Northern Regional Medical Command leadership recognize regional trial athletes

By Gail Cureton, NRMC Public AffairsFebruary 23, 2015

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(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

After days of intense Army Regional Trials competition, about 50 warrior athletes from across the Northern Regional Medical Command gathered Friday for one final event hosted by the NRMC Warrior Transition Office.

The recognition ceremony, conducted at the Fort Belvoir USO Warrior and Family Center, culminated five days of Army Regional Trials, including two training days and three days of athletic competition in seven sports: archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair basketball.

Each Soldier and Army Veteran received a certificate of achievement for participating. Some athletes also received special recognition because of their attitude, sportsmanship and esprit de corps. Soldiers who served as event cadre earned Army Achievement Medals for their hard work ensuring the events ran smoothly and the athletes received the support they needed.

Army veteran retired Sgt. Jason Blair received a coin from Brig. Gen. Robert D. Tenhet, NRMC commanding general, for his leadership throughout the trials. Blair knows what it takes to get to the next level, as he won medals representing Team Army in last year's DOD competitions in cycling, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.

"It's an honor to come back and share what I have learned," Blair said. "It's an awesome experience to represent the Army against the other services and I hope I get the chance again."

The Army Regional Trials is a major step on the road to determining which Soldiers compete for slots to represent the Army during a DOD competition later this summer.

One NRMC athlete representing the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., had the distinction of being the only participant to compete in all seven events. He also received a coin from the general along with extended cheers from his fellow competitors for his "Iron Man-like" feat.

"I just wanted to enjoy this experience and not limit myself," Spc. Michael Sheeley said of his accomplishment in competing in every sport. "This was fun and it's another way of proving to yourself and others that you can bounce back from being hurt."

The Army Regional Trials showcase the resilient spirit and included athletes with spinal cord injuries; traumatic brain injuries; visual impairments; serious illnesses and amputations.

The NRMC Soldiers find out in early March who earned the right to represent the region at the Army Trials--a service-wide event. Once the announcement is made, athletes representing warrior transition units across the Army will make their way to Fort Bliss, Texas, March 29 -- April 2, for a chance to represent the Army against teams from the Marine Corps, Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations.