WCHS Navy JROTC takes home wins

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — In the same weekend the Vikings took home the 6A State Championship in football, the Navy JROTC of Warren Central High School took home wins in Alabama. WCHS Navy JROTC competed in the NJROTC Area 16 Orienteering championship on Saturday, Dec. 6 2025.

This was the team’s first time competing in an Orienteering event in more than five years.

Senior Chief Robert Mathes, a 23-year Navy veteran and lead instructor explained the event.

“Orienteering is a competitive navigation sport where participants use a map and compass to find checkpoints across challenging terrain,” said Mathes.

The Vikings’ Devil Goat Battalion female runners took home first and fifth out of 29 runners in the 2.1k event. Senior Kaydence Johnson finished first on the girls’ 2.1km yellow course in 45 minutes 29 seconds. Junior Kimora Carter finished fifth on the girls’ 2.1km yellow course in 81 minutes 14 seconds. Junior Jonathan Williams finished second on the boys’ 2.5km yellow course in 68 minutes 37 seconds.

Other team members are junior Pattrik Sanderson and sophomore George Weaver. First Sergeant Bradley Nolan, a 20-year Marine Corps veteran is also an instructor for the class.

This was the first time the program competed under new leadership. Physical fitness is an essential aspect of the program. It prepares cadets mentally and physically for the demands of daily tasks and life. The cadets conduct a Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) that measures how fit they are.