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Altus Airman picked for Air Force softball team

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  An Altus Airman was chosen for the Air Force softball team as a pitcher Sept. 1. 

Staff Sgt. Michele Polachek is one of 15 women who made the team out of 21 Air Force-wide who tried. 

Sergeant Polachek is the NCO in charge of Plans and Implementation with the 97th Communications Squadron here. 

When she's not on the ball field, Sergeant Polachek manages base command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence systems architecture, configurations, and integrations, supporting the 97th Air Mobility Wing and 40 associate units.

This year's softball training camp started Aug. 27 here. 

Sergeant Polachek said they spent three weeks preparing to defend the back-to-back gold medals they've already collected and are well on their way to compete at the Armed Forces Tournament at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

"The Air Force team won the gold medal for the 3rd year in a row," Sergeant Polachek said. "This has not happened since the early 80's."

Sergeant Polachek competed in tryouts for the Air Force team in 1999, but was not selected. Following that she worked on her game skills and played on base intramural teams. 

Sergeant Polachek said the camaraderie and teamwork of softball is what motivates her.

"Our coach afforded our success to an outstanding defense," Sergeant Polachek said. "From a player's perspective, I think our success can be attributed to a complete team effort. We went out on the field every game as a complete team, whether you were starting, pinch hitting or cheering on your teammates from the dugout."

Sergeant Polachek said she earned a rare opportunity to compete at the Air Force level, and encourages everyone to strive to achieve the same level.

"I would not have been afforded this opportunity without the help of my squadron leadership, the fitness center staff and a fellow player who took the time to help me prepare for the (training) camp," Sergeant Polachek said. "It's a memory that will last a lifetime."

For more information on the Air Force softball team, contact the Air Force Services Agency at www.usafsports.com or call (210) 652-3471.