The Clarke Central High School JROTC Raiders run laps in Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 21. The cadets go through intense training when preparing to compete because the events can be harsh on the body. “You gotta have heart and drive. The first day, maybe 15 people quit (during conditioning) because it’s grueling and it’s not like any other sport,” CCHS Army Instructor Donald Hollman said. “Your whole body has to be physically capable to deal with what we have to deal with during the competition. A lot of people can’t do it.” Photo by Abigail Holloway
The CCHS JROTC Varsity and JV boys and girls mixed Raiders teams competition season starts soon.
The Clarke Central High School JROTC varsity and JV mixed Raiders teams are preparing for their upcoming season.
CCHS Army Instructor Donald Hollman starts training the teams in the summer so they are prepared for the physical demands of competitions.
“We start summer conditioning the second week of July, and at that time, we’re getting the cadets in shape by doing a lot of running, a lot of physical activities to build strength and endurance,” Hollman said. “It comes to endurance because I need them for the whole time. If I have 10 good Raiders and I don’t have any subs, then those Raiders have to be like Iron Man.”
The cadets train for competitions which have a variety of events to test strength, endurance and teamwork.
“You can have a rope bridge, a tire flip, an obstacle course, a Humvee pool, a cross country rescue which requires carrying liters and rucksacks. There’s a lot more but that’s what we’re going to be doing to prepare,” Hollman said. “They got (a run) that’s grueling that I do, it’s called the gauntlet, where they run probably about three-quarters of a mile. They have probably about 10 pieces of equipment and it’s on the team on how they manage that equipment as they’re running because you’re gonna get tired.”
Looking toward their first competition, Hollman is confident in the progress the Raiders have made.
“I think we’re gonna do fine at Winder-Barrow. I got a good, strong run team,” Hollman said. “We’re at a good start right now. I can see the growth in the team in certain areas, it’s all about running, you have to be able to run. If you can run, we’re gonna be fine, because you don’t win any competition if you walk.”
“If I have 10 good Raiders and I don’t have any subs, then those Raiders have to be like Iron Man.”
— Donald Hollman,
Clarke Central High School Army Instructor
CCHS JROTC Raider Matthew Carruth, a junior, pushes himself during these practices because he finds it important to set a good example for his teammates.
“I like to think it’s all in the mind. So regardless of (when) my body is telling me to stop, I continue to keep pushing myself until the point where I cannot push myself anymore,” Carruth said. “I know I have a lot of people who depend on me, (and) you can’t quit on people who depend on you.
