From tradition to transformation: The Tiger challenge returns

Before most people hit snooze on their alarms, the Lady Tigers of Swainsboro High were already lacing up their shoes, strapping on duffel bags, and preparing to carry one of their teammates on a stretcher, all before sunrise. That is just how things go during the Tiger Challenge.

At Swainsboro, team bonding does not look like ropes courses or trust falls. Here, it looks like grit, sweat, and early morning discipline, thanks to a one-of-a-kind collaboration between the Swainsboro Lady Tigers Basketball program, the Swainsboro Basketball Cheer program, the U.S. National Guard, and the SHS JROTC program. The Tiger Challenge is not just a tradition. It is a rite of passage.

A tradition forged in teamwork

Originally launched over seven years ago, the Tiger Challenge was designed to push student-athletes to their physical and mental limits while strengthening team unity. The two-day event includes a military-style obstacle course and the Occupational Physical Assessment Test, supported this year by the U.S. National Guard personnel based out of Statesboro, Georgia. With help from JROTC cadets and National Guard soldiers, the Tiger Challenge has grown into one of Swainsboro’s most unique and meaningful off-season events.

This challenge was led by two visionary leaders, Head Coach Alexandria Walden of the Lady Tigers Basketball program and Ms. Monica Y. Pace, Head Coach of the Basketball Cheer program at Swainsboro High. Together, they were looking for more than just summer workouts. They wanted a way to build team unity, discipline, accountability, leadership, mental toughness, and sisterhood among the girls in their programs.

“The Tiger Challenge teaches our girls that strength is not just physical. It is mental, emotional, and rooted in unity. When they finish this, they walk a little taller, knowing they have done something bigger than basketball,” said Coach Walden.

“We wanted something that pushed them outside their comfort zone and brought them together as one. This challenge builds more than teamwork. It builds trust, pride, and a shared sense of purpose,” added Coach Pace.

The obstacle course winds its way through campus along the legendary Tiger Trail, with seven demanding stations that test agility, strength, coordination, and most of all, teamwork. Each group must carry weighted duffel bags and a teammate on a stretcher, navigating the course while being timed. No one finishes until every teammate crosses the line together.

Back in the early years of the event, the Lady Tigers Basketball team, the basketball cheer squad, and the Lady Tigers Softball team accepted the challenge with full intensity. Nearly a decade later, they are still answering the call.

Back before the sun – June 13th

This year, the Tiger Challenge returned stronger, earlier, and just as impactful.

On Friday, June 13th, the Lady Tigers hit the field at 5:45 a.m., ready for Day 1 of the challenge. The familiar echo of cadence calls, bag drops, and team shouts filled the air.

“We brought it back last year,” said Coach Walden. “But this year, the U.S. National Guard took the lead and really made it feel authentic. Next year, we are looking to open it up and invite more teams.”

This year’s group included members from flag football, girls’ basketball, and basketball cheer, each one pushing the other to the finish line. But for Coach Walden, it was not just about competition.

“It is about getting uncomfortable. You learn who your teammates really are at 6 a.m., when you are drenched in sweat, and someone still has to be carried,” she said. “That is where trust is built.”

Day 2 challenge – June 14th

After a quick recovery, the Lady Tigers were back in action on Saturday, June 14th. They wrapped up the experience with an intense boot camp session and the Occupational Physical Assessment Test, this time in Statesboro GA. once again led by the National Guard.

Due to rain, the planned recovery session at Splash in the Boro was canceled, but that did not take away from the meaning and impact of the weekend.

“This challenge reminds them how much they are capable of,” said Walden. “When the season gets tough, I can point back to this and say, ‘You already did harder than this at 5:45 a.m. in June.’”

Special Thanks to the U.S. National Guard

The success of this year’s Tiger Challenge would not have been possible without the dedication and leadership of the U.S. National Guard, with personnel based out of Statesboro, Georgia. Their professionalism and commitment brought a new level of intensity, energy, and structure to the event. Their interaction with the students left a lasting impression that reached far beyond the physical challenges.

From leading stations and demonstrating proper form during the Occupational Physical Assessment Test to motivating student-athletes through team-building drills, the National Guard soldiers did not just show up. They showed out. They served as examples of resilience, discipline, and leadership, helping reinforce life lessons that extended beyond sports.

“They did not just run the stations,” said Coach Walden. “They motivated, they pushed, they taught. Our girls walked away with more than sore muscles. They left with real respect for discipline and leadership, and many now have a better understanding of what service and strength truly mean.”

“What stood out to me most was their energy,” added Coach Monica Pace. “Each soldier brought professionalism, patience, and a positive attitude that lit a fire under our girls. They were uplifting, engaging, and treated our students like future leaders. That kind of presence makes a lasting difference.”

This year’s challenge was made possible through the hands-on leadership and coordination of the following soldiers from the Statesboro National Guard Recruiting Office:

SFC Shakirea Phillips – Lead coordinator and driving force behind the weekend’s organization

SSG Camron Walker – Co-coordinator who helped develop the structure and timing of the events

SFC Antwon Shade – Provided hands-on motivation, especially during testing

SGT Jason Trujillo – Guided physical challenges and served as a mentor figure to many participants

SPC Sophie Ingram – Brought unmatched energy and connection with the students, bridging the gap between discipline and encouragement

“Our goal is not just to test their limits, but to show them what they are capable of when they work together and dig deep,” said SFC Phillips. “It is about building leaders, on the court, in the classroom, and potentially one day in uniform.”

Looking ahead

For Coach Alexandria Walden and Coach Monica Pace, the Tiger Challenge is not just an event. It is a foundation. Their shared vision is to grow it into a schoolwide initiative that includes every athletic program at Swainsboro High School. They believe every student-athlete should experience the discipline, leadership, and unity the challenge is designed to foster, on and off the field.

From there, the goal is even bigger. They want to expand the challenge into a regional tradition, welcoming schools from across the area to take part in something greater than sport. Something that builds young leaders, strengthens school culture, and unites communities through shared purpose.

“This is about more than just one team,” said Walden. “I want this to become a shared experience across all of Swainsboro athletics and eventually something that brings programs together from beyond our campus. The goal is to build leaders who carry these lessons beyond the game.”

“It is bigger than basketball or cheer,” added Pace. “This is about shaping who they are as young women, building resilience, confidence, and the kind of unity that lasts far beyond the season.”

Final thoughts

At a time when many high school teams spend the summer focused solely on scrimmages and conditioning, Swainsboro is keeping a deeper tradition alive, one that molds character just as much as it trains skill. The Tiger Challenge is not just about preparing for a season; it is about preparing for life.