TAYLOR JROTC up to the physical challenge of the National Guard

The Michigan Army National Guard partnered with the Taylor JROTC department to host a physical fitness challenge at the Taylor Career and Technical Center.

Sixty-eight JROTC cadets worked their way through the whole course twice, running a lap in between each of the seven stations. The stations were: Dead lift up to 135 pounds; squatting with a weighted bag; raising and then smashing down a weighted ball;  jumping rope with a weighted rope; swinging or lifting kettle bells; jumping or stepping on and off of a high platform; and finally stretching a very thick elastic band.

The first time through the course each station lasted one minute; the second time through the stations lasted 30 seconds each.

Each student was able to select harder weights and greater heights to stretch their own abilities. At the end, everyone competed to see who could hold the plank position the longest.

Junior Logan Blevins won the plank contest with a time of four minutes 10 seconds, nearly beating his instructor. Most cadets surprised themselves by doing a lot more than they initially thought they were capable of doing, and all cadets liked the event.

Sophomore Michael King said, “I became very determined to push myself.”

Junior Malachi Gibson assessed this as “the best workout I have had so far.” SSG Charles Cox of the National Guard appreciated the effort and competitive spirit the students showed.