Rockvale Raiders Head to Nationals
Mac McDaries | October 2022
Rockvale’s male Raiders navigate an obstacle course in the rain, led by Cadet Command Sergeant Major Nathan Hodge (left) and Cadet Captain Ryan Maier (right). Taken at Oakland High School, Sept. 10, 2022. Photo credit: Tyler Andrews
Every week, many Rockvale students don an Army-style JROTC uniform. These Cadets receive several special opportunities that the rest of the school’s population just doesn’t get; one of these, among numerous others, is the famed Raider team. But what even is it?
According to Cadet Captain Asher Seiling, JROTC Public Affairs Officer (S-5) and Raider team member, “The Raider team is a physical fitness and technical skills team. Cadets on the Raider team participate in five main events at county and national level competitions: [physical fitness] test, one rope bridge, obstacle course, map reading, and secret event. Raiders learn technical skills such as map reading and knot tying.”
Unique to many other varsity sports, this team is incredibly selective and physically demanding. As there are only ten starters and two alternates, the team is quite difficult to get on to. Seiling explains that the Raider team “focuses on a variety of skills more diverse than perhaps any other sport in the school. The Raider team is also unique in its size, which enables it to have a comradery among every member of the team that is unrivaled by any other sport.”
Raiders Learn Important Real-World Values
Seiling goes on to say, "Raiders must be disciplined and sacrifice numerous Saturdays every season for competitions. Raiders must also sacrifice their time in the mornings to attend practice at 6 a.m." This level of commitment is just one example of the values Raiders learn.
As per Lieutenant Colonel Shawn Waldrip, Senior Army Instructor, the Raider team provides “an opportunity for team building and leadership lessons in JROTC to be implemented in a real-world situation. Raiders get challenged physically, mentally, and intellectually. They have to be able to read topographical maps, complete technical requirements of the rope bridge, think on their feet during the secret events, and have the teamwork and physical stamina to complete the obstacle course and physical fitness challenges. Cadets get stronger, faster, and smarter as the season progresses and when you have a team that’s been competing together for three years, the synergy they bring to the competitions is phenomenal.”
Moreover, when they get to their senior year, Raiders will have the opportunity to enforce their leadership skills by becoming the team commander. Cadet Captain Nina Taylor, JROTC Adjutant (S-1) and commander of the female Raider team, describes her experience as team commander as “a trying one.” She continues, “There were many difficulties that I eventually overcame. It also helped me to learn how to be a better leader and how to properly lead my team, and though there were some difficulties I would like to say that I enjoyed my time as the Raider commander.”
Taylor has found that one thing that unites her team and keeps them motivated is a bit of friendly competition. “To ensure that the Raiders stay motivated we always like to ‘compete’ against the male team,” she accounts. “This helps us to stay motivated [when we focus on beating] the males. We also say our famous motto, ‘Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and fast is winning.’ This encourages the girls, and if we think it through, we will be able to do great on the task at hand.”
The Raider Team is a Family
To outsiders, it may just seem like an insanely difficult, grueling, military-esque physical challenge; some might wonder why anyone would even want to try out for the Raider team in the first place. Nevertheless, the Raiders love it! Cadet Command Sergeant Major Nathan Hodge, commander of the male Raider team, remarks, “I think the best thing about being a Raider is that I get to be in shape, have fun, and make great memories. After four years of this, I’ve had a great time and I would say the memories are the best.”
Cadet Private Lydia Knight, a freshman on the team, expresses that her time on the team has been “a run for [her] life.” She mentions, “It’s very fun and is a fun experience to be a part of. I decided to join because I am very competitive and wanted to be a part of more activities in JROTC. Sports are always a go-to in my life and Raiders was a sport that stuck out to me.”
Similarly, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Kropp, Battalion Commander, reports, “I love the Raider team. It's the best thing to happen to me athletically. It's gotten me into running and has motivated me to be the most physically fit I have ever been. It's also given me some close friends through high school and has provided me with an opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. As the Battalion Commander, I feel like I need to set an example to those around me to be better and improve themselves.”
