The U.S. Military Academy Orienteering Club hosted a sanctioned USA Orienteering National Ranking Event (NRE) at Camp Shea on April 13 and Lake Frederick and Bull Pond Recreation Area on April 14.
The purpose of the event, which is in its 44th year, is to increase cadet competency in orienteering and land navigation, develop USMA Orienteering team cadet members through planning, coordination and execution of multifaceted events, and to improve civil-military relations by hosting a world-class orienteering event at West Point.
Overall, more than 300 competitors competed over the two days with 230 competing on Saturday and 240 on Sunday. Additionally, 55 cadets from the Corps of Cadets joined in training on the course on April 14.
Orienteering USA (OUSA), the national orienteering organization, officially approved this event and allows results from the courses to be included in official national competitor rankings. To meet sanctioning requirements, events must meet strict technical criteria, including map and course standardization. Every point is meticulously chosen, marked and checked to meet these criteria.
Twenty-six members of the USMA Orienteering Club had a role in making the NRE run smoothly through the weekend. The entire event was cadet-led, with several key members leading the planning and preparation to conquer the major tasks of land surveying, course development, obtaining supplies, planning logistics, registration and complying with official OUSA standards.
This event was led by CDT Justin McLemore ’25 as event director. McLemore thanked CDT Greg Kies ’24, the Team Captain, and the officers in charge, MAJ Andrew Eck ’13, COL Mark Read ’92, COL Heidi Demarest ’01, LTC Peter Nelson ’99, and Dr. Matt O’Bannion for their support through the process. CDT Shawn Mather ’25 and CDT Paul Bruce ’24 designed the courses for Day 1 and 2, respectively.
There are nearly 120 cadet clubs at West Point including athletic, recreational, academic, religious, hobby, and diversity clubs – something for virtually every interest, made possible by donors supporting the Margin of Excellence.
Excerpt and image taken from https://www.westpoint.edu.
