The Steinbrenner JROTC Raiders competed in their first Raiders competition of the 2017 season on Saturday, Sept. 30. The female team won first place in the 5k run and second place in the cross country rescue for the first time in Steinbrenner JROTC history.
Raider competitions are a popular athletic competition held within Junior ROTC programs across the United States. Junior ROTC is about citizenship, leadership, as well as physical, mental and emotional wellness; it is a program designed to help provide guidance for becoming officers in the U.S. military. The events are held in school fields or other large open areas. The idea of the competition is to test the mental and physical strength that it takes for cadets to be safe and successful in these different events. Raider competitions are designed for a group of cadets to compete against other schools in various outdoor activities. These events include: a 5k run, cross country rescue, tire flip, one-rope bridge, and an obstacle course. These different events all help build the endurance, strength, and teamwork abilities for JROTC cadets. For example, during the cross country rescue event, a small team of Raiders work together in hauling a stretcher along with rucksack bags for one mile. Four cadets are positioned around the 80 to 120 pound stretcher, while three other cadets carry the 20 to 30 pound bags on their backs. The team who reaches the end of the mile the quickest wins the event.
In competition against nine other high schools, the Steinbrenner female Raiders team won second place in the cross country rescue. In addition to placing in the cross country rescue, the female Raiders defeated all of the competing schools in the 5k run, bringing back a giant first place trophy.
“In the four years of the JROTC Raiders program, this was the first time our Raiders team placed. We got awards in not just one, but two events for the first time in school history,” said Valeria Carasquillo, JROTC Cadet Captain.
With the Raiders season running from the beginning of September to the middle of November, there is no time to rest for the Raiders. They practice Monday through Thursday for two hours, during which they engage in many strenuous activities in preparation for competition. A normal practice consists of a 3 mile run to warm up, followed by practice events such as the tire flip and one-rope bridge.
“Raider practice is extremely hard work. After just two weeks, we are all one big happy Raider family. We were able to easily bond with each other through these demanding workouts,” said Shanti Vega, JROTC Cadet Major.
The next Raiders competition will be held October 14 at Anclote High School in Holiday, Florida. The Raiders are looking forward to keeping up their winning streak and have been working hard at practice to ensure they are fully prepared. Steinbrenner wishes the Raiders best of luck in their upcoming competition.
Photo Credit: Dan Cieck
Gretchen Strunk // Staff Writer
