Utah Wing Cadets best in the nation
In an amazing turn of events, Cadets of the Utah Wing of Civil Air Patrol were selected the national winners of the annual National Cadet Competition held in McMinneville, Oregon, at the Evergreen Aviation Museum, home of the Spruce Goose. This is the second trophy for the Utah Drill Team, whose members compete locally and regional for the opportunity to be on the team and represent the Region.
Utah, representing Rocky Mountain Region, is one of five states in the Region including Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Cadets 12 to 18 years of age may compete.
The National Cadet Competition began in 1948. Utah won twice before 1960, then not again until 2009 and 2010. Eight teams of skilled cadets from each region in the U.S. are judged on aerospace knowledge, leadership (drills) and physical fitness. Drill teams perform standard and innovative drills, run a mile-course, compete in a volley ball tournament, and are tested on their knowledge of aviation history, flight, aerospace and leadership skills through written exam and panel quiz.
Team leader, 2d Lt Zack Hopkins of Nibley, Utah, scored highest among his peers in the written exam and finished the mile in 4:52 minutes, placing second overall. The team initially did not place 1st, until a scoring error revealed they had the highest points. The National Commander, Gen Amy Courter, notified the Region on July 7th.
Team members are from squadrons as far north as Logan, and south as far as Provo, Utah. There are 13 cadets per team.
