Sky Broncos take third in national championship
May 30, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- For the 12th consecutive year, Western Michigan University's precision flight team, the Sky Broncos, has placed in the top three in national competition, capturing third place at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association championship that concluded May 21 in Grand Forks, N. D.
The 15-member Sky Bronco team from WMU's College of Aviation placed third overall and nabbed third-place point totals for both flight and ground events. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott won this year's championship, and the host team, the University of North Dakota, placed second. The three powerhouse teams have dominated the top-three spots in NIFA competitions since 1996. The Sky Broncos were national champions in 1998 and 2002.
Ian Alexander, a sophomore aviation flight science major from Grandville, Mich., came in third in the competition's overall top-pilot rankings, taking first place in the power-off landings event and sixth place in preflight inspection. Team co-captain Marc Kobaissi, a junior aviation flight science major from Barrington, Ill., was named WMU's outstanding team member.
NIFA national competitions pit schools against each other in six ground events and five flying events. Team and individual point totals are earned by placing in the top 10 in each of the events. A first- or second-place finish at a regional competition qualifies a team for a spot in the five-day national event.
This year's national competition included teams from 30 colleges and universities around the nation. Among other teams participating were the U.S. Air Force Academy and Auburn, Purdue and Ohio State universities.
2003 Sky Broncos
Below is a list of members of the Sky Broncos team. Each listing includes information about the team member's hometown, class year, major and parents' names, if available. Also included are individual placings, through 10th place, in the events that made up the national NIFA competition.
Ian Alexander of Grandville, Mich.,, a 2001 graduate of Grandville High School, is the son of Janice and Michael Alexander and a sophomore, majoring in aviation flight science. Alexander won the power-off landing event, placed sixth in the preflight inspection and took third in the top-pilot ranking.
Robbie Beechuk of Plymouth, Mich., is a 2001 graduate of Detroit Catholic Central High School in Redford, Mich., and the son of Lorraine and Daniel Beechuk of Plymouth. He is a sophomore majoring in integrated supply matrix management.
Andrew Drake of Ann Arbor, Mich., a 2000 graduate of Huron High School in Ann Arbor, is the son of Debra Nystrom and Thomas Drake of Chico, Calif., and a junior majoring in aviation flight science. Drake took first in the preflight inspection event, and he placed fourth in the computer accuracy event.
Darin Dumas of Dearborn Heights, Mich., a 1996 graduate of Crestwood High School, is the son of Laura and Robert Dumas. Co-captain of the team, he graduated from WMU in April with a degree in aviation flight science. Dumas placed 10th in computer accuracy.
Travis Epp of Clarklake, Mich., a 2001 graduate of Napoleon High School, is the son of Jan Epp of Clarklake and Rodger Epp of Howell, Mich. He is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science.
Mike Kalinski of Garden City, Mich., a 2000 graduate of Garden City High School, is the son of Barb and John Kalinski. He is a senior majoring in aviation flight science.
Jelani Kelley of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., a 2001 graduate of Lahser High School, is the son of Carol and Marcus Kelley. He is a sophomore majoring in aviation maintenance technology. Kelley placed fifth in aircraft recognition and eighth in the instrument flight rules event.
Marc Kobaissi of Barrington, Ill., a 2000 graduate of Barrington High School, is the son of Barbara and Hassan Kobaissi. He is a junior majoring in aviation flight sciences and is co-captain of the Sky Broncos. Kobaissi was recognized as the outstanding team member for the team and placed third in aircraft recognition, and sixth in flight simulation event.
Justin Lipka of Ira, Mich., a 2001 graduate of Anchor Bay High School in New Baltimore, Mich. is the son of Debby Lipka. He is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science.
Marshall Lynn of Holly, Mich., a 2000 graduate of St. Mary's Prep School in Orchard Lake, Mich. is the son of Therese and Dwight Lynn. He is a junior majoring in aviation flight science. Lynn placed eighth in aircraft recognition.
William Mastick of Waterford, Mich., a 2000 graduate of Our Lady of the Lakes High School is the son of Kellie and Gary Dovre. He is a junior majoring in Spanish and aviation flight science. Mastick placed third in navigation and sixth in the simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation event. He came in third in the top-pilot standings.
Alicia Nault of Fond du Lac, Wis., a 2001 graduate of Goodrich High School, is the daughter of Susan and Michael Nault. She is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science.
Jonathan Pridgeon of Montgomery, Mich., is a 2001 graduate of Reading (Mich.) High School. The son of Diane and Mike Pridgeon, he is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science.
William Mastick of Waterford, Mich., a 2000 graduate of Our Lady of the Lakes High School is the son of Kellie and Gary Dovre. He is a junior majoring in Spanish and aviation flight science. Mastick placed third in navigation and sixth in the simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation event. He came in third in the top-pilot standings.
Amanda Renouf of Wihtehall, Mich., is the daughter of Marj and Jerry Renouf. A home-schooled student before college, she is currently a junior in aviation flight science. Renouf placed eighth in the simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation event.
Aaron Trombley of Medford, N.J., a 1995 graduate of
Shawnee High School is the son of Joyce and Eugene Trombley.
He is a junior majoring in aviation flight science. Trombley
placed second in computer accuracy and tenth in the navigation
event.
Media contact: Matt Kurz, 269 387-8400, matt.kurz@wmich.edu