Ramona NJROTC cadets get big wins at Neptune Olympics

Students from Ramona High School made a big impact at this year’s Neptune Olympics, an annual event that brings together NJROTC programs from schools across San Diego County to compete in a series of naval aquatic competitions.

Under the guidance of Commander Rick Jordan and Master Sgt. Allan Snow, 12 cadets from Ramona High participated in the Sept. 6 event, which took place in the San Diego Bay near the Coronado Cays. Competing against 11 other schools, Ramona’s team participated across multiple events and secured first place overall — marking this their second consecutive win at the Neptune Olympics.

The cadets competed in six events: a two-person kayak race, a two-person paddleboard race, a three-person surfboard race, a seven-cadet V-swim, a seven-cadet hostage rescue, and a sandcastle-building competition. Ramona High placed in four out of the six events, clinching the overall title.

Prior to attending the event, the students trained in Ramona High’s pool with a total of five practice.

“Having access to our school pool for training gave us an advantage that a lot of other schools did not have,” said Petty Officer Third Class Nadeen Willat-Sinema NS3. “We practiced during ELT and after school to work on our paddling and communication skills.”

Highlights from the Competition:

• Two-Person Kayak Race (3rd Place):Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Emma Burgess (NS5) and Cadet Ensign Gio Velho (NS2)
• Three-Person Surfboard Race (1st Place):Cadet Lieutenant Commander Kira Salazar (NS5), Cadet Seaman Apprentice Nathan Marquez (NS4), and Cadet Petty Officer Third Class Loghan Johanson (NS3)

“We found it challenging to stay on the surfboard and maintain balance,” Marquez said. “The salt water made the board slippery.”

Other highlights were: 

• Two-Person Paddleboard Race (3rd Place):Cadet Seaman Apprentice Connor McCowin (NS2) and Petty Officer Third Class Nadeen Willat-Sinema (NS3)
• Hostage Rescue ‘Zodiac’ Race (1st Place):Team members included Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Emma Burgess (NS5), Cadet Lieutenant Commander Kira Salazar (NS5), Cadet Ensign Jason Salazar (NS4), Cadet Ensign Gio Velho (NS2), Cadet Senior Chief Kenneth Redman (NS4), and Cadet Petty Officer Third Class Mia Salazar (NS3).

“The hostage rescue was a simulation event where the judges would ‘injure’ the rescue swimmers,” Jason Salazar said. “The hardest part of this race was maintaining good communication in a high-stress situation.”

The team also participated in the seven-cadet V-swim and sandcastle building competitions but did not place in those events.

“This was the last event of the day — a seven-person team swim focused on teamwork,” Willat-Sinema said. “You can’t leave anyone behind and must stay within six feet of each other in the water.”

Team members included: Cadet Ensign Gio Velho, Petty Officer Third Class Loghan Johanson (NS3), Lieutenant Junior Grade Emma Burgess (NS5), Petty Officer Third Class Mia Salazar (NS3), Lieutenant Commander Kira Salazar (NS5), Seaman Apprentice Connor McCowin (NS2), and Seaman Apprentice Cristian Romero (NS2).

The Neptune Olympics is designed to help with team-building, improving communication, and encouraging healthy competition among NJROTC cadets.

“This event also gives the students insight in to what a Rescue Swimmer or Navy Seal does in the United States Navy,” Snow said.

Up next for Ramona High School’s NJROTC students is the Turkey Shoot Marksmanship Competition, which takes place on Nov. 9 at Ramona High School. Cadets will have the opportunity to showcase their precision and shooting skills.