Western Michigan University's Sky Broncos finished fourth in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's championship competition that concluded May 16 in Columbus, Ohio.
Competing against some 350 young aviators from teams representing 29 of the top aviation schools in the nation, the 15-member WMU team came in fourth in flight events and seventh in ground events to place fourth overall. The event winner was Southern Illinois University. Longtime WMU rivals University of North Dakota and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott came in second and third, respectively.
Sky Bronco Elizabeth A. Bates of Plymouth, Massachusetts, captured the title of top-scoring female contestant at the event, while Chris Reichert of Climax was the Sky Broncos' highest placing male pilot, ranking in 11th place. Reichert was in sixth place in the overall top pilot standings, while Bates was in ninth place.
Schools earn the right to compete at nationals by winning or placing second in regional competitions. The Sky Broncos qualified for this year's competition by winning last October's NIFA Region III event at Ohio State University. The team last won the national title in 2002.
NIFA competitions pit schools against each other in seven ground events and four flying events. Team points are earned by competitors who place in the top 20 in each of the events.
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Photo Credit: WMU Sky Broncos