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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES September 20, 2007 Airmen to represent Air Force in tournament BY 1 ST LT. AMBER BALKEN 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs F ifteen airmen were selected to represent the Air Force in the 2007 All-Armed Forces Women's Softball Championship, which ends today. Twenty-six women from across the Air Force gathered here to compete for a spot on the AllForce team. At the end of the weeklong camp, 15 women were chosen to compete for the gold at the softball championships. "The camp was quite challenging," said Airmen 1st Class Brandi Jackson, a rookie on the team from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. "Overall, this has been a great opportunity." The training camp has been tough but fair, according to head coach retired Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl Trapnell. She and her assistant coach, Airman Rob Hofmann, from Hurlburt Field, Fla., have implemented what she refers to as the "Jack Hayes" coaching style, a system based on statistics. During the nightly scrimmages, the coaches allowed the team to self-coach while they documented statistics on each player. When it came time to make the cuts, the coaches had concrete evidence to support their final team line up decision. "These scrimmages brought out the inter-squad competition and allowed the team to really work together," said TVapnell. "They also allowed us (coaches) to see who would step up and become a leader for the team." The women were selected for training camp on Above, Staff Sgt. Darleen Rayburn, stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, takes a swing during recent softball action here. Rayburn will be one of 15 women who were selected to represent the United States Air Force in the 2007 All-Armed Forces Women's Softball Championship. 1ST LT. AMBER BALKEN/ U.S. Air Force the talent that they already possess, explains Hofmann. "We are not here to build ballplayers — we are here to build the best possible team to represent the Air Force," he said. "One of our challenges will be the age gap between veteran players and newly-recruited rookies,"said Tech. Sgt. Karrie Warren, from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. "We are a young team, but very talented." "These are 15 of the best softball players the Air Force has to offer," said Trapnell. "It is an honor to be on this team, an honor to be invited to camp." Air Force coach, retired Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl Trapnell, speaks to the newly selected Air Force team while assistant coach, Airman Rob Hofmann, stationed at Hurlburt Field, Fla., concurs. Only 15 women, Air Force-wide, were selected to represent the United States Air Force in the 2007 All-Armed Forces Women's Softball Championship. Ttie (oest Otaficm food in martial arts Crossfit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Kickboxing 1320 E. Hwy 193 Next to the Neighborhood Wal-Mart All HAFB Employees get 10% off! fArtt ttxwr b*O}« at trr* of p^rcfiaM noi 0O«J vnih any ecrief crter Come train with a Brazilian National Champion! First week free and military discounts available. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes available. Come visit us WasatchCrossfit.com & HybridKickboxing.com. 854 W 450 N #5, Kaysville UT 801-593-8400 ** " • —— ^ .ifcT-.T ffi ATTENTION VETERANS Symposium for Veterans, Families and Communities September 20 • Union Station, Ogden 2501 Wall Ave. Created Comfort Menu Friendly, Relaxed Atmosphere Shuffieboard, TV's Seven Days a Week, Weekend Brunch North of Mall, Across from Hilton in Layton 728-9111 fin Jritk Pub-Style family Restaurant • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Session to Community members, clergy, first responders, educators, health professionals and community leaders. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Session for Veterans and Families Learn about issues facing Veterans, making the transition from combat to civiiian life, resources available for Veterans, famiiies and communities and how you can help. 1-800-894-9497 • veterans.utah.gov Sponsored, in part, by the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs. j>:*ga^r5*rg&gi£g;iaK^jgi*g3*ii^^ O•O O o o o |