In the shadow of the Washington Monument, a group of MSU ROTC members gathered Thursday afternoon to visit the U.S. capital and prepare for the 27th annual Army Ten-Miler race.
Eleven Army ROTC cadets are spending the weekend in Washington, D.C., to compete in the Sunday race, assistant professor of military science William Lukaskiewicz said. The team is sponsored by the MSU Alumni Association, and each cadet is hosted by an MSU alumnus who provide lodging and meals for team members, he said.
In addition to preparing for the race, cadets also will engage in professional development sessions at the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol to speak with senior military officials and congressmen.
Lukaskiewicz said team members were selected based on their performances in a 25-km, or about a 15-mile, race in May, and their summer training.
Cadet Paul Schenk, a nursing junior and captain of the ten-miler team, said the team trained six days a week for six weeks, running a total of about 40 miles per week.
The team has set its sights on victory after finishing seventh last year in a field of more than 50 teams. This year, 57 teams from universities with ROTC programs have registered, and MSU’s team has a good shot at winning, Schenk said.
Cadet Chris Pizzo, a criminal justice senior, said the long-distance training was the hardest training he has done.
“It’s a real honor for me to do this because I never was a good runner since I started at MSU, (but I’ve) worked my way up to be able to compete in the race,” he said.
The top four finishers will be counted toward the team score. Pizzo said the team members who competed last year would serve as a base to do well in the race.
Lukaskiewicz said the trip also serves as a chance for cadets to talk with senior officers in the Army about the magnitude of the job they will undertake after graduating.
“They’re able to see the past and see people currently serving,” Lukaskiewicz said. “The greatest benefit they gain is that perspective.”
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