The football team was not the only traveling squad this weekend as the University battalion of Army ROTC vied for the top spot in the annual Ranger Challenge at Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Miss.
The team traveled to Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Miss. to compete among Army ROTC divisions from 22 colleges. The competition consisted of eight different contests measuring physical and mental aptitude.
The eight competitions include a land navigation contest in which contestants are tested on map knowledge, the One Rope Bridge in which the group crosses a ditch using a single rope, and the Ruck Run, a six-mile trek in which the competitors carry 25-pound backpacks.
Speaking of the One Rope Bridge contest, ROTC member and marketing junior Andrew Miller said, “We concentrated in training for several weeks, and placed fourth.”
The University battalion ranked eighth in this year’s competition, though it has held higher ranks in past competitions, said Maj. Glen Nunez. However, he feels this is a rebuilding year for the team because it consists of several freshmen.
The team stood out during the Ranger Challenge because it is the only one that brought its women’s auxiliary, Scotch Guard, along for support.
“Bringing the Scotch Guard along really shows that students at LSU support us. It gives us motivation,” said Chris Pearson, battalion commander and a chemical engineering senior.
The women in Scotch Guard prepared goody bags containing energy drinks and fruit for the competitors and wore identical t-shirts so that the competitors could see them more easily.
“We are proud to help give ROTC some drive because it seems like the other schools [who don’t bring women’s auxiliary] are lacking in support,” said Rebecca Breaux, Scotch Guard Commander and an accounting senior.
“A lot of the guys are new this year and haven’t competed before,” said Stephanie Condry, a Scotch Guard member and a UCFY freshman who was excited about attending her first Ranger Challenge.
Nunez competed as a cadet when he attended the University and has coached the team for two years. He was proud of the young squad’s hard work.