President's Challenge brings "pt" to new level - gladiator style
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI,Japan (Oct. 14, 2005) -- When one thinks of the term gladiator, ancient barbaric fighters in Rome usually come to mind. The violent fighters engaged in mortal combat within public arenas, entertaining thousands. They were occasionally known to fight to the death, and were pitted against their peers, wild animals and slaves.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/649DDEEB3257186A852570A0001860C2?opendocument
Submitted by: MCAS Iwakuni
Story Identification #: 2005102002616
Story by Lance Cpl. John S. Rafoss
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI,Japan (Oct. 14, 2005) -- When one thinks of the term gladiator, ancient barbaric fighters in Rome usually come to mind. The violent fighters engaged in mortal combat within public arenas, entertaining thousands. They were occasionally known to fight to the death, and were pitted against their peers, wild animals and slaves.
Two thousand years later, the sport has since died but the legendary term lives on. It's easy to paint a picture of superb athletic ability when thinking of a gladiator.
Five units from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni battled each other in the Gladiators Ultimate Unit Physical Training Challenge, part of the Presidential Challenge, Oct. 14.
The units involved were Marine Air Logistics Squadron 12, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Airfield Recovery, and Marine Air Control Squadron 4.
"This is the final president's challenge this year," said Tracy D. Morgan, fitness coordinator and native of Mesquite, Texas. "The point of it has been to get people active by doing PT and having fun."
The staggering championship started in the pool with water events ranging from kayaking, swimming, rafting and a canoe tug of war.
"The biggest thing in the water is teamwork," said Lee H. Crowell, team ARFF and native of Houston. "Everyone is doing the proper technique as one to get the job done."
"The water events not just a physical competition, but also a mental one," said Daniel L. Kline, team ARFF and native of Lewisburg, Pa. "You have to put your fear aside and go in there with the attitude and confidence that you can pull it off."
However with all of team ARFF's determination, MACS 4 was able to come out on top in the water challenge.
Next up, the competitors left the pool and moved to Penny Lake Field, where they dug in the dirt and competed in the land challenge. The land challenge consisted of the ten-legged race, the bull-pull, the H-sphere race and the obstacle course.
"All of the land events are distributed evenly between the teams," said Brenton K. Baranek, team ARFF and native of West Monroe, La. "To be able to have the best team, you have to have guys for strength, speed, and smaller guys to fit in the caged ball (H-sphere)."
The last event was the classic tug of war. ARFF mustered up their strength and were able defeat the other units with pure strength.
"The land events were awesome," said Scott Rich, outdoor recreational manager and native of Seattle. "The events test physical team work, but aren't conventional sports. So there is a fun factor."
When the judges added up the points from both land and water events, MALS-12 came in 1st place, ARFF, 2nd and MACS 4, 3rd place. However this was the last Presidential Challenge this year and after all of the challenge points were added up, ARFF still come out on top and won, leaving with all the glory.
"Whenever there is a competition like this, there is usually a lot of tension," said Morgan. "The event got really intense, but everyone in the units showed great sportsmanship, making the event a success."