According to Cadet Captain Asher Seiling, JROTC Public Affairs Officer (S-5) and Raider team member, “The Raider team is a physical fitness and technical skills team. Cadets on the Raider team participate in five main events at county and national level competitions: [physical fitness] test, one rope bridge, obstacle course, map reading, and secret event. Raiders learn technical skills such as map reading and knot tying.”
Unique to many other varsity sports, this team is incredibly selective and physically demanding. As there are only ten starters and two alternates, the team is quite difficult to get on to. Seiling explains that the Raider team “focuses on a variety of skills more diverse than perhaps any other sport in the school. The Raider team is also unique in its size, which enables it to have a comradery among every member of the team that is unrivaled by any other sport.”
Raiders Learn Important Real-World Values
Seiling goes on to say, "Raiders must be disciplined and sacrifice numerous Saturdays every season for competitions. Raiders must also sacrifice their time in the mornings to attend practice at 6 a.m." This level of commitment is just one example of the values Raiders learn.
As per Lieutenant Colonel Shawn Waldrip, Senior Army Instructor, the Raider team provides “an opportunity for team building and leadership lessons in JROTC to be implemented in a real-world situation. Raiders get challenged physically, mentally, and intellectually. They have to be able to read topographical maps, complete technical requirements of the rope bridge, think on their feet during the secret events, and have the teamwork and physical stamina to complete the obstacle course and physical fitness challenges. Cadets get stronger, faster, and smarter as the season progresses and when you have a team that’s been competing together for three years, the synergy they bring to the competitions is phenomenal.”
Moreover, when they get to their senior year, Raiders will have the opportunity to enforce their leadership skills by becoming the team commander. Cadet Captain Nina Taylor, JROTC Adjutant (S-1) and commander of the female Raider team, describes her experience as team commander as “a trying one.” She continues, “There were many difficulties that I eventually overcame. It also helped me to learn how to be a better leader and how to properly lead my team, and though there were some difficulties I would like to say that I enjoyed my time as the Raider commander.”
Taylor has found that one thing that unites her team and keeps them motivated is a bit of friendly competition. “To ensure that the Raiders stay motivated we always like to ‘compete’ against the male team,” she accounts. “This helps us to stay motivated [when we focus on beating] the males. We also say our famous motto, ‘Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and fast is winning.’ This encourages the girls, and if we think it through, we will be able to do great on the task at hand.”
The Raider Team is a Family
To outsiders, it may just seem like an insanely difficult, grueling, military-esque physical challenge; some might wonder why anyone would even want to try out for the Raider team in the first place. Nevertheless, the Raiders love it! Cadet Command Sergeant Major Nathan Hodge, commander of the male Raider team, remarks, “I think the best thing about being a Raider is that I get to be in shape, have fun, and make great memories. After four years of this, I’ve had a great time and I would say the memories are the best.”
Cadet Private Lydia Knight, a freshman on the team, expresses that her time on the team has been “a run for [her] life.” She mentions, “It’s very fun and is a fun experience to be a part of. I decided to join because I am very competitive and wanted to be a part of more activities in JROTC. Sports are always a go-to in my life and Raiders was a sport that stuck out to me.”
Similarly, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Kropp, Battalion Commander, reports, “I love the Raider team. It's the best thing to happen to me athletically. It's gotten me into running and has motivated me to be the most physically fit I have ever been. It's also given me some close friends through high school and has provided me with an opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. As the Battalion Commander, I feel like I need to set an example to those around me to be better and improve themselves.”
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Kropp, followed by Cadet Captain Ryan Maier, jumps over wooden hurdles in an obstacle course. In the background, another Raider is seen climbing the wall. Taken at Oakland High School, Sept. 10, 2022. Photo credit: Tyler Andrews.
Rockvale's Raiders are Among the Best of Rutherford County
Without a doubt, Rockvale’s Raider team is one of the best. Seiling characterizes their practice regime as “three days a week on weeks without competitions, and five days a week on weeks leading up to a competition. Practice generally consists of a 2-3.5 mile run and then strength or technical skills training such as knot-tying or rope bridge.” All this hard work has obviously paid off, as this year the Raiders have won numerous first and second place trophies throughout the season.
