March 25, 2026
True North: Citrus High Orienteering Team Claims 3rd in Florida
Written by Student Writer: Delaney Laurence
The Citrus High School AFJROTC Orienteering team recently navigated their way to a major victory at the Florida State Championships held at Holder Mine. Often called a “thinking sport”, orienteering requires cadets to use only a map and compass to find checkpoints across miles of rugged, unfamiliar terrain. It is a test of both physical endurance and mental focus, where a single wrong turn could make or break the race.
The Citrus High AFJROTC proved they were among the best in the state, bringing home the 3rd place overall trophy. The varsity team led the charge with a second place finish, while the Novice team secured 3rd place in their division. Individual standout Cadet Captain Tavin Houchin stole the show, earning a gold medal as the Varsity Male State Champion. Other top performers included Cadet Lt. Col. Avery Sanchez and Cadet Technical Sergeant Jonathan Durgin, who placed 5th in their respective categories.
By successfully tackling courses that can stretch over three miles through dense brush, these cadets showed incredible skill in land navigation and decision making under pressure. This statewide success highlights the hard work and discipline of the Citrus High AFJROTC program.