The Vanderbilt Navy ROTC drill team placed second in the Platoon Basic, the main competition of the annual Tulane Drill Meet held in Baton Rouge, La., this past weekend.

"Compared to other units, Vanderbilt focuses much more on academics, so we aren't necessarily known for our military prowess" said Public Affairs Officer Matthew Fillmore, a junior. "We were competing against people with much more time to devote to military aptitude."

About 40 different units were represented at the meet, including well-recognized units from places like Texas A&M, Vanderbilt Military Institute and the military academies.

The drill team has been practicing since September, and this semester they have been working very hard, Fillmore said. Practices began as early as 6 a.m. and were held four to five times per week.

"All the practices definitely paid off," Fillmore said of the second-place finish. "We did well."

The meet was scheduled so it would coincide with Mardi Gras weekend since Baton Rouge is only a short distance from New Orleans.

"Win or lose, this meet is always a good time and provides some celebratory fun," Fillmore said.