MMA Raiders Excel at JROTC Raiders Challenge 2025

Missouri Military Academy (MMA) cadets excelled at the 2025 MMA JROTC Raiders Challenge on Saturday, March 15, earning top placements among competing teams. MMA Team 1 secured first place overall, while MMA Team 2 finished third. The challenge was held on MMA's campus, utilizing the Academy's cross-country course and 288-acre back campus. 

The team is coached by MMA JROTC Senior Army Instructor MAJ Wayne T. Welander, USA (Ret), and MMA JROTC Instructor 1SG William A. Blue, USA (Ret).

“Congratulations to our cadets for their hard work, determination and team spirit,” said 1SG Blue. “Their commitment to training and teamwork was evident throughout the competition.”

MMA Raiders keep pace on the 5K run during the March 15 Raiders Challenge.

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Competition Results
MMA competed against Forsyth High School, Joplin High School, Marmion Academy, Moberly High School, Scott Tech and Smith-Cotton High School.

MMA Team 1 Results:

• 5K run: First place (25:33)
• One-rope bridge: Fourth place (6:00)
• Gut Check: Second place (7:26)
• Cross-country litter carry: Second place (35:51)

MMA Team 2 Results:

• 5K run: Third place (28:04)
• One-rope bridge: Seventh place (10:00)
• Gut Check: First place (6:52)
• Cross-country litter carry: Third place (36:49)

MMA cadets move a tire forward during the Gut Check challenge. 

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MMA Team 1:

• Cadet Kruze Hagan ’25 (Kirksville, Missouri)
• Cadet Adam Swenson ’25 (Youngstown, New York)
• Cadet Alexander Pro ’25 (Saint Charles, Missouri)
• Cadet Ryan Miles ’25 (Dallas, Texas)
• Cadet Deonte Kerns ’26 (Lincoln, Nebraska)
• Cadet Emilio Perez ’26 (Martinez de la Torre, Mexico)
• Cadet Miles Matthews ’25 (Fairfield Bay, Arkansas)
• Cadet Grayson Hanson ’27 (Bellevue, Washington)
• Cadet Jonathan Valesa ’25 (Kansas City, Missouri)
• Cadet Roberto Lavalle Arellano (Teziutlán, Mexico)

MMA Team 2:

• Cadet Braxton Phasey ’25 (Rogers, Arkansas)
• Cadet Mark Corley ’26 (Kansas City, Missouri)
• Cadet Irmuun Ganbat '25 (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
• Cadet Grayson Hanson '27 (Bellevue, Washington)
• Cadet John Trippe ’26 (Cleveland, Tennessee)
• Cadet Yalguun Tugs ’25 (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
• Cadet Michael Pfeifer '25 (Mexico, Missouri)
• Cadet Khulsen Turmunkh '25 (Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia)
• Cadet Angel Gerardo Zamudio ’27 (Culiacán, Mexico)
• Cadet Emiliano Issa '27 (Torreon, Mexico) 

Additionally, Cadet Lavalle Arellano won the Ultimate Raider event.

 MMA Raiders complete the One-Rope Bridge task during the Raiders Challenge.

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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 challenges emphasize teamwork, leadership and perseverance, preparing cadets for collegiate-level ROTC Ranger competitions.

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

View more 2025 Raiders Challenge photos here. 

 President Geraci encourages MMA Raiders at the challenge.

MMA Raiders advance on the cross-country litter carry.