The Department of the Air Force Athlete of the Year is a yearly award for the best male and female athlete of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. Many winners were part of the United States Air Force World Class Athlete Program. Until 2021 it was named United States Air Force Athlete of the Year.
Men YearRankNameSport(s)1989 MajorSteven PecinovskyRace walking1990SergeantTodd Stehman Indoor volleyball1991 CaptainWilliam Burton Roy Shooting199219931994 CaptainMichael Buonaugurio Triathlon1995 Staff sergeantRonald SimmsBoxing1996 First LieutenantDavid DeGraaf Handball1997 CaptainMark T. Cucuzella Marathon Alt URL19981999 Second LieutenantRobert L. Dickie III Cross country running Track and Field2000 CaptainStephen Goodman Triathlon2001SergeantSteven B. Woods Wrestling2002 Staff sergeantAnthony D. Patrick Softball2003 CaptainKevin EastlerRace walking2004 CaptainJames Parker Hammer throwing2005 MajorRoger Sherman Shooting2006 Master sergeantMartin Bedford Bowling2007 Second LieutenantKen Corigliano Triathlon2008 Technical sergeantMichael Bergquist Road cycling2009 CaptainIan Holt Road cycling2010 CaptainJames Bales Triathlon2011 CaptainWeston Kelsey Fencing2012 Staff sergeantBradley T. Williams Triathlon2013 CaptainAscenzo Bonitati II Taekwondo2014 Lieutenant colonelBenjamin D. Boehm Rowing2015 Staff sergeantJohn H. Allen Baseball2016 First LieutenantCale Simmons Pole vault2017 MajorIan Holt -2- Road cycling2018 Second LieutenantJames Jax Baseball2019 CaptainAndrew Donlin Handball Beach handball2020 Airman first classMichael Mannozzi Racewalking2021 Staff sergeantJustin Southichack Jujutsu2022 Master sergeantKenneth Guinn Wheelchair rugby Wheelchair basketball Sitting volleyball2023 CaptainAndrew Donlin -2- Handball Beach handball Additionally William Burton Roy became 1991 Armed Forces Male Athlete of the Year
Women YearRankNameSport(s)1982OfficerGail Liberty Shooting1983to19901991 CaptainBarbara Faulkenberry Racquetball199219931994 CaptainTeresa R. Lewis Modern pentathalon19951996 Senior airmanDeena Wigger Shooting1997 Staff sergeantLori M. Eppard Marathon19981999 MajorKimberly J. Markland Marathon Cross country running Track and Field2000First or Second LieutenantNicole Mustilli Fencing2001 Second LieutenantSummer A. Deaton Volleyball2002 Second LieutenantKristy L. Kuhlman Soccer2003 First LieutenantLaura McDonald Rugby union Rugby sevens20042005 Staff sergeantTwyla Sears Softball2006 CaptainLinda Jeffery Golf20072008 Second LieutenantDana Pounds Javelin throwing2009 Master sergeantKarrie Warren Softball20102011 Airman first classEmily Shertzer Marathon2012 MajorElissa Ballas Marathon2013 Second LieutenantSamantha B. Morrison Triathlon2014 First LieutenantSara E. Holman Swimming2015 First LieutenantMagin A. Day Marathon Cross country running2016 CaptainPaige Blackburn Discus throwing Javelin throwing2017 CaptainAbby L. Hall Indoor volleyball2018 MajorAmy Natalini Marathon2019 MajorAndrea Matesick Equestrian2020 CaptainAmber Hansen Weightlifting2021 Airman first classKelly Curtis Skeleton2022 Technical sergeantEvon Pennington Bodybuilding2023 First LieutenantRose Smith Triathlon
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