Nov. 30, 2001
Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail loweryr@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - For the second time in three years, Central Washington University Army ROTC cadets won the annual “Ranger Challenge.” CWU teams came out on top in the coed and male divisions, with the male squad also claiming the overall trophy during the two-day event.
Central’s team competed against ROTC units from Pacific Lutheran University, Eastern Washington University and Seattle University during the competition, staged Nov. 2-3 in Ellensburg and hosted by CWU.
“The focus of the competition is — first and foremost — teamwork,” Capt. Mike Isom, CWU assistant professor of military science and the event coordinator, says. “This detachment has again proven itself to be among the best in the Pacific Northwest by fielding a Ranger Challenge team and having it be very successful and winning.”
Sponsored by the Fourth Region ROTC, headquartered at Fort Lewis, the Challenge included events in physical training, comprised of two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups and a two-mile run; one-rope bridge, where teams constructed and traversed a bridge over a stream; hand grenade throwing; land navigation orienteering; and a 10-kilometer rucksack run, where the entire team ran as a unit.
“The competition creates an environment for the student-cadets, who will soon be commissioned officers, to develop teamwork and leadership skills, and a whole myriad of other abilities that will be applicable throughout their lives,” Isom adds.
CWU ARMY ROTC “RANGER CHALLENGE” PARTICIPANTS (2001)
| Name | Hometown/Previous School | Class | Major |
| MALE TEAM: |
| Brian R. Winkelman | Montesano/Walla Walla C.C. (1997) | Sr. | History |
| Michael D. Ferguson | Puyallup/Puyallup H.S. (1998) | Sr. | Communication studies |
| Jeremiah J. Willis | Mount Vernon/Mount Vernon H.S. (1998) | Jr. | Sociology |
| Eric J. Gordon | Redmond/Redmond H.S. (1998) | Sr. | Law and justice |
| Timothy J. Powlas | Mill Creek/Henry M. Jackson H.S. (1998) | Jr. | Administrative management |
| Robert R. Rickgauer | Mount Vernon/Mount Vernon H.S. (2000) | Soph. | Industrial technology |
| Gabriel R. Bowns | Redmond/Redmond H.S. (2001) | Fr. | Undeclared |
| Michael R. Ratcliffe | Gig Harbor/Gig Harbor H.S. (2001) | Fr. | Undeclared |
| Isaac J. Holmes | Silverdale/North Kitsap H.S. (2001) | Fr. | Undeclared |
| Josiah D. Pickett | Waterville/Waterville H.S. (2001) | Jr. | Math Pre-major |
| COED TEAM: |
| Adam H. Nixon | Naches/Eagle (Idaho) H.S. (1998) | Fr. | Undeclared |
| Miles H. Dahl | Burlington/Sedro Woolley H.S. (2000) | Soph. | Undeclared |
| Stuart G. McCurdy | Yakima/Eisenhower H.S. (2000) | Soph. | Flight technology |
| Stephen W. Betts | Woodinville/Woodinville H.S. (1999) | Soph. | Law and justice |
| Joseph L. Chaves | Ewa Beach, Hawaii/The Kamehameha Schools (1997) | Sr. | Law and justice |
| Ezequiel Estrada | Yakima/Eastern Wash. Univ. (*transfer-1999) | Sr. | Spanish |
| Jason C. Czebotar | Richland/Richland H.S. (1999) | Sr. | Law and justice |
| Erin N. Mallett | Port Ludow/Mount Si H.S. (1997) | Sr. | Law and justice |
| Casey M. Parsons | Davenport/Davenport H.S. (1998) | Jr. | Law and justice |
| Rudalfo A. Vaca | Bothell/Lakewood H.S. (1999) | Soph. | Economics Pre-major |
EDITOR’S KEY: Sr. — senior, Jr. — junior, Soph. — sophomore, Fr. — freshman, C.C. — Community College, H.S. — High School. Dates shown indicate the year in which a high school or community college associate’s degree was received. * - Estrada is a transfer student from EWU. He did not receive a degree there.
Admissions
