Lt. Castagna of Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post #321 placed third in the Centerfire (9mm) Marksmanship division during a competition hosted by the Florida Sheriff’s Explorer Association in Sarasota County on April 20, 2026. The event drew participants from across Florida, with Explorers competing in categories like First-Time Shooter, Tyro, Marksman, Expert, and Explorer Team Overall scoring. The post will now advance to the state competition, scheduled for June 28 through July 3.

The competition took place at a location in Sarasota County, though specific venue details were not provided in the report. Participants included youth from various sheriff’s office explorer posts, who trained for months in marksmanship, physical fitness, and leadership. Lt. Castagna’s performance highlighted the team’s dedication to discipline and precision, according to organizers.

Explorer Post #321, based in Brevard County, has been active in training programs for over a decade. Members range in age from 14 to 20 and participate in events that combine law enforcement education with skill-building. The post’s next challenge comes in June, when it will compete at the state level against teams from across Florida.

The Florida Sheriff’s Explorer Association oversees the competitions, which aim to prepare youth for careers in public service. Brevard County’s post has consistently ranked in the top tiers of regional events in recent years. No details were given about how many participants attended the Sarasota event, but organizers said the competition was highly competitive.

The post’s leadership said the team will continue training through May to prepare for the state competition. Members will focus on refining their marksmanship and teamwork skills ahead of the event. The sheriff’s office has not yet announced plans for a public demonstration of the team’s progress.