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Cyber officer brings home the gold

2023 Armed Forces Sports Marathon Championship

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Twenty-two miles of road to cover on a Saturday – alone and on foot – that’s the challenge long-distance runner and U.S. Army 1st Lt. Kristen Gray sets for herself while training.

“The longer the better,” Gray said.

A cyber operations officer with the 781st Military Intelligence Battalion, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Meade, Maryland, Gray’s hard work paid off when she took home the individual gold in the women’s division and led the All Army Sports women’s team to victory at the 2023 Armed Forces Sports Marathon Championship Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C. The event took place in conjunction with the 48th annual Marine Corps Marathon.

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This year was her first participating in All Army Sports. Gray also ran the 39th Army Ten-Miler with her unit Oct. 8, placing third in the military female category.

1st Lt. Kristen Gray, a cyber operations officer with the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), took home the individual gold in the women’s division and led the All Army Sports women’s team to victory at the 2023 Armed Forces Sports Marathon Championship Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy photo)

Going into the Armed Forces Marathon, Gray said she did not think of herself winning or taking home the gold for her division.

“I just wanted to win as a team,” she said. “The previous year, the Army didn’t send a team to compete and hadn’t won since 2018, so I just wanted to be of help getting our team back on the podium.”

And back on the podium they were. Gray finished with a time of 2:58:51, followed by 2nd Lt. Haley Seaward of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, with a time of 3:05:00 and Capt. Mollie Geyer of Camp Pendleton, California, coming in at 3:05:48.

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As Gray entered the 20th mile, on a particularly hot and humid day, she spotted some of her teammates right behind her as the course looped back on itself. The sighting was enough to refresh her motivation and push her to the finish line, she said.

Running has not always been Gray’s sport of choice. Growing up in Park Ridge, New Jersey, she was initially a soccer player and not the most competitive of athletes at her high school, she said.

What drew her in to cross country and track was the realization that the bond runners form with each other is unique to the sport.

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“The shared camaraderie that is built with running is unparallel with any other activity that I’ve done,” Gray said. “(Seeing) other people do this shared really hard thing – that’s what drew me in.”

Despite the difficulty of the sport, forming bonds with other runners is nearly instantaneous, Gray said, because of the shared hardship.

1st Lt. Kristen Gray, a cyber operations officer with the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), took home the individual gold in the women’s division and led the All Army Sports women’s team to victory at the 2023 Armed Forces Sports Marathon Championship Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy photo)

Just when she hit her stride and began her freshman year of college in 2011, a knee injury took her away from the sport. Major surgery and a long recovery prevented Gray from running for a year and kept her from being able to do high mileage for several years.

It’s been a 10-year process to build back up to the distance she is now able to cover, Gray said.

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Unlike her high school years with a coach, now there is nobody overseeing her training schedule. It’s all done outside of business hours, and usually she is alone.

“I put a lot of time into running,” Gray said, noting that it requires most of her weekends and weekday time after office hours to prioritize running, stretching and recovery.

Finding other people to train with can be difficult, she said. When she does have people to run with, the mental challenge of running 22 miles is made lighter; this helps her stay dialed in, meet the paces she needs to hit and know how she’s doing.

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“I’m in a place now where I have learned what training looks like, have a supportive family and am able to find a good work/life balance to put in some good training,” Gray said.

Although all her training happens outside of business hours, representing the Army while running in events is an opportunity Gray said she deeply appreciates.

“Wearing ‘Army’ across your chest is something I’m very proud to do,” she said. “It’s my own version of running for Team USA. I won’t make the Olympics, but it’s still an honor to run for the Army team.”

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embers of the All Army Sports women’s team smile Oct. 29 after capturing gold in the competition during the 2023 Armed Forces Marathon Championship held in conjunction with the 48th Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. From left to right: 2nd Lt. Haley Seaward of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; 1st Lt. Kristen Gray of Fort Meade, Maryland. and 1st Lt. Samantha Coletti of Fort Bliss, Texas, with Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Edward Banta, deputy commandant for Installations and Logistics. (Photo by Steven Dinote)

Gray just applied for Armed Forces Cross Country team for the second year in a row and said she would someday like to do a Conseil International du Sport Militaire race with service members from partner countries.

“Honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started with this level of training,” Gray said. “Hopefully I have a few more good years.”

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Mizzou Golfer Jack Lundin Selected for Team USA at the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup

Mizzou Golfer Jack Lundin Selected for Team USA at the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup

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University of Missouri and the world of collegiate golf, Mizzou men’s golfer Jack Lundin has been named to Team USA for the prestigious 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup. This selection places Lundin among the top collegiate golfers in the United States, preparing to compete in a Ryder Cup-style tournament against an international team of the world’s best young golfers.

The Arnold Palmer Cup is set to take place from July 5-7, 2024, at Lahinch Golf Club in Lahinch, Ireland. The tournament will feature 48 of the most talented collegiate golfers, with 24 men and 24 women representing both the United States and the International team. This unique event offers an exceptional opportunity for these young athletes to showcase their skills on a global stage, with the honor of representing their countries and universities.

Jack Lundin, a senior at the University of Missouri, has enjoyed a stellar season leading up to his selection for Team USA. He has finished in the top five in 7 of his last 10 tournaments, including each of the last five. This remarkable performance has solidified Lundin’s reputation as one of the top collegiate golfers in the nation, making him a natural choice for the U.S. team.

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The Arnold Palmer Cup, co-founded by Arnold Palmer and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), has been a prominent event in the golf world since its inception in 1997. Over the years, the tournament has been held at some of the world’s most renowned courses, including The Old Course at St. Andrews and Royal Portrush.

Past participants in the Arnold Palmer Cup have gone on to achieve significant success in the professional golf world, with more than 245 former players earning cards on the PGA, DP World, or LPGA Tours. Among these distinguished alumni are major champions Jon Rahm, Lilia Vu, Wyndham Clark, Allisen Corpuz, and Brian Harman, as well as 2023 FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland.

As Jack Lundin prepares to represent the University of Missouri and Team USA at the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup, the Mizzou community and fans of collegiate golf eagerly await the opportunity to witness his talent and sportsmanship on display at Lahinch Golf Club. With the eyes of the golf world upon him, Lundin’s performance in Ireland will undoubtedly be a highlight of his burgeoning career and a testament to the University of Missouri’s commitment to fostering excellence in collegiate golf.

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Director Chris Wray said the Chinese will have the “ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing

Director Chris Wray said the Chinese will have the “ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing

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The FBI says Chinese hackers are preparing to launch an attack on U.S. infrastructure. FBI Director Chris Wray said the Chinese will have the “ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing.” He stated that the Chinese have the capability to cause physical chaos to critical infrastructure at a time of their preference. Wray mentioned that the Chinese have infiltrated numerous companies in the energy, telecommunications, and water sectors, and have targeted 23 pipeline operators. He stressed that the People’s Republic of China considers all essential sectors for societal functioning as fair targets in their quest for global dominance, aiming to create panic and undermine American resolve through attacks on civilian infrastructure.

In a stark warning issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), it has been revealed that Chinese hackers are on the brink of launching a potentially devastating cyber attack on critical US infrastructure. The alert comes amidst heightened tensions between the two superpowers, with both nations engaging in a complex game of geopolitical chess that has now extended into the digital realm.

FBI Director Christopher Wray made the chilling announcement during a press conference, stating that Chinese government-linked hackers have already infiltrated the nation’s critical infrastructure and are waiting for “just the right moment to deal a devastating blow.” The revelation has sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community and prompted calls for immediate action to bolster the nation’s digital defenses.

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The FBI’s warning is supported by a series of reports and investigations that have uncovered a concerted effort by Chinese hackers to target key sectors of the US economy, including energy, transportation, and telecommunications. These revelations have underscored the growing sophistication of Chinese cyber espionage and the significant threat it poses to US national security.

In response to the looming threat, the FBI and other US government agencies have urged the private sector to take immediate steps to strengthen their cyber defenses and protect against potential attacks. These measures include implementing robust cybersecurity protocols, regularly updating software and systems, and training employees to identify and respond to potential threats.

Despite these efforts, experts warn that the US remains highly vulnerable to cyber attacks, particularly from well-resourced nation-state actors like China. As such, the FBI’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance and investment in cybersecurity measures to safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure and protect against potentially devastating attacks.

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Chesterfield City Council Approves Mammoth $353 Million Tax Increment Financing for ‘Downtown’ Redevelopment Project

Chesterfield City Council Approves Mammoth $353 Million Tax Increment Financing for ‘Downtown’ Redevelopment Project

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In a move that has stirred both excitement and controversy, the Chesterfield City Council has given final approval for a massive $353 million tax increment financing (TIF) package for a significant redevelopment project in the southwest quadrant of the city. This monumental decision marks one of the largest TIFs ever granted in the region, underscoring the city’s ambitious vision to transform the area into a vibrant downtown district.

The TIF, which encompasses 241 acres and includes the Chesterfield Mall property, Wildhorse Village, and a portion of Central Park, aims to revitalize the region by creating a dense, mixed-use urban development. The project, dubbed “Downtown Chesterfield,” is expected to add more than 1 million square feet of commercial, residential, and entertainment space, attracting new businesses and residents to the area.

Despite the excitement surrounding the project, the decision has not been without controversy. The Parkway School District, in particular, has voiced strong opposition to the use of TIF for the project. The district is concerned that the influx of new residents from the residential developments within the project will strain the school system, while the TIF diverts revenue that could have been used to support the education of these students.

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“While we are pleased there is a plan for this area of Chesterfield and always welcome new students, the development does not provide adequate financial resources to educate the hundreds of potential new students it will generate,” said a Parkway School District representative.

The city, however, maintains that the project will ultimately benefit the school district and other taxing entities by increasing the tax base and allowing for the completion of necessary infrastructure projects. Former mayor John Nations pointed out that the city’s last TIF, following the flood of 1993, was one of the most successful in the country.

“This will provide an increased sales tax base and allow the city to complete a number of necessary infrastructure projects such as a North Outer 40 connection to Chesterfield Valley, pedestrian and multi-modal connections to provide safe connectivity, the Clarkson Road/Baxter exchange, and reconstruction of Chesterfield Parkway,” said Franke, speaking on behalf of the Progress 64 West board.

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In addition to the infrastructure improvements, the project has garnered support from local businesses and residents who believe it will bring much-needed economic growth to the area. The redevelopment is expected to attract more than $2 billion in investment, transforming the region into a bustling downtown hub.

However, the city council’s decision has not been universally popular. Critics argue that the use of such a large TIF for a single project is a risky gamble, potentially leaving the city and its residents to bear the brunt of any financial shortfalls.

2024 Budget Chesterfield Missouri

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