Athlete Spotlight
Some might think that JROTC shouldn't be considered a sport.
Cadet Lt. Logan Prince (left) and Cadet Master Sgt. Larry Keel won first place in the dual exhibition category at a state drill meet.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Few sports, however, require as much concentration and mental strength as some of the events in a JROTC competition.
Lakeside's Logan Prince and Larry Keel know this better than anyone.
The boys, both juniors in their third year on the drill team, recently took home first place in the dual exhibition at the State Meet.
Cadet Lt. Prince and Cadet Master Sgt. Keel competed in the event, which involves synchronized rifle spinning.
Linda Gary said the event is one of the toughest in the JROTC.
"There is no way you can understand how much these kids put into one of these events," she said. "There are hours spent on working on the routine. It is probably one of the more difficult events that cadets can compete in."
One viewing of the video - which is available on Lakeside JROTC's Web site - shows the toughness of the event.
Both Keel and Prince spin the nine-pound 1903 Springfield rifles while walking, and there are even elements of tossing the rifles over the shoulder to the other, and Prince and Keel tossing the rifles high in the air to each other.
The dual team - which also finished as region champs in 2004 and 2005 - was the first to finish first in the state from Lakeside, and Gary said she believes they are the first in the area's history.
The state meet featured 48 schools and 90 dual teams.
Both also finished on the third-place color guard team, and Keel finished second place in individual drill.
"Both Larry and Logan are tremendous students, athletes and people," Gary said. "They deserve the state recognition they received."