Thunderbirds 'soar,' top 150 teams

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Drew Nystrom
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The Bellevue West High School men's and women's drill teams might have been at their first U.S. National High School Drill Team Championship, but they made quite a mark.

The Bellevue teams returned home from Daytona Beach, Fla., with a first- and two second-place finishes after going head-to-head with 150 of the country's elite Junior ROTC drill squads.

With more than 3,500 high school drill teams consisting of about 400,000 cadets nationwide, less than five percent are selected to participate in "the nationals." Teams representing all of the services' JROTC programs traveled from as far away as Alaska and Puerto Rico.

"Our teams were truly honored to receive an invitation to compete in the nationals," said retired Lt. Col. Ralph Tosti, Bellevue West High School senior Air Force JROTC instructor. "They left Bellevue with the hopes of demonstrating the very best of Heartland drill and represented their school, community and the Air Force exceedingly well."

The women's team earned first place in the large exhibition drill with arms and a second-place finish in the small exhibition with arms category.

The men's team finished in second place in the large exhibition without arms category, missing first by just a few points.

"This was a real eye-opener to how the other teams were so well polished and dedicated to drill," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Stohlman, instructor at the Bellevue West AFROTC program. "Their routines were flawless, precise and really made our teams step up when they saw how good you can get if you practice hard."

The teams practice every day before school for one hour and another three hours one night a week. Academics are monitored and grades have to be maintained at an appropriate level or the member can't be on the team.

Coaches for the men's team include Colonel Tosti and retired Senior Master Sgt. Lou Gerbus.

The ladies are coached by Chief Bruce Stohlman.

The three instructors have a combined 48 years of teaching experience at Bellevue West in the AFJROTC program.

"I can't tell you how proud we are of our teams' showing at the nationals. All the hours of practice really paid great dividends and the kids were elated with what they accomplished," said Colonel Tosti. "What a way to end the season."