Soldiers grapple for superiority in The Adjutant General's Combatives Tournament

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/26/2015)(readMedia)-- Soldiers from all over the state converged on Camp Lincoln Feb. 22 for the annual Adjutant General's Combatives Tournament hosted by the Illinois Army National Guard's Modern Army Combatives Team.

The two-day tournament had bouts in eight weight divisions from 105 pounds to more than 205 pounds. Preliminary rounds use the Modern Army Combative Program standard rules where competitors start in a standing position and work to take down and submit their opponent. The finals follow the MACP intermediate rules where the goal is the same, but allow competitors to use openhanded strikes to the face, closed hand strikes to the body, kicks, and knees to the lower extremities.

"The prelim rounds are double elimination, six minute bouts in each class and we use the standard competition rules," Master Sgt. James Frick of Herrin, Illinois, Headquarters, operations non-commissioned officer with the 129th Regional Training Institute and combatives team member said. "Then, when we get to the finals, they get to have a little more fun. They follow the intermediate rules where they can strike and they fight a single elimination, 10 minute bout."

Three teams brought more 50 competitors to the tournament. Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in each weight division and the tournament trophy was given to the top finishing team.

Tournament Results:

Team Results:

1. 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry – 329 points

2. 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade – 230 points

3. 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry – 125 points

Individual Results:

110 lb. Weight Division

1. Spc. Alma Ruff, Osewgo, Illinois, 135th Chemical Company

125 lb. Weight Class

1. Pvt. 1st Class Christopher Denning, Rock Falls, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

2. Pvt. 1st Class Eliah Wence, Lakemoor, Illinois, 135th Chemical Company

3. Spc. Kamisha Bell, Carterville, Illinois, Co. E, 634th Brigade Services Battalion

140 lb. Weight Division

1. Spc. Gabriel Gloria, Sterling, Illinois, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

2. Spc. Brock Scoggins, Carterville, Illinois, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry

3. Sgt. Ricardo Brambila, Berwyn, Illinois, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

155 lb. Weight Division

1. Spc. Seth Pilkington, Carthage, Illinois, 233rd Military Police Company

2. Cdt. Samuel Russ, Round Lake, Illinois, 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Signal

3. Sgt. 1st. Class Arkan Chehade, Wayne, Illinois, 108th Multifunctional Medical Battalion

170 lb. Weight Division

1. 2nd Lt. Ross Cooper, Gillespie, Illinois, 3637th Maintenance Company

2. Spc. Roberto Leal, Streamwood, Illinois, 1244th Transportation Company

3. Spc. Jose Roman, Dekalb, Illinois, Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery

185 lb. Weight Division

1. Staff Sgt. Bryan Helfrich, Dixon, Illinois, 333rd Military Police Company

2. Pvt. 1st Class Andino Medina, LaGrange Park, Illinois, Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

3. Pvt. 1st Class Ivan Gonzalez, Berwyn, Illinois, Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery

205 lb. Weight Division

1. Sgt. Logan Weir, Monmouth, Illinois, Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 44th Chemical Battalion

2. Spc. Brock Tedrick, Dixon, Illinois, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

3. Sgt. Zechariah Johnson, Mount Morris, Illinois, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

Heavyweight Division (over 205 lb.)

1. Pvt. Carlos Brown, Peoria, Illinois, Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

2. Spc. Steven McMahon, Streamwood, Illinois, Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

3. Sgt. Michael Rynearson, Lewiston, Illinois, 444th Combat Support Chemical Company

Cutline 1: Master Sgt. James Frick of Herrin, Illinois, Headquarters, 129th Regional Training Institute operations non-commissioned officer and combatives team member, briefs competitors on intermediate rules before the start of the championship bouts during the Adjutant General's Combatives Tournament Feb. 22. The annual tournament pits Soldiers from across the state against each other to hone their combat skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 2: Members of 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry's combatives team receive the team trophy from Maj. Gen Johnny R. Miller of Tamms, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General-Army and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Bowman of Plainfield, Illinois, Land Component Command Sergeant Major Feb. 22 at The Adjutant General's Combatives Tournament. The cavalry squadron took the team event with a score of 230 points. The annual tournament pits Soldiers from across the state against each other to hone their combat skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 3: Gold medal winners stand with Maj. Gen Maj. Gen Johnny R. Miller of Tamms, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General-Army and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Bowman of Plainfield, Illinois, Land Component Command Sergeant Major at the conclusion of The Adjutant General's Combatives Tournament Feb. 22. The annual tournament pits Soldiers from across the state against each other to hone their combat skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 4: Silver medal winners stand with Maj. Gen Maj. Gen Johnny R. Miller of Tamms, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General-Army and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Bowman of Plainfield, Illinois, Land Component Command Sergeant Major at the conclusion of The Adjutant General's Combatives Tournament Feb. 22. The annual tournament pits Soldiers from across the state against each other to hone their combat skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 5:Bronze medal winners stand with Maj. Gen Johnny R. Miller of Tamms, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General-Army and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Bowman of Plainfield, Illinois, Land Component Command Sergeant Major at the conclusion of The Adjutant General's Combatives Tournament Feb. 22. The annual tournament pits Soldiers from across the state against each other to hone their combat skills. (Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)