Marion High School’s JROTC Raider team claimed victory recently at the Jay County competition.
The Giants’ co-ed squad earned first place in fierce competition on Sept. 20 against a field of nine teams from across central and northern Indiana. The field consisted of both Army and Marine JROTC programs, featuring co-ed and all-male teams. This was the first year that Jay County hosted the event.
The Marion High School JROTC Raider team poses for a photo after winning the Jay County competition.
“We were able to put together a co-ed team as well as an all-male team for the competition,” noted Retired Col. Gary Blagburn, coach of the Raider team and Senior Army Instructor for the MHS JROTC. “We typically field co-ed teams in these competitions, however, this year we were forced to enter one team in the all-male division. The reasoning for that is that co-ed teams must start at least four girls, and we could not get four girls interested in joining the team.”
The team also continues to deal with injured competitors.
“We had to shift team members around before the competition due to nagging injuries, which hopefully will heal up in a week or so,” Blagburn said. “The outcome is never assured, and the competition is fun to watch.”
So it is even more impressive that at the conclusion of the day, the co-ed team stood at the top of all teams, finishing in first place. The team’s performance was outstanding, winning each of the six separate events: the 5K team run, the physical team test, the cross country rescue, the military vehicle push/tire flip, the gauntlet, and the one-rope bridge.
The Marion High School JROTC Raiders’ co-ed squad works to construct a one-rope bridge at the Jay County competition. The squad won the event and the overall competition.
“It was good to get the win and compete against the other teams,” said Cadet Nicholas Purdy, Raider Team Commander and a senior at MHS. “It was a good morale boost for us.”
The male team was able to perform at their highest level so far this year, finishing in second place in their division. The team was able to put together the best military vehicle push/tire flip event, winning that event along with cross country rescue. Those were the two events the team focused on during the week before the competition.
“We continue to get better as a team and look forward to next weekend’s competition,” said Cadet Dakota Holt, Raider B team Commander and a sophomore at MHS. “I really like to see the effort.”
The Marion High School JROTC Raiders’ B team works to flip large tractor tires after pushing a military vehicle during the Jay County competition on Sept. 20, 2025. The squad won this event and came in second overall in the competition’s male division.
Next up for both teams is the Hobart Raider Challenge. Then, for the co-ed team it’s on to the Raider State Championship at Camp Atterbury.
“This past weekend allowed the teams to meet back up with friends they have made at various JROTC events and then compete against them out on the field. It’s fun to watch,” Blagburn said.
Following the State Championship, the Giants will travel to Fort Knox, Ky., the third week of October to compete in the Army Raider National Championship.
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 very generous in the past,” Blagburn said. “We are truly grateful for any support and look to make our mark at the national level.”