ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Men and women of Ellsworth Air Force Base showed off their strength and skills during the Alpha Warrior Competition, on Aug. 5, 2017.
The high-intensity obstacle course was inspired by American Ninja Warrior and localized through the Air Force Services Activity in partnership with Alpha Warrior. “It’s a great fitness opportunity for people to challenge themselves with a little healthy competition,” said Capt. Meghan Cummings, the sustainment services flight chief assigned to the 28th Force Support Squadron and competition coordinator.
Participants had the opportunity to test their might on the Alpha Warrior Battle Rig, a course comprised of five obstacles that not only challenged competitors physically but also their ability to push themselves mentally.
“The course was hard but challenges Airmen to try something new and to have that resiliency to push past their normal,” said Bradley Borytsky, a mental health technician assigned to the 28th Medical Operations Squadron, who placed third in the competition.
The Battle Rig tested competitors’ core, arm, back and grip strength, requiring some to engage muscles they’re not accustomed to using.
“Just focus on the obstacle, give each obstacle your full attention,” said Kevin Klein, one of the Alpha Warrior athletes and American Ninja Warrior veteran. “Don’t worry about any that you messed up on, or any coming up.”
In order to encourage Airmen to continue to push themselves and to stay at an optimum physical fitness level the Alpha Warrior team left part of the Battle Rig for Airmen to train on. Ellsworth was one of more than 40 installations participating.
The competition is divided into 15 regions. Ellsworth is competing in the Plains region against Malmstrom AFB, Montana, Minot AFB, North Dakota, and Offut AFB, Nebraska.
The top male and female qualifiers with the fastest times from each region will go on to compete in the final round at Joint-Base San Antonio in November and possibly take home the title of Alpha Warrior. For Saturday’s competition, the top males in order from first to third were; Jason Cherry, Clark Clement and Bradley Borytsky, for females; Clysen Deckert, Kalee Dalton and Amanda Hood.
For more information on when the obstacles from the rig will be available, or how to participate in Alpha Warrior, contact the Bellamy Fitness center at (605) 385-2266.