Air Force continues to build an exceptional staff with the addition of Burke Paddock as Director of High Performance! #FlyFightWinhttps://t.co/szDP05vzv1 pic.twitter.com/QLNjEQvr7e
— Air Force Wrestling (@AF_Wrestle) August 6, 2024
USAF ACADEMY - Air Force Wrestling is proud to announce the appointment of Burke Paddock as the new Director of High Performance. Paddock brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in athlete development.
"We are thrilled to welcome Burke to our team," said Head Coach Sam Barber. "We were privileged to work with Coach Paddock the past two seasons as a stipend coach in the Air Force Reginal Training Center. His direct impact on our upper middleweights was highlighted by the growth and development of Giano Petrucelli, who was one match away from earning All-American honors at the 2024 NCAA Championships. His expertise and dedication to excellence will be instrumental in elevating our program to new heights. Our athletes will greatly benefit from his innovative approach and commitment to their holistic development."
Prior to joining the Air Force staff, Paddock coached at Sand Creek High School in Colorado Springs for three seasons, two of which served as the head coach. This past season (2023-2024) Sand Creek had their first state champion and three other state placers. The team finished eighth overall in the state which marked the school's best-ever team finish.
As a wrestler, Paddock was a two-time New York State Champion, Most Outstanding Wrestler, and five-time state placer. He set the record in the state of New York for most career wins (304). At the University of Iowa, Paddock started for the Hawkeyes in 2015 and 2016, earning World Trials runner-up finishes in both freestyle and Greco Roman. In 2019, he qualified for the Greco World Team Trials, and in 2023 placed fourth (77 kg) at the U.S. Open.
In his new role, Paddock will be the conduit for communication with the head coach and between all aspects of athlete performance, including strength and conditioning, nutrition, and mental performance. His character and commitment to excellence align perfectly with the wrestling program, which is a mission-first, values-based championship program. As the Assistant AFRTC coach, Paddock will continue to impact the cadets-athletes, Olympic Training Center EAP athletes, and local Colorado high school athletes who meet the criteria to participate in the AFRTC.
"I am honored to join the USAFA Wrestling Program," said Burke. "Working with the Air Force Regional Training Center over the last two seasons has been an honor and a privilege. I've seen the tremendous amount of work and dedication the athletes put in on and off the mat. I'm looking forward to taking on a new role as the Director of High Performance and Assistant Regional Training Center Coach and the opportunity to work side by side with a world-class coaching staff and athletes committed to pursuing excellence on and off the mat."
This appointment marks a significant step forward in the program's commitment to providing the highest level of support and resources for its athletes, ensuring they are well-prepared to compete at the highest levels.