Cadets of the East Union High Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp will be taking fitness to a new level.
Thirty members from Lancers Battalion – 18 males and 12 female cadets – are making up the three recently-qualified Raider teams (male, female and co-ed) competing in the 2022 National JROTC Fitness Challenge Championships in Daytona, Fl. scheduled on April 15.
According to EU instructor Lt. Col. (retired) John Tao, the national event will involve JROTC from all branches of the military.
EU is one of only eight Army Raider fitness teams in the nation to advance to final competition to be held on Daytona Beach.
In order to prepare, Lau is taking his teams to Monterey this weekend to run the sandy beaches in an effort to simulate the competition.
“We’ve been practicing since February,” he said on Friday.
Lau, who has been with the Lancer Battalion for the past seven years, added that he’s “super excited” about his cadets and their accomplishments this year. They exceled in local competitions held on their home field and Weston Ranch High earlier in the school year.
“The cadets were tested in various competitions, including the mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, long jump, and the high jump,” he said.
In the regional competition consisting of the western U.S. and the overseas territories (Guam, Samoa, etc.), EU earned the top score out of 174 Army JROTC fitness teams involved.
East Union High Principal Raul Mora applauded those students for their efforts.
“COVID-19 (pandemic) presented many challenges in school over the past year, from in-person to remote hybrid learning – high school students across the country have faced hardships and struggles,” he said.
Through it all, the EU JROTC cadets rose to the challenge, proving “their ability to overcome and succeed despite those obstacles,” Mora added.
The National event in Florida is being sponsored by the U.S. Army Cadet Command and conducted by Sports Network International.
As for the EU JROTC teams, they’re being financially supported by the Army on this all-expense paid trip.
In addition, cadets, by participating, will continue to learn the values of physical and mental toughness and teamwork.
“The competition creates tremendous opportunities for JROTC cadets by allowing them to demonstrate leadership and exceptional physical abilities,” said Mora.
