The defending National Intercollegiate Flying Association champion SIU Carbondale Flying Salukis won a 15th straight Region VIII title to advance to the nationals in May 2027. James Cone (bottom) was the event’s top pilot and top scoring pilot. (Photos provided)
November 03, 2026
Youthful, team-oriented SIU Flying Salukis earn 15th straight regional crown
CARBONDALE, Ill. — With 73% percent of his roster comprised of first- and second-year members, Nathan L. Lincoln, coach of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Flying Salukis, wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this year’s squad.
What he discovered was a complete team effort that carried the 10-time and defending National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) national champions to a 15th straight Region VIII title last week at Purdue University.
In winning both the ground event and flight event titles, the Flying Salukis (359 points) easily beat host Purdue University (228) and Lewis University (83), Oct. 26-29, at Purdue University. Parkland College competed in ground events only.
The Flying Salukis won titles in eight of the nine events they competed in.
James Cone, a senior in aviation management and aviation flight, from Byron, Illinois, earned top pilot and top scoring honors. SIU had six of the top seven overall finishers, including the top five scoring pilots.
The title propels the 10-time national champions to the NIFA championships for the 57th time in 58 years. The Flying Salukis have finished in the top five in the nation for 17 straight years and in the top three overall in 14 of the last 15 years. All 22 team members will return to compete at the nationals, May 10-15, 2027, at the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
An ‘amazing accomplishment’
For Lincoln, a senior lecturer in aviation management and flight in SIU’s School of Aviation, the regional title streak is not taken for granted.
“Every year you have a different team, and you have to develop them to be able to earn it,” he said. “I am really proud of this team especially considering how young we are. They have worked hard and bought into what we are trying to do. They have represented SIU and the aviation program very well.”
Assembled shortly after the fall semester started, the 22-member squad includes nine freshmen and 16 first- or second-year team members. The six veterans include four-year team members and captains James Cone and Thomas Nguyen, a graduate student in aviation management, Broomfield, Colorado.
“I know we have a great group of students on the team, but anytime you have that many young members you don't always know how quickly everything is going to come together,” Lincoln said. “They have put in a lot of work and I think we saw that pay off. It certainly wasn't easy and there was plenty of preparation that went into it.”
Team development is strong
Winning handily was the result of hours of practice and working together, Lincoln said.
“There's a lot of development that takes place from working together and seeing how others approach the competition. The younger members have put in the time and effort to improve while the veterans have done a great job of helping them. I think that's one of the strengths of our team,” Lincoln said. “Everyone wants to see the team succeed and understands that we are better when we work together.”
And, the youthful team shows a lot of energy and is fun to be around.
“With so many younger members I think our veterans have done a really good job of helping everyone feel like part of the team,” Lincoln said. “They set a good example and make it an enjoyable environment. We take what we do seriously and still have fun doing it.”
In Region VIII, the squad placed:
- The top two finishers in aircraft preflight inspection and ground trainer events.
- Five of the top seven scorers, including the top four finishers in computer accuracy.
- Five of the top nine scorers, including four of the top five finishers in aircraft recognition.
- Five of the top 10 scorers, including the top three finishers in power-off landing.
- Five of the top seven scorers in SCAN (simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation).
- Five of the top eight scorers, including four of the top five finishers in short field landing.
- The top three finishers in traditional navigation.
- The top two finishers in aircraft preflight inspection.
- Five of the top eight scorers in message drop.
Taking home individual event titles and their overall finishes were:
- Aircraft recognition, power-off landing and short field landing — Liam Harrison, senior, aviation management, Libertyville, Illinois; 54 points, fourth place.
- SCAN and traditional navigation — Simon Zimmerman, sophomore, aviation management and aviation flight, Moline, Illinois; 44 points, fifth place.
- Aircraft preflight inspection — James Cone, senior, aviation management and aviation flight, Byron, Illinois; 68 points, first place.
- Computer accuracy — Ryder Schwoerer, junior, aviation management and aviation flight, Monticello, Illinois; 33 points, tied for seventh place.
- Ground trainer — Kroosh Patel, sophomore, aviation technologies and aviation flight, Lawrenceville, New Jersey; 16 points, tied for 14th place.
Other Flying Salukis who scored points were:
- Thomas Nguyen, graduate student, aviation management, Broomfield, Colorado; 59 points, second place.
- Luke Barry, junior, aviation technologies, Benton, Illinois; 55 points, third place.
- Kyle Lowe, sophomore, aviation technologies and aviation flight, Lake in the Hills, Illinois; 15 points, tied for 16th place.
- Anja Ruxlow, sophomore, aviation management and aviation flight, Morton, Illinois.
- Benjamin Jones, sophomore, aviation technologies and aviation flight, Gideon, Missouri.
- Andrew Crawford, freshman, aviation technologies and aviation flight, Washington, Illinois.
Additional Flying Salukis are:
- Gillian Anderson, freshman, aviation flight, Highland, Illinois.
- Raylynn Beasley-McDaniel, junior, aviation management and aviation flight, Tamms, Illinois.
- Gabriel Booth, junior, aviation technologies, Murphysboro, Illinois.
- Ian Buchanan, sophomore, aviation technologies, Lawrenceville, Illinois.
- Madeline Burmeister, freshman, aviation management and aviation flight, Hawthorn Woods, Illinois.
- Paul Dix, freshman, aviation technologies and aviation flight, Naperville, Illinois.
- Kyle Krueger, freshman, aviation technologies and aviation flight, Phoenix, Arizona.
- Jacob Lange, freshman, aviation technologies, New Lenox, Illinois.
- Matthew Penkava, freshman, aviation management and aviation flight, Cary, Illinois.
- Holly Sexton, freshman, aviation management and aviation flight, Highland, Illinois.
- Ethan Wildman, freshman, aviation management and aviation flight, Memphis, Tennessee.
Program looks to continue success
Lincoln said a “really great group of students” were interested in being part of the team and provided an opportunity to “bring in some good talent,” Lincoln said.
“Our program's history certainly helps,” he said. “We look for students who have the ability and the commitment to be part of the Flying Salukis legacy. Having 22 members gives us some great depth and allows us to continue developing members for the future.”
The young team is still figuring out its identity, but Lincoln is pleased with what he sees.
“We are still learning what we are capable of. What has impressed me most is how quickly the younger members have adjusted and started contributing,” he said. “I like how well they get along and how willing they are to help each other. That's important as we continue to grow.”
Assistant coaches are pivotal
None of the success is possible without the team’s “great coaching staff,” which includes assistants Dale Crider, Mike LeFevre and Dale Miller, Lincoln said.
“Our assistant coaches spend a lot of time working with the team and helping with our organization. They answer questions and make sure everyone is moving in the right direction. I couldn’t do it without them and they deserve a lot of the credit for the success we have had.