Sunburst Raiders succeed in Riverside competition

Elite cadets return to their academy with eight new trophies in hand

Story by Cadet Brynna Scott
Sunburst Youth Academy Media Team

May 10, 2024

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Sunburst Youth Academy’s Class 33 Raiders team returned to their academy April 13 with eight new trophies and five individual medals from the Ramona Raider Challenge 2024 at Ramona High School in Riverside.

Sunburst sent three six-cadet Raiders teams – male, female and co-ed – and all three teams brought back awards. The male team came out of the competition with first place trophies in the 1.5 mile run, a strength and endurance course, and a rope bridge crossing over a pool of water.

“Our biggest strength is motivation,” said Cadet Martinez, who led the male team and also earned an individual medal as a top ten finisher during an end-of-day run. “We were sticking together when one was falling behind.”

Supervising and coaching the Sunburst Raiders at the competition was U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Peter Gutierrez, academy commandant, and Sgt. Isaias Mendoza, an academy cadre member who is the team's primary coach.

The cadets spoke highly of the Soldiers and their support, particularly during the competition's two-mile ruck run where each competitor wore a 30lb weighted backpack.

“The motivation that we got from our support system, which was our staff from SYA, was amazing," said Cadet Tupailesa, who competed with the female team. "We had our Sgt. Maj. Gutierrez and Sgt. Mendoza running alongside with us on our ruck run and they were the two that made sure we were moving with a purpose.”

In addition to the day’s events, the Raiders also connected with another school’s team at the competition.

Sunburst’s female Raiders team taught a new team from Eisenhower High School how to do build a rope bridge and lent their competitors equipment for the event as well.

“What stood out about the Raider team was mostly the females and their ability to put aside the competitiveness and help out the other team,” Mendoza said.

The female Raiders team returned to the academy with three trophies: 1st place in the 1.5 mile run, 2nd place in the rope bridge, and 3rd place in strength and endurance.

The co-ed team placed second in their division for both the rope bridge and 1.5 mile run.

The competition was a successful day, Mendoza said, as he expressed pride in his team, “they did their best and their best shows.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is written and produced by Sunburst Youth Academy's Class 33 Student Media Team including reporter Cadet Brynna Scott, photojournalists Cadet Cameron Edwards, Cadet Leticia Villegas, and Cadet Robert Lopez. The news package was designed and laid out by web designer Cadet Patrick Andreasen.