Adairsville High School claimed a national Raider title as local teams shone at Fort Knox.
Nearly 4,000 Army JROTC cadets from high schools nationwide competed in the JROTC National Raider Challenge at Fort Knox, Kentucky, from October 22nd to 25th. U.S. Army Cadet Command hosted the championship event, which tests physical fitness, teamwork, and practical skills developed in JROTC programs.
Cadets navigated obstacle courses, ran more than five kilometers, demonstrated classroom knowledge, and built one-rope bridges under timed conditions. Top teams from the Masters and All-Service divisions advanced to the Ultimate Raider event. This 4.2-mile cross-country course required teams to carry 102 pounds of equipment through four additional obstacles. Officials combine those results with earlier scores to determine final standings.
Adairsville High School won first place in the Masters Division male category. Cadet Christian Smith of Adairsville High School said his team’s commitment sets them apart, explaining that the cadets give up mornings, nights, and weekends to compete, and they must want it to win.
Cartersville High School placed third in the Challenge Division female category.
The annual championship, created in 2023, gives Raider teams a central venue to compete for national titles across Challenge, Masters, and All-Service divisions.
For more information, visit https://www.army.mil/article-amp/296305/jrotc_national_raider_challenge_fall_2026.