FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks athletics department and Fort Wainwright have announced their selections for the February 2022 Warriors of the Month. Two athletes and two members of ROTC and the U.S. Army Alaska were selected.

Daniel Enger, Senior, Rifle, 3.89 GPA, Mechanical Engineering
Daniel Enger is a rifle student-athlete in his senior year of Mechanical Engineering. Daniel comes to the range prepared to work and is often pushing himself to be better every training session. One example that stood out of Daniel's leadership quality is how he treats his teammates. With teammates, he is inquisitive and goes out of his way to talk with them, asking about training, classes, and genuinely listens to understand their experiences, all while gently giving direction to hold them accountable to team goals. UAF is a place where people go and can be their genuine selves, and Daniel does that. He makes time for his passions as many here in Alaska do. He is an avid photographer and outdoorsman, all while balancing a challenging academic program. Daniel goes beyond what is asked of him as a student-athlete; he is positive and has a great attitude. During fundraisers for the rifle team, team activities, recruiting visits and all, Daniel is great to be around and works hard to help make these events run smoothly. Daniel's experiences as a transfer-student, as well as his personal growth over the past three years made him top of mind for this award. Daniel was a rifle student-athlete on the United States Naval Academy team prior to coming to Alaska, and being accepted to an Academy in of itself is an impressive feat. To then move to Alaska to compete and complete a mechanical engineering degree shows his perseverance to being true to his goals as an athlete, a student, and what he wants from his collegiate experience. Outside of collegiate athletics, Daniel worked for the Civilian Marksmanship Program Summer Rifle Camps this past summer where he coached high school aged shooters from all over the country, being a mentor for up and coming rifle athletes. This is Enger's first Warrior of the Month honor. 

According to head coach Will Anti, Enger shows his leadership through his consistency on-and-off the point, "We are extremely proud to have Daniel honored as the February Warrior of the Month. On-and-off the range Daniel is a tireless worker who exemplifies what it means to be a student athlete. Since joining the team at UAF his impact has been undeniable and he has played a major role in the teams rapid improvement in the last two seasons.

Daniel is consistently one of the highest academic performers both on our team and in our department. Beyond that, he's a phenomenal upperclassman constantly checking with his teammates to see how their day is going and how training is progressing. He's extremely intentional with his actions and rhetoric and is always looking out for the best interest of the group. It's been fulfilling to watch Daniel step into more of a leadership role this year. 

We are thankful to have Daniel as a member of our team - and I know that he certainly has made me a better coach and helped his teammates achieve a great deal of success on and off the range."

Naomi Bailey, Freshman, Cross Country, 3.47 GPA, Biological Sciences
Bailey is a freshman on the cross country team and according to graduate assistant, Josh Sanderlin, she plays an important role on the team. Naomi fell ill in the middle of the season, forcing her to miss a pivotal regular-season race. She rebounded by setting a personal-best in every race for the rest of the season. In a group of three, Kendall, Rosie, and Naomi, who do not run apart from one another, Naomi is the glue. In the heat of a race, she is the one who has the fortitude and mental acuity to recognize the importance of them running together. Being a Fairbanks native, Naomi embodies the warmth and kindness of the area quite naturally. She helps on a team with international students and people from far away states. She is the bridge between the beauty of Fairbanks and those who seek to know it. Naomi always does her best to ensure that everybody's voice is heard as on both teams there are loud voices and there are quiet ones, time and time again Naomi is there to ensure that the quiet voices get heard. Naomi is greatly involved in the Fairbanks community, spending time with the South Fairbanks elementary girls group while also playing guitar and piano for her church. 

Graduate assistant Josh Sanderlin had this to say over Bailey's honor, ""I was very glad to see Naomi win warrior of the month, she really deserves this honor. Naomi puts in a lot of work off the course, and it's good to see that recognized"

Sgt. Jonathan McCoy, U.S. Army Alaska
Sgt. Jonathan McCoy is a Squad Leader and Certified Patrol Drug Detection Dog handler assigned to the 549th Military Working Dog Detachment, 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Arctic Support Command (P), at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, since July 2020. McCoy, who hails from Conroe, Texas, enlisted in the Army in 2014 as a Military Policeman. His military experience includes a deployment to Iraq in 2018. In his current assignment, leaders credit McCoy with multiple narcotics finds and cite him as the reason that his Soldiers are currently excelling at their assigned duties and obligations.  He is considered the "go-to" NCO in his unit, leading and mentoring Soldiers through in-processing, education enrollment, volunteerism, and quirky Alaskan activities as an avid goldpanner.

He continually strives to improve himself, such as consistently scoring well on the Army Combat Fitness Test, and pushes his Soldiers to improve themselves during physical training, as well. He has completed an Associate's in General Studies and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Cyber Security with the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Lastly, he looks to make a positive impact in the local Fairbanks community through his work with Child Protective Services, fostering at-risk children.

According to Master Sgt. Elisabeth A. Wienke, Kennel Master and Detachment Sergeant, with the 549th Military Working Dog Detachment, McCoy has proven to be a well-rounded warrior and invaluable leader, who has taken on the increased responsibility of a Squad Leader, a position typically held by a more senior NCO. "In my opinion, Sergeant McCoy is an outstanding NCO, leader and mentor," explains Wienke.  "He pushes his entire squad in physical training and (their) professional and personal development.  He has also been doing an amazing job training, not only his military working dog, but those assigned to his Soldiers (resulting in successful missions)."

Cadet Everett Darrow, Sophomore, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 3.7 GPA, Homeland Security & Emergency Management
Cadet Everett Darrow is a Sophomore at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the recipient of a 4-year Army ROTC Minuteman Scholarship.  As a member of the Nanook Battalion, Cadet Darrow also serves concurrently in the Alaska Army National Guard Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) and is assigned to 1-207^th Aviation Regiment and 1-297^th Infantry Battalion.  He is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Homeland Security & Emergency Management and maintains a 3.7 GPA. Cadet Darrow is a role model Cadet who consistently is at the forefront of everything physical fitness related. He has served on the United States National Guard Biathlon Olympic Development team for over three years and placed in numerous competitions across the globe. Cadet Darrow has volunteered and served as an assistant coach and head coach of the Fairbanks Biathlon club where he has trained 34 athletes aged from 10-68 years old. Cadet Darrow is the recipient of multiple ROTC honors and additionally has been awarded a State of Alaska Marksmanship medal. Cadet Darrow is the epitome of a Warrior, Scholar, and Athlete and is a proud member of the Nanook Community.

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