Five Army officers — current and former, covering all components — make up one of the six teams angling for $250,000 in first-place prize money in “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge,” an NBC-TV competition that will wrap up Sunday night.
The “Commanding Officers” will compete in the semifinal round against two other teams for the right to advance to the final, which will also air Sunday as part of the two-hour finale. The event is pre-taped, but contestants cannot reveal results.
The Army team members:
- Col. Liam Collins, stationed at the U.S. Military Academy.
- Capt. Bryce Livingston, Fort Drum, New York.
- Colorado National Guard Capt. Robert Killian, 19th Special Forces Group (and no stranger to success in athletic competitions).
- Reserve Capt. Samantha Wood, stationed in Colorado.
- Former Capt. Ashley Keller, whose husband is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Contestants cover an obstacle course similar to those tackled by Spartan racers in events around the world. The officers lost in their second-round heat, but finished the course fast enough to earn a wild-card entry into the semifinal round.
It’s the second season of “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge” to air on NBC. More on the series, including back episodes, is available here.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
