Photo By Sgt. Max Elliott | Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Watkins, left, director of the Joint Staff for the Ohio National...... read more read more
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PORT CLINTON, Ohio – As the deep azure sky stretched overhead Sept. 16, the atmosphere at Camp Perry Joint Training Center was electric. Soldiers converged for the annual Ohio Army National Guard Combatives Tournament.
U.S. Army Combatives is more than just hand-to-hand combat, exemplifying the discipline, resilience and tactical prowess of the Ohio Army National Guard. By honing these skills, Soldiers enhance statewide force readiness and the collective strength of their units. The competitors returned equipped to share their knowledge, amplifying their fellow Soldiers’ capabilities.
The first-place winner in the Light Heavyweight Division, 1st Lt. Derrick Yant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, emphasized the importance of daily commitment to the craft.
“That’s what it means to me … just grinding every day and getting better,” Yant said. “Combatives tournaments are important because Soldiers from around the state have an opportunity to showcase their abilities and the different styles that they have. If you’re just a beginner, a lot of the technique is just experience. But as you advance, it becomes a lot more mental. So you must have a good head on your shoulders and keep learning constantly.”
While combatives may seem like just a physical contest to outsiders, they are essential to the Ohio Army National Guard’s training. It preps Soldiers for close encounters, heightens their endurance and refines their reflexes. The skills displayed at the tournament could tip the scales in life-or-death battlefield scenarios.
“This event shows so much resilience, growth and perseverance,” said Sgt. Jeremiah Slagle, master combatives instructor. “For an individual and as a team, as a unit. We have individuals who come here to compete, but they also bring other people from their company to show support or compete with them. So there’s a lot of team building. There’s a lot of perseverance. There’s a lot of hard work. There’s no slouching in this sport. You learn how to win and lose with humility. To win with class, you have to lose with class.”
This year, men and women of diverse ranks and ages tested their mettle against one another. An encouraging crowd of family, friends and fellow Soldiers cheered as participants engaged in intense bouts.
”It's a lot of fun,” Yant said. “It's not as nerve racking as it might look, it's not as physically brutal as it might look like sometimes. It's a really good time and like the more you do it, the less apprehensive you'll be when you step out on the mat in front of a bunch of people. And everyone here is really supportive, like throughout the entire tournament.”
The 2023 Ohio Army National Guard Combatives Tournament has wrapped up, but the insights gained, relationships built and sheer determination displayed will continue to inspire the ranks, urging many more to embody the discipline and commitment of combatives.
OHIO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD COMBATIVES TOURNAMENT RESULTS
CAMP PERRY, Port Clinton, Ohio (Sept. 16, 2023) – The Ohio Army National Guard’s Combatives Tournament results are as follows:
Flyweight Division (Males 140 pounds. and under; Females 150 pounds and under):
1st: Spc. Nate Stubblefield, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Engineer Brigade.
2nd: Staff Sgt. Martin Cruz, 812th Engineer Company, 112th Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade.
3rd: Spc. Jennifer Shimp, Company D, 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment.
Lightweight Division (Males 141-155 pounds; Females 151-166 pounds):
1st: Spc. Adrian Lynch-Wilfong, 811th Engineer Company, 216th Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade.
2nd: Spc. John Hostal, 323rd Military Police Company, 437th Military Police Battalion, 73rd Troop Command.
3rd: Spc. Brady Cameron, Company E, 237th Support Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Welterweight Division (Males 156-170 pounds; Females 167-182 pounds):
1st: Staff Sgt. Thomas McLaughlin, 147th Regiment, Joint Force Headquarters-Ohio.
2nd: Sgt. Tyler Eisenhower, 323rd Military Police Company, 437th Military Police Battalion, 73rd Troop Command.
3rd: Staff Sgt. Bert Fall, 811th Engineer Company, 216th Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade.
Middleweight Division (Males 156-170 pounds; Females 167-182 pounds):
1st: Staff Sgt. Matt Middleton, 324th Military Police Company, 437th Military Police Battalion, 73rd Troop Command.
2nd: Pfc. Nathan Morse, Company B, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
3rd: Spc. Beryl Walters, Company B, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Cruiserweight Division (Males 171-185 pounds; Females 183-198 pounds):
1st: Maj. Jonas Bray, Ohio Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Joint Force Headquarters-Ohio.
2nd: Sgt. Alexander Parker, Company A, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
3rd: Sgt. Chance King, Company B, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Light Heavyweight Division (Males 186-205 pounds; Females 199-219 pounds):
1st: 1st Lt. Derrick Yant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
2nd: Spc. Jonathan Dotson, 323rd Military Police Company, 437th Military Police Battalion, 73rd Troop Command.
3rd: Sgt. Daniel Richter, Company B, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Heavyweight Division (Males 206 pounds and up; Females 220 pounds and up):
1st: Sgt. Robert Powers, 812th Engineer Company, 112th Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade.
2nd: Spc. Michael Susnick, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
3rd: Spc. Da’shon Bush-Pierce, 812th Engineer Company, 112th Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2023 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 453970 |
| Location: | PORT CLINTON , OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 408 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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