A team of Sam Houston State University ROTC cadets put their skills to the test this weekend as they competed in a 3-day competition with 33 other teams from Texas Universities at Ft. Hood.”They did really well,” said Capt. Lohmann. “They placed in the top 25 percent.” SHSU ROTC returned home with a final standing of 8th place overall from 34 competing teams.”They did really well in orienteering and the ruck run,” said Capt. Lohmann.The cadre is already preparing for next year’s competition, looking for new strategies to help boost their training.Other universities competing included Texas A&M, Stephen F. Austin, University of Texas, and Southwest Texas.The cadets are graded in the Army Physical Fitness Test, Infantry Patrolling Exam, disassembling and reassembling of a M16 A2 Rifle, Grenade Assault Course, 50-foot Rope Bridge, Land Navigation and Orienteering, and the greatest challenge of all, the 10 km Ruck Run.The road to competition begins with two full months of daily training, beginning at 5:45 a.m. Practice is open to all cadets with a team chosen a few weeks before the competition.The physical training consists of a lot of cardio, upper-body strength and abdominal strength to prepare the cadets for the physical fitness test.SHSU cadets practice a ruck run by running miles with almost 50 pounds of extra weight in their rucksacks.Cadets practice for weeks to learn orienteering and land navigation, one of the most important skills in the Army. Cadets are given a compass, map and protractor and are expected to find 10 of 10 points within a 10-mile radius.This particular area has been one of the greatest strengths for SHSU cadets, often placing in the top five at competition.Sam Houston State University ROTC has continued to improve its placement every year, moving up two places from 10th place last year to eighth this year.This year’s team consisted of Troy Gillett, David Ridenour, Casey Tharp, Brian Tharp, Brian Erskine, Kyle Yanowski, Paul Castillo, Tracy Lautzenheiser, Breg Hughes and Douglas Curry.Cadre members also supporting in this year’s competition included Lt. Col. Mooneyham, Sgt. Maj. Watkins, and Capt. Lohmann.