On Oct. 7, the Blackman Blaze Raider Team headed into unknown territory for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Raider Competition at Soddy Daisy High School. This was the first out of district competition the team has ever participated in. 

   “We were told it (the SEC competition) had the best of the best and was best to help prepare us for nationals,” said Chief Eric Hopper, head Blackman Raider Coach. 

   The team did have to face some challenges leading up to this big competition.  

   “We have never competed as a COED team. Practices were also during fall break which made things more difficult,” stated Hopper. 

   With this being the first time the team has competed in the SEC Competition, the coach and team decided it was best to compete as a COED team instead of separate female and male teams. The team had to practice all throughout fall break to figure out how to work together as a COED team, which they have never done before. Every day during fall break these raiders would go to school in the early morning to practice for this competition. These raiders wanted to win more than anything. 

   Because the competition was out of the district, the Blaze Raiders had never faced these other teams competing in the competition. But in true Blaze Raider fashion, the team was not at all nervous, if anything they were excited to meet the new competition. 

   “I wasn’t nervous at all. I think of competition as a fun game that I get to play with my friends. Whatever happens, happens,” said female Blaze Raider captain and senior Kyndal Hostettler.  

   The team certainly had a fun time, and with six different events, the team was busy competing all day. With new challenging events and obstacle courses, the team got to experience a whole new side of raiders. They even got to hang out and speak with other raiders and learn about other school’s experiences with raiders. 

   “I really enjoyed being able to see raider teams outside of district and connect with them,” exclaims male Blaze Raider captain and senior Jackson Sohar. 

   The Blaze Raiders won first place for five out of six events and first place overall for the COED division.  

   The raiders team is now back in town and ready to destroy the competition. The team’s next big event is coming up very soon. The raiders compete against more out of district teams at Raider Nationals at Fort Knox, KY on Nov. 2. This will be their first ever time competing at the National Raider competition. 

   As excited as the team is, the raiders know they must continue putting in the hard work to win it all come November.