JACKSON TWP — High school sports provide an avenue for student athletes to hone their passions.

It's no different for members of Seneca Valley's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps' marksmanship team.

Senior Joshua Reeb is a perfect example. He has been a member of the squad since his freshman year.

“I'm a hunter and I've always enjoyed shooting,” he said. “It's part of my life.”

“Our instructor (Angelo Lettiere) talked to me about joining the team last year,” said sophomore Nathan Adomaitis. “It's been phenomenal. I have amazing instructors and teammates. I love it.”

Reeb and Adomaitis will be competing in the 2017 Civilian Marksmanship Program's 3-Position Air Rifle Regional Championship, to be held Thursday through Saturday at Camp Perry in northern Ohio.

They qualified for the event with a strong showing at a match in December. Aiming for a target the size of a pinhead from 10 meters away, Reeb scored 257 out of a possible 300 while Adomaitis managed 248.

The three positions include standing, kneeling and prone. Thirty shots will be taken from each position, with 10 being the maximum number of points earned per attempt.

“I do best in the prone position, it's the one in which you have the most support,” said Reeb. “The goal is always to be perfect. Whether or not that happens depends on how concentrated we are, how steady our breathing is.”

The regional event will include teams and individuals from 24 different states. If either cadet finishes in the top 15 of individual competitors, they will advance to the national event in June.

Both Reeb and Adomaitis have competed at Camp Perry before. That familiarity should aid both of them.

“If you're walking into a different environment, there's a lot more stress,” said Adomaitis. “The fact I've been there before, I am hoping it gives me more of a comfort level.”

Like any sport, finding that comfort level often leads to success.

“Shooting is all about rhythm,” Adomaitis said. “If you get into a rhythm and you're shooting from the same position with the same gun, you should do well.”

While Seneca Valley has had a JROTC program since 1968, it has fielded a marksmanship team for five years. This year's five-member team has already had a memorable season.

In November, SV captured the Western Pennsylvania league championship for the second time (2015).

Reeb was the top shooter for the competition with a 248 out of 300. Also contributing to the title were Joshua Thompson (227), Andrew Tate (225) and Caitlin Wroblewski (224).

Reeb and Adomaitis both competed at the JROTC Regional Championship at Camp Perry in February. Reeb scored 990 out of a possible 1,200 while Adomaitis' score topped 1,000.

But the true value of being part of the team has nothing to do with scores.

“The most enjoyment I get out of it is being with my friends on the team,” said Reeb. “We act like a family and are always there for each other.”

As members of Seneca Valley's JROTC program, which numbers 72 this year, the marksmanship quintet has duties that go far beyond taking part in air rifle events.

“JROTC participates in school district and community events and conducts community service,” Lettiere replied in an e-mail interview. “The mission is to motivate young people to be better citizens.

“The program instills in students the value of citizenship, service to the community and the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. It promotes healthy lifestyles, develops leadership, strengthens positive self-motivation and enhances global awareness.”