Conservation officers from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) competed in the 2026 LawFit competition from July 16-18. The officers train throughout the year in preparation for this annual event, according to the department.
The 2026 MDWFP LawFit team included officers Bradley Starling, PJ Marascalco, Austin Tallent, Derrick Scott, Ryne Long, Logan Sarotte, and Karri Fulton. The team finished as the national champions in the four-man team category, with Starling, Marascalco, Scott, and Tallent earning first place. Marcus Christon was inducted into the LawFit Hall of Fame this year, the department said.
The team also placed in the top five in various individual and team events. PJ Marascalco took first in the bench press, lifting 227% of his body weight, while Derrick Scott finished second with 223%. In the 1.5-mile run, Tallent was second among males with a time of 7 minutes, 56 seconds. Sarotte placed fourth among females in the same event.
Other notable performances included Long winning first place in the sit-and-reach stretch, Scott taking first in pull-ups among males, and Scott also winning the obstacle course. In pairs competitions, the team claimed first in male pairs and mixed pairs, and third among female pairs. Overall, Scott was named the top male competitor, and Fulton finished third among females.
The department congratulated the entire MDWFP LawFit team for their hard work and outstanding results in the competition.
