Ranger Challenge team wins events at Fort Knox

A team of University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets finished fifth overall and won four out of nine events in the Spartan Ranger Challenge held Feb. 27-March 1 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The competition included almost 24 hours straight of physical challenges at one point.

UNG's black team earned event victories in one-rope bridge, hand grenade assault, obstacle course, and commander's challenge. Its gold team also competed at Fort Knox.

Micah Dell, a junior from Newnan, Georgia, pursuing a degree in strategic and security studies with a specialization in Chinese language, was competing at Spartan Ranger Challenge for the second time. Even as the group faced challenges, everyone demonstrated determination, according to Dell.

"We kept pushing through," he said. "I was really proud of how we worked together."

Staff Sgt. Casey Dunn, the UNG Ranger Challenge coach, said the future is bright for this group, which only graduates one senior.

"They really impressed me with how tough and resilient they were," Dunn said. "And I'm really looking forward to taking this team to the next competition."

Lucien Buettner, a senior from Brentwood, Tennessee, pursuing a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness, likewise is excited for what his younger teammates can accomplish.

"We're going to be winning some more next year, that's for sure," Buettner said.