Longwood's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) couldn't have asked for a better day than Thursday, March 1 to hold their Super Soldier event on Iler Field. With help from the Longwood University Strength and Conditioning Department, the first annual event gave the average student a taste of what ROTC members go through during their training and weekly physical activity (PT) workouts.
The competitors showed up to get dirty by sliding through mud puddles, flipping giant tires and doing push-ups on the mushy ground. The idea, according to sophomore cadet Cameron Brengelman, was for each competitor to understand the PT activity done three times a week. Each day of PT is different, one focusing on upper body strength, one on running and the last on cardiovascular activities. While the participants competed, ROTC members stood watch to motivate them as well as keep score.
Participants could participate in the event of their choice, but to take home bragging rights, they had to complete all the events the course had to offer. And that's exactly what all of the participants did.
Even though all 35 completed the course, only one could really be called the super soldier of the day. That was Women's Assistant Basketball Coach Jennifer Poff. Poff won with a performance score of 765.
A number of students sat around the back of Dorrill Dinning Hall to watch the friendly competition that brought out males and females from all aspects of college life. Brengelman added that a few hundred dollars were raised through the sale of T-shirts, the general admission fee of $3 and general donations. The money raised will go to funding the ROTC's military ball.
Freshman Hannah Sacks said of the event, "The Super Soldier event was a lot of fun because everything was well-organized and everyone was having a great time. I enjoyed competing head to head with friends and I would definitely do this event next year."
Brengelman said ROTC hopes to continue the event on to next year. He said they might make a few changes and additions. "Somebody brought the idea of a tractor pull for next year," he said over the phone. He also hopes the event could coincide with Wounded Warrior Weekend in September.
Sophomore Ben Smith attempts to overturn a massive tire at ROTC'S premiere Super Soldier event on Iler Field.
