More on the Ranger Challenge Competition:
Division I Team:
Coach: CPT Russ Stewart
Captain: William Gillespie
Seniors: Adam Buchanan, Matthew Summey, Chelsea Kendrick
Juniors: David Schnaak, Buce Nessler, Robert Bowe,
Sophomores: Kyle Brinks, Chaz Jones
Freshmen: Chris Yankow
The Division I team (Black Team) faced adversity on the road march clinching victory over The Citadel. Through out the 2-day competition Furman and Citadel battled on every event. The 10-kilometer road march (cadets wore fatigues, boots, and approximately 35lbs of gear) proved to be the decisive point of the competition. Over the hilly course, Black Team rallied and set a new course record in 1.07.39. Of further note; the Furman Div I team was the only Div I team with a female cadet. Chelsea Kendrick; a senior cadet, had the highest physical fitness score of any female cadet.
This outstanding performance will very likely result in yet another bid to the ultra-exclusive Sandhurst International competition this spring. Only five schools from the entire country get invited to compete at West Point. This will be a huge honor.
Division II team:
Coach: SFC Felix Stanziola
Captain: James Quillen
Seniors: Andrew Raber, Don Slagle
Juniors: Mike Needham, Chris Hartman, Forrest Chick
Sophomore: Joe Lytle, Colin Murch, Patrick Jarret
Freshmen: David Saxton, Will Cunningham, Max Corbin, Matthew Alexander
Our Division II team (Gold Team) ran away with the competition from the start. They dominated the other 7 teams in their division (many of which were the TOP team from their schools – like Clemson). Gold team racked up an unheard of five 1st place finishes in the eight events!
Division III team:
Coach: LTC Bill Price, MAJ Shea Sherbert
Captain: Loring Jones
Seniors: Chase Hasbrouck, Chris Grates
Juniors: David Barron, Gabriel Justice, Mike McFadden
Sophomores: Mathew Friedel, Butch Pucetas, Mickey Palanza, Harry Speer, Essex Taylor
Freshmen: Charley Dib, Jon Jones, Justin Fisher, Arthur Holtzclaw, Tom Nagle, Liana Matson, Clark McIntosh, Will Walker, Daniel Estridge
Our Division III team (Green Team) placed third, and did so with a lot of heart. Only two members of this team had competed at a brigade ranger challenge before. Despite the lack of experience, Green team managed to place first in three events. It took the full force of the two schools that beat Green Team – placing all of their effort into only one team and placing that team in Division III. We’re very proud of Green team’s performance, and know their experience will pay dividends in future competition.