Ohio Reserves) and SGT Bryan Allen (Kansas National Guard) made an impressive run from the “loser’s bracket” by first beating the USAF and USN2 teams to get back to the championship game. However, Goings and Lanteigne continued their dominance as they did throughout the tournament, which they did not lose a single game throughout the pool play or the double elimination tournament.

For complete photos, visit our Flickr site.

2012 ARMED FORCES MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

11-15 APRIL 2011
NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, FL

"NAVY MEN AND WOMEN SAIL TO GOLD"

MEN’S FINAL ROUND ROBIN STANDINGS

TEAMS		WON	LOSS
USN 1	4		0
USA	2		2
USAF	2		2
USN 2	2		2
USMC	0		4

14 APRIL RESULTS - MEN’S MODIFIED
DOUBLEL ELIMINATION CHAMPIONSHIP

Note: Top four round robin finishers qualified

(W1) AWSCS John Goings - LTJG Austin Lanteigne (USN1) def SGT Joe Rossetter - SGT Bryan Allen       (USA): 21-18, 21-19
(W2) MA3 Aaron Maosi - DC2 Zach Walden (USN2) def  Maj John Napier - LtCol Tom Klemas
      (USAF): 22-20, 18-21, 15-12
(W2) AWSCS John Goings - LTJG Austin Lanteigne (USN1) def MA3 Aaron Maosi - DC2 Zach Walden
      (USN 2):  21-13, 21-8
(L4) SGT Joe Rossetter - SGT Bryan Allen (USA) def Maj John Napier - LtCol Tom Klemas
      (USAF): 28-17
(L-5) SGT Joe Rossetter - SGT Bryan Allen (USA) def MA3 Aaron Maosi - DC2 Zach Walden
      (USN2): 30-28

(CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH) AWSCS John Goings - LTJG Austin Lanteigne
(USN1) def SGT Joe Rossetter - SGT Bryan Allen (USA): 21-18, 21-8

13 APRIL MEN’S ROUND ROBIN RESULTS

Maj John Napier - LtCol Tom Klemas (USAF) def MA3 Aaron Maosi - DC2 Zach Walden
      (USN2): 15-21, 21-15, 16-14
SGT Joe Rossetter - SGT Bryan Allen (USA) def Maj John Napier - LtCol Tom Klemas
     (USAF): 18-21, 21-15, 16-14
AWSCS John Goings - LTJG Austin Lanteigne (USN1) def CWO4 Shane Studor - Francisco Duenas
     (USMC): 21-9, 21-13
AWSCS John Goings - LTJG Austin Lanteigne (USN1) def MA3 Aaron Maosi - DC2 Zach Walden
     (USN 2):  21-13, 21-15
SGT Joe Rossetter - SGT Bryan Allen (USA) def CWO4 Shane Studor - Francisco Duenas
     (USMC):  21-13, 21-5

12 APRIL MEN’S ROUND ROBIN RESULTS

MA3 Aaron Maosi -DC2 Zach Walden (USN2) def CWO4 Shane Studor - Francisco Duanis
      (USMC): 24-22, 21-9
AWSCS John Goings - LTJG Austin Lanteigne (USN1) def Maj John Napler –Lt ColTom Klemas
      (USAF):  21-17, 21-8
Maj John Napler – Lt Col Tom Klemas (USAF) def CWO4 Shane Studor - Francisco Duanis
      (USMC):  21-7, 24-26, 15-8
MA3 Aaron Maosi - DC2 Zach Walden (USN2) def SGT Joe Rossetter - SGT Bryan Allen
      (USA): 21-14, 21-19  
AWSCS John Goings - LTJG Austin Lanteigne (USN1) def SGT Joe Rossetter - SGT Bryan Allen
      (USA): 21-15, 21-15

 WOMEN’S FINAL ROUND ROBIN STANDINGS

TEAMS		WON	LOSS
USN 1	5		0
USN 2	3		3
USA	2		4
USAF	2		4

14 APRIL WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

(Consolation Match)  SrA Kristiana Scott – 2d Lt Katie Batchelder (USAF) def 1LT Erin Leavitt - 1LT Alysia Franco (USA): 18-21, 21-19, 15-3

(CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH)  LT Mary Arvidson - LT Ashley Musser (USN1) def LT Lucy Love - LT Heidi Miller (USN2):  21-19, 21-14

13 APRIL WOMEN’S ROUND ROBIN RESULTS

LT Lucy Love - LT Heidi Miller (USN 2) def SrA Kristiana Scott - 2d Lt Katie Batchelder
        (USAF): 21-14, 21-17
 LT Mary Arvidson - LT Ashley Musser (USN1) def 1LT Erin Leavitt -1LT Alysia Franco
        (USA): 21-12, 25-23
LT Mary Arvidson - LT Ashley Musser (USN1) def LT Lucy Love-LT Heidi Miller
        (USN 2): 21-16, 18-21, 15-13
1LT Erin Leavitt -1LT Alysia Franco (USA) def SrA Kristiana Scott -2d Lt Katie Batchelder
        (USAF):  21-19, 21-5
1LT Erin Leavitt -1LT Alysia Franco (USA) def LT Lucy Love - LT Heidi Miller
        (USN 2): 10-21, 21-18, 15-12
LT Mary Arvidson - LT Ashley Musser (USN1) def SrA Kristiana Scott – 2d Lt Katie Batchelder
        (USAF):  21-6, 21-14

12 APRIL WOMEN’S ROUND ROBIN RESULTS

SrA Kristiana Scott -2d Lt Katie Batchelder (USAF) def LT Lucy Love - LT Heidi Miller
      (USN2): 12-21, 21-16 15-11
 LT Mary Arvidson - LT Ashley Musser (USN1) def 1LT Erin Leavitt - 1LT Alysia Franco
       (USA): 21-13, 21-15
 SrA Kristiana Scott – 2d Lt Katie Batchelder (USAF) def 1LT Erin Leavitt - 1LT Alysia Franco
       (USA): 13-21, 21-18, 15-13
LT Lucy Love - LT Heidi Miller (USN2) def LT Mary Arvidson - LT Ashley Musser
       (USN1): 21-18, 18-21, 15-12
LT Mary Arvidson -LT Ashley Musser (USN1) def SrA Kristiana Scott – 2n Lt Katie Batchelder
       (USAF): 21-15, 21-15
LT Lucy Love - LT Heidi Miller (USN2) def 1LT Erin Leavitt - 1LT Alysia Franco
       (USA) 21-10, 21-13

Team Rosters

Branch Team	Duty Station	Home Town
USMC Men
MSgt Francisco Duenas	Blount Island, FL	Riverside, CA
CWO4 Shane Studer	MCAS Cherry Point, NC	Toledo, OH
USAF Men
Lt Col Thomas Klemas	Wright-Patterson AFB	Newark, DE
Maj John Napier	Northern AZ University	Akron, OH
Army Men
SGT Joe Rossetter	Ohio Reserve	Columbus, OH
SGT Bryan Allen	Kansas National Guard	San Diego, CA
Navy Men Team-1
AWRCS John Goings	NAS Jacksonville, FL	Columbus, OH
LTJG Austin Lanteigne	NAS Jacksonville, FL	San Diego, CA
Navy Men Team-2
MA3 Aaron Maosi	Cape May TC	Virginia Beach, VA
DC2 Zach Walden	Norfolk Naval Shipyard	Virginia Beach, VA
Navy Men’s Coach
Shane Brewington		Winston Salem, NC

Branch Team	Duty Station	Home Town
USAF Women
2nd Lt Katie Batchelder	Travis AFB, CA	Chico, CA
SrA Kristiana Scott	Fort Riley, KS	Davis Monthan, AZ
Army Women
1LT Erin Leavitt	Fort Bragg, NC	Flossmorr, IL
2LT Alysia Franco	Fort Bragg, NC	Kingwood, TX
Navy Women Team-1
LT Mary Arvidson	USCG Corpus Christi, TX	Tyler, TX
LT Ashley Musser	USCG Pensacola, FL	Industry, PA
Navy Women Team-2
LT Heidi Miller	NAS Corpus Christi, TX	El Paso, TX
LT Lucy Love	Miami ISC, FL	Santa Monica, CA
Navy Women Coach
Maria Stutsman Y Marquez		Tucumcari, NM
Navy Athletic Trainer
Sarah Newman	NB San Diego, CA	Milwaukee, WI

Information provided by Mr. James Senn, Chief, Navy Sports

Navy Women sink Army, Capture
Armed Forces Basketball Gold

Tyndall AFB, FL – After dropping their first game against the Army, the All-Navy Women persevered through the round-robin earning their first shot at the championship since 2010. 

