MMA JROTC Raiders Earn Third Place at 2026 National JROTC Raiders Challenge

Missouri Military Academy’s Army JROTC Raiders placed third overall in the Challenge Level Male Division at the JROTC National Raider Challenge, held April 16–19, 2026, at Fort Knox, Ky. Feature photo: MMA JROTC Raiders with coaches at Fort Knox, Kentucky, after earning third place in the Challenge Level Male Division.

The military-style competition tests cadets across a series of physically and mentally demanding events, including the rope bridge, Physical Team Test (PTT), 5K team run, Cross Country Rescue (CCR) and gauntlet.

“Earning a third-place finish on the national stage reflects the self-discipline, resilience and teamwork our cadets demonstrate every day,” said MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret). “To compete against hundreds of teams from across the nation and earn this accomplishment speaks to their preparation, leadership and commitment to excellence. We are proud of how they represented the Academy on the national stage.”

MMA’s placements included a third-place overall finish in the male Challenger Division, along with seventh place in the rope bridge, sixth place in the Physical Team Test (PTT), fourth place in the 5K team run, ninth place in Cross Country Rescue (CCR) and third place in the gauntlet.

MMA’s placements, earning the third-place finish in the nation, are as follows:

• 7th place, Rope Bridge
• 6th place, Physical Team Test (PTT)
• 4th place, 5K Run
• 9th place, Cross-Country Rescue (CCR)
• 3rd place, Gauntlet

2026 Raiders Team Roster

• Deonte Kerns ’26 from Lincoln, Nebraska
• Daniel Bravo ’27 from Dublin, California
• Luis Rey ’26 from Mexico City, Mexico
• Rfred Cordero ’28 from Mexico, Missouri
• Buyanjargal Nyamdava ’27 from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• Dario Rodriguez ’27 from Monterrey, Mexico
• John Trippe ’26 from Cleveland, Tennessee
• Beckett Sears ’26 from Southlake, Texas
• Grayson Hanson ’27 from Kirkland, Washington
• Clayton Reich ’26 from Phoenix, Arizona
• Leonardo Morales ’28 from Monterrey, Mexico
• Jordan Milzark ’28 from Lexington, Kentucky
• David Woodcock ’27 from Eureka, Missouri
• William Pennington ’27 from Centennial, Colorado
• Duane Thompson ’26 from Troy, Missouri
• Creed Martin ’30 from Prosper, Texas

The team is coached by 1SG William Blue, USA (Ret), and CW4 Jason Landrum, USA (Ret).