North Fork NJROTC cadets take top honors at annual navigation challenge

The Mattituck-Southold-Greenport NJROTC orienteering team flexed its navigation skills, besting numerous other squads across several states at the annual Linden Challenge earlier this month.

Led by Cadet Lt. Junior Grade Kai Bossen and Master Sgt. Ibanez, the team competed against eight schools from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania at Warinanco Park in New Jersey in the demanding land navigation and map-reading challenge.

Six cadets earned individual medals, including three first-place finishes in their respective courses and two first-place finishes in the Brown Course’s male and female divisions.

Mike Layton placed first in the Yellow Course, while Charlie Blasko took first and Mark Hoffmaster finished third in the Orange Course.

Ida Reiniger earned first place in the female division in the Brown Course; Ryan Duffy finished first in the male division, and Bossen took third in the male division.

“We’re proud to celebrate the teamwork and accomplishments of the cadets from all three districts,” Greenport School District said on Facebook.

The team will now compete in the Area 2 finals in Pottstown, P.A. on Nov. 7.