At this season’s last county competition on Oct. 30, the male Raider team set a new Rutherford County record for fastest rope bridge; they completed it in just 58 seconds! That’s gonna be a tough one to beat. Both male and female teams closed the 2022 season ranking second in all of Rutherford County, just behind Blackman.
Without a doubt, Rockvale’s Raider team is one of the best. Seiling characterizes their practice regime as “three days a week on weeks without competitions, and five days a week on weeks leading up to a competition. Practice generally consists of a 2-3.5 mile run and then strength or technical skills training such as knot-tying or rope bridge.” All this hard work has obviously paid off, as this year the Raiders have won numerous first and second place trophies throughout the season.
At this season’s last county competition on Oct. 30, the male Raider team set a new Rutherford County record for fastest rope bridge; they completed it in just 58 seconds! That’s gonna be a tough one to beat. Both male and female teams closed the 2022 season ranking second in all of Rutherford County, just behind Blackman.
Spectators watch as the female Raiders make their way over a 12-foot wall. Atop are Cadet Private Lydia Knight (left) and Cadet Staff Sergeant Malyn Lake (right). Taken at Blackman High School, Oct. 15, 2022. Photo credit: Tyler Andrews.
What's Next?
Their next step is to see how well they can compete across the United States. Friday, Nov. 4, the team will travel to Georgia for Raider Nationals! Seiling depicts Raider Nationals as “the final competition for the Raider season in which schools from all over the country come to compete. Nationals consists of five events: Cross Country Rescue (CCR), 5K Mountain run, the Gauntlet, [physical training] test, and the one rope bridge.”
Seiling further clarifies what each event is, saying, “CCR requires Cadets to move various weights and a weighted stretcher over various obstacles. The 5K mountain run is a 3.11 mile run up and down a mountain with over 600 feet of vertical gain. This is the most physically demanding event at nationals. The Gauntlet is a one-mile course that requires Cadets participating to carry several weighted items over and through a few obstacles. [Physical training] test is a test of cardiovascular fitness as well as strength. The one rope bridge requires 10 cadets to construct and cross a rope strung between two poles across a river according to the requirements of [the Military Mountaineering manual].”
Clearly, Nationals is a strenuous, vigorously intense event that requires a lot out of the Raiders. Fortunately, however, it is certain that the Rockets will do well and have fun along the way. Wish the team luck as they tackle Raider Nationals and finish off the 2022 season! As the team motto states, “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, fast is winning!”
Their next step is to see how well they can compete across the United States. Friday, Nov. 4, the team will travel to Georgia for Raider Nationals! Seiling depicts Raider Nationals as “the final competition for the Raider season in which schools from all over the country come to compete. Nationals consists of five events: Cross Country Rescue (CCR), 5K Mountain run, the Gauntlet, [physical training] test, and the one rope bridge.”
Seiling further clarifies what each event is, saying, “CCR requires Cadets to move various weights and a weighted stretcher over various obstacles. The 5K mountain run is a 3.11 mile run up and down a mountain with over 600 feet of vertical gain. This is the most physically demanding event at nationals. The Gauntlet is a one-mile course that requires Cadets participating to carry several weighted items over and through a few obstacles. [Physical training] test is a test of cardiovascular fitness as well as strength. The one rope bridge requires 10 cadets to construct and cross a rope strung between two poles across a river according to the requirements of [the Military Mountaineering manual].”
Clearly, Nationals is a strenuous, vigorously intense event that requires a lot out of the Raiders. Fortunately, however, it is certain that the Rockets will do well and have fun along the way. Wish the team luck as they tackle Raider Nationals and finish off the 2022 season! As the team motto states, “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, fast is winning!”
