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St. John’s Northwestern Raiders Achieve Historic 3rd Place Finish at National Championship

SJN poses in front of a helicopter

DELAFIELD, WI. — St. John’s Northwestern’s JROTC Raiders team has earned its highest finish in school history, placing 3rd overall in the Masters Division at the 2025 U.S. Army JROTC National Raider Challenge held at Fort Knox.

Competing against more than 270 teams from across the nation, the 17-member team rose to the top in one of the most physically and mentally demanding competitions in the country. The Raider Challenge is a premier national event designed to test cadets’ physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership under pressure through multi-day, high-intensity events.

“Our Raiders delivered an outstanding season, and we could not be more proud. Their physical strength and mental toughness showed in every challenge they faced. What they accomplished is a true reflection of their ability to adapt, push through, and rise to the moment,” said Zachary Spreitzer, Corps of Cadets – Operations & Student Affairs Officer and Raider Program Assistant Director.

St. John’s Northwestern delivered standout performances across multiple events:

  • 1st Place – Battle Fitness (PT Test): Cadets completed one minute of push-ups, one minute of sit-ups, and a one-mile run, with 10 cadets contributing to each event score.
  • 2nd Place – Physical Team Test: An 800-meter, high-intensity course combining sprinting, flipping 350-pound tires, obstacle navigation, and coordinated team execution.
  • 3rd Place – 5K Team Run: A demanding endurance course featuring steep hills and varied terrain.
  • 3rd Place – Cross Country Rescue: A rigorous event requiring teams to carry a 130-pound stretcher, navigate obstacles, complete a 1.5-mile course, and move through a mud pit while carrying 35-pound rucksacks.

Only the top five teams in each division advanced to the final round. St. John’s Northwestern earned its place among the nation’s elite, competing in the Ultimate Raider Challenge, a four-mile endurance event requiring teams to carry over 100 pounds of shared equipment, manage multiple 35-pound rucksacks, and complete obstacle and problem-solving stations under pressure.

“This is the toughest national competition we’ve ever attended, and this is the highest we’ve ever placed,” said JROTC Instructor and Coach Mike Trione. “Our job is to train and prepare them, but once they step onto that course, it’s up to them. What they demonstrated was true leadership, resilience, and commitment to each other.”

Each cadet earned national recognition for their performance, bringing home medals and elevating the program to a new level of achievement.

For nearly two decades, St. John’s Northwestern has consistently ranked among the top Raider teams in the nation, placing in the top six in recent years. This year’s third-place finish marks a defining milestone and sets a new standard for excellence.

This achievement reflects the strength of St. John’s Northwestern’s JROTC leadership program, where students are challenged to perform at the highest level and develop the discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills that extend far beyond competition.

About SJN:
St. John’s Northwestern is a safe, structured environment that provides each student a foundation for life with specialized programs that are built with future aspirations in mind. SJN is a private co-ed college preparatory boarding and day school and is accepting applications for grades 7-12 and post-graduate. Learn more at stjohnsnorthwestern.org.