WMU News - Sky Broncos head to national championship

Sky Broncos head to national championship

Oct. 30, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's Sky Broncos recently captured the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's Region III title to qualify for the national championship next spring.

The 13-member WMU team won the ground event title and came in third in the flight events to win the overall competition with 217 points at the Oct. 13-17 event held at WMU's College of Aviation in Battle Creek, Mich. Kent State University came in second with 176 points, and Ohio State University took third with 143.

The win makes the 17th time in 19 years the Sky Broncos have won the regional title. Their only misses were in 2000 and 2008, when they finished second. The top two finishes in each region qualify for the national competition. Coach Steven W. Tkachuk leads the Sky Broncos. WMU teams have placed in the top four in the national competition for 18 consecutive years, with two national championships included in that run. The 2010 national championship competition takes place May 17-22 and will be hosted by Indiana State University at Terre Haute International-Hulman Field.

2009-10 Sky Broncos

Issac Adler of West Bloomfield, Mich., is a junior in aviation fight science. He is a 2007 graduate of West Bloomfield High School. Adler placed fourth in aircraft recognition.
Justin Guth of Palatine, Ill., is a junior in aviation science and administration. He is a 2007 graduate of Palatine High School. Guth placed first in aircraft recognition.
Benjamin Hastings of Hillsdale, Mich., is a sophomore in aviation science and administration. He is a 2008 graduate of Hillsdale High School. Hastings was part of a two-person team that placed 14th in message drop. He also placed 13th in power-off landing, 13th in short-field approach and landing, as well as fifth in computer accuracy.
Kyle Johnson of Arnold, Mo., is a senior in aviation flight science. He is a 2005 graduate of Fox High School. Johnson was part of two-person teams that placed second in navigation and 11th in message drop. He placed 15th in power-off landing, 16th in short-field approach and landing, fourth in aircraft recognition and sixth in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation.
Kaitlin Klingler of Hillsdale, Mich., is a sophomore in aviation flight science. She is a 2008 graduate of Hillsdale High School. Klingler was part of a two-person team that placed 17th in message drop. She also placed second in computer accuracy.
Kyle Mallory of Rochester, N.Y., is a sophomore in aviation administration. He is a 2008 graduate of Churchville-Chili Senior High School. Mallory was part of the two-person team that placed first in navigation, and he placed 18th in power-off landing, 15th in short-field approach and landing, third in aircraft recognition and fifth in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation.
Nathaniel McCune of Hanover, Mass., is a sophomore in aviation flight science. He is a 2008 graduate of Hanover High School. McCune was part of a two-person team that placed 17th in message drop. He also placed second in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation.
Kathryn Meyer is a senior in aviation maintenance. She is a 2006 graduate of Forest Hills Central High School. Meyer was part of the two-person team that placed first in navigation. She also placed fourth in computer accuracy and second in aircraft preflight inspection.
Drew Pearson of Battle Creek, Mich., is a senior in aviation flight science. He is a 2003 graduate of South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard, Wash. Pearson was part of two-person teams that placed sixth in navigation and eighth in message drop. He also placed first in computer accuracy, 19th in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation and tied for third in aircraft preflight inspection.
John Robbins of Auburn, Mich., is a junior in aviation flight science. He is a 2007 graduate of Bay City Western High School. Robbins was part of two-person teams that placed second in navigation and 11th in message drop. He also placed 17th in power-off landing, third in short-field approach and landing, as well as 10th in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation.
Andrew Seguin of Alpena, Mich., is a sophomore in aviation flight science. He is a 2008 graduate of Alpena High School. Sequin was part of a two-person team that placed 14th in message drop. He placed second in aircraft recognition.
Reto Smith Jr. of Lithonia, Ga., is a sophomore in aviation flight science. He is a 2008 graduate of Martin Luther King Jr. High School. He placed eighth in aircraft recognition.
Lee Wierenga of Grandville, Mich., is a senior in aviation flight science. He is a 2005 graduate of Calvin Christian High School. Wierenga was part of two-person teams that placed sixth in navigation and eighth in message drop. He also placed 20th in power-off landing, fifth in short-field approach and landing, third in computer accuracy, 12th in aircraft recognition, first in ground trainer and tied for third in aircraft preflight inspection.

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Sky Broncos win regional flight competition

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Media contact: Deanne Puca, (269) 387-8400, deanne.puca@wmich.edu

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