As the teams concluded the double round robin preliminary games, the Army and Navy were mathematically in the lead to compete for the title.  In the 2010 championship game, Army bested the Navy 56-53.  As the stage was set and the Army entered the championship game plagued with injuries, the Navy women fought down to the final seconds defeating the Army 73-71 to win their first Armed Forces Title since 2009.

“There were some returning players from the 2010 team…” said Navy Head Coach Tonya Strobridge (NAS Sigonella, Italy).  “The team was determined wanted revenge.  We came in with the attitude, one-team/one-goal…and took the games day-by-day.”

The Navy took a commanding lead into halftime, but the Army women stayed alive and closed the gap.  “The first loss to the Army was an eye opener,” said Strobridge, “we started out with high expectations and believed that we could win the championship…After giving up the lead from halftime, we pulled together and held off to win.”

The defending champion Air Force team played the Marine Corps in the Consolation Game, defeating the Marines 72-66.  The Air Force finished third with a record of 4-3. 

The 2012 Armed Forces Championship was held at Tyndall AFB, FL 24 March – 1 April.  Teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy/Coast Guard, and Air Force arrived from across the country to compete in the annual championship.  In addition to earning bragging rights of who the best team is, the Armed Forces Championship is also used to determine the U.S. Armed Forces Team that will compete in the 2012 31st National Women’s Pro Am Championship, 12-15 April 2012 in Las Vegas, NV. 

Coach Strobridge and her assistant coach, Ms. Sandra Williams (Navy), NAS Pensacola, FL; will lead the U.S. Armed Forces Team at the National Women’s Pro Am Championship.  Strobridge briefed the Armed Forces Team that consists of 12 players from across the Services, “good teammates get everyone involved…you are no longer playing for just the Army, the Navy, Air Force, or Marines.  You are playing for the name on the front, which is the All-Armed Forces Team.  It’s all about the team now”

The Armed Forces Sports Program (AFS) provides an avenue for military Service members to participate in national and international competitions. The Program promotes goodwill among the Armed Services through sports and encourages physical fitness by promoting a highly competitive sports program.  For more information visit  www.armedforcessports.com and visit us on facebook.com/armedforcessports. 

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

SPC Ashley Bowman (Army), Fort Meade, MD
SSgt Tiffanie Guthrie (Air Force), Elmendorf AFB, AK
SGT Shaquina Mosley (Army), Fort Hood, TX
YN2 Syreeta Bromfield (Navy-USCG), USCG National Pollution Funds Center, Kingston, Jamaica
SSG April Cromartie-Golden (Army), Fort Knox, KY

2012 ALL ARMED FORCES TEAM

NOTE: Members of the team were selected based on performance and availability. The team will represent the U.S. Armed Forces in the 31st National women’s Pro Am Championship, 12-15 April 2012 in Las Vegas, NV.

SPC Kimberly Smith (Army), Fort Lee, VA
SPC Michelle Ambuul (Army), Fort Polk, LA
PFC Kenya Howard (Army), Fort Carson, CO
SSG April Cromartie-Golden (Army), Fort Know, KY
YN2 Syreeta Bromfield (Navy-USCG), USCG National Pollution Funds Center, Kingston, Jamaica
MASN Kenyatta Gatlin (Navy), Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
ENS Rebecca Grimes (Navy-USCG), USCG Sector New Orleans
ENS Angela Myers (Navy), USS Shiloh
LTJG Jen Schumacher (Navy), Naval Nuclear Power Training Command
Pfc Joana Switzer (Marine Corps), MCAS Cherry Point, NC
SSgt Tiffanie Guthrie (Air Force), Elmendorf, AFB, AK
SrA Denasha Mondy (Air Force), Elmendorf, AFB, AK
HEAD COACH: Mrs. Tonya Strobridge (Navy), NAS Sigonella, Italy
ASSISTANT COACH: Ms. Sandra Williams (Navy), NAS Pensacola, FL
OFFICER IN CHARGE: Mr. Richard Byers (Air Force), Tyndall AFB, FL
TRAINER: TBD

