Ole Miss Army ROTC places second in weekend competition

ISLA SCHUCHS
DM Staff Writer

The Ole Miss Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) placed second in a competition between units from eight universities gathered in Oxford this weekend.

The University of South Alabama sent the winning squad to Oxford, recording a total of 989 points. They were followed by Ole Miss, which recorded a score of 964. The University of Southern Mississippi placed third with 916 points, and fourth place went to Mississippi State University with 895 points. The winning units were awarded trophies at an awards ceremony.

After arriving Friday, the units took part in an Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), which consists of two minutes of push-ups, sit-ups and a timed two-mile run.

Events resumed at 5 a.m. Saturday with a 10-kilometer road march, during which the soldiers dressed in full combat gear, carrying a 40-lb. rucksacks M-16 rifles. After the march they ate breakfast and began round robins, which included weapons assembly and disassembly, a hand grenade assault course and the one rope bridge.

The one rope bridge is supposed to simulate crossing a river. In this timed event the soldiers must set up the rope bridge between two telephone poles and cross it.

Around 1 p.m. the competition ended and the soldiers awaited their scores.

"I am definitely proud of what my team did this weekend," said Lieutenant Shawn Nickell. "We learned what our weak points are before we go down to Camp Shelby for Brigade camp."

Sergeant William Kavanaugh said he was happy with the weekend.

"I think along with our weak points we also found some hidden strengths this weekend and I am thoroughly pleased with their efforts," Kavanaugh said.

The Head to Head competition started as a competition between ROTC units from Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Over the years the competition has grown and this year's participants included Alcorn State University, Grambling State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Memphis, Ole Miss, the University of South Alabama and The University of Southern Mississippi.

Oct. 20-22, the University Army ROTC will travel to Camp Shelby, near Hattiesburg, for Brigade camp. This year they will be defending last year's championship.