GRAND ISLAND, Neb. –
A team of Virginia National Guard Soldiers made a strong showing at the All Guard Endurance Team Trials April 11, 2026, at the Nebraska Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Four VaARNG Soldiers joined approximately 200 other National Guard athletes from other states and territories for the competition, hosted by the Nebraska Army National Guard. The event is one of the Guard’s premiere physical fitness challenges, testing competitors’ speed, stamina, strength and discipline.
Virginia’s team included 1st Lt. Katrina Ocampo, a platoon leader assigned to the 157th Engineer Company; Staff Sgt. James Potteiger, a training NCO assigned to 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment; Sgt. Marcus Marin, a supply NCO assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment; and Spc. Connor Pilgrim, assigned to the 237th Engineer Company. Potteiger placed third in his age group, and earned a spot on the 64-member All Guard Team.
The competition is made up of 10 fitness challenges, including box jumps, air bikes, weighted burpees and weighted lunges. Those ten fitness challenges are each separated by a 500-meter run, adding up to five kilometers of running. All events are strictly judged and timed.
Sgt. Cameron Moulton, the Virginia Endurance Team State Coordinator, said the VaARNG athletes can be proud of their efforts.
“The four Virginia Soldiers demonstrated exceptional discipline, endurance, and professionalism throughout the event,” Moulton said.
The All Guard Endurance and Marathon Teams are part of the National Guard Competitive Events Program. Their goal is to represent the Guard, strengthen community ties and highlight top-tier athleticism, according to a release from the Nebraska National Guard.
The event brought together athletes from nearly every National Guard state and territory this year.
“We had representation from 46 states and three territories this year,” said the Nebraska National Guard’s Sgt. 1st Class Michael Eaton, the National Guard Competitive Events coordinator. “I love to find people in the National Guard and tell them about this program. I give them the opportunity to come represent the Guard in a different capacity.”
Potteiger and the other members of the All Guard Endurance Team will travel across the country to represent the National Guard in major endurance competitions.
Anyone interested in joining the Virginia National Guard’s endurance team should contact Moulton at cameron.m.moulton.mil@army.mil.