Rick Dehlinger admitted to being surprised when results came in.

It’s not that he doubted the abilities of cadets involved in the Armed Exhibition segment of a Junior ROTC competition held at Waynesville two weeks ago. He simply understood the quality of other teams in the field.

“We went up against some very good competition — teams that have competed at a national level,” said the coach of Missouri Military Academy’s Fusileers, the school’s drill team.

And judging at drill competitions tends to be subjective. The very nature of exhibition drill adds to the uncertainty. Judges evaluate precision, but exhibition drill is also creative, with showy and complex sequences that would send a sergeant leading basic training into fits.

But on that day, MMA’s Fusileers received first place in Armed Exhibition. The team brought home medals in three other competitions at the event, and three MMA cadets placed in the top 10 individually.

“Our Exhibition event was the most fun to watch and I felt very good about the performance,” Dehlinger said.

He felt their effort was so strong that a second place was almost certain. So his surprise at the victory was not total.

Drill teams are military in structure. MMA’s Fusileers are led by Cadet Lt. Dhalil Belko, Cadet Sgt. Major Bryce Bowen, Cadet Sgts. Michael Machary and Kevith Sangster and Cadet Cpl. Matthew Hamilton.

Individually, Bowen took second place overall. Hamilton was listed fifth and Cadet Parker Woodruff earned seventh. There were 10 teams competing at Waynesville.

Drill competitions are unique. There are unarmed and armed – with a replica rifle – divisions. There’s a regulation segment, where a leader barks common military commands and the team performs according to service regulations. The Color Guard has a component.

There is also a close inspection, where everything from a participant's buttons to bearing come into play.

And then there are the exhibition drills – imaginative, with choreographed routines and synchronized showboating, but subject to the same precise rhythms of a military parade.

MMA picked up a second place in the New Cadet Platoon category, third for Armed Color Guard and third for their overall armed routines.

The Fusileers traveled to Joplin today for another competition, facing many of the same nationally ranked teams. Dehlinger might not register surprise if the team wins again.

“Overall performance at the drill competition was exceptional and a building block,” he said. “I believe our boys practice hard and will fare every well in the next competition.”