BRHS Drill Team takes state honors

Cadets in Braden River High School’s JROTC program took top honors April 6, at the Florida State Drill Championship at George Jenkins High School in Lakeland.

More than 150 schools competed in 18 categories.

Braden River’s JROTC Drill Team brought home nine state championship titles, out of 11 total earned by Manatee County schools.

“In my eight years as a JROTC instructor, I have never seen one school win so many state champion titles at one meet,” LTC (Ret.) Jay Bradin said. “I think this is truly an unprecedented accomplishment by our cadets.”

State championship titles earned included: Color Guard Female, Color Guard Male, Unarmed Squad Male, Armed Squad Female, Squad Exhibition Male, Unarmed Platoon Male, Platoon Exhibition Female, Individual Exhibition Female and Dual Exhibition Female.

Other awards earned were: Armed Squad Male (fourth place); Squad Exhibition Female (third place); Armed Platoon Male (third place); Platoon Exhibition Male (third place); and Unarmed Knockout (third place).