BY CADET CAPT. KAESIN INGRAM
UCHS JROTC Public Affairs Officer
Once again, the Union County High School JROTC Raider Team qualified for the State Raider Championship, winning the overall Raider competition for the Northeast-Florida area in the Male-Mix category.
“We went in and showed the result of our hard work, not only to the other teams, but to ourselves,” said Team Commander Davien Presley. “Glory to God.”
The team gave its all at this year’s annual Raiders State Qualification Meet, showing incredible determination, teamwork and pride. Every cadet pushed past their limits, tackling tough events that tested both their strength and mental endurance. Their hard work and dedication caught the attention of judges and fellow teams, earning Union well-deserved respect and recognition.
Co-Commander Hunter Smith said, “Competition was stiff, but the best team always comes out on top. Again, all glory to God.”
One cadet who truly stood out was Cadet Capt. Jamaal Reynolds. As a key member of the team, Reynolds led by example, pushing through every obstacle and motivating his teammates to keep going, no matter how tough it got. He gave everything he had, pouring his blood, sweat and tears into every event to help lead the team to success.
Thanks to the efforts of Reynolds, his commander, assistant commander and the combined efforts of every determined team member, the UCHS Raider Team went beyond expectations. Their performance showed what it really means to be a Raider — strong, united and unstoppable.
The following is a brief description of the five events in the competition.
—5K. Cadets run a 5-kilometer run against all other teams in their division. Union ranked first with a time of 27:13.
—Cross-Country Rescue. Cadets carry a simulated human body, ranging from 80 to 150 pounds, and carry 35-pound rucksacks while they go over and under different obstacles and obscurities. Our team ranked first with a time of 7:03.
—Item Relay. Cadets carry 25-35-pound objects from zone to zone, with each cadet traveling 60 yards and around a cone into the next zone. Union ranked second with a time of 5:37.
—Raider Fitness Challenge. Cadets complete an obstacle course, including a low crawl, over obstacle, zig-zag path, and heavy object carry. Union ranked first with a time of 1:57.
—One-Rope Bridge. Cadets construct, navigate and deconstruct a one-rope bridge, using a variety of complex knots. Union finished first with a time of 1:38.
