Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the Staunton-based 116th infantry Brigade Combat Team and the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group claim top honors at the 2024 Virginia Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition March 17, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The 116th’s Spc. Carter Cooper was named Soldier of the Year and the 329th’s Sgt. Patrick Bradner was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. The 329th’s Spc. Royal Evans and Fort Barfoot’s Sgt. Nicholas Clark were named runners-up. The four-day event included Army Warrior Tasks, a written exam, a physical fitness challenge, an obstacle course, land navigation, a ruck march, a three-gun event and an appearance board. Cooper and Bradner now advance to the Region II Best Warrior Competition, scheduled for May 2024.