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Earlier this year, the performances of George Rogers Clark High School’s JROTC squads were strong enough to warrant attention at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort. 

Now, the strong tradition continues. 

Both the male and female teams of the GRC JROTC squads finished highly ranked in national competition at the JROTC National Raider Challenge in Fort Knox from October 24 – 27. 

Led by senior team captain Stuart Joynt, the boys’ team finished as the 2024 Army Challenge Division Champions. 

Competition included the gauntlet – a 1-mile obstacle course race featuring a 12 foot wall and 8 foot wall, a 5K mountain race run in boots and fatigues, and a physical team test featuring a one mile obstacle course race with various stations including 100-lbs. atlas stone lifts. 

The boys’ team finished in first place in all three categories. 

They finished in second place in the cross country rescue – a 3/4 mile obstacle course race carrying 35 lb. rucksacks and a litter with a first aid test at the end – and third place in the one-rope-bridge featuring a 90 degree river traverse with rope. 

The female team, which competed in the Masters’ Division and was captained by senior Tara Daniels, finished fourth in the Gauntlet, as well as fifth in the 5K mountain race, physical team test, and obstacle course race. 

Thus, with a top 5 overall placement, they qualified to compete in an Ultimate Raider buddy team event – which took place on Sunday, Oct. 30, featuring a three-mile obstacle course with a 25-meter swim. 

Lt. Colonel Thomas Krupp, who helps direct the GRC JROTC squad along with Master Sergeant Larry Lee, explained the Masters’ Division. 

“The Masters’ Division is populated by military academies,” he said. “It’s the military college prep bowls…we’re actually one of [the] few public high schools in that camp.” 

In addition to the competition – which featured over 300 teams and 5,000 cadets during a 3-day period – members of the GRC JROTC squad witnessed demonstrations from the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute team, 101st Airborne Division, rotary aircraft flyovers, and more. 

When asked what made George Rogers Clark High School’s JROTC squads routinely successful, Lt. Colonel Krupp spoke of year-round training and preparation. 

Master Sergeant Lee also attributed it to a successful attitude. 

“Winning is a mentality. We stress a winning mentality in everything we do,” he said. “What it takes from these kids is 100 percent commitment. They can not quit on their teammates…if you don’t have the heart to push through some pain, you’re probably not going to make it on the team…you have to have that inner drive where you just refuse to quit.” 

Throughout the school year, it was acknowledged that support is much worthy. 

“We get outstanding support from our administrators here in the building at GRC to everybody over…on the other side of the town, The support that we get from the [Clark County Public Schools] district is phenomenal,” he said. “A big part of this whole weekend was the fact that we had several parents that came down…with us.” 

“We’d also like [to thank]…the community support,” said Lee. “Everybody pulls for us!”