There is no shortcut to competing among the best in the nation.
For East Union High School’s JROTC cadets, it meant months of early mornings, grueling workouts, and learning to push beyond limits they did not know they had. And in the end, the dedication and sacrifice led to a moment these cadets will never forget.
Last month, East Union’s JROTC program proudly represented Manteca Unified School District in the 2026 All-Service JROTC National Fitness Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida, the most prestigious fitness competition in the country for JROTC programs.
Competing against elite teams from across the country, the Lancers once again proved they belong among the nation’s best.
This year’s championship featured 63 teams, including 17 hand-picked male teams representing more than 3,400 JROTC programs nationwide. But before the cadets ever stepped foot on the sand in Daytona, the work had already begun here at home.
For nearly three months, 12 East Union cadets trained six days a week through intense conditioning, team workouts, and trips to the coast to prepare for the beach events. For cadet Luke Hawkinson, the experience became a lesson in learning how much he was truly capable of overcoming.
“Doing Daytona has taught me that anyone can do hard things when they set their mind to it,” expressed Hawkinson. “There were times I thought about quitting and returning to my comfort zone, but all the encouragement from my friends and coaches helped keep me going.”
All the demanding preparations helped the Lancers bring home top five finishes in four of five categories, including the Beach Obstacle Course (3rd), 3K Beach Run (4th), Pull-Up Competition (4th), and the Weighted Ball Throw (5th).
For many of the cadets, the experience became about much more than medals and trophies. It became a lesson in perseverance, teamwork, and discovering what they were capable of accomplishing together.
“It showed me hard work pays off,” shared Team Captain Anthony Zavala. “For the past three months we were pushed past our limits because we felt like we had something to prove. We brought back four trophies and are beyond proud of ourselves. Most importantly, we made memories that will last us a lifetime.”
The challenge also became preparation for the future.
Cadet John Bagayas shared he chose to participate in the fitness challenge to better prepare himself for enlistment in the United State Navy. “
To see these cadets train and compete and keep up with schools that do this year-round made me proud beyond words,” Coach Gabriel Sauceda shared. “Being their coach through this experience was something I am truly grateful for and has made this accomplishment so much more meaningful.”
Adding to the unforgettable weekend, cadet Luke Hawkinson was also selected to sing the national anthem in front of more than 1,000 attendees during the championship awards ceremony. “What a great way to end the Daytona era,” Lieutenant Colonel John Tao expressed. “This year’s team personified the spirit of hard work always pays off. For more than two months, we made sure the training was harder than the competition, and the results showed.
The East Union cadets joining Zavala, Bagayas, and Hawkinson on this year’s team were David Tafolla, Caleb Williams, Gael Camacho, Brandon Garibay, Miguel Diaz, Antonio Rocha, Kaleb Barker, Sarid Ambriz, and Davis Duff. From the beaches of Daytona back to the East Union campus, these cadets returned home with more than trophies.
They returned with pride, unforgettable memories, and proof that dedication, discipline, and teamwork can take you all the way to the national stage.
