UA Army ROTC Wins Regional Ranger Challenge

STARKE, Fla. — The University of Alabama’s Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team is headed back to West Point.

UA won its second consecutive Brigade Ranger Challenge Saturday at Camp Blanding, Florida, defeating 10 other Ranger Challenge teams from universities from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.

The Crimson Tide Ranger Challenge team won the overall competition and took first place in the hand grenade assault course, call for fire and patrol lane, and the Army Physical Fitness Test.

The team will compete in the Sandhurst International Military Competition at the United States Military Academy in April, where they will compete against other regional champions, West Point cadets, senior military colleges and foreign militaries in a weeklong competition.

“The University of Alabama Army ROTC Ranger challenge team has once again proven that it is one of the best programs in the country,” said Lt. Col Antwan Brown, UA Army ROTC department chair.

“For a second year in a row The University of Alabama Army ROTC Ranger challenge team will compete nationally to become the best of the best,” Brown said. “I could not be more proud of a more dedicated and honorable group of young men and women, some of which will graduate this year and begin leading America’s men and women in the Armed Forces.”

Cadet Conner Salisbury scored a 360 on the physical fitness test, exceeding a perfect score by 60 points, and Cadet Terry Hancock’s expertise in patrolling propelled the team to victory on the call for fire lane, said Capt. Morgan Campbell, Ranger Challenge coach.

Florida State University finished second, and Auburn University at Montgomery, which won the state competition in October 2017, finished third.

The UA Ranger Challenge cadets are Emily Maier-Costanza, Walnut Creek, California; Charlton Epperson, Charlotte, North Carolina; David Edwards, Glen Allen, Virginia; Conner Salisbury, Lorton, Virginia; Garrett Preston, Jacksonville; Jordan Pieczynski, Pickerington, Ohio; Terry Hancock, Kissimmee, Florida; Bailey Connor, Sumter, South Carolina; Mike Boster, Piperton, Tennessee; Joey Riggs, Vinemont; and Andy Harper, Katy, Texas.