MMA Raiders Claim Top Honors at 2026 JROTC Raiders Challenge

Missouri Military Academy welcomed nine visiting schools to campus on Saturday, March 28, for the 2026 MMA JROTC Raiders Challenge — the largest field in recent memory, with 13 teams competing across three divisions. The Academy’s cross-country course and 288-acre back campus provided a demanding natural backdrop, testing cadets’ endurance and training from the opening event.

MMA’s Raiders are led by head coach JROTC Instructor 1SG William A. Blue, USA (Ret) and assistant coach CW4 Jason Landrum, USA (Ret).

MMA cadets pose with awards following the 2026 JROTC Raiders Challenge.

Competition Results

MMA competed against Forsyth High School, Joplin High School, Junction City High School, Lafayette High School, Central High School, Nevada High School, Nixa High School, Ozark High School and Smith-Cotton High School.

Male Division

MMA Male Team 1 took first place with a combined time of 60:48. Smith-Cotton High School finished second in 67:58, while MMA Male Team 2 placed third in 71:32. Joplin High School finished fourth in 77:31, followed by Nevada High School in fifth with a time of 92:07.

Mixed Division

Ozark High School captured the mixed division title with a combined time of 65:19. Nixa High School finished second in 69:41, and Junction City High School took third in 71:52. Forsyth High School placed fourth in 77:56, followed by Ozark Team 2 in fifth in 96:47, Lafayette High School in sixth in 111:09 and Central High School in seventh in 123:35.

Female Division

Smith-Cotton High School won the female division with a time of 86:22, posting the fastest female time in every scored event.

Ultimate Raider Competition

Cadet Grayson Hanson represented MMA in the individual competition, winning the male Ultimate Raider event with a time of 8:19. Smith-Cotton finished second in 8:26, and Forsyth placed third in 8:33. In the female competition, Ozark led the field with a time of 13:30, followed by Smith-Cotton in 14:03 and Joplin in 15:05.

MMA Raiders 2025–26 Rosters

A Team

• Cadet Deonte Kerns
• Cadet Daniel Bravo
• Cadet Christopher Song
• Cadet Jesus Robinson
• Cadet Rfred Cordero
• Cadet William Pennington
• Cadet Dario Rodriguez
• Cadet Jacob Stallone
• Cadet Beckett Sears
• Cadet Grayson Hanson
• Cadet Todbileg Boldbaatar
• Cadet Clayton Reich
• Cadet Trevor Garrison
• Cadet Jordan Milzark
• Cadet David Woodcock

B Team

• Cadet Luis Rey
• Cadet John Trippe
• Cadet Buyanjargal Nyamdavaa
• Cadet Emilio Perez 
• Cadet Leonardo Morales
• Cadet Enkh-Ireedui Altangerel
• Cadet Enkhtenger Altangerel
• Cadet Angel Gerardo Zamudio
• Cadet Tyler Knight
• Cadet Batbayasgalan Bat-Erdene
• Cadet Connor Upton
• Cadet Manuel Obregon Bremer
• Cadet Archer Gober
• Cadet Creed Martin
• Cadet James Grace

About the Raiders Challenge

The Raiders Challenge is a military-style competition designed to test the physical and mental resilience of Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) cadets. The events emphasize teamwork, leadership and perseverance, helping prepare cadets for collegiate-level ROTC Ranger competitions.

The MMA Raiders program provides cadets with opportunities to develop leadership, discipline and physical endurance. Participation in events like the Raiders Challenge allows cadets to apply their training in a competitive setting while reinforcing core values of teamwork and perseverance.

MMA cadets compete in endurance events during the 2026 JROTC Raiders Challenge.