Lakeside's JROTC takes cup
In a hard-fought battle, the Lakeside JROTC Raider team broke the nine-year dominance of Evans in the annual Columbia County competition.
The Panthers tied the Knights in overall points and by prior agreement took the prize back to Lakeside.
The Lakeside JROTC Raider team broke the nine-year dominance of Evans in the annual Columbia County battle by tying the Knights in overall points.
Special photo
JROTC Raider teams from Harlem, the Academy of Richmond County, Hephzibah and Laney also competed.
The event is a vigorous two-day, six-event test of strength, speed, agility and teamwork.
On day one at Lakeside, the Panthers took first place in the One Rope Bridge event and the military map-reading test, while Evans took first in the Army Physical Fitness test.
Day two, at Evans, has traditionally been dominated by the Knights. It consisted of an obstacle course, a 200-yard litter-carry run, and a 2-mile team run. The 10-person Lakeside team rose to the challenge with its best time of the season, taking first place over the Knights and Hephzibah.
Though technically an overall tie in total points, the Lakeside team felt like the winners.
"To bring the Rodgers Cup to Lakeside for the first time ever, and fighting Evans to a near standstill on their home turf, well, let's just say all our guys are very happy," said John Adam Wilcox, the team captain. "Evans has a great team, too, and we look forward to facing them again at the State Championships on Nov. 20 at Cedar Shoals."