On January 19, 2002 the annual Rookies Competition was held at Katella High School. This was Santiagos fifth year participating in this competition. The Rookies Competition is for LET 1's only. The commanders for Color Guard were C/SGT Yonny Leon and C/SGT Gerardo Arteaga. Armed Regulation, Inspection and Exhibition was lead by C/SGT Marcos Estrada, and C/SGT Julie Moreno lead the Unarmed Regulation, Inspection and Exhibition. C/SGT Cesar Maldonado lead Four men and C/SGT Steven Tran did One man. The schools that participated were from Garden Grove, Anaheim, Orange and Fullerton. In the end the Cavaliers were able to take 1st place in Armed Regulation, Armed Exhibition, Unarmed Regulation, Unarmed Exhibition, and 2nd place on Inspection and One-man. Overall Santiago JROTC was able to achieve the SWEEPSTAKES trophy for the fifth time.