Walla Walla High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Blue Devil Battalion cadets scored four first-place wins at the 2025 two-state Cascade Mountain League Championships.
During the “gorgeous spring day” with cool temperatures, cadets competed indoors except for a 1-mile run using the outdoor running track.
Commanded by Cadet 1st Lt. Noah Kaheaku with the Walla Walla High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Blue Devil Battalion Armed Regulation Team reports to conduct their routine at the 2025 two-state Cascade Mountain League Championships March 7-9 at Wa-Hi.
The Wa-Hi JROTC cadets earned several individual and team awards throughout the competition, highlighting the outstanding performance and dedication of their members. The event not only marked a successful championship but also showcased the strength of community, leadership and teamwork within the JROTC program.
Blue Devil first-place winners included: Color Guard Team 1; Cadet Capt. Isabel Dolan, Female Individual Physical Fitness; Air Rifle Precision Team; and Cadet Capt. Claire Calvert, Individual Air Rifle Precision.
Second-place winners were: the Air Rifle Sporter Team; and Cadet Lt. Col. Hannah Goin, Individual Air Rifle Precision.
Third-place honors went to: Physical Fitness Teams 1 and 2; and Cadet Capt. Evan Graham, Individual Air Rifle Precision.
This was the league’s culminating event, following a long season of competitions across Washington and Oregon. The championship featured 12 high school JROTC programs representing the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force.
Blue Devil cadets carefully planned and hosted the event March 7-9 on the Wa-Hi campus.
“We believe we had over 400 cadets, parents and instructors who attended the competition from as far as Spokane and Bend, Oregon,” said Wa-Hi Senior Army Instructor Anthony Marrero, retired command sergeant major.
Walla Walla High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Blue Devil Battalion Rifle Marksmanship Officer Cadet Cpl. Evan Graham receives the first-place trophy for the Air Rifle Precision Team at the 2025 two-state Cascade Mountain League Championships on the Wa-Hi campus March 7-9.
Walla Walla High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Blue Devil Battalion Color Guard Team No. 1 captain Cadet Maj. Claire Wooster receives a first-place trophy at the 2025 two-state Cascade Mountain League Championships on the Wa-Hi campus March 7-9.
Wa-Hi’s “JROTC cadets rose to the challenge not only by participating in the competition but also by taking on the responsibility of hosting. They were involved in coordinating event logistics, preparing classrooms for incoming competitors, distributing room keys, ensuring campus cleanliness and setting up and tearing down two ranges.”
They also ran events, acted as score sheet runners and provided campus security during the event’s two nights.
“Their teamwork and dedication ensured a smooth and professionally-run event,” Marrero said.
Army ROTC cadets from Washington State University and University of Idaho, Army recruiters from Tri-Cities, Walla Walla National Guard personnel and reservists assisted with grading events, Marrero added.
The event brought together JROTC cadets, instructors, staff and competitors to compete in the series of events, all under the careful planning and coordination of the school’s JROTC staff and cadets.
Cadets faced off in 24 individual and team events, including air-rifle shooting, physical fitness, drill and ceremonies and color guard.
The Wa-Hi Color Guard presented the colors at the concluding awards ceremony. Cadet Capt. Madyson Artz sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Cadet Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Kairi Kincheloe served as narrator, acknowledging the hard work and commitment of all cadets, parents and instructors throughout the season, Marrero said.
He said the senior staff presented awards to deserving cadets, celebrating their achievements in various categories.
“This year’s championship was a resounding success, bringing pride to Walla Walla High School and marking a remarkable return for the JROTC program after a challenging few years.
“We received many compliments from those who attended about the campus renovations, what a professional event we ran and the professionalism of our cadets assisting the other schools that attended. The program could not be successful without the support of the Walla Walla community,” Marrero said.
He added that Cadet 1st Lt. Navaeh Cobb received many compliments on her hand-painted hand-crafted school crests or emblems to identify the classroom to which each school was assigned for staging.
“The success of this event is a testament to the dedication of the Wa-Hi cadets and their instructors, who worked tirelessly to make the championships a memorable experience for all involved,” he said.
While this is the final league competition, the air rifle season continues through the summer.
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