SE Flight Team takes runner-up honors at Region IV SAFECON, advances to nationals

WACO, Texas - The Southeastern Oklahoma State University Flight Team took second place overall and first place in the flying events at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's Region IV SAFECON hosted by Texas State Technical College.

With the top regional finishes, the Flight Team will advance to the National SAFECON competition in Oshkosh, Wisc., in May 2025.

Southeastern edged out Oklahoma State in the scoring of the flight events, 386-383. SE placed fourth in ground events with 148.5 points and was runner-up in the SAFECON Championship with 534.5 points to Oklahoma State's 656.

This is the highest finish by the SE Flight Team in the current competition format, and a marked improvement from the 2023 competition.

"We're so proud of the team for their progress from year to year, and so happy that our pilots put practice into action in competition," said Kyle Thomas, associate professor, Chief Flight Instructor, and Flight Team Advisor. "I am especially proud of this diverse group of young pilots, with half off the team being represented by women. We look forward to putting in the work to continue that improvement in preparation for Nationals in the spring."

Landon Clark, a senior from Rockwall, Texas, scored 136 points to earn Region Top Pilot. Hannah Stout, a sophomore from Allen, Texas, placed fifth in the Top Pilot standings with 82 points.

Micah Koen, a senior from Waco, Texas, as Pilot and Brooke Wilken, a freshman from Richardson, Texas, as dropmaster earned first place in the Message Drop competition.

In the Power-Off Landing event four out of the five landers placed in the top ten. Stout placed second with 34 points, Flight Team Captain Luke Weigel, a senior from Edmond, placed fourth with 53 points, Colby Hotaling, a junior from The Woodlands, Texas, placed fifth with 54 points, and Clark placed seventh with 119 points.

2024 Region IV SAFECON Standings

1. Oklahoma State
2. SOUTHEASTERN
3. LeTourneau
4. Oklahoma
5. Texas State Technical College
6. Stephen F. Austin

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