Alexander HS JROTC Win State Title

DCSSGA: The Alexander High School JROTC Raiders Mixed Team is enjoying a sweet repeat – they’re the top team in the State in the Tier 3 Division for the second year in a row! The Cougar Battalion Raiders won the title recently at Spalding High School in Griffin. The Raiders had a great day at the State competition taking first place in tire flip, fitness challenge, cross country rescue, and second place in the team run. With top scores in three events, the overall top honor was sealed.

“I’m very proud of the Cougar Battalion,” said 1SG (ret) Mark Arnold. “We start preparing the first week of school and keep working hard through the end of October.” The Raiders Mixed Team was first overall in every meet of the season except one where they placed third overall. Cougar Battalion swept three meets with first place in every event!

Raiders meets aren’t typical athletic events that are over in two or three hours. Depending on where the meets are held, Cadets muster at Alexander High School on Saturdays anywhere from 4:30 am to 6:30 am to carpool to different schools, and return 12 or more hours later. They take their own tents, tables, chairs, grills, and all the food and drinks needed to establish base camp for the day. Meets consist of a 5K team run; one or two mile cross country rescue with cadets taking turns carrying rucksacks weighing 35 to 40 pounds and a litter weighing 150 pounds or more; tire flip with a tractor tire weighing 400 pounds or more; fitness challenge with a 6 to 10 foot wall and weighted ammo cans, jerry cans, and kettle bells; and rope bridge.

Most practice and competition days this season took place in 90+ degree weather. With Raiders dressed in army combat uniforms – or ACUs – and boots, their physical fitness is challenged. Raiders is the most physically demanding extracurricular activity in JROTC.

“The Battalion stayed focused all season,” said 1SG (ret) Arnold. “I enjoyed watching each cadet get stronger physically and mentally and learn the importance of working together. I commend our student commanders, senior Rickaiya Conyers and junior Josh Murray, for all they did this season. We say good-bye to Conyers who graduates in May, but Murray will be here next year”

“It was a great honor to serve as the first African American female Battalion Commander,” said LTC Conyers. “I would like to thank 1SG for inspiring me and entrusting me with this task. I am extremely proud of the cadets’ grit. We worked diligently as a team to execute the techniques 1SG taught us to compete successfully. We had a few ‘hiccups’ at times, but we trusted our training and the PROCESS! Now, Alexander High School JROTC Raiders are back to back state champions! This rewarding experience has inspired me to follow in my father’s (who is a disabled Army veteran) and three brothers (who serve in the Army, Navy, and Air Force) footsteps! Go Cougars!”