The Marion High School JROTC Raiders continued their dominance of regional teams while competing in their home Raider Challenge on Saturday. Facing 20 other teams from across the Midwest, the Giants once again proved they could defend their home turf.
The Marion High School JROTC Raiders continued their dominance of regional teams while competing in their home Raider Challenge on Saturday. Facing 20 other teams from across the Midwest, the Giants once again proved they could defend their home turf.
The Giants have never been defeated at home in the 11 years the program has hosted a Raider competition.
The Giants decisively earned a first-place finish in four of the five competitive events: the gauntlet, litter carry, physical team test, and one-rope bridge. They struggled in the 5K run, earning a fourth-place finish.
“We really worked well together on our first four events,” said team captain Cadet Steven Fuller, an MHS senior. “Everything we had practiced came together.”
The Raider Team’s coach, retired Lt. Col. David Farlow, MHS JROTC’s Senior Army Instructor, echoed Fuller’s comments and added: “Fatigue and other issues negatively affected the team’s performance on the run.”
Farlow recognized several areas for needed improvement prior to the upcoming Raider State and National Championships. Last year, the Giants won the Indiana State Raider Championship and were the Runner-Up National Raider Champions.
Next up, the Giants will travel to face their arch rival, the Hobart Brickies, on Oct 14. The Brickies took second to the Giants, Saturday.
“Hobart is always a tough team to face, especially at their home,” Farlow said. “They will no doubt be eager to even the score.”
The Raider State Championship will be held at Camp Atterbury on Oct 21. The All-Army Raider National Championship will be held at Ft. Knox, Ky., Nov. 3 through 5.
Attending these Championships is a costly adventure, with transportation, lodging and meals. The MHS JROTC is accepting donations to help these cadets continue to excel. Donations can be mailed to the school at 750 W. 26th St, Marion, IN 46953, or made online at bit.ly/GiveToMHSJROTC.
“Our community has been so generous in the past,” said Farlow. “We are truly grateful for any support.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1: Marion High School JROTC Raiders quickly scale the 9-foot wall as part of the Raider Challenge on their home turf on Saturday, Sept. 30.
2: Marion High School JROTC Raiders rapidly carry a canoe with 250 pounds of ballast during the physical team test event during the Marion Raider Challenge.
3: Marion High School JROTC Cadets Hickson Love and Damarie Weaver carry the 145-pound simulated litter while teammate Kylar Pettus vaults a hurdle during the cross-country rescue (litter) event during the Marion Raider Challenge
Marion High School’s JROTC program is open to all Grant County high school students. Students must arrange their own transportation to and from MHS, but there is no cost to the student to enroll in the program. Anyone interested in becoming a cadet in the JROTC program should speak with their school counselor. For more information, you can also contact Lt. Col. David Farlow, JROTC senior Army instructor, at 664-9051, ext. 2455, or [email protected].