Gladiators Cup challenge concludes Commander's Cup

Photo By Master Sgt. Charles McKelvey | A Gladiator's Cup challenge team competes in the ten-legged race during the Commander's Cup's final event, the Gladiator Cup challenge, which took place at Penny Lake fields here Oct. 19, 2012. The Gladiator's Cup was an all-day, multidisciplined evolution and teams received points based on their placement in each event. At the end of the day, officials totaled each team's points for the day to decide the victor.  

IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

10.26.2012

Courtesy Story

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

IWAKUNI, Japan - After months of competition, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 emerged victorious, winning the Commander’s Cup here Oct. 19, 2012.

Units won points throughout the months of competition, and the top three point leaders, MALS-12, Combat Logistics Company 36 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, competed in the final challenge of the year, the Gladiator’s Cup.

“The Commander’s Cup has been going on for about seven or eight years,” said Barbara Roman, Semper Fit fitness coordinator.“The idea is to do something fun and challenging, while getting Marines together.”

The winning team, MALS-12, was coached by 1st Lt. Antonio B. Boyd, who accredited their victory to a high state of physical fitness maintained throughout the year. Upon winning the title, the MALS-12 team took group photos and returned to work, planning their 2013 Commander’s Cup strategy.

The Gladiator's Cup was an all-day, multidisciplined evolution, and teams received points based on their placement in each event. At the end of the day, officials totaled each team's points for the day to decide the victor.

CLC-36 took first place in the Gladiator’s Cup with a total score of 71, MALS-12 took second place with a total score of 66 and MWSS-171 took third place with a total score of 56.

The first challenges took place at the pool inside IronWorks Gym as well as Penny Lake. Competitors started the day with a relay swim in which every team member had to wear the same pair of cammies.

“This year is the first year we've introduced the relay and it was pretty neat to see,” said Roman.

After the water events the Marines ate chow and transitioned to the afternoon land-based events.

Marines first competed in the ten-legged race and the Bull Pull. Following the Bull Pull was an event that required two team members. One member was strapped into a metal cage while the other pushed the metal cage around three cones and back to the starting point. Once the Marine was out of the cage, he sprinted to a cone and back.

“You have to roll with the turning but it really wasn't as bad as I expected,” said Lance Cpl. Michael Perez, electrician specialist for MALS-12 and Gladiator cup participant.

The final event was an obstacle course that included going above and below obstacles, jumping rope and jumping through tires at the end of the course.

“The goal is to bring the Marines together and build morale,” said Roman.

After the blood, sweat and tears were shed, those who were not victorious returned to their units and completed the day’s work; hoping for another opportunity to claim a future victory.

The Commander's Cup is slated to resume next year.

• Date Taken: 10.26.2012
• Date Posted: 10.29.2012 01:10
• Story ID: 96888
• Location: IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP