A contingent of Hays High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets proudly displays the haul of trophies the unit brought home from the recent Houston Willowridge Meet, a competition in which they finished second overall out of a field of 29 ROTC units from all of the service branches. (Courtesy Photo)
by DAVID HAMIL
Special to the Hays Free Press
The Hays High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC Competition Teams traveled to Willowridge High School in Houston on Saturday, Dec. 3, to participate in a Military Skills Meet against 28 other JROTC teams. The teams represented all the service branches and came from as far away as New Orleans.
The boys’ Armed Drill Team took 3rd place in the Inspection event and had enough points in the Regulation and Exhibition events to capture the 3rd place Overall trophy.
The girls’ Unarmed Drill Team fared a little better, taking 2nd place in both their Inspection and Exhibition events earning them the 2nd place Overall award for the category.
The Hays Marksmanship Team captured 2nd place in the Sporter Rifle event and 1st place in the Precision category.
Cadet Major Erica Felan earned 2nd place in the Academics event for Hays.
These performances, along with solid showings in the Color Guard and Physical Fitness events, gained the Hays cadets enough points to bring home the 2nd place Overall Championship Trophy for the meet.
Their next competition will take them to Tomball, Texas in early February.
David Hamil, Major, USMC (Retired), serves as Hays High School MCJROTC Senior Marine Instructor.
