Courtesy Photo | Team Minnesota consisted of, (top left-right), Sgt. Maj. Tony Padilla of Lakeville,...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Maj. Tony Padilla
The Army National Guard Combatives Championship crowned it's best fighters at Fort Benning, Ga., March 26-28. About 100 Soldiers from 27 states participated in the tournament. The Illinois Guard's team took first place.
Team MN brought 6 fighters down to the tournament to compete. At 125 pounds was Spc. Schommer from A Company, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry (2-135 IN), Spc. Garibay from A Company, 2-135 IN at the 140 pound class, Sgt. Fridgen from A Company 2-135 IN at the 155 pound class, Capt. Eitenmiller, 34th Infantry Division at the 170 pound class, Spc. Schnoor from D Company, 2-135 IN at the 205 pound class, at Heavy Weight Sgt. Curry from 850th Horizontal Engineering Company and two coaches 2nd Lt. Malmberg from B Company, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry and Sgt. Maj. Padilla 84th Troop Command.
Team Minnesota had over 20 fights total and came in 4th place overall in team standings, only losing to teams that had twice as many members. Individual achievements taken by the team were Eitenmiller took first place overall at 170 pounds, Schommer and Garibay took 3rd place in their weight classes. Fridgen took 4th place at his weight class.
The level of competition at these events continues to grow and the Minnesota National Guard is dedicated to continue to participate in these events. The Minnesota National Guard will send a team down to the All Army Combatives Tournament this fall. Soldiers interested in representing the state of Minnesota must compete at the state completion this summer.
"We've seen an increase in participation every year, and I think next year we'll get even larger," said Capt. Brian Deaton, the officer in charge of the tournament. "We're hoping to get over 120 competitors next year to come out and fight."
"The combatives program helps to keep the warrior ethos alive and instills the fighting spirit and it's also a great fitness tool for units to utilize in their fitness plan," said Deaton.
The All Armed Forces Pankration tournament is scheduled for May 15 at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and the All Army Combatives Championship will be held in August at Fort Benning.
Top Guard Fighters
A look at the top teams (with point totals) and individual finishers by weight classification in the third annual Army National Guard Combatives Tournament, held Saturday and Sunday at Briant Wells Fieldhouse on Fort Benning, Ga.:
Teams
1. Illinois -- 171
tie-2. Arizona -- 117
tie-2. Idaho -- 117
4. Minnesota -- 110
Flyweight
1. Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Taniguchi, Hawaii
2. Spc. Elisha Helsper, Idaho
3. Spc. Jacob Schommer, Minnesota
Lightweight
1. Staff Sgt. Matthew Stemmler, Virginia
2. Staff Sgt. Justin Gottke, Ohio
3. Spc. Erik Cabral-Garibay
Welterweight
1. Staff Sgt. Robert Early, Idaho
2. Sgt. Adam Therriault, Illinois
3. Sgt. Joshua Fridgen, Minnesota
Middleweight
1. Capt. Joachim Eitenmiller, Minnesota
2. Maj. Curtiss Robinson, South Carolina
3. Staff Sgt. Nicholas Grant, Illinois
Cruiserweight
1. Staff Sgt. Steven Elliot, California
2. Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Chroninger, Idaho
3. Sgt. Neil Magny, Illinois
Light Heavyweight
1. 2nd Lt. Brandon Hern, Oregon
2. Staff Sgt. Phillip Wagoner, Rhode Island
3. Staff Sgt. Jacob Torrez, Washington
Heavyweight
1. Staff Sgt. Jeremy Christenson, Alaska
2. Sgt. Gregory Main, Arizona
3. Sgt. Andres Behrens, Arizona
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2010 17:10 |
| Story ID: | 47713 |
| Location: | FORT BENNING, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 628 |
| Downloads: | 344 |
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