ALBUQUERQUE - Every year the Marine instructors show their team the trophy case of years past. 

C. Jonathan Sanchez reports into the first drill meet of the year held at Valley High School on Sept. 26. GHS swept the meet winning the overall bronze “Eagle” for the fifth straight year. BEACON / TESHIMA

“Some of you were part of a team that won these trophies, but this year, this team hasn't won anything,” explained Gunnery Sgt. George Garcia to the cadets.

    Motivation to fill the trophy case for the Grants High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps wasn't a problem at the Valley High School's “Early Bird” competition for the fifth straight year.

    The accolades poured in with Cadet 1st Sgt. Jonathan Sanchez hauling in the Outstanding Commander's trophy for leading his team to a sweep. Sanchez's booming command voice isn't his only talent as he balances a starting position on the GHS Pirate football defensive team as well.

Cadet Gunnery Sgt. Zachary Smith led his first competitive color guard to win both regulation and inspection categories, as well as the top commander's trophy.

    The female unarmed team appears to be even tougher than last year, without having lost any members to graduation. Cadet Capt. Maria Devine continued to lead her team to wins following a near perfect previous year at the state level. With Cadet 1st Sgt. Nicole Lopez as the female color guard commander, the team easily took first place to round out a near flawless day.

    “This is one of the strongest starts we've had in years,” said Gunnery Sgt. Garcia. “We're deep with 40 people on the drill team.”

Senior Instructor 1st Sgt. Rick Matteson and Garcia have experienced success against the 5A caliber teams of La Cueva, Rio Grande and Rio Rancho High Schools.

    “We're most proud of taking 41 members of the team,” said Garcia, “and each one of them contributed to the overall trophy.”

    The year's opening meet also introduced the rifle and physical fitness teams, led by Matteson, to tough competition. While success has been varied, Matteson will be spending a lot more time with the teams to ensure improvement at future events.

    The next competition will be on Nov. 21, where the exhibition teams will be allowed to participate as well.

L-A MCJROTC

Senior Instructor Sgt. Major Emilio Barela and Cadet 2nd Lt. Ryan Silva have been working towards building a competitive rifle and physical fitness team. The teams went up against the state's toughest and while no trophies went home on the Hawk bus, the teams will continue practicing for several hours a day to gain the necessary experience of competing at the state's highest level.