KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Two teams from the University of Kansas Army ROTC tested their physical stamina and technical skills in the annual 3rd Brigade ROTC Ranger Challenge.

Teams from colleges and universities throughout the Midwest competed in the all-day event held Oct. 16 at Camp Dodge, Iowa. The competition included the Army Physical Fitness Test, a 10K road march, basic rifle marksmanship, orienteering, weapons assembly and disassembly, a grenade assault course and constructing a one-rope bridge.

KU’s Alpha and Bravo teams each included eight cadets and an alternate for each team. The Bravo team finished in 13th and the Alpha team finished 16th, with top-five finishes in the Army Physical Fitness Test and 10K road march events. Lt. Col. Victor Hamilton, professor of military science, said he was proud of each team’s hard work and competitive spirit.

KU is one of only 50 universities in the nation offering an ROTC program that represents all branches of the military. Students in KU’s ROTC programs are not only from KU but also from Baker University in Baldwin City, Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Washburn University in Topeka, Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Cadets competing on KU’s ROTC Ranger Challenge teams are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names and high school.

BUTLER COUNTY
From Andover 67002
Tyler Richard Beck, sophomore in economics; son of Meg Beck; Andover High School

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Baldwin City 66006
Zachary Thomas Hertzel, freshman preparing to major in physical therapy; Lawrence High School

From Eudora 66025
Paul Preston Bender, junior in geography; son of Jack Bender; Lawrence High School

From Lawrence 66049
John Phillip Bergman, junior in marketing; son of Ray and Kathy Bergman; Lawrence Free State High School

HARVEY COUNTY
From Newton 67114
Stuart Mark McConnell, freshman in film and media studies; son of Michael and Carla McConnell; Newton High School

Garrett Parker Moe, sophomore in anthropology and psychology; son of Douglas Moe; Newton High School

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66209
Dan Joseph Stork, freshman preparing to major in sport science; son of Kris and Keith Stork; Blue Valley North High School

From Olathe 66062
Griffin Richard Middendorf, freshman in applied behavioral science; son of Bob Middendorf; Olathe East High School

From Overland Park 66213
Wei Dai, junior in pre-business; son of Bing Liu and Guoli Dai; Blue Valley North High School

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Lansing 66043
Bobbi Michelle Walden, sophomore in history; daughter of Joseph and Julia Walden; Lansing High School

From Leavenworth 66048
Blake Steven Horvath, sophomore in history; son of Jan and Sherry Horvath; Leavenworth Senior High School

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Andale 67001
Matthew Robert Moore, senior in geography; son of Cheryl and Mark Moore; Andale High School

From Wichita 67205
John Collin Case, freshman preparing to major in education; son of Rick Case; Maize High School

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Tecumseh 66409
Travis Scott Warren, freshman in political science; son of Scott and Christina Warren; Shawnee Heights High School

MISSOURI
From Kansas City 64114
Joseph Andrew Shannon, senior in elementary education; son of Deborah Shannon; Center Senior High School

From St. Clair 63077
Andrew Stephen Haanpaa, freshman in anthropology; son of Susan Hedrick; St. Clair R-XIII High School

OREGON
From Eugene 97401
Cortney Renee Coke, junior in applied behavioral science; daughter of Shawn and Lisa Coke; Henry D. Sheldon High School

TEXAS
From Harker Heights 76548
Matthew Aaron Visser, sophomore in political science; son of Vance and Sherri Visser; Harker Heights High School