On Saturday, Nov. 18, the Bogalusa High School US Army Jr. ROTC Raider Platoon won the U.S. Army Raider State Championship held at the Gillis Long Center in Carville.

The Raiders sealed their victory by winning three of the state championship’s five events — Rope Bridge, Raider Fitness Test and Cross-Country Rescue — and placing second in the Obstacle Course event. The state championship capped a highly successful 2017 Raiders season that included the Bogalusa Raiders winning first place in three of the four competitions and winning their second consecutive district championship.

The state championship competition was extremely tough with Central Lafourche High School finishing a close second and Salmen High School finishing third.

The Raider Platoon is an elite team of Jr. ROTC cadets that volunteer and are selected to participate in a rigorous physical and mental competition called Raider Challenge. Endorsed by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, the competitions consist of five outdoor physical events — Team Run, Raider Fitness Test, Obstacle Course, Cross-Country Rescue and One-Rope Bridge.

Raider Challenge educates the cadets on the importance of teamwork, physical fitness, mental toughness and overcoming adversity.

The 2017 Raider State Champion Team consists of the following cadets: Pasquale Lavorgna (Team Captain), Gustavo Ramos, Terry Owens, Dre’Toris Mark, Devonte Jackson, Kevin Wells, Tomarkus Moses, Marcus Nelson, Danielle Matran, Sadie Sears, Jer’meria Miller and Ha’Lay’Jah Wilson.

Job well done, Raiders!