University of Arkansas Army ROTC Team Wins Ranger Challenge

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Razorback Brigade – Army ROTC Razorback Brigade coed Ranger Challenge team.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Army ROTC coed Ranger Challenge Team recently took top honors in the first Arkansas/Oklahoma Ranger Challenge Competition. The event was held from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25 at Camp Gruber, Okla., near Muskogee. Ranger Challenge competitions are the Army ROTC’s equivalent of varsity sports. The university’s coed team previously took first place two years in a row in the Arkansas Ranger Challenge Competition.

A total of 22 teams, both all male and coed, from 10 universities competed in eight physical, mental and military skills events. The University of Arkansas coed team placed first in day land navigation, the army physical fitness test, weapons assembly/disassembly and the 10-kilometer road march. They placed second in night land navigation, first aid, a written exam and the hand grenade assault course.

“The University of Arkansas Army ROTC has again distinguished itself as one of the top programs in our region of the country,” said Lt. Col. Clark B. Taylor. “The cadets who represented the University of Arkansas did so in magnificent fashion by demonstrating teamwork, cooperation and good sportsmanship. They have continued the tradition of excellence that we expect here in the Razorback Brigade, a tradition that started in 1871 and still exists today.”

Team members are Kimberly Santos, a senior from Shawnee, Okla.; Lane Reeder, a junior from Arkadelphia; Capt. Doug Raymond, a junior from San Antonio, Texas; Ben Alexander, a junior from Little Rock; Aaron Cheyne, a junior from Bentonville; sisters Elise Eldridge and Chelsea Eldridge, both juniors from Olathe, Kan.; and Jacob Pultro, a freshman from Bryant.

The University of Oklahoma won first place in the male team competition. Other schools that competed were Cameron University, Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State University, Arkansas Tech University, Henderson State University, University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State University.