Team Vance athletes compete in Adventure Race 2009

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VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Teams "Jayhawk Extreme" and "Warbird 1" took first place in the Extreme Team and Relay Team categories, respectively, in the 2009 Adventure Race held Sept. 19 at Vance AFB, Okla., and Meadowlake Park in Enid, Okla. 

The race began at 9 a.m. at the base park with a 4.2 mile run to Meadowlake Park in Enid. The teams then boarded rafts and paddled on the lake for two miles before mounting bicycles for a 12-mile ride back to the base park. 

Extreme teams consisted of four members who were required to complete the entire event together. Relay teams consisted of three to six members with one or two individuals competing in either the run, raft or bicycle part of the race. 

"It was a great competition with huge bragging rights for the winners," said Brian Mittelstet, CSC Applied Technologies LLC fitness center manager. This is the third year the race has been held. 

Checkpoints were used along the course to ensure accountability and keep teams together. 

Services supplied the rafts, paddles and lifejackets used during the Meadowlake portion of the race. A picnic and award ceremony followed the race at the base park. The last team crossed the finish line just before noon. 

Local sponsors who helped make the 2009 Adventure Race possible were: Buffalo Wild Wings, Tinker Federal Credit Union, USAA, The Bike Shop, ERA Nicholas, Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, Pope Distributing, Gatorade, Roberts Ranch, Larry's Home Oxygen, and Finer Physiques. 

Results of the 2009 Adventure Race (names taken from team registrations): 

Extreme Teams
First place -- Jayhawk Extreme - 1 hour, 54 minutes, 25 seconds
Team members: Matt Gjertsen, Tim Rolling, Jason Jones, Nicholas Mires
Second Place -- M-Flight Studs -- 1:56:39
Team members: Derrick Patrick, Mary Johnson, Lincoln Olsen, Aaron Borszich
Third Place - Musketeers -- 1:57:52
Team members: Travis King, Sean Gillette, Nicole Graziano, David Chambers

Relay Teams
First place -- Warbird 1 -- 1:37:56
Team members: Randy Schmedthorst, Joe Markowski
Second place -- Light Grays -- 1:39:17
Team members: Chris Nowland, Matt Crowell, James Demchek, Mitchell Balutski, Preston Moon
Third place -- Fire Breathing Dragons -- 1:39:26
Team members: Zach Thuli, Dan Holder, Mike Marron, Chris Uecker

Additional results:

Extreme teams
Fourth place -- The Law -- 2:03:44
Fifth place -- The Unfundeds -- 2:06:39
Sixth place -- Team Extreme -- 2:38:07

Relay teams
Fourth place -- Team Awesome -- 1:40:20
Fifth place -- R We There Yet? -- 1:47:06
Sixth place -- Warbird 2 -- 1:49:25
Seventh place -- Chamber Dudes -- 1:51:10
Eighth place -- Pharmacy Dream Team -- 1:53:13
Ninth place -- Ghost Riders -- 1:54:32
10th place - Warriors -- 1:54:52
11th place -- Team MSG -- 2:00:23
12th place -- Team LRS -- 2:02:27
13th place -- Log Dogs -- 2:06:47
14th place -- The Better Half -- 2:18:24
15th place -- Under 20 Over 40 -- 2:27:26