Dec. 4, 2000

By Bob Schaller
The Gazette

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Doherty High product Melonie San Pietro and Pine Creek alum Erica Palmer knew many challenges awaited them this year as Air Force freshmen were many.

There would be mornings of "counting minutes" until the breakfast march. Memorizing everything from the Air Force arsenal to the chain of command - from the president down to their own squadron at the academy. And, of course, basic cadet training followed by a year of harsh mental challenges and physical obstacles. Not to mention the school work.

So what did they do? Go out for an intercollegiate sport. And then another.

Nothing like making a challenge a little more challenging.

"I just love being part of a team," Palmer said.

After playing for the soccer team, San Pietro and Palmer are now on the women's basketball team. That means they spend hours at practice and working out, some of which could otherwise be used for studying.

"Time is the biggest factor," San Pietro said. "For most of the cadets, they have three or four more hours on some days to study than we do."

However, the two have some advantages.

"When we're traveling (with the teams), we get things in the hotels we don't get here," Palmer said. "Like TV, even the food. And we're allowed to sleep in comfortable beds. Or at least beds we can get into (many cadets sleep on top of their dorm beds so they don't have to re-make them each morning)."

The two don't have to wear their uniforms as often as non-athletes.

"We're allowed to wear warm-ups when we're on the road, and when we're away from the academy, we don't have to walk at attention," San Pietro said.

Molly Van Wagner/The Gazette

Air Force's Melonie San Pietro, left, defends Jessika Stratton of Baylor during Sunday's game. Along with basketball, Pietro is also a part of the Falcons women's soccer team.

Road games and even home games count as military formations. So if the two are gone until a certain time Friday night, they are sometimes allowed to miss Saturday morning inspections, a plus for any freshman.

Since both are from Colorado Springs, they see their parents often. After each home game, the two huddle with relatives, who are often toting several "requested supplies."

"That's something really nice because they can bring things - like food - for us," San Pietro said.

The challenge next year will be less formidable in some ways. For example, the unique exercises the freshmen do, from counting minutes to squaring corners everywhere they go on campus - will not longer be part of their lives.

Palmer and San Pietro will still have their hands full, however, especially as they get into majors classes.

"I've never not been a part of a team," Palmer said. "I don't know if I'll do it the whole way through here. But I might. Who knows?"