Class of 2016

Class of 2016

Class of 2016 During her first three years at the Academy Marika played on the rugby team as a flanker and hooker. Now, however, due to concussions she has suffered, she takes on a managerial role as the team's CIC (Cadet in Charge). Marika is an Applied Mathematics major with a focus in economics and a minor in Chinese. She hopes to become a pilot in the Air Force.

Class of 2016

Class of 2016

Class of 2016 After not earning an appointment to the Academy in 2011, Jade received a Falcon Foundation Scholarship to attend Northwestern Preparatory School and was subsequently accepted into USAFA’s class of 2016. She joined the women’s rugby team her freshman year and has been holding it down in the pack as a prop ever since then. As a Civil Engineering major, she has been on Dean’s List 5/6 semesters and she aspires to attend grad school and go on to become a civil engineer in the AF.

Class of 2016 Caitlin has been on the rugby team since freshmen year. She is a lock and a jumper. She has been on the Dean’s List every semester and the Comm’s List all but one semester (3/4). She is a Biology major and a French minor.

Class of 2016

Class of 2016

Class of 2017

Class of 2017

Class of 2017 Prior to her acceptance to USAFA, Jess Phillips enlisted in the AF as an Airspace Battle Management/Command and Control Data Link Technician, where she served tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She applied to USAFA as a Senior Airman and after attending the USAFA Preparatory School earned an appointment into the USAFA Class of 2017. She joined the rugby team her freshman year. Jess helps out the pack as a Hooker, but also plays Flanker.

Class of 2017

Class of 2018 Hometown: Omaha, NE Grade: Sophomore Position: Back-Outside center, wing, fullback

Class of 2018

Class of 2018 Funmi Akinlosotu is a Biology Major. This is her first year playing rugby. The first semester of Funmi's freshman year at the Academy she was a part of the track team. She is from Seattle, Washington and graduated in 2013 from Federal Way High School.

Class of 2018 After graduating high school in 2011, Kasey attended two different colleges in New York on volleyball scholarships. After receiving her appointment and joining the class of 2018, she decided to try something new and joined the rugby team freshman year. As a management major, she hopes to get her MBA following graduation, and pursue a career in contracting or acquisitions in the Air Force.

Class of 2018 Savannah Vezeau is from Clarksville, TN and is a member of Rebeleven, the 11th cadet squadron. She was drawn to USAFA because of the history of military service in her family. As the middle child of five, she grew up competing for attention and snacks in the pantry. She gravitated toward rugby to bond with female cadets and to hit people.

Class of 2019 Zoe Barnette is from Kings Mountain, North Carolina. In high school, she competed in track and field along with cross country. At the Air Force Academy, Zoe intends to major in political science.

Class of 2019 Melissa Leigh Berger is in Cadet Squadron 30. She is a Falcon Scholar and attended Northwestern Preparatory in California last year. Melissa graduated from high school in Kansas and played as an honorary female member of the Wichita Barbarians Rugby Club circa 2014-2015. She plans to major in Foreign Area Studies and minor in Arabic.

Class of 2019 Maria Carter was raised in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin along with a younger brother and a border collie. She found her home on the pitch two years ago, and really loves a good ruck.

Class of 2019 Amber Litteral was born in Fayetteville North Carolina along with he twin sister. Her dad is in the Air Force so she grew up around the Air Force. She moved from North Carolina to Okinawa Japan, then back to North Carolina. Amber then lived in Alaska before moving to Georgia where she finished high school and received her acceptance to USAFA. She played soccer, basketball, and volleyball in high school. She loves to read, watch movies, hike, ride bikes, and occasionally bake.

Class of 2019 Brianna Martinez was born and raised in Tucson Arizona. From a young age, she wanted to attend the Air Force Academy and become a pilot in the Air Force. After being turned down from the Academy, she sought a commission through ROTC but was recommended to pursue the Academy again. She was accepted to the Prep School and now attends the Academy. She hopes to become a heavies pilot or Regional Area Specialist and may major in Behavioral Science or Foreign Area Studies.

Class of 2019 Meghan Roche is from Newark, Ohio and has three sisters. She graduated from Newark High School in 2015 where she played soccer, cross country, track, basketball, and swam.

Class of 2019 Lauren was born and raised in the Denver metro area and loves all things Colorado. She enjoys hiking, running, working out, and anything related to fitness and health. A firm believer in hard work and faith, Lauren was driven to come to USAFA after graduating high school in 2015 so she could receive a top-notch education, challenge herself in new ways, and serve her country. At the Academy, Lauren plans on majoring in Biology and pursuing a career in the healthcare field.