The SIU Carbondale Flying Salukis won a 14th straight National Intercollegiate Flying Association Region VIII title to advance to the nationals in May 2026. Ben Campbell (first individual photo) took scoring honors while teammates Liam Harrison (second photo) and Jeremy Murray (third photo) won multiple events. (SIU Carbondale photo above; other photos provided)
October 22, 2025
‘Collective effort’ powers SIU Flying Salukis to 14th straight regional title
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University Carbondale Flying Salukis will return to familiar surroundings in May after capturing a 14th straight National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region VIII title.
Ben Campbell, a senior in aviation flight and aviation management from Richmond, Illinois, won the individual scoring title, and Liam Harrison, a junior in aviation management and aviation flight from Libertyville, Illinois, won three individual events. Jeremy Murray, a junior in aviation management and aviation flight from Lockport, Illinois, won two events.
In winning both the ground event and flight event titles, the Flying Salukis (387 points) overwhelmed Purdue University (204) and Lewis University (31), Oct. 13-18, at St. Louis Downtown Airport.
Dominant performance
Coach Nathan J. Lincoln, a senior lecturer in aviation management and flight in SIU’s School of Aviation, cited team depth and consistency even with just a few weeks of practice.
The showing “is a testament to the incredible work ethic and talent of our team,” Lincoln said, adding that the dominant performance is “a great example of how our team members rise to the occasion when it matters most.”
“Having 14 out of 20 members contribute points, including all of our top five and seven of the top nine soring contestants, really speaks to the strength of our flight program and the dedication of each team member,” he said. “It wasn’t just one standout performance; it was a collective effort that pushed us to the top.”
Going for a 10th national title
The title propels the nine-time national champions to the NIFA championships for the 56th time in 57 years. The Flying Salukis have finished in the top five in the nation for 16 straight years and in the top three overall in 13 of the last 14 years. All 20 team members will return to compete at the nationals May 18-23 at the Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, Illinois.
“The regional showed that our team members are ready to compete at the highest level,” Lincoln said. “From depth in scoring to standout individual performances, the momentum we’re carrying into nationals is good. More importantly, the team is very motivated. They now have seen what they’re capable of, and now the goal is to elevate that even further.”
As a team, the squad placed:
- The top five finishers in both power-off landing and computer accuracy.
- Five of the top 10 scorers, including the top four finishers in aircraft recognition.
- Five of the top seven scorers, including the top three finishers in SCAN, or simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation.
- Five of the top eight scorers, including the top four finishers in short field landing.
- The top three finishers in traditional navigation.
- The top two finishers in aircraft preflight inspection.
- Five of the top seven scorers in message drop.
- Two of the top three scorers in ground trainer.
Taking home individual event titles and overall finishes were:
Aircraft recognition, power-off landing and short field landing — Liam Harrison, junior, aviation management and aviation flight, Libertyville, Illinois; 50 points, fourth place.- SCAN and traditional navigation — Jeremy Murray, junior, aviation management and aviation flight, Lockport, Illinois; 37 points, fifth place.
- Aircraft preflight — Ben Campbell, senior, aviation flight and aviation management, Richmond, Illinois; 62 points, first place.
- Computer accuracy — Jake Mack, senior, aviation technologies and aviation flight, Lake Zurich, Illinois; 57 points, third place.
- Ground trainer — Thomas Nguyen, junior, aviation flight and aviation management, Broomfield, Colorado; 26 points, tied for eighth place.
Other Flying Salukis who scored points were:
- Vassilios Georges, graduate student, aviation management, Chesterfield, Missouri; 61 points; second place.
- Michael Chebuske, senior, aviation management and aviation flight, Louis, Missouri; 26 points, tied for eighth place.
- Thomas Van Dorpe, senior, aviation management, Charles, Illinois; 18 points, 14th place.
- Kyra Hilsaback, junior, aviation flight and aviation management, Edelson, Illinois; 17 points; 15th place.
- Ryder Schwoerer, sophomore, aviation flight and aviation management, Monticello, Illinois; 12 points, tied for 17th place.
- Kyle Lowe, freshman, aviation flight and aviation technologies, Lake in the Hills, Illinois; 8 points, tied for 21st place.
- Benjamin Jones, freshman, aviation flight and aviation technologies, Gideon, Missouri; 7 points, tied for 23rd place.
- James Cone, junior, aviation flight and aviation management, Byron, Illinois; 5 points, tied for 26th place.
- Gabriel Booth, sophomore, aviation flight and aviation technologies; Murphysboro, Illinois, 1 point, 32nd place.
Additional Flying Salukis are:
- Luke Berry, sophomore, aviation technologies and aviation flight, Benton, Illinois.
- Raylynn Beasley-McDaniel, sophomore, aviation management and aviation flight, Tamms, Illinois.
- Kroosh Patel, freshman, aviation technologies and aviation flight, Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
- Anja Ruxlow, freshman, aviation management and aviation flight, Morton, Illinois.
- Collin Schmidt, freshman, aviation management and aviation flight, Liberty, Missouri.
- Simon Zimmerman, freshman, aviation management and aviation flight, Moline, Illinois.
‘Truly a full team effort’
Lincoln emphasized the vital role each team member played in the weekend’s success. While 14 scored points, “it was truly a full team effort,” he said. This season’s assistant coaches are Mike LeFevre, Dale Miller and Matteus Thompson.
“Many of our team members served as part of our ground handling crew, directly contributing to us winning the Safety Award, which is something we’re especially proud of,” he said. “This team isn’t just about performance in the air. It’s about discipline, preparation and taking care of each other. The Flying Salukis are part of a family that will always support each other.”
