United States Armed Forces Athlete of the Year

The Armed Forces Athlete of the Year was a yearly award for the best male and female athlete of the United States Armed Forces. Some winners were part of a World Class Athlete Program like the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program or the United States Air Force World Class Athlete Program. Since 1999 only the Athlete of the Year awards of the difference branches exists.[1]

Year Rank Branch Name Sport(s)
1957 ?   Marines Ron Perry   Baseball
  Basketball
[2]
1958
1959   Second lieutenant   Marines King Dixon   American football [3]
1981   Sergeant   Marines Greg Gibson   Wrestling
1982   Captain   Army Dave Gilman
1983   Captain   Army Leo White   Judo
1984   Second lieutenant   Air Force Alonzo Babers   400 metres sprint
1985   Sergeant   Army Brian Bryant   Boxing
1986   Sergeant   Marines Eric J. Wetzel   Wrestling
1987   Petty officer first class   Navy David Butler   Wrestling
1988   Specialist 4   Army Ray Mercer   Boxing
1989   Ensign   Navy Alexander C. Cutler   Sailing
1990   Lance corporal   Marines Sergio Reyes Jr.   Boxing [4]
1991   Captain   Air Force William B. Roy   Shooting
1992   Specialist   Army Rodney S. Smith   Wrestling
1993   Sergeant   Marines Douglas W. Marocco   Triathlon [5]
1994   Specialist   Army Benjamin D. McDowell
1995   Specialist   Army Dionicio A. Napier Jr.
1996   Staff sergeant   Army Derrick Waldroup   Wrestling
1997   Petty officer third class   Navy Harold K. Montford   Triathlon
  Pentathlon
[6]
1998   Second lieutenant   Army Garrett Hines   Bobsleigh [7][8]

Source 1981–1996: [9]

Women

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Year Rank Branch Name Sport(s)
1986   First lieutenant   Air Force Kathy Callaghan   Handball
1987   First lieutenant   Air Force Gail Conway
1988   Airman first class   Air Force Priscilla G. Sweeney
1989   First lieutenant   Air Force Stacey B. Cagenello   Basketball [10]
1990   Captain   Air Force Teresa R. Lewis
1991   Staff sergeant   Marines Roxane C. Thompson   Shooting
1992   Lieutenant   Coast Guard Lynn Mountcastle   Rowing [11]
1993   Lieutenant   Coast Guard Michelle Lauzon Kane   Marathon [12]
1994 ? Petty officer ? class   Navy Elizabeth A. Evans
1995   Captain   Marines Karen Krajicek
1996   Sergeant   Army Theresa E. DeWitt   Shooting
1997   Specialist   Army Niambi J. Dennis   Triple jump [6]
  Lieutenant   Coast Guard Amy L. Baribeau Later Cocanour   Triathlon [6][13]
1998
1999   Second lieutenant   Army Julie Stolzer   Golf
  Ironman
  Marathon
[14][15]

Source 1986–1996: [9]

References

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  1. ^ "1999 Armed Forces Athletes of the Year". DoD Sports. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  2. ^ Baron, Maureen (8 June 2021). "Ronnie!". Medium. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  3. ^ Walker, Billy (13 September 1968). "The 'King' Returns For PC Battle". The Columbia Record: 12A.
  4. ^ Wilbon, Michael (28 July 1992). "Boxing". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  5. ^ "BIO Douglas W Marocco" (PDF). Marines. 29 October 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Borlik, Alicia K. (21 January 1998). "Armed Forces Athletes Of Year Honored". defenselink.mil. Archived from the original on 17 January 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2024. Alt URL
  7. ^ Downey, Mike (13 February 2003). "Bobsled pioneer prepares for a slower lifestyle". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Senate Bill sb2692". flsenate.gov. 2002. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Past Award Winners". DC Touchdown Club. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Stacey Cagenello". Asbury Park Press: G34 & G40. 24 November 1993.
  11. ^ Miller Degnan, Susan (23 January 1993). "An Officer and an Athlete". The Miami Herald: 8B & 9B.
  12. ^ Dobrowolski, Tony (9 January 1994). "Kane voted top military athlete". The Berkshire Eagle: C1 & C3.
  13. ^ "Armed Forces Triathlon". dvids. 21 June 2003. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  14. ^ Alexander, Chip (12 December 1999). "Reservist is a 'fireball' in golf, life". The News and Observer: B1.
  15. ^ "The Masters: A closer look". The Palm Beach Post: 7C. 7 April 2000.