TH E CA M ERON UNI V ERSIT Y Monday, November 22, 2010
Volume 85 Issue 9
Informing Cameron Since 1926
Cadets take Ranger Challenge By Rachel Engel News Editor
Up for the challenge: Members of the Cameron Army ROTC athletic team prepare to particpate in one of the many physical events at the Ranger Challenge at Camp Gruber, Okla. on Oct. 8-9. CU teams placed first in their categories, and were rewarded with two bronze trophies.
Cameron University’s Army ROTC athletic team won first place at the annual Ranger Challenge at Camp Gruber, Okla., on Oct. 8-9, beating out nine other schools for the top honors. Due to the high number of volunteers, two teams were created for the challenge, a male team and a coed team, and both teams placed first in their categories. Professor of Military Science Lt. Col. Rod Boles said that placing first has a positive impact on the team in a number of ways. “It’s an honor because it shows that you’re the top school in Oklahoma and Arkansas in the “It gives them a sense of Ranger Challenge,” teamwork. When you go he said. “It’s a sense of accomplishment. At through something that’s the end of the event, we hard and difficult with were provided with two other people, it makes large trophies that we display in our trophy you closer to them, case. Additionally, [the and you learn about cadets] receive a tab that teamwork. That’s part of says ‘Ranger Challenge’ that they can proudly being a leader.” wear.” — Lt. Col. Rod Boles Participating in the event also creates Professor, Military Science strong bonds between the team members, and helps them learn to take charge in future situations, Lt. Col. Boles said. “It gives them a sense of teamwork,” he said. “When you go through something that’s hard and difficult with other people, it makes you closer to them, and you learn about teamwork. That’s part of being a leader.” CU’s Army ROTC athletic team has a history of producing high marks in the Ranger Challenge, with last year’s team coming in second place. “Cameron is tradition rich, and does well about ever year [in the Ranger Challenge],” Lt. Col. Boles said. “We’re blessed in that arena.” The cadets trained for a month prior to the competition under the guidance of Senior Military Science Instructor Master Stg. Tony Franzen.
Courtesy photos
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Job well done: Cameron Army ROTC athletic team members come together with their first place trophies. The team improved upon their second place performance at last year’s Ranger Challenge.
Turkey Trot promotes health, philanthropy By Megan Bristow Collegian Staff
With all the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, rolls and pumpkin pie, it can be difficult to remember to stay active during the Thanksgiving holiday. To combat this, the Cameron University Fitness Center designed a plan to help students and faculty keep the pounds off this Thanksgiving while helping a local food bank. Fitness Coordinator Lendi Gourley used ideas from her previous experience at Northwestern Oklahoma State University to promote a healthy competition dubbed “The Turkey Trot.” The Turkey Trot is an effort between participants to reach 80 miles of either walking or running before Nov. 21. Kamyia Nash, an 18-year-old Medical Technology freshman and a participant in the challenge, described the event as just another reason to run. “I love running,” Nash said. “The Turkey Trot just gives me another opportunity to run. As of November 10, I have already run 60 miles in the past 10 days. I’m going to run 12 more today and eight tomorrow to finish this up.” The Turkey Trot is more than just a competition, however; it is also an effort to give to community members who may be less fortunate. Gourley explained that participants in this competition would be doing more than just racing to the prize. “Participants in the Turkey Trot have to bring a canned food item to be able to compete. Their donation will go toward a good cause and benefit the Lawton Food Bank,” she said. The Fitness Center has teamed up with Cameron’s Gamma Usilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma to gather donations for the community. This chapter is responsible for picking the donations up from the Fitness Center and transporting them to the Lawton Food Bank where they will be used to feed hungry stomachs in the area. Although the humanitarian effort was not the reason that Nash joined the
challenge, she is happy to be able to give to others while she runs. “I’m really glad that there are more than just a few people participating,” she said. “We are able to benefit others and maintain fitness at the same time.” The first place winner of this year’s Turkey Trot completed the challenge in
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Graphic by Megan Bristow
News
A&E
Sports
Opinion
CU Music Department adds a new major.
Art student gains national recognition.
Cameron basketball season begins.
CU takes time to listen to students.
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