Academy gymnastics releases 2010 schedule

  • Published
  • By Valerie Perkin
  • Athletic Communications
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Air Force released the 2010 schedules for its women's and men's gymnastics teams Aug. 24.

WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS

Over the four-month season, the Falcons' women's gymnastics team will compete in six meets within the state of Colorado, including four at the Academy's Cadet West Gym. 

Air Force will open the 2010 season with three consecutive road meets, beginning with a Jan. 8 meet at Oregon State. The Falcons will then travel to Denver Jan. 16, for the first of three meets with the Pioneers this season. Air Force will wrap up the season-opening road trip in Normal, Ill., Jan. 24, when it faces Illinois State, Western Michigan and Wisconsin-La Crosse. 

The Falcons will make their home debut Jan. 27, when they host Alaska-Anchorage for the first of four competitions against their conference foe. Air Force remains at home, hosting fellow MPSF opponent UC Davis Jan. 30. Air Force will then travel to Denton, Texas -- site of the 2009 USAG Championships -- on Feb. 7 for a regular season triangular meet with Texas Woman's University and Northern Illinois. 

Air Force returns to the Academy Feb. 20, for a triangular meet with Southeast Missouri State and conference opponent, Seattle-Pacific. The Falcons will then head up Interstate-25 Feb. 22 for another meet with Denver before jetting to Anchorage, Alaska, for a pair of dual meets with the Seawolves March 12 and 14. 

The Falcons close out the 2010 regular season March 22, hosting Denver. Postseason competition begins for the Falcons March 26, as they travel to Seattle for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships. The NCAA Regional Championships are slated April 10 in Salt Lake City, Utah, while the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships will be April 15-17 in Denton, Texas. 

MEN'S GYMNASTICS

Highlighted by five home competitions, including the two-day USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships, the Air Force men's gymnastics team embarks on another ambitious season, fifth year head coach Kip Simons announced with the release of the 2010 schedule. 

"I'm so excited with this year's competitive schedule," Simons said. "I'm pleased with the fact that we finally have a strong home schedule." 

Air Force opens the 2010 campaign Jan. 16, when it hosts the annual Rocky Mountain Open and welcomes several of the nation's top programs to the Cadet West Gym. Simons said he expects a strong showing from his team at the RMO as the coaching staff gets a real indication of the freshmen's talent in their first competitive meet. 

The Falcons will then travel to Minneapolis to face Minnesota Jan. 30, before heading to Aliso Viejo, Calif., Feb. 13, for the annual All-Academy Championships. 

"It is crucial for us to have a strong showing at the All-Academy Championships due to the amount of pride between the academies," Simons said. His team finished second at the 2009 meet behind several outstanding performances. 

Air Force travels to Lincoln, Neb., for a quadrangular meet with Nebraska, Illinois-Chicago and Ohio State Feb. 21, before heading to Tempe, Ariz., Feb. 27, for the first of two meets at Arizona State. The Falcons return to the Academy for a pair of dual meets against Illinois-Chicago March 5 and 7. 

Following their homestand, the Falcons head out for a busy road trip that features three meets in a one-week span. Air Force will face Army for the second time March 12 in West Point, N.Y., before traveling to Springfield, Mass., to take on Springfield College March 14. The Falcons will wrap up the regular season March 19, with a return trip to Arizona State. 

Air Force returns to the Academy March 26-27 to open postseason action. The Falcons will host the 23rd USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships at the Academy's Cadet West Gym. Simons said he hopes that the 'home field advantage' will help the Falcons bring home their first-ever USAG team title. 

The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships will be held in Norman, Okla., April 3, while the 2010 NCAA Championships will be held April 15-17 in West Point.