High School Athletes Compete in Navy SEAL Invitational

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Lamb, Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Athletes from eight California high school teams tested their physical limits and mental toughness during the first ever Navy SEAL Invitational Tournament, April 16, at the Naval Special Warfare Center.

The tournament included physical and mental challenges that pushed the athletes to succeed beyond their expectations. The event consisted of both water and land challenges that required individual persistence, determination, athleticism, strength, endurance and enthusiasm.

Athletes swam and conducted underwater retrieval exercises in the Navy SEAL training pool. Then they climbed ropes, ran relays, flipped tires, negotiated the SEAL Obstacle course and ended the contest with a timed mile run on the sandy beach.

"When someone comes here to become a Navy SEAL we push them beyond what they thought were there limits and they find out who they really are," said Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Rob Stella. "Today, each athlete found himself stretched at some point and got past it. It's inspiring to watch them, and the support from their coaches and families was clearly evident."

The high schools, including Del Norte, Central Catholic, Mira Mesa, East Lake, University City, St. Augustine, Hueneme and Irvine, were each represented by a team of five student athletes.

The title of "Toughest Team" was awarded to the Nighthawks of Del Norte High School, and teammate Alan Rogers was recognized for his top individual performance.

Irvine High School placed second as a team and team members Bradley Buzby and Ryan Paul won individual honors in the 300-meter swim and pool-based Frogman Challenge, respectively.

"Competition is always great when it's fresh," said Scott Hinman, Irvine High School water polo coach. "We have a lot of specialty sport athletes and this allows them to use their skills in a different setting against other people with a fresh perspective on competition. You just have to get in, do it, and just go for it."

Central Catholic High School placed third, and water polo coach Buddy Westin was impressed with the level of the competition and how his athletes rose to the occasion.

"We selected some of the best athletes we have to compete in this invitational," he said. "To bring them closer together and see them compete with these other athletes and have these physical constraints put on them strengthens their bodies and their minds."

For one student athlete the tournament was a preview of a future career.

"I'm trying to get into the Naval Academy and work my way to a SEAL team," said Jake Ramonas of University City High School. "The highlight of today was that I didn't do just the minimum on the obstacle course. I pushed myself to complete every obstacle."

Mira Mesa High School water polo player Kyle Hanson said the best part of his day was seeing the finish line and pushing to run as fast as he could to get to the end.

"This is one of the biggest challenges I've done so why not come out here and push myself," he said. "The toughest thing was the rope swing because my arms just wanted to give out, but I had to push through to get across to the next rope."

Jake, Kyle and the rest of the athletes examined SEAL weapons and gear, including an armored Hummer patrol vehicle and a high-speed boat. Ultimately, it was the friendly competition that made the biggest impression.

"The Navy SEAL Invitational is a great way to promote physical fitness in a competitive environment," said Bob Rohrbach, operations officer for the Navy SEAL and SWCC Scout Team. "It's also an exciting event that offers a rare peek inside Naval Special Warfare training while providing these athletes with an awareness of opportunities available in the Naval Special Warfare community."

Navy SEALs are elite maritime special operators who take their name from the environments in which they are trained to operate: sea, air and land. They work quietly to carry out the nation's most important missions without being detected by enemies. There are fewer than 2,500 active duty SEALs.