From October 23-25, the SHSU Army ROTC Co-ed Ranger Challenge team participated in the Annual Ranger Challenge competition at Camp Bullis in San Antonio, Texas.
A total of 19 teams in three categories (Male, Co-ed, and Female) represented seven schools from across Texas.
These schools make up groups four and six of the Apache Brigade of Cadet Command.
SHSU competed with the best cadets of Army ROTC programs from the University of Texas at Austin, Prairie View A&M, the University of Houston, Stephen F. Austin State University, Tarleton State University, and Texas Christian University.
The Ranger Challenge competition consists of eight events; The Army Physical Fitness Test (two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups and a two mile run), a written examination that covered the tactical aspects of patrolling, a 10K ruck march, M-16 event (disassembly, assembly, and functions check), hand grenade assault course, first-aid obstacle course, and day and night land navigation.
Making up the SHSU Co-ed team were CDTs; Janie Salazar, Austin Harms, Joan Kim, Christina Escobedo, Michael Feagan, Robert Stoermer, Jared Gantt and team captain Wayne Salazar.
The SHSU team took 1st place in the 10K ruck march, the 1st aid obstacle course, the M-16 event, and the APFT. SHSU’s APFT average was higher than all other teams in attendance in all categories with a score of 323.
CDT Jared Gantt had the highest score overall with a 363, easily reaching the extended scale. SHSU won the Co-ed category by the largest margin in recent history, beating the second place team by a staggering 15 points.
The team has trained since Aug. 17 for the competition, conducting PT at 5:45 every weekday morning and afternoon training each day for an additional three hours.
This SHSU team has shown a tremendous amount of dedication and motivation throughout the competition season, bringing home recognition and a great honor to the SHSU Army ROTC program.