Colonels Conquer: MMA Wrestling Excels at Tri-Meet and Greater Missouri Conference Tournament 

The Missouri Military Academy Fighting Colonels wrestling team had a triumphant week, competing at a tri-meet in South Callaway and the Greater Missouri Conference Tournament in Adrian, Missouri. 

On Thursday, January 18, the wrestling team traveled to South Callaway for the tri-meet, which included Mack’s Creek. MMA won both duals — scoring 46-24 against South Callaway and 66-6 against Mack’s Creek. 

“While MMA did capitalize on several open wins, there were some solid matchups for the night, including Trae Griffiths (157) with a 12-3 major decision win against a two-time state qualifier from South Callaway, Ayden Munford,” says wrestling coach Levi Iman.

Saturday, January 20, the Colonels competed at the Greater Missouri Conference Tournament, where MMA placed fourth overall as a team and came home with two first-place wins and one second-place win.

Tournament champion sophomore Cadet Trae Griffiths pinned his first four opponents in the first period before his championship match, where he delivered a tech fall halfway through the second period, winning 16-0. Coach Iman says that Cadet Griffiths, who won first at the tournament last year as a freshman, has been putting in the work and came to South Callaway ready to wrestle. 

Another sophomore, Cadet Deonte Kerns, also took home the gold and had a great finals match against a district opponent. Going into the second period down several points, he secured a pin with 25 seconds left in the period. 

Senior Cadet Russell Olson came away with a second-place finish. He pinned his way to the finals, where he wrestled a full six minutes, but was unable to come out on top. There were two fourth-place finishers at the meet — Cadet Dallas Grantz and Cadet Sam Stevens.

Congratulations, Fighting Colonels, on a great week of competition! View the full wrestling schedule here.