Air Force athletes shine on the road to LA28, Cortina 2026

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The Department of the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program continues to make waves across national and international competitions, with athletes delivering standout performances as they pursue Olympic dreams for the 2026 games in Italy and 2028 games in Los Angeles.

“Our WCAP athletes are progressing well with their training while also representing the Air and Space Forces at competitions nationally and internationally,” said Dale Filsell, DAF WCAP program manager. 

Summer Success at National Championships

At the 2025 USATF National Championships in Eugene, Oregon July 31-Aug. 3, four WCAP athletes competed, with three earning top national honors:

  • Senior Airman Daniel Michalski claimed the National Runner-up title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, clocking 8:26.77, just 0.19 seconds behind the Paris Olympics silver medalist.
  • Airman 1st Class Nick Christie became the 2025 USA Track & Field National Champion in the 20,000-meter racewalk with a time of 1:24.56.
  • Airman 1st Class Donovan Banks narrowly missed a podium finish, placing 4th in the javelin with a throw of 76.36 meters.

Meanwhile, 2nd Lt. Patrick Hoopes dominated the USA Gymnastics National Championships in New Orleans Aug. 7–9, winning the Pommel Horse National Title with a combined score of 31.300. His performances, 15.775 on Day 1 and 15.525 on Day 2, earned him a spot on the USA Gymnastics World Team, set to compete in Jakarta, Indonesia Oct. 19–25.

International Triumphs

Michalski continued his winning streak at the North American, Central American Championships, taking gold in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a meet-record time of 8:14, qualifying him for the World Championships in Tokyo Sept. 13–21. Christie also earned bronze in the 20-kilometer racewalk with a time of 1:32.15 and awaits final world rankings for potential qualification.

Winter Warriors Eye Cortina 2026

Three WCAP athletes are training and competing on the World Cup circuit to secure spots on Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics:

  • Staff Sgt Kelly Curtis (Skeleton) placed 10th at the World Championships and aims for her second Olympic appearance.
  • Airman 1st Class Jasmine Jones (Two-woman Bobsled) finished fifth at Worlds and continues to push for Olympic selection.
  • Airman 1st Class Jace Johnson (Four-man Bobsled) will compete in both the World Cup and North American Cup circuits to boost his chances.

The full lineup of WCAP athletes training for the 2026 and 2028 Olympic games include:

  • Staff Sgt Kelly Curtis, Skeleton, Aviano Air Base, Italy
  • Airman 1st Class Jasmine Jones, Bobsled, Lake Placid, NY
  • Airman 1st Class Jace Johnson, Bobsled, Miami, Fla.
  • Maj. Drew Donlin, Handball, Los Angeles
  • 1st Lt. Sam Gilman, Track & Field (5,000m), Park City, Utah
  • 2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson, Freestyle Wrestling, Stillwater, Okla.
  • 2nd Lt. Patrick Hoopes, Gymnastics, Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • Staff Sgt. Mariah Anderson, Freestyle Wrestling, Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • Senior Airman Tyler Evans, Modern Pentathlon, Houston
  • Senior Airman Daniel Michalski, Track & Field (Steeplechase), Provo, Utah
  • Airman 1st Class Duncan Nelson, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • Airman 1st Class Anita Alvarez, Artistic Swimming, Los Angeles
  • Airman 1st Class Donavon Banks, Track & Field (Javelin), Clermont, Fla.
  • Airman 1st Class Nick Christie, Track & Field (Racewalk), San Diego
  • Airman 1st Class Amere Lattin, Track & Field (400m Hurdles), Miami, Fla.
  • Airman 1st Class Brian Williams, Track & Field (Discus)
  • Viva Kreis, Handball, Attending Officer Training School