Complete results:

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - 31 MAR 12
Navy def Army 73-71

HALFTIME: Navy 42 - Army 34
NAVY SCORING: YN2 Syreeta Bromfield (USCG) 33; LTJG Jen Schumacher (Navy
Nuclear Pwr Trng Cmd) 15; ENS Rebecca Grimes (USCG) 11
ARMY SCORING: PFC Kenya Howard (Ft Carson) 14; SPC Ashley Bowman (Ft Meade)
12; SPC Nikkisha Prichett (Ft Benning) 10

CONSOLATION GAME – 31 MAR 12
 Air Force def Marine Corps 72-66

HALFTIME: Air Force 35 - Marine Corps 27
AIR FORCE SCORING: SSgt Tiffanie Guthrie (Elmendorf AFB) 15; Capt Monica
Mason (Ramstein AFB) 15; SSgt Tashera Chisolm (Ramstein AFB) 10; SrA Ricka
Spears (Travis AFB) 10
MARINE CORPS SCORING: 2ndLt Kay Childers (MALS-13 Yuma) 16; Pfc Joana Switzer
(MCAS Cherry Point) 12; Sgt Charlene Lewis (29 Palms) 11

FINAL ROUND ROBIN STANDINGS

                                     WON       LOST
ARMY                           5                1

NAVY                            4                2

AIR FORCE                 3                3

MARINE CORPS       0                6

ROUND ROBIN RESULTS

25 MAR 12

*Navy def Marine Corps 82-50
HALFTIME: Navy 40 - Marine Corps 20
NAVY SCORING: LTJG Jen Schumacher (Navy Nuclear Pwr Trng Cmd) 21; YN2
Syreeta Bromfield (USCG) 13; AN Sierra Goldwire (VFA 195 Atsugi, Japan) 11;
ENS Rebecca Grimes (USCG) 10
MARINE CORPS SCORING: Sgt Charlene Lewis (29 Palms) 13; 2ndLt Kay
Childers (MALS-13 Yuma) 11

*Army def Air Force 93-86 (ot)
HALFTIME: Air Force 41 - Army 37
ARMY SCORING: SPC Ashley Bowman (Ft Meade) 19; PFC Kenya Howard (Ft Carson)
17; SSG April Cromartie-Golden (Ft Knox) 17; SGT Shaquina Mosley (Ft Hood) 15; SPC Michelle Ambuul (Ft Polk) 13
AIR FORCE SCORING: SSgt Tiffanie Guthrie (Elmendorf AFB) 26; SSgt Tashera
Chisolm (Ramstein AFB) 25; 1stLt Kim Ktreke (Malstom AFB) 13

26 MAR 12
*Air Force def Marine Corps 77-33
HALFTIME: Air Force 39 - Marine Corps 19
AIR FORCE SCORING: SSgt Tiffanie Guthrie (Elmendorf AFB) 15
MARINE CORPS SCORING: 2ndLt Kay Childers (MALS-13 Yuma) 12

*Army def Navy 82-63
HALFTIME: Army 41 - Navy 35
ARMY SCORING: SPC Ashley Bowman (Ft Meade) 28; SSG April Cromartie-Golden (Ft
Knox)16; SGT Shaquina Mosley (Ft Hood) 13; SPC Kimberly Smith (Ft Lee) 10
NAVY SCORING: YN2 Syreeta Bromfield (USCG) 25; ENS Rebecca Grimes (USCG) 16

