On Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, Cardozo’s NJROTC cadets went to the orienteering championship, coming home with multiple wins.
Orienteering is a sport that relies on individuals exploring the outdoors only relying on a map with points around the map and a compass. The cadets have to use the resources given to them to find points around the park area, competing to beat each other on a timed course.
The November event was held at Core Creek Park in Pennsylvania and sponsored by the Delaware Orienteering Club. Cardozo’s NJRTOC won 4th place overall but took home many other awards. One of the first year cadets, Daron Desilva, placed second overall in the first year cadet white course. Varsity cadet C/MC Lynora Brown placed 5th place overall for the female varsity brown course.
The NJROTC cadets arrived at Cardozo at 0400 and then loaded. The bus departed the school at 0430 and arrived at its destination at 0630. The cadets received their materials like compasses and SI cards. An SI card is a USB-like object that is used to mark down points found on the course digitally. The cadets had to follow a strict schedule at the event because every cadet started at a different time. Cadets had very little practice for this competition, but still worked to the best of their abilities and they tried their hardest.
he cadets went against some of the strongest schools and oldest schools out there and still placed overall. Some schools had cadets running varsity courses in 46 minutes. Below are the scores for the NJROTC cadets:
Scores
Male Varsity (Green Course):
- Oliver Cordero: 16th place with the time of 1:39:43
- Spencer Quinteros: 27th place with the time of 2:30:29
- Ryan Palmares: DNF(Missed a point on the course)
Female Varsity (Brown Course):
- Lynora Brown: 5th place with the time of 1:57:26
- Kellese Davis: 7th place with the time of 2:21:06
- Sofia Aristizabal: 8th place with the time of 2:39:24
- Georgia Katsanos: DNF (missing a point on the course)
Female JV (Orange Course):
- Omaries Henry: 15th place with the time of 2:15:16
Male JV (Orange Course):
- Kyle Chen: 36th place with the time of 2:46:07
- Morgan Chiu: 37th place with the time of 2:50:45
Male White Course (NS1/FRESHMAN):
- Darom Dasilva: 2nd place with the time of 31:12
- Amar Abrams: 9th place with the time of 1:10:33
Female Yellow Course
- Diksha Bajwa: 7th place with the time of 2:39:36
- Gabrielle Gallimore: 9th place with the time of 3:33:51
Male Yellow Course:
- Shamar Mills: 9th place with the time of 2:13:02
- Xinglong Chen: 11th place with the time of 2:45:42
Overall Scores
1st – Colts Neck High School
2nd – Southold High School
3rd – MAST High School
4th – Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
5th – North Plainfield High School