MMA Wrestling Cadets Ready to Hit the Mat This Winter

This winter, Missouri Military Academy cadets are gearing up for another season of high-energy competition in wrestling. As the new season approaches, MMA’s wrestling program enters the winter with momentum, experience and rising expectations, Head Coach Levi Iman said.

With 19 cadets returning, the team is positioned to field depth across several key weight classes—something Iman believes will help drive the program forward. “We are expecting to have depth at several key weight classes that will be a driver for that competitive edge to push the team to the next level,” he said.

Senior Cadet Deonte Kerns will lead the squad as captain. Iman noted that Kerns is nearing a major career milestone and aims to “achieve his 100 varsity wins early in the season” while working to secure a top seed in the district.

Supporting him is a trio of experienced juniors—Cadets Daniel Bravo, Owen French and David Woodcock—who return with improved strength and significant mat experience. Iman said he expects them to be key competitors in their weight classes. Freshman Cadet Caden Grace also joins the varsity group, working to combine leadership potential with developing wrestling skills as he steps into an important early role.

Iman said mental toughness will be a major focus this year. He emphasized the importance of resilience, endurance, overcoming adversity and learning positive adaptation, noting that these skills matter “not just in our sport but further on in life as well.” The program continues to seek out strong competition, and despite a challenging district, Iman said several cadets have been working to earn a chance to represent MMA at the State Championships.

Beyond performance, Iman said he hopes each wrestler grows personally through the season. “I am hoping each cadet is going to walk away from this season more confident in themselves and their individual strengths to help them better pursue their goals,” he said.

With a large returning core and newcomers eager to contribute, Iman said the team has already shown strong energy, personal drive and commitment to bonding. “We have a large core group of returners mixed in with some fresh faces ready to make their mark,” he said. “The team is energetic and have already shown a lot of interest in personal growth and team bonding.”

The MMA wrestling season kicks off on December 3. Click here to view the full schedule.