UP AND OVER—Staff Sgt. Jeremiah S. Waggoner of Simi Valley scales a short wall during the Urban Obstacle Course on the first day of the 2010 Best Ranger Competition in Fort Benning, Ga. Of the 40 teams that began the competition, only 25 crossed the finish line at the end. DAREN REEHL/Special to the Acorn Staff Sgt. Jeremiah S. Waggoner, a Ranger in the U.S. Army, recently competed in the 27th annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition. Waggoner represented an 82nd Airborne Division team.

The competition covered more than 60 miles in 60 hours with various events in marathon style that included running, marching, swimming, obstacle courses, marksmanship, orienteering and basic Ranger skills events like parachute jumps, rappelling and first aid.

Waggoner prepared for the competition with 10-mile runs, 15- to 20-mile road marches, long swims and bike rides. He stopped lifting weights and focused on endurance and body weight exercises.

With the 2010 competition behind him, Waggoner is planning on returning for another contest.

He is the son of Sherry and Terry Waggoner and a 2000 graduate of Simi Valley High School.