The streak continues.
Gaither High’s U.S. Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program captured its ninth straight state title at the 2026 U.S. Navy JROTC Academic, Athletic and Drill State Competition on March 7 at Spoto High.
The win extends the squad’s own record in Area 7 state tournaments, where cadets competed in drill and academic competitions, athletic challenges such as push-ups and curl-ups, orienteering, drone competitions and marksmanship events.
Retired Senior Chief Loney Cason, who has led Gaither’s unit for 13 years, said the battalion is held to high standards — some inherited, many of his own making. Since he took over, Gaither has earned the Distinguished Unit award every year, a recognition given to the top 1% of squads.
“You have to understand you can’t do everything by yourself,” Cason told the Carrollwood Beacon in March 2025. “The program just needed someone with energy to get that little extra out of it. … I like to think that I brought in high standards by myself, but I was the fire spark that got it going.
“There’s a certain energy that I bring, and a certain discipline, too — I don’t put up with any crap,” he added. “It’s up to them if they want to win, so every year we talk about goals, and every year it’s nationals.”
The Cowboys now advance to the national competition, representing Florida and Hillsborough County schools March 27-28 at the 2026 NJROTC National Academic, Athletic & Drill Championships at Naval Air Station Pensacola.
“This achievement reflects the dedication of our cadets and the outstanding commitment of their instructors,” Gaither Principal Dr. Jeremy D. Klein said in a press release. “We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the way they represent our school and community.”
For more information about NJROTC programs at Hillsborough County Public Schools, visit hillsboroughschools.org.