Three females participated in the SEAL Fitness Challenge. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lucinda Thierry.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Forty-eight individuals gathered in Oklahoma City earlier this month to see if they had what it takes to be one of the Navy’s most elite, a Navy SEAL.

Held in conjunction with Oklahoma City Navy Week, the SEAL Fitness Challenge was held at the Oklahoma City Community College Aquatic Center. More than 20 U.S. cities will host Navy weeks in 2008 in an effort to increase awareness in metropolitan areas that do not have a significant Navy fleet presence.

Participants tested their fitness, strength and stamina in the SEAL Fitness Challenge, including a 500-yard swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and a 1 1/2-mile run.

“The event went really well, including the results of the females who came out,” says Chief Information Systems Technician Matt Pate of Navy Recruiting District Dallas. “Pull-ups present the biggest challenge for females.”

Three females turned out for the event, including the 17-year-old daughter of Edmond, OK, resident Scotty Pippen. A straight-A student and high school senior, Pippen’s daughter, who almost qualified to be a SEAL, is considering a career in the Navy, her father says.

“She’s phenomenal,” says Aviation Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Eric Hinson with Navy Recruiting Station in Edmond, OK. “She’s a good athlete, and I’d love to put her in the Navy.”

Eleven of the men made it through.

“We saw some good swimmers and runners, but they must be good at all of it to pass,” Pate says.

The top three finishers and fastest swimmer received a medallion. All challengers earned a T-shirt for participating in the event.

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