UNLV Honors College students don't hit just the books hard; they teamed up to compete in a grueling Tough Mudder obstacle course. It's part of a college experience that pushes high-achieving students outside their comfort zones and helps them find their place on campus.
The students kicked off their spring breaks by competing in Tough Mudder Los Angeles. They'd prepared for months through a one-credit course the Honors College and UNLV's physical activity program created.
(Photos by Aaron Mayes/UNLV Photo Services)
During a training session, student Natalie Schibrowsky works on her form.
Sun filters into the room as Nick Baker trains.
The Tough Mudder experience emphasizes teamwork over personal best times.
Glen Ellefson III contemplates his next move.
The Honors College team takes over the Camp Rhino fitness facility during a training session.
Sunrise breaks as the Honors College students grab a little rest on the way to the California event.
From left, Louisa Heske, Connor Wooten, Karo Tngrian, and Isabel Guerra charge the first hill.
Going downhill was just as challenging as running uphill.
Honors College student Kelly Schmidt gets her gameface on.
Isabel Guerra finds her way through the barbed wire of the Kiss of Mud 2.0 obstacle.
Camp Rhino's training obstacles (left) mimic many of the challenges students faced during the Tough Mudder.
Naweed Yusufzai rings the bell at the King of the Swingers obstacle.
Louisa Heske exits a crawl tube in the Shawshanked obstacle.
Tre Norman works quickly to find an exit.
Facing her biggest fear, Anna Gingrich exits the Arctic Enema's freezing waters ahead of Nick Baker.
Team members help each other complete obstacles.
Naweed Yusufzai celebrates finishing.
A before-and-after of Honors College student Andrew Garcia.
Mike McGrady mugs for the cameras as Sergio Trejo crawls to the end of the Electroshock Therapy obstacle.
Mike McGrady cleans up after the race.
Tough Mudder competitors run into a tunnel.
Tough Mudder contestants pose for a group photo.