OSU Flying Aggies Flight Team wins regional competition

Monday, October 14, 2019

The Oklahoma State Flying Aggies Flight Team won first place at this year’s Region IV National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) competition held in Norman, Oklahoma, Oct. 7-9. Oklahoma State defeated six other schools to win the region and secure its place in the national competition next spring in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. 

“This was a hard-earned victory in the face of stiff competition,” said Matt Vance, flight team coach and assistant professor of aviation and space in the OSU College of Education, Health and Aviation. “This team gelled during competition and bagged points in every event entered.”

Oklahoma State totaled 555.50 points in the team competition, including an impressive 350.50 points in the Flight Events Championship and 205 points in the Ground Events Championship.

In total, OSU ranked in 12 competition categories. Two team members placed in the top 10 scoring of all pilots, including David Koch (fifth) and Heather Atkinson (eighth). Additionally, OSU team members placed first in five individual competitions:

• Nate Anders – Aircraft Recognition

  

• Steven Goodfriend – Ground Trainer
• Zach League and Heather Atkinson – Message Drop
• Heather Atkinson – Short Field Landing
• Blake Anthamatten – Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation

Flight team members included Blake Anthamatten, Nathan Anders, Heather Atkinson, Hunter Broughton, Clyde Carrasco, Michael Gasper (co-captain), Steven Goodfriend, Josh Haynes, Taylor Hendrick, Luke Hyslop, David Koch (captain), Zach League, KD McCloy, Jeffery Rodzon, Preston Shoemaker and Jacob White.

Media Contact: Rachel Potts | 405-744-8320 | rachel.potts@okstate.edu