FEELIN' THE BURN: IPMBA OBSTACLE
COURSE HITS 4000 FT.
By T.J. Richardson, PCI #139T
San Antonio Police Department
IPMBA Vice President
Congratulations to the winners of the 2002 IPMBA Obstacle Course Competition!
The competition, held on May 11, 2002, was the final event of the 12th Annual
IPMBA Conference and a chance for participants to put their newly honed bike
skills to the test. An early morning rainstorm did not put a damper on the
enthusiasm of those who registered for the competition. Shortly after noon,
riders began to gather in front of the Ogden Marriott. They formed into two
columns and set off on a 1.5 mile ride to the competition site at the Big
Dee Park - a perfect warm-up. Sgt. Tony Fox of the Ogden P.D. cleared the
way for the riders as they paraded through downtown Odgen to the beginning
of the Ogden River Parkway. The riders made their way down the parkway to
one of the most scenic competition sites in IPMBA history. Surrounded by
towering snow-capped mountains, the competitors surveyed the awaiting obstacles.
As the last of the clouds cleared away, the competition got underway.
Riders started their runs at the top of a ramp. They went down the ramp,
climbed a curb, through a serpentine, up-and-down a teeter-totter, over a
wall, and into a sandpit, where they had to cross a double skid. Next, they
crested a six-foot high steep ramp, sped through a 50-foot "badge-grabber"
chute and over a small ramp. But that's not all - they had to negotiate a
maze, a 90-degree turn up a ramp, a limbo bar, and a balance beam. Then through
two more cone courses, over a curb, dismount, over another wall, and sprint
to the finish.
The competition was fierce but friendly, and everyone watched closely to
see what would happen. Would last year's champions reign? Or would a virtual
unknown emerge as the victor? Only time would tell.
When the competition came to an end, the results were quickly tallied by
competition coordinator T.J. Richardson of the San Antonio PD and his trusty
assistant, Coconut Creek (FL) Officer Tammy Kilgore. Williamson Medical Center
in Franklin, Tenn., was well-represented in the EMS Categories as Mike Fletcher,
Steve Denny, and Nick Gatlin grabbed the top spots in the Men's Under 30,
30-39, and 40+ categories, respectively. Not to be outdone, Rose Steagall
repeated her 2001 victory in the Female category. Williamson Medical Center
dominated the Team Competition as well, with Nick Gatlin and Steve Denny
capturing first place and Mike Fletcher and Michael Campbell coming in second.
No single police department had a lock on the police categories. Michel Deladoey
of the Police of Renens in Switzerland triumphed in the Men's Under 30 Category,
while 2001 overall male champion Jason Schiffer of the Bethlehem PD (PA)
captured the top spot in the Men's 30-39 bracket. The Men's 40+ category
went to Jim "J.R." Roy of the Topeka PD (KS). Alexandria (VA) PD officer
Terri Mucci-Rector took the honors in the Women's division. The team victory
was won by the Spank-A-Thug team of Darin Zaremba, Medina (OH) PD; Jim "J.R."
Roy, Topeka (KS) PD; David Brady, Alameda County (CA) SO; and Darren Goff,
Ogden (UT) PD. The competition for honors as the fastest overall police officer
was tight, but Michel Deladoey just barely edged by Jason Schiffer for the
title by 42/100 of a second. With running times of 1:39.24 and 1:39.68
respectively, they blew away the average police individual run time of 2:11.70.
Steve Denny led the EMS crew with a more-than-respectable time of 2:00:76.
Congratulations and thanks to all the participants. Each of you who completed
the course can be proud of what you have accomplished for yourself, your
departments, and public safety cycling.
Thanks, too, to everyone who assisted with the design, set-up, and administration
of the competition. It was a terrific end to a terrific conference. Special
appreciation is due to our fantastic hosts at the Ogden Police Department,
who made it all possible.
The 2003 IPMBA Conference will be held May 22-24, 2003, in Charleston, West
Virginia. See you there!
2002 Competition Results
EMS Team
1st Place: Williamson Medical Center Team 1
Nick Gatlin, Williamson Medical Center, Tennesee
Steve Denny, Williamson Medical Center, Tennesee
2nd Place: Williamson Medical Center Team 3
Michael Fletcher, Williamson Medical Center, Tennesee
Michael Campbell, Williamson Medical Center, Tennesee
EMS Male under 30
1st Place: Michael Fletcher, Williamson Medical Center, Franklin, Tenn.
2nd Place: Matt Smyer, Baton Rouge EMS, Baton Rouge, LA.
EMS Male 30-39
1st Place: Steve Denny, Williamson Medical Center, Tennesee
2nd Place: Randy Middleton, Williamson Medical Center, Tennesee
EMS Male 40+
1st Place: Nick Gatlin, Williamson Medical Center, Tennesee
EMS Female
1st Place: Rose Steagall, Williamson Medical Center, Tennesee
Police Team
1st Place: Spank-a-Thug
Darin Zaremba, Medina Police Dept., Ohio
Jim "J.R." Roy, Topeka Police Dept., Kansas
Dave Brady, Alemeda County Sheriff Dept., California
Darren Goff, Ogden Police Dept., Utah
2nd Place: The International Police Team
Michel Deladoey, Police of Renens, Switzerland
Roger Pfister, Hilterfingen, Switzerland
Nate Cline, Ogden Police Dept., Utah
Jim Dyment, Seattle Police Dept., Washington
Police Male Under 30
1st Place: Michel Deladoey, Police of Renens, Switzerland
2nd Place: Michael Russell, Blue Springs Police Dept., Missouri/Darren Goff,
Ogden Police Dept., Utah
Police Male 30-39
1st Place: Jason Schiffer, Bethlehem Police Dept., Pennsylvania
2nd Place: Darin Zaremba, Medina Police Dept., Ohio
Police Male 40+
1st Place: Jim "J.R." Roy, Topeka Police Dept., Kansas
2nd Place: Roger Zawacki, River Forest Police Dept., Illinois
Police Female
1st Place: Terri Mucci-Rector, Alexandria Police Dept., Virginia
2nd Place: Michelle Geier, Northwestern Univ. Police Dept., Illinois
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