Waking up in the early hours of 5 a.m. and arriving at Walker High at 7, the Zachary High Raider team showed up and showed out! Beginning with a group stretch followed by a pep talk from leader Nasia Selders (12), the Bronco Battalion was energized and ready to compete in their first event: the 2.5-mile team run.
Once listening to a brief welcome and instructions from a Walker High lieutenant, Cadets Jedidyah Barnes (10) and Braylon Johnson (9) began lap one of the treacherous run. The team run works like this: two raiders from each school run two laps (800 meters), both attached to a rope, before switching out with two raiders who run another two laps until the team has completed ten laps or 2.5 miles. The Bronco Battalion achieved first place with 14 minutes and 52 seconds as their time, proving their speed and agility.
The hard part’s over, right? Think again because next was the Ammo Resupply/Casualty Evacuation, which required lots of teamwork and communication.
Ten cadets participated in the second event, consisting of two parts: carrying eight ammo crates around the perimeter of the football field and having a weighted stretcher. Unfortunately, the Broncos struggled to balance the stretcher and fell short, not placing in this challenge.
“We had a lot of bags on the stretcher, and I think we should have walked instead of jogging and just communicated better,” Kaymin Hardnett (11) said.
Although the second event was challenging, the Bronco Battalion excelled in the PTT, also known as the Physical Training Test! They placed second in this event with much kudos from teammates and sergeants from other schools. The PTT consisted of various obstacles, such as jumping over a wooden wall, diving through a pile of watery mud, and flipping a ginormous tire!
Once the team completes this challenge, Sergeant Adams shares his thoughts on how people perceive Raider teams.
“People think JROTC is just throwing and twirling rifles but it’s so much more. This is the real deal,” Sergeant Adams said.
Feeling confident for the next challenge, the Bronco Battalion participated in their fourth challenge of the day: the rope ridge. Unfortunately, the Broncos didn’t place in this event. They didn’t let this disappointment slow them down for their final team event: the obstacle course, which they placed third in.
After lunch, two Raiders were specially selected for the final event of the day: the Ultimate Raider Challenge. Cadets Bryson Barton (12) and Javon Brue (10) ran a lap around the football field. They carried two ammo cans and weighted bags to and from the 50-yard line (completed during two different rotations). Though the Broncos didn’t place in this challenge, they finished it with the utmost integrity and effort.
The Bronco Battalion placed third overall in their first competition of the year.
Although the Raiders had an enjoyable time, Nasia Selder’s (12) experience differed. She describes her challenges as the leader of the Raider team.
“Patience and overseeing kids are a struggle I have as a leader, especially since they’re growing at the same time, it’s kind of hard,” Nasia Selders (12) said.
Since JROTC is predominately male, Selders struggles with gaining the respect of her male cohorts.
“I have to be able to adjust,” Selders (12) said.
Nevertheless, Selders led her team wonderfully to a third-place victory! Please give it up for the Bronco Battalion; they performed fantastically, pushing themselves to the limit!
