Air Force Academy

Daniel Klimkowski

blank

Class: Senior Hometown: China, Mich. High School: St. Clair

Height: 5-5 Event: AA

WHY USAFA?: " "When looking for the right college, I gratefully had a large amount of choices on hand. However, not many places stood out. Since I was looking for an experience that went beyond the norm, the Air Force Academy quickly became my number one choice as I learned about the many opportunities this place has to offer. At the Academy, I have been able to test myself through Basic Training, go through two years of amazing education, traveled to Hawaii and many other places, learn to be a leader, and even receive a monthly paycheck through it all. The gymnastics team has been especially amazing, as the team has bonded very closely and we have been led with a coaching staff that constantly adapts to make USAFA gymnastics the best it can be. I have two more years at the Academy and five in active duty where I will be able to travel the world and lead others in a job that truly matters. I can't wait!"

SOPHOMORE (2009): "Competed in six meets, before being sidelined by injury...competed in the all-around during the first three competitions...set an Academy record score of 13.900 on the pommel horse at the Southwest Cup...also posted a personal-best mark on the still rings (13.800) at that meet...set a personal-best score of 14.200 on the floor exercise at the Navy Open...also set season-high scores on the high bar (13.400) and all-around (78.950) at that meet...tallied a season-best vault score of 14.200 at Temple and set a season-high parallel bars score of 13.250 at the Rocky Mountain Open.

FRESHMAN (2008): "Competed in the all-around during the first six meets of the season...missed the second half of the season with an injury...earned the team's "Freshman of the Year" award...set career-best scores in four events at Springfield...finished second on the pommel horse (13.450), parallel bars (14.050) and all-around (83.400) at that meet...also scored a personal-best 13.650 on the high bar to place third...set career-best marks on the floor exercise (14.200) and vault (14.750) during first collegiate road competition at Nebraska...career-best still rings score of 13.650 came at the Pacific Coast Classic...recorded three top-three marks at the Rocky Mountain Open.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Attended St. Clair High School...graduated Summa Cum Laude...competed at the club level for the Michigan Academy of Gymnastics...coached by Dion Kolev...six-time national qualifier...2007 state champion in the all-around.

PERSONAL: Full name is Daniel John Klimkowski...goes by Dan...son of Jim and Jacki Klimkowski...has one older brother, Mark (23)...majoring in foreign area studies, with an emphasis on Eastern Asia...earning a minor in Japanese...hopes to work as a PA officer in the future...served as an Element Leader...has also served as a Public Affairs/Special Projects Clerk and PEER... served as a class representative during freshman year... hobbies include water sports, road trips and reading...worked BCT Prep over the summer, preparing the Academy for Basic Cadet Training...also spent time on leave in Michigan...favorite event is the floor exercise because "I enjoy all the flipping"... member of Cadet Squadron 01.