MMA JROTC Rifle Team Finishes 2nd and 3rd at 2026 Sectionals

Missouri Military Academy JROTC Rifle Team at Camp Perry, Ohio.

Feb 23 2026

At the Army JROTC Rifle Sectionals in Camp Perry, Ohio, Feb. 12–14, Missouri Military Academy’s rookie rifle team placed second overall, the veteran team finished third, and the hybrid team placed 12th among 36 teams.

Individually, rookie Cadet Javier Carlsen earned fourth, veteran Cadet Robert Shepard placed fifth, and rookie Cadet Federico Cordero finished sixth among 146 shooters.

MMA finished just 15 points shy of a national championship berth, posting a competitive 4,227 points.

Final Season Rankings

MMA concludes the season ranked as follows against all Army teams:

The rookie team finished ranked eighth in the Army and first among all rookie teams across every service branch. Their point total would qualify against all veteran teams as follows: first place in the Air Force, sixth in the Navy, and seventh in the Marine Corps.

The veteran team finished ranked 10th in the Army. The hybrid team finished ranked 32nd in the Army. The team is coached by CPT Joseph Balvanz, USA (Ret.), and CW4 Jason Landrum, USA (Ret.).

"Our team, made up of rookies and veterans, really pushed each other to do well," said MMA Cadet Ryan Derstein, a high school senior, from Trophy Club, TX. "The veterans shared their experience and advice, and the rookies brought energy and determination. This mix created a strong and supportive team."

Developing Discipline Beyond the Range

“As MMA coaches, we are uniquely positioned to develop young men both on and off the field. The opportunity to grow in an immersive, boarding school environment is unlike any other educational model," said CPT Joseph Balvanz. "While we are quite pleased when our athletes perform well in competition, our real incentive is the development of cadets for their long-term success.”

According to Balvanz, the rifle team's performance year met or exceeded all expectations and continues to push the team towards a yet higher standard. He also emphasizes that participating on the rifle team provides significant life lessons for cadets.

"What I have learned is that the rifle is a metaphor for personal development: clearing your mind of past failure, applying disciplined fundamentals towards a goal, and taking your best shot in life," he said.

That mindset resonated deeply with the cadets.

Cadet Duane Thompson, a high school senior from Troy, MO, says one piece of advice from his coach has stayed with him.

"I will always remember something CPT Balvanz told me: ‘Don't think about the result. Think about the execution.’ This applies to almost every aspect of life," Thompson says.

Rifle coach talks with two military academy cadets, all wearing blue jackets

CPT Balvanz with Cadet Thompson and Cadet Tru Jones, a junior from Lee's Summit, MO, at the Ozark High School meet on January 17, 2026.

For many cadets, the pressure of competition became a training ground for composure and growth.

“Being under pressure, for me at least, made me try things I never had the idea of trying before,” said Cadet Shepard, a high school senior from Clovis, NM, about being on the rifle team. “You try your best, no matter the outcome. The most important lessons I've learned from the rifle team are patience, thinking things through, and focusing for long periods of time.”

Others echoed that perspective, noting that the lessons extended far beyond this season. Derstein said he expects the habits built through rifle will serve him well long after graduation.

"The biggest thing I’ve learned is how to keep pushing through challenges, work as a team, and support each other. These lessons have shaped not only my shooting skills but also how I’ll face life and college ahead."