MCHS MCJROTC Competes in Raider Meet in Indianapolis

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) competed in a Raider meet at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis on Saturday, September 12. Many of the cadets who competed also participated in the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony the previous night at Ames Field prior to the Michigan City-Valparaiso football game. Due to the change in time zones and the drive time in a school bus, the cadets had to report to the school at 3:30 a.m. 

Despite the very short night, the Wolves represented Michigan City well against larger schools like Ben Davis and Warren Central (each made up of 3000+ students), Huntington North (nearly 1500 students), as well as Army JROTC National finisher Concordia Lutheran High School.

“Raiders is the most physically demanding activity in the JROTC across all of the services,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. “It really takes a cadet who is dedicated to improving him or herself physically, as well as a student who must be unselfish, as every event requires all team members to work together. This is the classic case that ‘there is no I in team.’” 

The events at the Ben Davis meet were the 5 Kilometer Run, the Raider Fitness Course, the Cross Country Rescue, the Physical Fitness Gauntlet, the Sandbag Relay, and the One Rope Bridge. The entire team must finish each course together to obtain a final score.

Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, noted the camaraderie of the cadets that resulted in both individuals improving their endurance and the team becoming more proficient. “It is gratifying to see cadets encouraging and supporting one another as they work to improve their physical fitness.”

MCHS will host their Raider Meet on September 19 at 9:00 a.m. despite the challenges of the construction of the new Barbara Jones Slater Track and Field complex. The competition charges no admission and is open to the public. They will then travel to Hobart High School, home of the reigning Army JROTC National Raider Challenge champions, for another competition on Saturday, September 26.
 

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