MMA Wins Missouri Cybersecurity Challenge, Earns 1st and 4th Place Finishes

Missouri Military Academy cadets delivered an outstanding performance at the seventh annual Missouri Cybersecurity Challenge Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, earning 1st and 4th place finishes against top student teams from across the state.

The Missouri High School Cybersecurity Challenge brought together 107 teams of three high school students each from across Missouri. The competition began with a virtual qualifying round in January, with the top ten teams based on scores advancing to the in-person finals held in Columbia, Missouri. MMA qualified two teams for the finals and ultimately won the overall competition.

MMA Cadets Earn First Place

MMA’s 1st place team, consisting of Cadets Lian Haddad, John Shadonix, and Alex Jones , finished the competition with a 40-point lead over second place, showcasing technical precision, disciplined teamwork, and strategic execution throughout the event. Their commanding margin underscored both their preparation and their ability to remain composed under competitive pressure.

MMA Team Places Fourth

A second MMA team — Cadets Sean Mumm, Eric Shellabarger, and William Larson — earned 4th place, finishing just 10 points behind second place in an exceptionally close competition. Their performance highlighted the depth of talent within MMA’s cybersecurity program and the cadets’ ability to compete at the highest level. Having two teams place in the top four further demonstrated the strength and consistency of MMA’s cyber training.

What is the Missouri Cybersecurity Challenge CTF?

The Missouri Cybersecurity Challenge CTF is a highly competitive, skills-based event that tests participants through hands-on cybersecurity challenges, including problem-solving, digital forensics, network defense, and critical thinking under pressure. Designed to reflect professional cybersecurity environments, the competition requires students to apply technical knowledge in fast-paced, scenario-based situations. More than 100 teams statewide competed in the preliminary round held in January, with MMA cadets qualifying for the state-level competition through their exceptional early performance, as detailed in the Academy’s January coverage of the Missouri Cybersecurity Challenge.

Students solved real-world cybersecurity challenges in a safe, controlled virtual environment using professional tools and operating systems such as Kali Linux, Ubuntu Linux, and Windows 11. Those real-world tools included decryption of encoded text, breaking passwords, exploiting network devices, and conducting open-source intelligence (OSINT) research—skills directly aligned with modern cybersecurity practices. These hands-on components required both technical execution and investigative research, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and critical thinking in cyber defense.

According to Dr. Charles Gardner, Director of the Heartland Cyber Range with Enterprise KC, the entity providing the technology for the event, practicing with real-world tools is essential to preventing cyber attacks. He emphasized that understanding who threat actors are, where they operate, and what they are capable of is key to protecting cyber environments.

The Cybersecurity Challenge is hosted by the Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet), a member-driven consortium serving Missouri’s community anchor institutions as a trusted technology partner, and is funded in part by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Leaders from DESE noted that events like this help students engage in new, workforce-ready experiences that can inspire interest in growing cybersecurity career opportunities.

MMA cadets during the Missouri Cybersecurity Challenge.

Hands-On Cybersecurity Education

These results reflect the strength of MMA's Cybersecurity Program, which emphasizes hands-on learning, leadership development, and real-world application. Cadets gain experience through coursework, competitions, and applied challenges that mirror professional cybersecurity environments—preparing them for future careers in STEM fields, national security, and technology. Through a structured curriculum and competitive experiences like CTF events, cadets are trained not only to solve technical problems but to lead and collaborate effectively in high-stakes situations.

Together, these experiences position MMA cadets to compete successfully at the state level while developing skills directly transferable to college programs and cybersecurity careers.

What’s Next for MMA's Cyber Team

Following their success at the Missouri Cybersecurity Challenge, Cadets Shellabarger, Mumm, Larson and Shadonix will continue MMA's momentum as they prepare for the University of Alabama Capture the Flag (UACTF) Cyber Competition in Tuscaloosa on February 28.

Missouri Military Academy congratulates its cadets on representing the Academy with excellence and distinction in the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity.

Teams compete during the Missouri Cybersecurity Challenge.