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Striker Iron Soldier Competition

Photo By Spc. Paul Harris | Sgt. Hunter Tate, Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, has the full support of his...... read more read more

FORT CARSON, COLORADO, UNITED STATES

07.06.2007

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Exerting every ounce of strength and endurance was required for Soldiers competing in the first-ever Striker Iron Soldier competition at Fort Carson, Colo., July 5. This was the first time the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division has conducted an event such as this.

Male competitors were required to complete 150 push-ups, 150 sit-ups, a six-mile run wearing Interceptor Body Armor and carrying a dummy rifle, a 100-meter swim and a 200-meter sprint. Female competitors were required to complete 90 push-ups, 90 sit-ups, a six-mile run wearing Interceptor Body Armor and carrying a dummy rifle, a 100-meter swim and a 200-meter sprint.

This grueling challenge pushed everyone to their limits, but with help from fellow Soldiers they were able to push themselves to the finish.

"You don't always train all the time with your IBAs on," said Sgt. Hunter Tate, a competitor from Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry. "So that kind of kicked my (butt) but you just gotta deal with it."

Tate completed the course while the other members of his troop ran alongside to the finish line.

"It feels awesome (to have them run with me)," he said as he caught his breath after the race. "That's awesome camaraderie. It's just a feeling that you can't get. These guys are with you in and out. So it's a good feeling."

One of the most senior ranking competitors in the race was also one of its top finishers. Lt. Col. Christopher Johnson, commander, 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, completed the course in one hour, 12 minutes and 57 seconds – good enough for second place.

"I wanted to go out and have fun, enjoy it and contribute to part of the battalion for organization day," he said. "I'm kind of an old guy; I can go for a long time. I'm not very fast though."

Johnson was out-done by one of his own Soldiers – Staff Sgt. Trevor Pruett, Company A, 1-8 CAB, who finished 39 seconds ahead to win the competition. 1st Lt. Matt Vigeant, Company D, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, finished in third place at a time of one hour, 13 minutes and 38 seconds.

In the female category, 2nd Lt. Delaney Brown, Company A, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, was the top finisher with a time of one hour, 26 minutes.

"It's a good feeling," she said about her win. "I was really nervous going into it. I know a lot of them were good runners and swimmers and I wanted to see how I measured up to them. But coming out on top is a really good feeling."

Brown was followed by 2nd Lt. Lynnette Murray, Company C, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, in second with a time of one hour, 32 minutes and 45 seconds and Staff Sgt. Anita Vega, Company A, 3rd STB, with a time of one hour, 32 minutes and 56 seconds.

Another Striker Iron Soldier competition is tentatively scheduled for September.

"I've heard a couple of them say they wanted to do another one and see if they could finish better," Brown said.