Plowing the competition: Black Knights finish first at 2006 Tanker Winter Games Published March 22, 2006 By Holly L. Birchfield 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Black Knights recently proved the underdog can come back and take a bite out of the competition. A team of 10 Airmen from the 19th Air Refueling Group recently took first place at the 2006 Tanker Association Winter Games at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., the first-ever competition of its kind for the association. Competition was hot as the group vied for the Tanker Association championship against four other teams from MacDill AFB, Fla., McConnell AFB, Kan., Fairchild AFB, Wash., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., in the northern state’s frigid weather. Events included Crud, floor hockey, a 1.5 mile run, dodge ball, a 40-foot rock wall climb, and a human dog sled race. 2nd Lt. Todd Sangster, a 19th Operations Support Squadron executive officer who participated in the competition, said while the team didn’t place first in all six events, overall performance was good. “Obviously, I think we did really well,” he said. “It was a unique experience. The team hadn’t practiced or even had a whole lot of experience in some of the sports, yet we were able to come together and everybody had an impact.” Lieutenant Sangster said star performers included Senior Airman Jayson Martin who ran the 1.5 mile race in 8 minutes and 47 seconds and 1st Lt. Dan Munson, who completed the rock wall climb in 18 seconds. “There were all of these different moments throughout the entire competition where one individual stepped up and made an impact to help the team overall,” Lieutenant Sangster said. Lieutenant Munson said he was proud to represent the group. “I’ve always really enjoyed sports,” he said. “Everywhere I have an opportunity to represent the squadron I do that, and I try to make the squadron look good.” Col. Steve Bernard, 19th ARG commander, shared his 20-year experience of playing Crud. “I’m incredibly proud of the team for going up to North Dakota from middle Georgia in the middle of February in subzero temperatures – and winning,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud of our folks.” A five ship flight formation, with aircraft from each participating base, rounded out the events. Scoreboard: The Black Knights took top honors at the 2006 Tanker Winter Games based on their combined performance in the following events: Dodge ball – 1st place Rock Wall Climb – 1st Floor Hockey – 2nd Crud – 2nd 1.5 mile run – 3rd Human Dog Sled Race – 3rd The Games: Crud is a game played on a pool table, where the two side pockets are blocked. Using a cue ball, teams try to knock a pool ball into the other team’s pockets. Floor hockey is played like traditional hockey, with some exceptions. Instead of ice skates, pucks and an ice rink, players wear tennis shoes and use a ball on a rubber-surface floor. Human Dog Sled works similar to the traditional dog sled sport, with people pulling the sled instead of dogs.