The Clarke Central High School Raider team hosts a competition at CCHS on Sept. 14. The Raider team will attend the 2024 JROTC National Raider Challenge from Oct. 24 to 27, JROTC Army Instructor Donald Hollman has been looking forward to nationals because it gives the Raiders a chance to represent CCHS. “I wouldn’t say I’m a poor sport when I lose, but (when) people say, ‘it’s all about the fun’ I don’t really believe that. I think the fun comes (from) winning,” Hollman said. “Going there and representing for the first time, it’s a big deal and if we go there and we win, that’s really going to be a big deal.” Photo by Grady Dunston
The CCHS JROTC Raider team will attend the 2024 JROTC National Raider Challenge Oct. 24 to 27.
The Clarke Central High School Raiders team will attend the 2024 JROTC National Raider Challenge at Fort Knox, Kentucky, from Oct. 24 to Oct. 27.
According to the U.S. Army JROTC website, around 300 teams compete at nationals in six competitions over three days.
“There’s normally six events, three days, and they have different categories. We’re (in the) All Service category where we compete against other JROTC programs, (like) Navy, Marines, Air Force,” JROTC Army Instructor Donald Hollman said.
This is the second time the competition will be held at Fort Knox, and the first year CCHS will be in attendance.
“It’s the first time in school history that Raiders (have) gone to nationals, so I’m super excited for that. It’s an awesome experience as a senior, I feel like that’s a great send-off,” CCHS JROTC cade Chloe Herring, a senior, said.
Looking towards the competition the team has not changed their training regimens. According to Hollman, this includes endurance training like running with rucksacks and other equipment.
“That’s what the regular season does, (prepare us for nationals),” Hollman said. “Training still remains the same. Back-breaking (and) strenuous, but I wouldn’t have to change anything to go to nationals, just keep doing what we’re doing.”
“If you got a heart and you got the will to keep moving forward when you’re tired, you can be better than any team out here, but we just gotta keep pushing forward,”
— Donald Hollman,
JROTC Army Instructor
Herring is also nervous about the competition because they will be going against teams they haven’t had experience with.
“We’ve only been exposed to teams around us, so new exposure to schools all across the country might be nerve-wracking for some,” Herring said.
To calm some of these nerves, Hollman makes sure to talk to the team to help build their confidence.
“I tell my team all the time, they’re no better than all these other kids, (it’s) just what you have in your heart. If you got a heart and you got the will to keep moving forward when you’re tired, you can be better than any team out here, but we just gotta keep pushing forward.” Hollman said.