The Girls Soccer Team Tackles the Season Without Getting A Red Card
Presley Kidd | October 2022
Rough challenges have presented themselves during the 2022 season, but the Lady Rockets Soccer team continues to battle and gain victories out on the field. Head Coach Brett Jackson, Assistant Coach David Matikke, and Conditioning Coach Jacob Cook, have led the girls to victory. These devoted coaches do everything in their power to make sure the players are ready, and that the girls execute. The team has played difficult games, both district and non-district, with an amazing record of 6-5-2. However, a few of the girls including Pari Patel and Reagan Letart, stated that they prefer district games more than non-district games. With a jam-packed schedule, the girls get practice time to work on technique and consistency. Practices usually consist of drills, scrimmages, film, workouts, and bonding time. One of the most important things to the team is building relationships and connecting on and off the field. Azlyn Kirksey, a midfielder on the soccer team, states “One of the key things when connecting with a team is being open minded to new adventures or tasks and new people. As an underclassman, one thing that I think the upperclassman should be more genuine.” However, there is always something that could improve on a team. She proclaims, “Sometimes, girls can want to only benefit themselves, such as only giving rides to friends when going to the field from the school or only thinking of how they are doing instead of how the team is doing.” The benefits of being on the team are the opportunities they gain from the coaches and the school. They get to leave school early to go to games, weightlift, get snacks, and connect with staff. Personalized jerseys are new this year, and the girls are in love. Azlyn grins as she quotes, “I have my mom’s high school number from high school which is a lucky number now in my family, and the names make us look more like a team.” However, one downfall of being on the team is the lack of publicity they get. The girls work hard but male populated sports, such as football, tend to get more support. Soccer is not one of the biggest supported sports in the U.S.A, which also causes the lack of publicity. |
One of the biggest challenges was an unexpected coaching change during the middle of the season. Due to problems and tension, one of the assistant coaches ended up separating himself from the team; however, Coach Cook swooped in to save the day. He is now a conditioning coach and helps the team with practices during and after school. The players have repeated that they are relieved and excited for the coaching change.
The Lady Rockets Soccer team are continuing their play throughout the rest of their season, hopeful to go far in the final tournament. Rockets on three: One, Two, Three, Rockets! |
Girls Soccer Season
Isaiah Wilkins | September 2022
This year, the Girls soccer teams season ended with a 10/3/3 record leaving them number one in the district season. Unfortunately, they lost their district tournament game against Siegel Highschool with a 2-0 score. Both coaches claimed they were overly proud of the girls performance this year being the best in school history.
In the past, the Girls teams had been “stuck in the number 4 spot for a while”, as claimed by Coach Jackson so, the team and coaches were ecstatic to be ranked number one this year in the district season; being able to do so, thanks to an amazing group of girls.
It was their game against Siegel in the district tournament that ended their incredible season; with a disappointing loss 2-0. Coach Jackson states, “The team had a good moral going into the game, but they were kinda off that day”.
He compared their past games against them where the girls beat Siegel 5-1 and tied them in another game.
Coach Matikke claimed how he was “Overly proud” of the girl’s performance this season claiming they just “fell short in the end”.
This year isn’t the only year that will be great; when asked about next season Coach Matikke states, “Next year is promising” being that the team will be losing seniors. Both coaches are prepared for next season with a promising group coming from the middle school as Coach Jackson mentioned.
All in all, this year was a great year for the girl’s team as they hope to move on to bigger and better things in the next season.
Rockvale High's Tennis Team
Jayla Lott | November 2021
You probably never thought about the tennis team or have shown any interest in the topic, but tennis can be a fun sport. Tennis is a simple sport to play but can become very competitive.
How you play tennis is you have singles and doubles. Singles is where you and your opponent are on opposite side of the net. Then, double you have a partner on the same side of you.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you prepare for the season. First you need to buy the right tennis racket and tennis balls. You can go to Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sport Seasons, or Play It Again Sports which is a store that has lightly used sports equipment.
Next, you will need to work on your passing and hitting the ball. The number one rule is always keeping your eyes on the ball. And then you want to work on your arm motions. Try outs are on Saturday, November 13th, 2021 .
How you play tennis is you have singles and doubles. Singles is where you and your opponent are on opposite side of the net. Then, double you have a partner on the same side of you.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you prepare for the season. First you need to buy the right tennis racket and tennis balls. You can go to Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sport Seasons, or Play It Again Sports which is a store that has lightly used sports equipment.
Next, you will need to work on your passing and hitting the ball. The number one rule is always keeping your eyes on the ball. And then you want to work on your arm motions. Try outs are on Saturday, November 13th, 2021 .