Peoria Soldier Wins Illinois Army National Guard's Noncommissioned Officer of the Year

Sgt. Bryson Williams competes in intense three-day challenge testing physical and mental strength

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:19am

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A realistic oil painting depicting a lone soldier in full military gear standing at attention in a dimly lit urban alleyway, the scene bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the discipline and solitary focus of a National Guard member.A soldier's solitary moment of reflection amid the quiet streets of an Illinois town, representing the dedication and discipline of the state's National Guard forces.Peoria Today

Sgt. Bryson Williams, a 22-year-old soldier from Peoria serving in the Illinois Army National Guard, has been named the state's 2026 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year after competing in a grueling three-day Best Warrior competition that tested endurance, combat skills, and mental toughness.

Why it matters

The Illinois Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition is a prestigious annual event that highlights the top soldiers in the state, showcasing their dedication, training, and leadership abilities. Sgt. Williams' win brings pride to his hometown of Peoria and the broader Illinois National Guard community.

The details

Over the three-day competition, participants underwent a series of intense physical and mental challenges, including an unknown distance run in full gear, rifle qualification, medical testing, land navigation, a combat-focused physical fitness assessment, a mystery combat scenario event, and a 12-mile ruck march. Sgt. Williams excelled across all events, demonstrating his well-rounded skills and commitment to military excellence.

  • The competition took place March 26-29, 2026 in Marseilles, Illinois.
  • Sgt. Williams joined the military during his junior year of high school.

The players

Sgt. Bryson Williams

A 22-year-old soldier from Peoria serving in the Illinois Army National Guard's C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment, part of the Peoria-based 65th Troop Command Brigade. He is a third-generation Army service member who wanted to push himself by competing in this year's Illinois Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition.

Mateusz

A soldier from the Polish Territorial Defense Forces who traveled to Illinois to compete as part of the state's 33-year partnership program with Poland.

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What they’re saying

“I chose to go through this competition, just so I can kinda test myself. I spent a lot of time physically and mentally preparing for things like this. I'm very passionate about the military and I take a lot of pride in the things I do within the military.”

— Sgt. Bryson Williams

“Obviously, I was very happy. I took a lot of honor in that. I was very thankful of my unit, my leadership, my family and friends that helped me get to this point of where I'm at today, but it's more than just myself. I was very happy to represent the state of Illinois, more importantly Peoria.”

— Sgt. Bryson Williams

What’s next

Sgt. Williams will now represent the Illinois Army National Guard at the regional Best Warrior Competition, where he will compete against other state champions for the chance to advance to the national competition.

The takeaway

Sgt. Bryson Williams' victory in the Illinois Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition showcases the exceptional talent and dedication of the state's National Guard soldiers. His achievement brings pride to his hometown of Peoria and highlights the rigorous training and skills of Illinois' National Guard forces.