Students Go Head-To-Head With Tulsa County Deputies For Health & Wellness Competition

Criminal justice students met at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office to go head-to-head in several physical challenges. While some students were hoping to get the overall win for the competition, others looked at this as one of the first steps toward their careers. 

"I'm just excited to be here," said Tayshawn Thompson, one of Wednesday's participants. 

Hundreds of tech students put their physical skills to the test in a health and wellness competition with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.

"This morning, we are starting off with kind of a friendly competition, we are doing a tug-of-war team," said Brock Boxberger. 

After that, they competed in push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, a one-mile run and an obstacle course.

Some students even tested their strength against current Tulsa County Sheriff's Office members, but for other students, it's more than just how many reps they can do in a minute.

"Really build a bond with everyone here because this is an event all about comradery and seeing what the best everyone can give is," Boxberger said. 

For Tulsa tech students Brock and Tayshawn, Wednesday was about more than just themselves.

"We're all a team. We're all one big team no matter what color shirt you're in or uniform, etcetera, we're all just one big team and we're rooting everybody on," Tayshawn said. 

As instructors watched their students compete, their pride extended beyond competition day. 

"This is the kind of thing that I see from them every day. This is the kind of enthusiasm I get from them for their future profession. They work extremely hard to do what they've done today," Tulsa Tech criminal justice instructor Michael Brown said. 

Many of the students looked forward to taking the skills and friendships from the day with them into their law enforcement careers.  

"I want to make a difference in the community, and I want to be a part of that difference," Tayshawn said. 

Tulsa County Sheriff's Office said it hopes to continue the partnerships with the criminal justice programs around Tulsa to host more friendly competitions.