Marines set standard for 2012 Warrior Games

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, UNITED STATES

05.01.2012

Story by Sgt. Aaron Hostutler 

Defense Media Activity - Marines

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Veteran Marine Sgt. Brian McPhearson and Marc Esposito with Special Operations Command, fight for inches in their final seconds of the Open Men’s Bicycle competition, May 1.

McPhearson pushes forward and wins by a half a wheel. Winning third place may not seem like a feet, but Marines also took first and second sweeping their competition.

"The motor has to match the bike. That’s all I thought about," McPhearson said. "I wanted it to be one two three on the podium. It had to be the Marines."

Staff Sgt. Nathan Lynch took first followed closely by Sgt. Cogan Nelson. The gold, silver and bronze medals the Marines won added to the six out of 15 earned by Marines during the cycling portion of the 2012 Warrior Games.

Lance Cpl. Levi Marshall, a Marine with the Wounded Warrior Regiment, finished the last few yards more than three minutes ahead of his competition in the Men's Recumbent portion of the cycling competition.

Capt. Jonathon Dispro and Cpl. Justin Gaertner won the silver medals in their respective races.

The 33 Marines and 17 veteran Marines who make up the All-Marine Warrior Games team will compete in several events during the games which are scheduled to run from May 1 to May 5.

The competition includes archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball and archery.

I’m just so proud of these Marines. I’m proud of our Marine Corps, and I’m proud of the families that are out here supporting,” said Col. John Mayer, the commanding officer of the Wounded Warrior Regiment. “I’m just really really proud.”

The Marines won the Chairman’s Cup in the first two Warrior Games and are well on their way to seizing a third.

• Date Taken: 05.01.2012
• Date Posted: 05.01.2012 19:04
• Story ID: 87694
• Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, US