The Oak Harbor High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp orienteering team finished ninth in the Navy National Championships Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and 15, at Vasquez Rocks Regional Park in Agua Dulce, Calif.

The Wildcats were the only team from Washington among the 23 squads from across the United States that competed in the national finals.

Senior Caleb Peek led Oak Harbor by finishing fifth in the individual standings out of 89 competitors.

In orienteering, participants use a topographical map and compass to locate several points that makeup the course; the fastest to complete the course wins.

The Vasquez Rocks Regional Park provided “some very unique courses” with “very challenging terrain,” according to Oak Harbor coach Marc deLeuze.

Saturday’s course had 12 control points over 4.4 kilometers and included a 190-meter overall climb.

Sunday’s 4.3-kilometer course had 15 control points with an overall climb of 250 meters.

Joining Cadet Commander Peek on the Oak Harbor team were Jared Gray, Teo Torres, Trevor Feinberg and Logan Lawhon.  Coach deLeuze (Builder Chief Betty Officer Retired) was assisted by Liz deLeuze.

The championship meet included teams from Florida, Georgia, New York, Texas, Nevada, West Virginia, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and California.