Airmen selected for Air Force World Class Athlete Program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sean Martin
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Two Eighth Air Force Airmen have shown their fitness talents and were chosen to take part in the Air Force World Class Athlete Program.

2nd Lt. Anthony D'Errico, 608th Air Operations Center executive officer, will attend the soccer program and 1st Lt. Katherine Ward, 608th AOC deputy chief intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance deputy chief, will attend the running program.

The WCAP provides active duty, national guard and reserve Air Force personnel the opportunity to train and compete at national and international sports competitions with the ultimate goal of selection by a group of scouts to the U.S. Olympic team.

"Each branch of service has their own WCAP," said Ward. "The Air Force WCAP is a max of two years where you train and perfect your skills in hopes of one day making it to the Olympics. For the first year, you must meet certain qualifications and show improvement in order to be granted another year."

D'Errico and Ward have donated time and dedication to get them where they are today.

"I have a coach that I've known through my collegiate years and train with all the time," said Ward. "I do various races throughout the U.S. and run about 60 to 70 miles per week.

The Air Force core value of integrity first is something that D'Errico and Ward must live by for themselves as well as for their support group.

"I come from a military family so I am used to having that high level of discipline, and my Air Force family is always encouraging me, asking me how training is going and when my next big match is," said D'Errico. "It is a nice feeling to have such a big family supporting you."

Both athletes emphasized that if someone is interested in pursuing the WCAP, it comes down to the individual and how bad they want it.

"If you have the ambition and think you can do this, then go out and fully apply yourself," said D'Errico. Give it your all and go for it because being able to represent the Air Force and the military on the world stage is a very high honor. If you can dream it, you can achieve it."

For more information on the World Class Athlete Program, contact the Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell Fitness Center or visit www.myairforcelife.com.