The North Carolina Wing’s 111th Search and Rescue Composite Squadron cadet team placed first in the Mid-Atlantic Region Cadet Competition, with the Virginia Wing’s Leesburg Composite Squadron entry finishing second and a second North Carolina team, from the Johnston County Composite Squadron, coming in third.
The 111th squadron team, with an assist from an Iredell Composite Squadron cadet), consisted of:
· Cadet Maj. Mikhail Karnaukh
· Cadet Capt. Nathan Keampf (Iredell squadron)
· Cadet Capt. Mason Wise
· Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Grayson Afshar
· Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Velamir Karnaukh
· Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Wise
· Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Connor Haines
Team sponsors were 1st Lt. Joseph Whitney, squadron leadership officer, and 2nd Lt. Jessica Carey, deputy commander for cadets.
The team finished first in Standard Drill, Indoor Flag Posting, and Outdoor Flag Posting; second in Physical Fitness; and third in Uniform Inspection.
Competing for the Leesburg squadron were:
· Cadet Maj. Michael Pfingsten
· Cadet Capt. Dawson Jensen
· Cadet Capt. Grant McGee
· Cadet 1st Lt. Catalina Dodson
· Cadet 2nd Lt. Clara McGee
· Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Benaiah Lichti
· Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jordan Turnquist
Accompanying the cadets were 1st Lt. Beth McGee, squadron deputy commander for cadets, and Capt. Christopher Freeze, emergency services officer.
The team placed first in Physical Fitness, Written Exam, Panel Quiz, and Team Leadership Problems, and third in Outdoor Flag Posting.
Lichti recorded the highest Physical Fitness Exam score among all cadets.
The Johnston County cadets were:
· Cadet Capt. Elliot Partin
· Cadet Capt. Zachary Partin
· Cadet 1st Lt. Leah Keith
· Cadet 2nd Lt. Camden Wall
· Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Evelyn Morgan
· Cadet Chief Master Sgt Brianna Sappington
· Cadet Master Sgt. Andrew Miller
First Lts. Jayme Richards, the squadron’s commander, and David Morris, deputy commander for cadets, served as escorts.
The cadets placed second in Panel Speaking and Team Leadership Problems and third in Standard Drill, Written Exam, and Public Speaking.
Wall tied for first in the Written Exam category.
In addition, the Maryland Wing’s Team Maryland finished first in Public Speaking and second in Standard Drill and Indoor Flag Posting
The South Carolina Wing’s Team Coastal Charleston Composite Squadron registered first-place finishes in Uniform Inspection, second in Outdoor Flag Posting and third in Indoor Flag Posting, Physical Fitness, and Team Leadership Problems.
Also representing the South Carolina Wing, Team Spartanville took second in Uniform Inspection, Written Exam, and Public Speaking and third in Panel Quiz.
The Spartanville team’s Cadet 1st Lt. Alexander P. Clifton tied for first in highest Written Exam cadet score.
