5th and 13th Place at State Wrestling for Cadets Griffiths and Miles!

Missouri Military Academy Cadet Trae Griffiths ’26 from Champaign, Illinois, and Cadet Ryan Miles ’25 from Dallas, Texas, competed at the Class 1 state wrestling championship February 21-22 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. The cadets were the first two state qualifiers from MMA since 2021. Cadet Griffiths medaled by finishing fifth out of the top 64 wrestlers in the 157-pound weight class, and Cadet Miles placed thirteenth in the 150-pound weight class. Featured photo credit: Cadet Jesus Robinson '26. 

Cadets Ryan Miles and Trae Griffiths competed in the Class 1 state wrestling championships. Photo credit: Cadet Robinson. 

“Through hard work and determination, both Miles and Griffiths reached a milestone we have not seen for several years at MMA,” says Head Coach Levi Iman. 

From left to right: Mike Pfeifer, assistant wrestling coach, Cadet Trae Griffiths and Levi Iman, head wrestling coach. Photo credit: Cadet Robinson. 

State Competition Recap

Cadet Miles lost his first match by pin in the first period to an opponent who was number one in his weight class. His second match was hard-fought and ended in a loss by decision 3-1. This ended his season with a record of 33-14. 

Junior Cadet Ryan Miles competes at the state wrestling championship. Photo credit: Cadet Robinson. 

Cadet Griffiths won his first match with a first-period pin. He started strong in his third match and dominated until late in the third period with a tied score. He was unable to turn his opponent and lost an escape point, losing him the match 8-5. This sent him to the wrestle-backs, where he was able to pin his next opponents in the second and third periods, respectively. These matches secured him a spot in the medal rounds. He lost to the number-one-ranked wrestler before coming back to win the fifth-place match with a second-period pin. Griffiths ended his season with a record of 43-7. 

Sophomore Cadet Trae Griffiths competes at the state wrestling championship. Photo credit: Cadet Robinson. 

Cadet Griffiths’ key to success? Never giving up. 

“I know a lot of people say it, but if you have a goal, never give up on it,” he says. “Keep working hard, putting all the effort in it, and I promise you will see the progress you are hoping for. I am a sophomore at MMA. If you can imagine it, it’s possible. That is what I keep in my mind going into every match, putting forth all the energy and effort I have.” 

Fifth-place winner Cadet Trae Giffiths (far left) stands on the podium of state medalists in the 157-pound division. Photo credit: Cadet Robinson. 

“As a coach, I am so happy for them right now but am already looking forward to next year,” Iman says. “They have an opportunity to step up and lead the team to further success all the while competing against each other for their 100^th career win. Next season certainly looks full of excitement.”

View more photos here.