27 MAR 12
*Navy def Air Force 83-73
HALFTIME: Navy 34 - Air Force 34
NAVY SCORING: YN2 Syreeta Bromfield (USCG) 28; LTJG Jen Schumacher (Navy
Nuclear Pwr Trng Cmd) 21; MASN Chalecia Miles (Navy Weapons Station
Yorktown)14
AIR FORCE SCORING: Capt Monica Mason (Ramstein AFB) 32; SSgt Tiffanie
Guthrie (Elmendorf AFB) 13

*Army def Marine Corps 81-70
HALFTIME: Army 39 - Marine Corps 31
ARMY SCORING: SSG April Cromartie-Golden (Ft Knox) 14; SPC Ashley Bowman (Ft
Meade) 13; SGT Theasis Edmonds (Bamberg, Germany) 12; PFC Kenya Howard (Ft
Carson) 11
MARINE CORPS SCORING: Pfc Joana Switzer (MCAS Cherry Point) 20; Sgt Charlene
Lewis (29 Palms) 11

28 MAR 12
*Navy def Marine Corps 89-62
HALFTIME: Navy 42 - Marine Corps 25
NAVY SCORING: MA3 Monica Hall (NB Kitsap Bangor) 26; ENS Rebecca Grimes
(USCG) 14: LTJG Jen Schumacher (Navy Nuclear Pwr Trng Cmd) 12
MARINE CORPS SCORING: Pfc Joana Switzer (MCAS Cherry Point) 19; 2ndLt Kay
Childers (MALS-13 Yuma) 14

*Army def Air Force 75-71
HALFTIME: Army 40 - Air Force 28
ARMY SCORING: SPC Ashley Bowman (Ft Meade) 17; SSG April Cromartie-Golden (Ft
Knox) 16; SPC Michelle Ambuul (Ft Polk) 12; SGT Shaquina Mosley (Ft Hood) 11
AIR FORCE SCORING: SSgt Tashera Chisolm (Ramstein AFB) 19; SSgt Tiffanie
Guthrie (Elmendorf AFB) 19; Capt Monica Mason (Ramstein AFB) 10

29 MAR 12
*Air Force def Marine Corps 76-67
HALFTIME: Air Force 35 - Marine Corps 28
AIR FORCE SCORING: SSgt Tiffanie Guthrie (Elmendorf AFB) 16; SrA Denasha
Mondy (Elmendorf AFB) 12; A1C Tilah Worthy (Travis AFB) 10
MARINE CORPS SCORING: 2ndLt Kay Childers (MALS-13 Yuma) 15; SSgt Jeanette
Hogan (29 Palms) 15; LCpl Tierra Sewell (Camp Pendleton) 13; Pfc Joana
Switzer (MCAS Cherry Point) 11

*Navy def Army 62-58
HALFTIME: Navy 34 - Army 27
NAVY SCORING: AN Sierra Goldwire (Atsugi, Japan) 18; ENS Rebecca
Grimes(USCG) 16; ENS Angela Myers (USS Shiloh) 13
ARMY SCORING: SGT Shaquina Mosley (Ft Hood) 18

30 MAR 12
*Air Force def Navy 60-49
HALFTIME: Air Force 27 - Navy 17
AIR FORCE SCORING: SrA Willamina Folks (Macdill AFB) 17;
SSgt Tiffanie Guthrie (Elmendorf AFB) 16; SSgt Tashera Chisolm (Ramstein
AFB) 11
NAVY SCORING: LTJG Jen Schumacher (Navy Nuclear Pwr Trng Cmd) 12;
ENS Angela Myers (USS Shiloh) 11

*Army def Marine Corps 88-62
HALFTIME: Army 48 - Marine Corps 26
ARMY SCORING: SPC Michelle Ambuul (Ft Polk) 28; SPC Amber West (Camp
Humphries, Korea) 19; SPC Nikkisha Prichett (Ft Benning) 16
MARINE CORPS SCORING: Pfc Joana Switzer (MCAS Cherry Point) 20;

Cpl Sandra Sommerville (Camp Pendleton)

Info provided by Mr. Richard Byers, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL

Please read this privacy and security notice.

Comments or questions concerning our server?

SITEMAP

---