Cadets ready to chase excellence at Sandhurst

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Ranger Challenge team is back on the biggest stage for the varsity sport of Army ROTC and ready to compete with the world's best in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition. This marks UNG's first trip in four years to the event, which is set for May 1-2 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and features services academies and ROTC programs.

UNG's four most recent trips to Sandhurst — 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022 — ended with first-place ROTC finishes and top-four overall honors. This year's cadets understand the weight of that history and want to build their own after advancing to Sandhurst thanks to a second-place finish in the Titan Ranger Challenge in January.

"It feels good to be leaving a legacy of a higher standard," said Neveah Owen, a sophomore from Columbus, Georgia, pursuing a degree in strategic and security studies. "We're striving toward excellence."

Owen serves as executive officer, or second in command, for UNG's Ranger Challenge specialty unit. She said the team's mini-competitions in the lead-up to Sandhurst have laid a strong foundation.

"Our training shows us how to push through difficulties," Owen said. "We are all excited to feel that struggle and challenge at Sandhurst."

Jason Cooper, a junior from Mechanicsville, Virginia, pursuing a degree in criminal justice, serves as Ranger Challenge commander for UNG. This is his third year on the team, and he said all those efforts have built toward this moment.

"We're always trying to figure out what we can do better and improve on our weaknesses," Cooper said.

He noted the camaraderie among team members is strong, and they can enjoy their training together. They can also take their mentality to another level when the time is right.

"Once it's time to compete, we know how to turn that switch on. We're locked in and focused on the goal," Cooper said. "It's a bunch of like-minded people who want to compete and better themselves. It's a good culture to be around because it makes you want to push yourself."

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Joey Blacksher, senior executive advisor to the superintendent of the Cadet Leadership Academy, is ready to see the cadets perform at Sandhurst.

"I'm proud of every one of them. Sandhurst isn't about showing up. It's about proving you're an asset when it matters most," Blacksher said. "They've put in the work. Now they execute, trust each other and let the results speak."