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ӣ������ University cadets once again returned to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to participate in this year’s annual Bataan Memorial Death March. This event honors a revered group of World War II heroes responsible for defending the Philippine Islands of Luzon, Corregidor, and Harbor Defense Forts while mixing in a bit of competition, which the ӣ������ cadets excelled in.

The University sent a host of cadets who offered a glimpse of ӣ������ excellence. “Our Alpha Team placed first in the ROTC Heavy Division, as well as first overall for the competition,” said COL Stephen Roberts, Ph.D., professor of military science and commanding officer for the University’s U.S. Army ROTC Pioneer Battalion. “As for our Bravo Team, we placed third overall — behind our Alpha Team and the 4th Infantry Division — and second in the ROTC Heavy Division, meaning we had a first and second place clean sweep for ROTC.”

These victories highlight ӣ������’s commitment to preparing students for real-world challenges, and Alpha Team’s first-place finish makes the University back-to-back ROTC Heavy Division champions. The teams’ efforts in New Mexico earned two trophies which will be displayed in Jackman Hall.

To earn such hardware, the groups walked along paved roads, dirt trails, and sand trails as they trekked through the desert, including one area known as the “Sand Pit.” As the name suggests, this area features deep sands that participants must walk through as they complete the march. While the type of terrain offers enough of a challenge, cadets overcame an elevation change of approximately 1,500 feet throughout a portion of the course. Maneuvering across the variety of terrains and climbing uphill is even more impressive when considering that the “heavy” designation indicates that they are walking with a 35-pound pack.

The cadets who participated in the 26.2-mile trek on behalf of ӣ������ are:

•    CDT Max Compton (AROTC)
•    CDT Hunter Dixson (AROTC)
•    CDT Leith Jones (AROTC)
•    CDT Case MacDonald (AROTC)
•    CDT Emmett Morin (NROTC)
•    CDT Landon Pandolph (AROTC)
•    CDT James Raymond (AROTC)
•    CDT Braeden Scott (pursuing Army National Guard)
•    CDT Lenon Spakousky (NROTC)
•    CDT Christian Wiatrak (NROTC)