![Cadets lying prone on the range aiming rifles during team shooting practice.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764599954/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mrpyqol8bplvq3fid2fy/27032826714508224771.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764599954/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mrpyqol8bplvq3fid2fy/27032826714508224771.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764599954/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mrpyqol8bplvq3fid2fy/27032826714508224771.jpg","width":800}])
Missouri Military Academy’s Colonels rifle team turned in a strong performance at the Pardini Air Nationals qualifier on Nov. 21, 2025, at St. Louis University High School, earning a #14 national ranking out of 67 teams.
“The range only had paper targets, so it was a challenge to downshift from a single point of aim to multiple points of aim,” Coach CPT Joe Balvanz, USA (Ret.), said. “With that challenge came opportunity for this resilient team. I am proud of the boys and hopefully we can maintain one of the top 20 teams nationally to earn an invitation to Ft. Benning, GA, in January.”
Individual Results
Maroon Team
- Cadet Duane Thompson (Senior, Veteran): 526 – Ranked #1 of 42 in our region
- Cadet Thomas Fitzsimmons (Sophomore, Veteran): 515 – Ranked #4
- Cadet Robert Shepard (Senior, Veteran): 512 – Ranked #6
- Cadet Javier Carlsen, Rookie Sophomore: 509
Gold Team
- Cadet Tru Jones (Junior, Veteran): 509
- Cadet Bret Sietsema (Junior, Veteran): 507
- Cadet William Larson (Junior, Veteran): 505
- Cadet Federico Cordero (Freshman, Rookie): 503
Navy Team
- Cadet Carter Cole (Sophomore, Rookie): 499
- Cadet Ryan Derstein (Senior, Rookie): 489
- Cadet Charles Heady (Freshman, Rookie): 482
- Cadet John Trippe (Senior, Veteran): 478
MMA extends its gratitude to the families of Cadets Larson, Carlsen, and Fitzsimmons for traveling to St. Louis to support the team.
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