The Dawson County High School JROTC Raider Team capped off what has been a banner year with a solid finish in state competition this weekend.

The Raider Mixed Team brought home a second-place overall finish at the state meet, held in Spaulding County.

But the successful state meet was just icing on the cake for the season. The Raider Team has taken first place in four of six meets this fall, including the Area 11 Region Meet hosted in Dawson County in October.

Sergeant First Class Steve Pamplin commended the team on a job well done.

They do their own thing, he said. Myself and Major (Robert) Wiley, were real proud of them. Theyre a good bunch of kids.

The Raider Team is one of several areas in which JROTC students can compete through the leadership program. Meets are athletic competitions, and teams compete in events such as an obstacle course, physical challenge, 5K race, and building a rope bridge.

Everyone competes in all the events, so it requires a lot of teamwork, Junior Colin Tredway said.

This year was Tredways first year at the state competition. But the real reward, he said, has been the road to the state competition. For us, the biggest win is to get to go to state, he said. Weve tried so hard and worked so hard before this. Were pretty excited to be going and that weve taken first in so many events.

Pamplin said he and Wiley set the goal at the beginning of the school year. After that, they let the students take the reins. They pretty much run their own practice. Pamplin said. JROTC is a leadership course.

Pamplin said that unless he catches students goofing off, I drive the bus and get them where they need to be.

In the spring, JROTC cadets will have the opportunity to participate in drill competitions.

The JROTC is in its fifth year at DCHS. The elective course program teaches students character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership and diversity.