Cadets visiting Mount Rainer during a fun break from competition.

EASLEY — Easley High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (NJROTC) unit competed in the Navy National Orienteering Championship held in the Seattle area on March 5-6.

Orienteering is a sport that involves land navigation, cross country running and decision making. Easley qualified to compete nationally by winning the region competition in January. 29 NJROTC units out of more than 600 units throughout the United States qualified to compete at the national level by placing first, second or third in their respective NJROTC Area.

Easley’s Junior Varsity team took fifth place overall, with cadet Kelsie Hart leading the team, placing first individually on the orange course. Easley placed ninth overall.

“I’m proud of the team,” EHS instructor Chief Mark Stauder said. “Going into a three-hour-different time zone, running a different type of terrain and being out of their element, I think they did extremely well. Most of these cadets will never have the opportunity to compete on a national level again in their lifetime in any type of competition, so this event was a great experience.”

The cadets who competed were cadets Brandon Marsh, Ryan Jeanes, Cody Marshall, Joey Sigler, Brenda Lopez-Perez, Kelsie Hart, Griff Von Schmittou, William Frazier, Chase Wengerd and Matthew West.

Stauder also gave thanks to chaperone Jacqueline Ashford, who helped with locating the venues and ensuring that the cadets were well fed and hydrated throughout the trip.