FORT BENNING, Ga. - The 75th Ranger Regiment team of Capt. Michael Rose and Master Sgt. Josh Horsager has won the 2017 Best Ranger Competition, according to officials with the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade. The team maintained the number one ranking going into the third day after a strong showing overnight and through the final day of events, which included the Darby Queen obstacle course, water confidence course and the final buddy run. Capt. Michael Rose previously won the competition in 2014.
They were able to push out Staff Sgt. Carlos Mercado and 2009 winner Master Sgt. Chad Stackpole of the 82nd Airborne Division who finished in second place.
Rounding out the top three is the last year's winning team of Capt. Robert Killian and Staff Sgt. Erich Friedlein of the National Guard.
Of the original 53 teams to begin the competition, only 21 completed the buddy run on the final day of competition.
U.S. Army Ranger teams from around the world competed in the annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning over the weekend. The three-day Best Ranger Competition has been compared to Ironman and Eco-Challenge competitions.
The competition challenges two-man Ranger teams
in events that test their physical conditioning, Ranger skills and team strategies. The events are purposely scheduled back-to-back and around the clock for 58 hours, allowing little time for rest and meals.
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