PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – A Peoria native in the Illinois Army National Guard has earned top honors after taking on a demanding, multi-day competition designed to test both physical endurance and mental toughness.
Sgt. Bryson Williams, assigned to the Galesburg-based C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment within the Peoria-based 65th Troop Command Brigade, was named the Illinois Army National Guard’s 2026 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, according to 25 News’ Angeles Ponpa.
The 22-year-old joined the military during his junior year of high school and comes from a family with a long history of Army service. He said competing in this year’s Best Warrior Competition was a personal challenge.
“I chose to compete to really test myself,” Williams said. “I put in a lot of time preparing, both physically and mentally. I take a lot of pride in what I do in the military.”
The three-day competition, held March 26 through 29 in Marseilles, brought together 10 soldiers. Half competed for Soldier of the Year, while the others vied for Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
Events ranged from an endurance run in full gear—without a set distance—to weapons qualification, medical evaluations, and land navigation using only a map and compass.
Competitors also completed a seven-event physical fitness test that included running, sprinting, pushups, sandbag lifts, and crawling drills. One challenge even required soldiers to be air-dropped into a training zone and complete a timed combat scenario.
Williams said the most difficult moment came during a 12-mile ruck march on the final day, carrying a 35-pound pack.
“Not everyone wakes up and runs 12 miles with that kind of weight,” he said. “I just kept thinking about how far I’ve come and pushed through it.”
The competition also featured an international participant through a long-standing partnership between the Illinois National Guard and Poland. A member of the Polish Territorial Defense Forces took home the 2026 Soldier of the Year title.
Williams said he’s grateful for the support that helped him reach this point.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I’m thankful for my unit, my leadership, and everyone who supported me. I’m proud to represent Illinois—and especially Peoria.”
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