Nease NJROTC wins 5th consecutive state drill championship

Nease Battalion Cmdr. Peyton Gustafson and Battalion Executive Officer Emily Blackford receive the overall championship trophy at the NJROTC Area 12 State Drill Championships in Douglas, Georgia on March 3.

Cadets Genevieve Jacobi, Candice Edwards and Victoria Jacobi lead Nease’s Unarmed Exhibition Drill Team to a second-place finish during the NJROTC Area 12 State Drill Championships.

Cadet Teagen Pettit receives the baton from Cadet Steven Sarama during the 8x200 Relay at the NJROTC Area 12 State Drill Championships. Nease placed second in the event.

Photos courtesy of Nease NJROTC

Cadet Drill Cmdr. Erin Sass and Platoon Guide Cadet Christopher Oliver lead Nease to a first-place finish in Personnel inspection at the NJROTC Area 12 State Drill Championships on March 3.

Photos courtesy of Nease NJROTC

Cadet Brandon Mum leads the Armed Exhibition Drill Team to a first-place finish during the NJROTC Area 12 State Drill Championships.

Photos courtesy of Nease NJROTC

Cadet Abigail Vidler passes the baton to Cadet Peyton Gustafson during Nease’s winning 16x100 Relay at the NJROTC Area 12 State Drill Championships.

Photos courtesy of Nease NJROTC

Posted Thursday, March 7, 2019 12:00 am

Nease NJROTC laid claim to its fifth consecutive Area 12 State Drill Championship on March 3 in Douglas, Georgia.

Nease competed against the top 16 Navy high school JROTC drill teams in Area 12, which includes all of Northeastern Florida and the entire state of Georgia. Sixty NJROTC programs competed at local drill meets during the fall and winter with the top 16 advancing to the state championships. Nease earned its berth by winning first place at both the Mandarin High School and Terry Parker High School drill competitions earlier.

“Everyone contributed today,” Cadet Battalion Cmdr. Peyton Gustafson said. “Our athletic and drill teams picked the right moment to deliver their best performances.”

In addition to winning the overall championship, Nease claimed first place in Personnel Inspection, Overall Drill, Armed Exhibition and 16x100 Relay. Nease NJROTC earned second place in Overall Athletics, Unarmed Exhibition, Pushups, Situps and 8x220 Relay, as well as third place in Unarmed Basic.

Two cadets also earned individual medals for achievement: Elizabeth Villalba (302) in Situps and Erin Sass (103) in Pushups.

“We knew we were in second place going into the final Relays,” Cadet Troy Barber said. “Everyone on the team gave max effort, which proved enough to win us the championship.”

Nease will now travel to the Navy National Drill Championships in Pensacola, Florida, on April 5 and 6. Second- and third-place finishers South Effingham (Georgia) and North Cobb (Georgia) also earned berths at the championships.