April 5, 2023
Pershing Rifles at K-State places third in collegiate national drill competition
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Back row, from left: Riley Shelton, Joe Sanchez, Ethan Elliot, Margarita Jimenez, Joe DeWitt and Brody Boehm. Front row, from left: Creed Ekerberg, Patrick Arnold and Julian Isbel. |
The Pershing Rifles Company G-7 at Kansas State University competed in the Pershing Rifles National Convention in Chantilly, Virginia, on March 10. The group entered five events consisting of Armed Regulation, Armed Exhibition, Color Guard, Dual Armed Exhibition and Solo Armed Exhibition.
The team consisted of Patrick Arnold, senior in computer science; Broderick Boehm, senior in mechanical engineering; Joseph DeWitt, senior in computer science; Creed Ekerberg, sophomore in mechanical engineering; Ethan Elliot, freshman in park management and conservation; Julian Isbel, junior in mechanical engineering; Margarita Jimenez, sophomore in kinesiology; Joe Sanchez, sophomore in environmental science; Riley Shelton, junior in electrical engineering.
Company G-7 was awarded third overall for the Collegiate National Competition and third in the Armed Exhibition.
Ekerberg and Arnold and placed third in the Dual Armed Exhibition. Additionally, Ekerberg received first place in the drill and ceremony knockout competition.
Jennifer Nelson, commander of the K-State Pershing Rifles, was also awarded an individual award — the Gold Achievement Medal for her outstanding service and years of service that she has devoted to the organization.
The National Society of Pershing Rifles is an honorary fraternity whose members perform precise military drills with non-firing rifles. The K-State chapter is open to all students, and participants develop outstanding traits of leadership, military science, military bearing and discipline within the framework of a military-oriented, honorary fraternity. The majority of the company's current members are affiliated with K-State's Army and Air Force ROTC units.
"When I joined Pershing Rifles, I joined a community that helped me grow as an individual," said Cadet Arnold. "There are many opportunities in this program; opportunities that have given me leadership experience and opportunities to travel with some of the best friends I have made in college."
For more information about opportunities with Pershing Rifles at K-State, visit the website.