116th AMXS Athlete honored

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- He never thought he'd sprint against some of the best athletes in the world or ride a speeding bullet down an icy slope when he singed up to serve his country.

Tech. Sgt. Hoy Thurman has competed in Track and Field and Bobsled through the Air Force and the World Class Athlete Program and now he is being honored for it.

Tech. Sgt. Hoy Thurman received the 2006 Air Force Material Command Athlete of the Year Award at a ceremony Nov. 8th at Coates hall. The award was presented by Col. Teresa Carter, 78th Air Case Wing commander and Col. James Jones, 116th Air Control Wing commander. Both commanders complimented Thurman on his athletic achievements and for being a great role model.

The 116th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron surveillance radar technician has been a member of the Air Force track and field team since 1992 competing in sprint races with times of 46 seconds in the 400 meters, below 21 seconds in the 200 meters and 10.29 seconds in the 100 meters. He has competed in at World Class events in the Netherlands, Belgium and Great Britain.

In 1996, at a track and field event in California, Thurman's 400 meter sprint time gave him the chance to tryout for a different sport.

Thurman had his first bobsled race in 2004 and is currently preparing for January competition in Lake Placid, N.Y. and the world championships in Switzerland in March.

"I am just keeping my name in the loop for bobsledding," said Thurman. "I'm getting ready for the 2010 Winter Games."

With better than 20 years in the Air Force with 15 of those years spent competing, some might wonder keeps Thurman going.

"(I compete) because I have the ability to compete at the national level," said Thurman. "Because I have the fact of knowing that I've been there and got the shirt."

For now the athlete isn't considering trying out for any new sports.

"This is it for me," said Thurman. "It is time for me to watch my sons do their thing."

Thurman, who won the 1993 Air Combat Command Athlete of the Year, now goes in to compete for the award at the Air Force level and isn't too worried about it.

"It's just nice to be recognized whether you win or lose," said Thurman.

Thurman was nominated for the AFMC award by the 78th Services Division sports director, Kenneth Porter