The Bobcat Battalion maintains their 13 year win streak by winning the annual drill competition February 19.

After three months of 6 a.m. before-school practicing, the cadets’ work paid off.

The Bobcats placed first in every event at the drill competition over the three other schools who also competed at the competition.

Competing against Beaver Area were Butler, Albert Gallatin, and Trinity. Beaver Area hosted the competition in the high school gym.

Starting the competition was Beaver Area with unarmed platoon. The routine included columns, flanks, counter columns, and more.

The Bobcats won by scoring 1,344 points, followed by Butler with 1,307 points, and Albert Gallatin with 1,279 points.

Next was armed platoon where cadets marched in platoon with rifles. Beaver Area also won with 1,401 points, followed by Butler with 1,360 points, and Albert Gallatin with 1,197 points.

The third event was platoon armed inspection. In this event, cadets were asked questions by the drill sergeants who would score them based on their ability to answer JROTC questions correctly. Points also were awarded for the cadets’ ability to do basic drill movements and following proper uniform code.

Beaver Area won with 932 points followed by Albert Gallatin with 886, Butler with 846, and Trinity with 801.

Following inspection, unarmed squad took the floor. In this event Beaver Area had an A squad and a B squad. Beaver Area’s A squad won with 1,137 points while B squad’s score had one point less with 1,136 points. Since there were two squads, the top score of the two would be used in scoring.

Following Beaver Area’s A squad was Albert Gallatin with 1,048 points, Butler with 1,003 points, and Trinity with 801 points.

Beaver Area’s armed squad also won their event with a score of 1,266. Following Beaver Area was Butler with 1,177 points, Albert Gallatin with 1,057 points, and Trinity with 975 points.

The final event in the competition was the color guard. Both Beaver Area and Albert Gallatin had two color guard teams so the highest of the two scores given would be offered for final scoring. Beaver Area’s squad B won with 1,426 points followed by Albert Gallatin’s squad B with 1,339 points, Trinity with 1,256 points, and Butler with 1,233 points.

Overall, the Bobcat Battalion came out on top with 7,506 points total making this the thirteenth year for Beaver Area to win their annual drill competition. Second place was awarded to Butler with 6,926 points, and third was awarded to Albert Gallatin with 6,806 points.

“This year’s drill team was the absolute best and disciplined performance that I’ve seen these students do in a drill competition since I’ve been here. Their team work and their ability to work through changes has been amazing . . . ” said the SGM Oscar Weaver. “It’s an encouraging feeling knowing that a lot of the team will be back next year and be able to teach the newcomers what they were able to display at the competition this year.”