Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- The National High School Physical Fitness Championship, held annually at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, is designed to not only test competitors’ physical fitness, but also their ability to work as a team.
More than 25 teams from across the country participated in the event aboard the Depot May 16-17. The instillation, in cooperation with United States Marine Youth Foundation, Inc., hosts the championships annually to promote youth physical fitness and encourage students to continue their quests of living healthier lifestyles.
The events included in the challenge consist of each team performing sit-ups, push-ups, long jumps, pull ups and a shuttle run, but earning the opportunity to compete in sunny San Diego doesn’t come easy. The teams competing in the national championship had to qualify at the state level in order to advance to the finals. These events require preparation from all of the competitors, as coaches put their athletes through vigorous workouts to attain the ultimate goal of winning.
Fitness instructors or volunteer coaches can organize teams in their schools to participate in the state and national matches. Each team must consist of five or six members who are full-time students between grades 9-12, and obtain a score of at least 1875 (males) and 1250 (females) to continue to the next level.
“The tournament is an awesome and pleasant experience for the kids, and it teaches them discipline to maintain physical fitness by preparing for it each year,” said Jen L. Scubzda, mother of competitor Emma C. Scubzda. “It requires a lot of teamwork and spirit from everyone to push each other to their maximum capabilities.”
Scubzda, an Allentown, Penn. native believes the competition aboard the Depot is a great way for students to have a positive introduction with the military and service members.
Maria C. Justus, Emmaus Fitness team, trained alongside her fellow athletes to win a team championship for this year’s National High School Physical Fitness Championships.
“I feel like the overall team’s performance was really good,” said 17-year-old Maria C. Justus. “We helped each other push through and pull out the victory, and I’m happy overall with the way that I performed during the event.”
Justus performed 100 sit-ups within two minutes, 29 pull-ups and jumped an event high long jump at eight feet, six inches.
More information about The National High School Fitness Championship can be found at www.marineyouthfoundation.org.