Missouri Military Academy Fall 2026 Sports Preview

This fall, MMA cadets are preparing for another season of competition in soccer, swimming and diving, cross-country, football and Army JROTC Raiders. With varsity, junior varsity and middle school teams in action, cadets across campus will have opportunities to compete, build leadership skills and represent the Academy throughout the fall.

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Soccer

Head Coach Rodrigo Padilla '15 enters his second season leading the Colonels with a focus on rebuilding after graduating several key players from last year's squad. The program will also debut new soccer field lights, which are being installed this summer.

"My goal for this season is to rebuild," Padilla says. "We learned a lot from last season, and we graduated several key players, so we have work to do. This year is about correcting our mistakes, improving our overall game and building a strong foundation for the future of MMA Soccer. I have high expectations for this team because I know our cadets are capable of great things. We will challenge them every day to reach their full potential and compete at the highest level."

Practices will begin with conditioning and a return to the fundamentals before progressing into defending, passing and shooting drills. Throughout the season, cadets will also work through game situations designed to improve decision-making under pressure while continuing to strengthen individual skills and team play. 

Returning captains Cadets Emiliano Martinez '27 and Eric Shellabarger '27 will lead the Colonels this fall. Cadet Martinez brings experience as a member of MMA's previous state tournament team, while Cadet Shellabarger enters his fourth season with the program and provides veteran leadership on and off the field.

Beyond athletic development, Padilla hopes every cadet leaves the season with lessons that extend beyond soccer.

"I hope every cadet learns the value of teamwork, trust and accountability," Padilla says. "Success in life, just like success in sports, depends on our ability to work together toward a common goal. I want our players to understand how important it is to support one another, trust their teammates and recognize that great achievements rarely happen alone. The lessons they learn about leadership, communication, perseverance,and teamwork will benefit them long after their playing days are over."

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Swimming and Diving

MMA welcomes Chris Burle as the new head coach of the Colonels swimming and diving program this season. A USA Swimming-certified coach with the Mexico YMCA Mid MO Marlins, Burle brings experience in competitive swimming and athlete development after supporting a program that has won Heartland championships in two of the past four seasons.

A longtime supporter of MMA, Burle is also the parent of returning standout Cadet Trey Burle and incoming freshman Cadet Chase Burle, both of whom will compete for the Colonels this season.

"I am excited to be part of the MMA team," Burle said. "The motto 'Love, Honor, Truth' resonates with me, and I look forward to promoting those traits in a team environment. My goal for the swim team is to help swimmers become the best version of themselves both outside and inside the pool."

Daily practices will focus on technique training while developing what Burle describes as a championship mentality. The team's goals are for every swimmer to improve throughout the season, qualify multiple athletes for the MSHSAA State Swimming Championships and qualify a relay team for state competition.

The Colonels return one of the program's top swimmers in Cadet Trey Burle, who has qualified for the MSHSAA State Swimming Championships in each of the past two seasons while breaking two school records. 

The swimming program has continued to build success at the state level over the past several seasons, with multiple cadets qualifying for the MSHSAA State Swimming Championships and producing strong finishes in individual and relay events. Burle hopes to build on that momentum while helping cadets develop both in and out of the pool.

"This is personal for me," Burle said. "I look forward to coaching this team, helping cadets achieve their personal goals outside the pool and maximizing their potential in competition."

Along with competitive success, Burle said the program will emphasize lessons learned through swimming, including how to handle loss, embrace the grind and win with honor, while building a culture of work ethic and a love of swimming that lasts beyond high school.

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Football

Coach Robert Rosenbaum returns to lead the Colonels football program this fall, continuing to emphasize commitment, discipline and giving your best every day.

"The commitment is yours," Rosenbaum tells his players. "Commit yourself to your team, and give your best to the team."

The fundamentals of taking care of your body, staying in shape and being a student of the game remain central to the program. Returning players Cadet Tegan Compton and brothers Cadets Tyler Ball and Wesley Ball will provide experience and leadership as the Colonels prepare for the 2026 season.

Rosenbaum's goal remains steady: compete with discipline, continue improving throughout the season and enjoy the process along the way.

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Cross Country

The upcoming cross country season will be guided by Coach Brian Thode, who believes success comes from following a structured training plan and committing to the process over time.

"My approach to coaching long-distance runners will be centered around consistency and self-mastery," Thode said. Practices will follow a structured weekly schedule, with each day focusing on a different aspect of training, including endurance, speed and strength.

Beyond physical training, Thode wants cadets to develop the mindset needed for long-term success. He stresses that runners are "constantly competing against themselves first before they ever compete against another runner," encouraging athletes to build patience, resilience and confidence while overcoming habits that may limit their progress. He also plans to encourage healthy competition within the team, believing teammates can challenge one another while continuing to support each other's success.

Thode expects cadets to demonstrate exceptional attendance by arriving on time and prepared, along with coachability, accountability and respectful behavior. Competitively, his goal is to have multiple cadets qualify for the state meet.

Practices will vary based on the day's focus. Endurance workouts may include longer continuous runs, while speed days will feature interval training aimed at improving 5K performances. Sessions will be adapted to each runner's experience level, with newer athletes learning proper mechanics such as stride length and leg turnover while more experienced runners refine their pacing through structured workouts.

Ultimately, Thode hopes cadets leave the season with more than improved race times. He wants them to develop discipline, responsibility and character that extend beyond the course.

"I look forward to helping cadets grow both as athletes and as individuals throughout the season," he said.

Inspired by the positive impact sports had on him growing up, Thode said he always knew he wanted to coach if he entered education and is excited for the opportunity to work with the Academy's cross country program this fall.