Once again, the RCS Rocketry Team is among the best in the nation.
Two teams from Russellville competed at the Team America Rocketry Challenge this weekend in Washington, D.C., after qualifying against more than 1,000 teams across the country. The two teams from RHS were part of 100 to make the national competition.
The Russellville team consisting of Ansley Willis, Sadie Odom, Audrey Kiel and Lakin Derrick finished seventh in the nation.
All 100 teams that make it the finals in Washington had the opportunity to launch once. The top 42 of that made it to the next round for a second launch.
A second Russellville team barely missed qualifying for the second launch, finishing in 47th place.
That team consisted of Conner McFall, Socrates Fonseca, Uriel Mojica, Wyatt McFall and Josue De La Rosa.
“I am super proud of my students,” said RCS Rocketry Coach Gabe Willis.
“Also, I am proud of my community’s support and the willingness of the community to give and their interest in the competition. My phone literally blew up all day wanting updates.”
According to Willis, the first launch goal was 815 feet and time from liftoff to recovery was 41-44 seconds.
Second launch was 765 feet and the time from liftoff to recovery was the same at 41-44 seconds.
The second launch from RCS Rocketry was the best launch of the day out of all 142 launches.
“The girls hit 765 feet exactly. Then came back down at 40.95 seconds. This gave them a zero for altitude and time score of .2 for a total of =.2,” Willis said.
“I am very proud of all the students. Both teams are among the top 100 in the country and to have one team in the top 10 again, is a big accomplishment for these students and the school system.”
