ROOKIES OF THE YEAR

The ‘LION® – PJ Bean Rookie of the Year’ Award is named after PJ Bean, 29, who was a beloved Challenge competitor and firefighter/paramedic in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. PJ tragically drowned in Madison, South Dakota in May of 2012 but his contagious spirit remains in our hearts.

This award is based on a combination of factors ranging from the fastest time, numbers of runs, percent of improvement, sportsmanship, and overall dedication to the sport and fire service. In other words, a person who exemplifies the spirit of the Challenge!

2024 Winners

Bryce Cartee
Rapid City (SD) Fire Department

Stephanie Degner
Parris Island (SC) Fire Department

2023 Winners

Justin Wolff
Irving (TX) Fire Department

Taylor Ward
Murray City (UT) Fire Department

2022 Winners

Michael Coleman / Bluff City Combat Team
Memphis (TN) Fire Department

Sarah McGill
Lexington (KY) Fire Department

2021 WINNER

Jimmy Johnson
Team ATX

 

2020 WINNER

John Sobey
Independent Firefighter

 

2019 WINNER

Caden Wilson
St. Lucie County (FL) Fire District

 

2018 WINNER

unknown at this time

 

2017 WINNER

Edward Lydell
Federal Fire San Diego (CA)

 

2016 WINNERS

West Licking Fire District (OH)
Members include:
Chris Sturtz

Justin Weaver
Jimmy Kinkaid III
Scott Correll
Barrett Piper

 

2015 WINNER

Eric Kirchner
Pittsfield (MA) Fire Department

 

2014 WINNERS

Pat Blair
Arlington (TX) Fire Department

Leroy Fontaine
Halifax (MA) Fire Department

 

2013 WINNER

Jason Bergeron
Moncton Fire Department
(NB, Canada, New Brunswick)

 

2012 WINNER

Ian Van Reenan

 

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