MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. --
The
Tactical Athlete Competition, hosted by Marine Corps Community Services, was
held at the fitness center aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort July 28-29.
Twenty-nine
Marines from MCAS Beaufort competed in challenges based on the rigorous
fundamentals of the High Intensity Tactical Training program. The course
included several cone drills, a standing broad jump, a kneeling power ball
throw, a 400 yard tactical course, and a kettlebell and burpee challenge.
The
top scoring female was Staff Sgt. Marissa Grudowski, a mobile facilities
technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, Marine Aircraft Group
31.
Grudowski
is an Olympic style weight lifter who recently started high intensity training.
“I’m
very excited for the next round of competition,” said Grudowski. “I’m going to
go out there and represent the base, and hopefully come out on top.”
The
male with the highest score was Lance Cpl. Brandon Gitz, a cryogenics equipment
operator for MALS-31.
“It
was a good time,” said Gitz. “I really enjoy exercising, so I decided I would just
try it and have some fun, but I ended up winning.”
Gitz says he is already preparing himself for the next round
of competition.
“I’ll
go on runs with other Marines and work out at the gym,” Gitz said. “I really
enjoy being physically fit and pushing myself to do better.”
The
winners are invited to compete in the final event at Marine Corps Air Ground
Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Sept. 16.
Marines
from more than 22 Marine Corps installations will compete for the title of
Ultimate Tactical Athlete, said Jonathan Hutchison, the HITT coordinator aboard
Parris Island Recruit Depot.
The final event will
consist of HITT challenges similar to the ones Marines executed in the
preliminary competition, said Hutchison. The exact schedule of events is kept
secret by the event coordinators.
This
is the first year Fightertown held the Ultimate Tactical Athlete competition
but Hutchison says he has big plans for the future.
He
hopes to eventually include all branches of service in the competition and
possibly hold multiple events a year.
“The
winners aboard the air station will be training hard to prepare for finals,”
said Hutchison. “They will represent Beaufort well.”