Cadets from the Idaho Wing’s Eagle Rock Composite Squadron captured first place at the Rocky Mountain Region Cadet Competition, with the Colorado Wing’s Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron team placing second and another Idaho Wing team, from the Nampa Composite Squadron, finishing third,
The Colorado and Thunderbird teams reversed their order from 2024.
The Colorado Wing’s Valkyrie Cadet Squadron — 2024 competition winner — and the Utah Wing’s Blackhawk and Thunderbird cadet squadrons also participated in the event at Gowen Field National Guard Base in Boise, Idaho.
“This competition highlighted the skill, teamwork, and leadership of cadets in the region,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Navin, Rocky Mountain Region deputy chief of staff — cadet programs. “The cadets from the Eagle Rock Composite Squadron set themselves apart with their preparation and determination.”
The winning team consisted of:
● Cadet 1st Lt. Memphis Browning
● Cadet 2nd Lt. Kenya Draper
● Cadet 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Lee
● Cadet 2nd Lt. Caleb Lefler
● Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Everett Armbruster
● Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Ian Meyer
The Colorado Springs team members were:
● Cadet Capt. Yurel Villa
● Cadet 2nd Lt. Danika Matuska
● Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Pryor Mensen
● Cadet Chief Master Sgt.
● Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Adam Salinas
● Cadet Staff Sgt. Tristan Biber
Matsuka and Salinas also competed last year.
Making up the Nampa team were:
● Cadet Capt. Sarah Edwards
● Cadet 1st Lt. Josiah Wood
● Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Kristopher Bekker
● Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Oliver McConaughey
● Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Connor Putman
● Cadet Master Sgt. Ireland Lott
Edwards and Bekker returned from last year’s team.
Eagle Rock finished first in two categories, Indoor Posting of the Colors and Extemporaneous Speech, and second in four —Team Leadership Problem, Outdoor Posting of the Colors, Uniform Inspection, and Written Exam.
The Colorado Springs cadets placed first in Outdoor Posting of the Colors and Uniform Inspection, second in Team Leadership Problem and Physical Fitness, and third in Indoor Posting of the Colors, Standard Drill, and Aerospace/STEM Exercise. In addition, Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Adam Salinas won Cadet Physical Fitness.
The Nampa team finished first in Written Exam and Extemporaneous Speech, second in Standard Drill, and third in Outdoor Posting of the Colors and Physical Fitness
The Valkyrie team took second in Indoor Posting of the Colors and third in Extemporaneous Speech.
The Blackhawk entry captured first in Standard Drill, second in Aerospace/STEM Exercise, and third in Uniform Inspection and Written Exam.
The Thunderbird cadets finished first in Physical Fitness.
By category:
Indoor Posting of the ColorsEagle Rock Composite SquadronValkyrie Cadet SquadronColorado Springs Composite Squadron
Outdoor Posting of the ColorsColorado Springs Composite Squadron Eagle Rock Composite Squadron Nampa Composite Squadron
Standard Drill Blackhawk Cadet Squadron Nampa Composite Squadron Colorado Springs Composite Squadron
Uniform Inspection Colorado Springs Composite Squadron Eagle Rock Composite Squadron Blackhawk Cadet Squadron
Written ExamNampa Composite SquadronEagle Rock Composite SquadronBlackhawk Cadet Squadron
Physical FitnessThunderbird Cadet SquadronColorado Springs Composite SquadronNampa Composite Squadron
Extemporaneous SpeechNampa Composite SquadronEagle Rock Composite SquadronValkyrie Cadet Squadron
Aerospace/STEM ExerciseEagle Rock Composite SquadronBlackhawk Cadet SquadronColorado Springs Composite Squadron
Team Leadership ProblemBlackhawk Cadet Squadron Colorado Springs Cadet SquadronEagle Rock Composite Squadron
Cadet Physical Fitness Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Adam SalinasColorado Springs Cadet Squadron____+_+Capt. Stephanie PaytonDirector of Public AffairsRocky Mountain Region
