Air Academy High School - Vapor Trails Yearbook (USAF Academy, CO)

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Gymnastics Injuries Fail To Flip Team With an outstanding place- ment in the state competition by individuals as well as the team, the gymnastics team was ex- tremely successful. They had many problems with injuries throughout the season. Senior Jeni Shoptaugh sustained a neck injury during a meet and did not compete for several weeks, but she came back at the end of the season to finish third in state. Sheryl Engebretson, Pam Fischer and Pam Frank also received in- juries that limited their participa- tion. Sophomore Tara Reiber, juniors Stephenie Somerville and Kathy Minihan, and seniors .leni Shop- taugh and Pam Fischer led the team to a fourth-place finish in state. The girls' hard work and dedi- cation was obvious by their sea- son record. Watching their weights, perfecting difficult and demanding routines, and lending moral support to fellow team members were all a part of their sacrifices. This page: During a workout, Shana Kohles Ctop left! prepares for a back handspring on the balance beam. Due to a broken ankle and a sprained knee re- spectively, Pam Frank and Pam Fischer couIdn't participate for the majority of the season but showed their support by stlll attending practices ftop rightj. Getting in- volved with a team discussion on the way to o meet, Coach Toodie Royer and assistant coachlstudent teacher Lori Gosch talk with other members of the squad Cbottomb. Two prominent mem- bers of the team, Tora Reiber and Tammy Jensen, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow members while riding on the bus Cmlddle rightj. Opposite page: Even though she sustained a serious neck ln- jury, lenl Shoptaugh continued to work out in o neck brace to maintain strength and flexibility Ctopb. A strong friendship developed between captains Jeni Shop- taugh and Pam Fischer. Warming up be- fore a meet, they converse about upcom- ing events Cbottomb. 166lSports -'K

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Winning By Pinning Helps AA Takedown The wrestling team finished the season with an impressive record of 8-3-2. The team placed third in districts and the outstanding co- captains, Steve Turner and Brian Bullard, placed fourth and third, respectively, in state. Coach Doug Moses, known af- fectionately as Coach Taz Cfor the Tasmanian Devil on Bugs Bun- ny J was energetic during his sec- ond year as head coach. Assistant coach Mr. Keith Bogue added his enthusiasm to the team through- out the season also. Their excellent coaching helped the team to place tenth in the Arvada West Tournament. Shortly afterwards, the team had a close call in a match against Pueblo Central, losing by only one point after Central forfeited their heavyweight match. The team was very close. Even though the junior varsity didn't have quite a full squad and had to forfeit some weights, they managed to win the majority of their season. The varsity did have a full squad after Dave Bauman joined at 98 pounds, helping the team to a winning record. While wrestling might have been hard for most students to understand, junior Tim Anderson explained why it was such a sat- isfying sport to participate in. Wrestling is just you against the other guy. No one can do it for you. but it's still a team effort. This page: David Bauman applies pres- sure to Dan Badgett before winning the match Ctop leftj. Brian Ransom pins his opponent Ctop rightJ. Howard Sanders moves for a takedown Cbottom Ieftj while Curt Sanders gets his man in a cra- dle fbottom middlej. Opposite page: Mike Fitzgerald shows how good it feels to win Qbottom leftj. 1681 Sports