Mt. Diablo High Jr. ROTC overall top performers at Weston Ranch High Sports Competition
CONCORD, CA (Nov. 12, 2021) — Mt. Diablo High School’s Jr. ROTC placed in all three events at the 17th annual Weston Ranch High School Sports Competition for the best overall performance among the 10 battalions taking part last month in Stockton.
Ronnie McGee, a retired U.S. Army Sgt. First Class, runs the Concord school’s JROTC and is proud of their results with the soccer team placing first and the Color Guard and Raider Challenge team both taking third. He said, “The Red Devil JROTC Battalion continues to improve and make great strides to become better young men and women.”
McGee’s program at MDHS includes 140 students, about 60% female. He says the purpose of the Weston Ranch event was to challenge cadets to support teamwork, motivation, cooperation and have fun.
All competitive events were team-oriented and required collaboration to be successful. The event serves to enhance Esprit de Corps and build camaraderie among the JROTC schools.
Physical fitness
The Raider team focuses on physical endurance and conditioning. A Raider team competition normally includes the Army Physical Fitness Test, a 10K road march with equipment, Raider Gauntlet (obstacle course), Land Navigation and One Rope Bridge Competition. Mt. Diablo’s Raider team includes Mariel Busine, Andheya Aurelio, Dominic Gomez, Angel Martinez, Luis Martinez, Mose Tapui, Gabriel Banales Diaz, Michael Carmer and Estrella Torres.
The Color Guard competing at Weston Ranch for the Red Devils was Jocelyn Lozano, Dominic Ibarra, Francisco Avelar-Campos and Shyla DelaRosa.
The championship soccer team for MDHS was Salvador Sandoval, Jasmine Garrett, Gehovani Benitez, Zurizaday Alcala Acuna, Angel Martinez, Sarai Trevino, Jonathan Covarrubias and Gabriel Banales Diaz.
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.