Nease High School’s NJROTC program reached a new level in program history this past weekend as its air rifle team placed second at the NJROTC Area-12 Air Rifle Championships in Anniston, Alabama, where the top two schools move on to national championships.
This achievement marks the first time the air rifle team has made it to the national championships. Nease’s vaunted drill team – third at the 2021 national championships; brain brawl team – third at the 2021 national championships; and orienteering team – competing in March at the 2022 national championships, have all qualified multiple times for making it to nationals.
“I could not be more proud of the cadets,” said naval science instructor and air rifle coach Gunnery Sergeant Duane Hanson. “This group put the time and effort in beginning in August and stayed the course for the past five months.”
The four cadets making up the team are senior Nick Bohanon and sophomores Hailey Pitches (team captain), Gabriel Mitchell and Chloe Westerlind. Westerlind was the team high shooter and placed sixth overall in the championship sporter division.
Air rifle is an authorized NJROTC activity that develops strong discipline, attention to detail and unwavering commitment in cadets. The Area-12 Air Rifle Championship brought together the best teams across the state of Georgia and northern Florida to the competition. During competition, cadets shoot from three positions: standing, kneeling and prone.
Bohanon said, “Qualifying for nationals always seemed out of reach. But the underclassmen delivered big time in the clutch.”
Nease will travel to the Civilian Marksmanship Program Headquarters in Alabama, Feb. 9-12, and compete against the top programs from across the country.
