Newly Appointed Air Force Second Lieutenants and 2021 Air Force Academy Graduates Maria Mettler and Mahala Norris highlight a group of 14 Air Force Academy athletes who are participating or have participated in the Trials 2021 US Olympics in four different sports.

The group is made up of seven athletes in track and field, five in swimming, one in rifle and one in fencing. Track and field trials will begin Friday, June 18 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The other three sports trials have already been conducted without any individual qualifying.

Four current Falcons have competed in previous trials, including juniors Isaac Gwin and Corey Shepard and sophomore Wen Zhang in men’s swimming. Junior Peter Fiori competed in the rifle and was selected as the first small caliber substitute.

Norris won the NCAA Championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and Mettler was third in the 10,000-meter last week at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championships on the same track. They will be joined in Eugene this week by five other recent Academy graduates from the World Class Athlete Program as they compete for a spot on the Olympic team. The Summer Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan from July 23 to August 8.

Current Air Force Academy Cadet-Athletes
Isaac gwin, Class of 2022, Swimming, 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke
Pierre Fiori, class of 2022, Rifle, Smallbore, selected as first alternate
Corey shepard, Class of 2022, Swimming, 50 freestyle
Wen Zhang, Class of 2023, Swimming, 200 freestyle

Air Force Academy 2021 graduates
Maria Mettler, class of 2021, athletics, 10,000-meter race
Mahala norris, Promotion 2021, athletics, 3000 meters steeplechase

Participants in the World Class Athletes Program
Hannah everson, class of 2016, athletics, 10,000 meter race
Cole mcanany, Class of 2020, Swimming, 100m backstroke
Zach nelson, Class of 2020, Swimming, 100 & 200 breaststroke
Kyle Pater, Class of 17, athletics, pole vault
Michael rhoads, class of 2020, athletics, 800-meter race
Leanne Singleton-Comfort, Promotion 2020, Fencing, Saber, qualifications completed
Jaci Smith, class of 2019, athletics, 10,000-meter race
Shelley Spiers, Class of 18, athletics, high jump