LAKELAND, Fla. (Oct. 11, 2007) — Members of the Florida Southern College Army ROTC will join dozens of cadets from Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico colleges and universities to compete in the Eastern Region (ROTC) 6th Brigade’s Ranger Challenge. The annual event at Fort Stewart, Ga., pits 20 schools in a competition aimed at fostering camaraderie and testing individuals’ leadership abilities.

The Ranger Challenge features the best cadets from participating schools. It covers eight events, including the Army physical fitness test, basic rifle marksmanship, construction and execution of a one-rope bridge, patrolling, weapons assembly, orienteering, hand grenade assault course and a 10K road march.

According to Eamon Breslin, this year’s Ranger Challenge team captain at Florida Southern, “The focus of Ranger Challenge is not so much about individual achievement as it is about team success. Our team has been working very hard and is prepared to do well.” Team scores for most events will be the average of individual performances; other events will be based solely on group times. Breslin is a senior religion and philosophy major and son of James and Eileen Breslin of Boynton Beach, Fla. Nef Rosa, co-captain of the team, is a sophomore political science major and son of Alejandro Rosado and Luz Andino of Kissimmee, Fla.

FSC’s other competitors include Dominic Adams, a freshman criminology and sociology major and son of Stephen Adams and Diana Noble of Naples, Fla.; Tony Apolito, a freshman political science major and son of Giovanni and Lori Apolito of Naples, Fla.; Timothy Brown, a junior criminology and sociology major and son of David and Barbara Brown of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; Bryan Dobson, a junior criminology major and son of Mark and Cheryl Dobson of Winchester, Va.; Angel Figueroa, a junior criminology major and son of Francisco and Myrian Figueroa of Davenport, Fla.; Heidi Grondahl, a sophomore biology major and daughter of Kevin and Bonnie Grondahl of Fruitland Park, Fla.; Marc McAteer, a freshman criminology major and son of Shannon McAteer of Pooler, Ga., and Cynthia Burris of Shorterville, Ala.; Mark Milligan, a junior criminology major and son of Mark Milligan of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Tami McVickercox of Naples, Fla.; Rene Polit, a junior Spanish major and son of Juan Polit and Maria Vargas of Lakeland, Fla.; and Thomas Weadon, a sophomore psychology major and son of Thomas and Helen Weadon of Lehigh Acres, Fla.

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive United Methodist-affiliated college with a liberal arts core. The College maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 46 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio; is a national leader in engaged learning; and boasts 26 NCAA Division II national championships. It is ranked in the Top 5 “Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the South” by U.S. News & World Report and is included in The Princeton Review’s “366 Best Colleges” guide. The College is committed to the development of the whole student through vibrant student life programs that prepare graduates to make a positive, consequential impact on society. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is home to the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.