The Battle Ground High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program earned the Columbia River Division championship during the Northwest Drill & Rifle Conference on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Washington High School in Parkland, Washington.
The title recognizes the program’s performance across multiple competitions throughout the season, including drill, strength, academics and air rifle events. Cadets compete as varsity teams and accumulate points during meets hosted by schools across the region.
The championship marks the first time Battle Ground High School has won the division title. The program previously earned a first-place finish in 2023 with its precision air rifle team, an accolade the team also won this year.
Lt. Col. Andy Woodrow, the school’s senior aerospace science instructor, said the program’s mission centers on leadership and community involvement while also offering students competitive teams. The program is also heavily involved in community service.
“It's a citizenship class. It's a course that has so many little other avenues, but really comes back to being a good citizen and being ready to serve your community.” Woodrow said.
Cadets in the program study aerospace science and leadership education as part of a four-year curriculum. Students can also participate in additional activities, including drill team, strength team, academic competitions and marksmanship.
“Those teams are varsity sports within the school, and they are the ones that go in, they begin practicing basically in September, and their season doesn't end until April. It's a long season for the sport compared to most other sports.” Woodrow said.
The championship meet included competitions for armed and unarmed drill teams, strength, academics and air rifle.
Battle Ground’s precision air rifle team placed first in the division at the meet, while the sporter air rifle team also finished among the top teams, helping push the program to the overall championship.
Coach Megan VanDyne said strong experience among the precision shooters helped the team perform this season.
“I think all the teams really just found their groove and stepped up. We had, well, we have a mostly veteran precision team for us personally, which has really helped.” VanDyne said.
Several members of the precision team are seniors who aimed to finish their final season with a strong performance.
“They've been very focused on just getting as good as they possibly can. I think with it being their senior year, they really wanted to go out with a bang because the whole precision lineup, except for one, is all seniors.” VanDyne said.
VanDyne said the moment the championship was announced surprised both her and the students.
“I was so surprised and so excited, all the cadets that were there just erupted with joy. It was amazing.” VanDyne said.
For many cadets, the long season builds momentum toward the final awards announcement.
“It's my third year doing this, but it was very surreal winning our division championship.” Battle Ground High School Junior and Second Lieutenant Tanahleigh Boomhower said.
Boomhower, who leads the precision team, said the moment carried mixed emotions for the team’s graduating seniors.
“It was a very interesting moment because all of us were really excited and then it just sank in that it's the seniors' last year, so all of us were also like really sad about it,” Boomhower said.
Boomhower highlighted the mental fortitude and accuracy of the precision team, noting the sport demands a great deal of focus. The AFJROTC teams will next compete at the JROTC Conference Championship in Oregon City in mid-March.
Members of the precision air rifle team have also qualified for the Western Regional Championships in Utah from April 16 to April 18, where more than 300 students from nine states will compete.
