Dana Pounds named Air Force Athlete of the Year

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SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  Former Air Force track and field standout 2nd Lt. Dana Pounds was named the 2008 Female Athlete of the Year, Air Force Services Agency officials have announced. Lieutenant Pounds, who spent the past two years as a member of the World Class Athlete Program, or WCAP, finished second at the Olympic Trials in June. 

The Athlete of the Year award is given out annually to the top male and female athletes within the Air Force. 

During 2008, Lieutenant Pounds placed second at the U.S. Olympic Trials, narrowly missing a berth at the Olympic Games in Beijing. She also won the Oregon Invitational, defeating the American-record holder for the third time. She currently is ranked second in the nation and 34th in the world in the javelin. 

In addition to her competitive schedule in 2008, Lieutenant Pounds worked as a volunteer WCAP coach at the Air Force Academy. Of the 12 cadet-athletes she worked with, seven placed at the Mountain West Conference championships. 

"The Air Force provided me with an opportunity with the WCAP that allowed me to focus on my training and it was an opportunity that can't be matched," Lieutenant Pounds said. "(Being named Female Athlete of the Year) is an extreme honor that I will cherish forever." 

Lieutenant Pounds currently is stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, as a member of the 538 Aircraft Sustainment Group. 

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