The Marion High School JROTC marksmanship team has once again proven they can compete well with the best.  

Last weekend, the team earned their highest-ever finish at the Junior Air National Championship held at Camp Perry, Ohio. The Junior Air National Championship draws top competition, including the very best teams from across the United States. For this event, shooting matches are held at three locations across the United States, and results from all three are compiled for the championship.

The Giants team finished 17th out of 25 teams, the highest the team has ever finished. Most of the teams who qualify for this event are not from JROTC programs. In fact, the Giants were one of only two Army JROTC programs to qualify, and the only one from the entire Midwest.

Team members included Andersson Guevara, Nicholas Purdy, and Gwynneth Hamilton, all MHS juniors; and Danielle Purdy, sophomore. Junior Khamryann Allen served as the alternate for the team. 

Cadet Hamilton finished the competition as the team’s leading scorer.  

“I was extremely pleased with my first round of shooting,” Hamilton said. “My first round score was a personal best, 600.1.” 

MHS JROTC’s Senior Army Instructor, retired Col. Gary Blagburn, who serves as one of the team’s coaches, said he is pleased to see the cadets’ growth, and specifically noted Hamilton’s work.

“It is excellent to see the progress she has made from the season’s beginning to where we are now,” he said. 

Marion High School JROTC marksmen Gwynneth Hamilton, Danielle Purdy, and Khamrynn Allen take aim during a recent rifle match. Hamilton and Purdy both shot a personal best during the Junior Air National Championship held at Camp Perry, Ohio.

Cadet Danielle Purdy also shot a personal best of 593.6. 

“I am so happy, my personal best by 2 points,” Purdy said as she came off the shooting line, giving a fist bump to her coaches. 

Blagburn praised the team and the coaching staff.

“It is really cool to see how much the team continues to improve,” he said. “It is a testament to all the hard work and dedication that retired Lt. Col. David Farlow put into the program.” 

Lt. Col. Farlow just recently retired as the MHS JROTC Senior Army Instructor, and was able to get the program well established. The marksmanship team is also greatly assisted by volunteer coaches, Kent Santee and Dave Kuester. Without the assistance from these volunteers, the program would not be performing at the current level. 

The MHS JROTC program is open to any high school age student in Grant County. For more information, click here. 

Marion High School JROTC marksmen Andersson Guevara and Nick Purdy take careful aim at a recent rifle match.