Three soldiers, selected as the 2015 Army athletes and coach of the year, were honored at the Association of the U.S. Army Global Force Symposium and Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama.
Capt. Alexander Driscoll, a U.S. Armed Forces Cycling Team member who served in Afghanistan during Operation Iraqi Freedom as an infantry platoon leader and is now a military intelligence officer at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, was recognized as the 2015 Army Male Athlete of the Year.
First Lieutenant April Ortenzo, starting short stop on the All-Army Softball Team and on the U.S. Armed Forces Softball Team, was honored as the 2015 Female Athlete of the Year.
She currently serves as the strength manager, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Capt. Roye Locklear, head coach of the All-Army Men’s Soccer Team received the award for being selected the 2015 Army Coach of the Year.
Serving as an enlisted soldier until attaining the rank of sergeant first class, Locklear served two tours in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, first with the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team as a finance mentor to the Afghan National Army, and later as a platoon leader with Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group.
He is now the company commander, 356th Quartermaster Supply Company, Florida Army National Guard.
The three soldier-athletes were presented their awards by Gen. Dennis Via, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), and the AMC command sergeant major, James K. Sims.
In 2015, Driscoll competed in the 6th Military World Games 131-Kilometer Road Race in South Korea – a professional, Olympic-caliber competition.
He took first place in the Santa Catalina Criterium, the Santa Catalina Omnium, the Tucson Bicycle Classic Time Trial, and the Fort Huachuca Steelhead Triathlon, and second place at the Air Force Cycling Classic.
Currently a member of the U.S. Military Endurance Sports Elite Cycling Program, last year he participated in over 16 grueling and exhausting cycling events where he distinguished himself as a superior Army athlete.
Driscoll volunteers with Adventures for the Cure, an organization that raised over $50,000 for deserving charities in 2015.
He also mentors new cyclists in the Sierra Vista community, where he lives with his wife Cleo.
Ortenzo, as the starting shortstop, led the All-Army Team to a 9-0 sweep and a Gold Medal at the 2015 Armed Forces Championship by batting .575 and showcasing a .976 fielding percentage at shortstop.
She also led the U.S. Armed Forces Team to a 3-0 sweep at the Amateur Softball Association National Championship Tournament – batting .800 with three triples, four doubles, 10 RBIs and nine runs scored, and with a 100 percent fielding percentage at shortstop.
She was named the tournament’s Batting Champion and Most Valuable Player.
Ortenzo volunteers with frequent visits to the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting, where she works with soldier-veterans from the Vietnam and Korean wars.
Locklear, as head coach, led the All-Army Men’s Soccer Team that won the Gold Medal at the 2015 U.S. Armed Forces Soccer Championship.
The team accomplished a 3-1 record and defeated the Air Force 1-0 in the championship match despite losing 4 starters to injury.
As a result of his coaching abilities, two of his players were selected to the All-Tournament Team, and five players were selected to the U.S. Armed Forces Team that competed in the 6th Military World Games in South Korea, where he served as the team’s head coach.
In the local community, Locklear volunteers with the Jacksonville Armada Professional Soccer Team, serves as a "match evaluator" with the North American Soccer League, and is a camp mentor with the Florida Elks Youth Camp.
Lt. Gen. Guy Swan, USA, Ret., AUSA vice president for education, said at the ceremony, "These three outstanding soldier-athletes represent the best of America’s Army as they serve in their assigned duties and also compete in athletic competitions for our Army and our nation. We are very proud of you."
AUSA News