The Marion High School JROTC Raiders battled it out earlier this month against a field of 14 teams from across the Midwest who met to compete at Hobart High School. Once again, the Giants faced off against their principal rival, the Hobart Brickies. But at the end of the day, the Giants extended their winning streak at Hobart to five years in a row.
“It truly is an epic battle whenever our two teams meet,” said retired Lt. Col. David Farlow, coach of the Raider team, and MHS JROTC Senior Army Instructor, speaking of competing against Hobart. “The outcome is never assured, and the competition is always intense.”
The Giants secured their win on Oct. 14 by taking first place in four of the five events: the physical team test, gauntlet, litter carry and one-rope bridge events. With a third place finish on the 5K, the Giants sealed the victory.
“The team really performed well in spite of the cold rain in the morning,” Cadet Jocelyn Lopez-Gomez, an MHS senior, said. “We knew that we had to do our best on all of the events.”
The Hobart match was the final competition before the Raider State Championship to be held at Camp Atterbury on Saturday, Oct. 21.
“We have bested Hobart twice this season,” Farlow said. “But at the State Championship is where it will really matter. We will have to be at peak performance there.”
In the three times the Raider State Championship has been held, the Giants have won twice, and were the Runner-Up Champions to Hobart once.
“A three-peat would be sweet,” Farlow said. “But to do that, we must compete at our best.”
Following the State Championship, the Giants will head off to Fort Knox, Ky., the first weekend in November to compete in the Army Raider national Championship. Last year the giants were the Runner-Up National Champions.
Attending these Championships is a costly adventure with transportation, lodging and meals. The JROTC Dept. 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 here.
“Our community has been so generous in the past,” Farlow said. “We are truly grateful for any support.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Top: The Marion High School JROTC Raiders gather for a team photo on Oct. 14, 2023 after their fifth win in a row at the annual Hobart meet.
Middle: Members of the Marion High School JROTC varsity Raider team quickly scale the 9-foot wall at the regional competition hosted by Hobart High School.
Bottom: MHS JROTC cadets Emily Smith and Lillian Walker carry the simulated casualty litter during the JROTC Raider competition hosted at Hobart High School.