The Rangers Win The 2015 Omaha Challenge
December 08, 2015 | Baseball
The Husky Baseball team wrapped up its annual Omaha Challenge on Friday and Team Purple – the Rangers – came away with a closely-fought victory. The Rangers, consisting of Peyton Lacoste, Spencer Jones, Josh Cushing, Adam Davenport, Gage Matuszak, Noah Bremer, KJ Brady and Karl Kani, staved off TACP – or Team Black – to win the three-day event by 125 points.
The Omaha Challenge was designed to honor our troops and special forces who put their lives on the line every day to keep our country safe. Five teams consisting of eight players participated in a series of events over three days, testing their strength, stamina, agility and mental toughness. While only one team walked away as champions, the entire team learned the value of hard work, courage, sportsmanship and teamwork that our troops exemplify. The event wrapped up a spirited fall for the Husky Baseball team that saw the squad bond through teamwork and competition.
The five team names were selected from across the United States military branches Special Forces units to represent the ideals of service and strength each of these groups embody:
TACP – The Air Force's Tactical Air Patrol Party Specialists
LRRPs – Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrols
Night Hawks – The United States Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
RECON – US Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance companies
TACP beat the Night Hawks – Team Silver – in a sudden-death, 200-yard medicine ball relay to advance to the final. TACP could have exerted all their energy in winning the relay before the tug-a-war, but put up a valiant effort in the finale, pushing the Rangers to the brink.
The Rangers took the first tug-a-war matchup over TACP, before TACP bounced back to even the battle with the win in the second stage. The two teams stalemated in the final and deciding battle before the Rangers pulled away for the victory.
The competition symbolized the last day the team would be separated into five different units before returning as one team for the start of practice. The team will study this week and then take final exams before heading their separate ways for the holiday break. When they return after the New Year, the Huskies will resume practice and prepare for their Feb. 19 opening series in Waco, Texas against the Baylor Bears.
