Western’s ‘Golden Girls’ soar through cross-country air race

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s all-female pilot team, the “Golden Girls,” successfully completed all seven legs of the 2025 Air Race Classic, flying more than 2,500 miles over four days in a cross-country race designed to celebrate and support women in aviation. Flying a Cirrus SR20 aircraft from Fairhope, Alabama, to Spokane, Washington, the WMU team competed against 17 other collegiate teams June 17–20.

This was WMU’s 21st race since 2000, which culminates events during the past year dedicated to encouraging and promoting women in aviation.

“I joined the WMU Air Race Classic Team to push my limits and gain a broader, more diverse experience as a pilot,” says pilot Caroline Yuska, a senior from Carmel, Indiana. “The rich tradition of women’s air racing not only inspired me to pursue a career in aviation but also became a mission I am proud to champion. Racing for WMU has given me invaluable skills, lifelong connections and tremendous personal growth.”

Teams compete against an aircraft-specific handicap, rather than head-to-head against other competitors. The race route changes each year, with this year’s competition including stops in Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, two in Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon.

The College of Aviation’s Golden Girls included Yuska; co-pilot Olivia Arnold, B.S.’23, from Wheatfield, Indiana; ground coordinator Marie Evon, a senior from Grand Rapids, Michigan; and navigator Hunter Romuald, a junior from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Co-advisors were Dominic Nicolai, WMU lead flight instructor, and Annie Quardokus, B.S.’16, an alumna who works for Bissell in Grand Rapids.

“The 2025 Women’s Air Race Classic was the most exhilarating, challenging and educational event I have ever been a part of,” Arnold says. “We flew across the country, low level, in a single-engine aircraft, and faced challenging terrain, weather and external pressures. I’m so grateful for the experience and the amazing teammates that I had.”

For first-time racer Romuald, the experience was transformative. “The race taught me a lot about myself as a pilot, especially flying in different terrain and weather conditions. I highly encourage everyone to push their limits and see what can be made of it.”

Evon also reflected on her perspective on the ground.

“It was an incredible experience to watch, not just our team, but all of the teams of incredible aviators as they flew this challenging route.”

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