Alex Kwiatkowski of Wheaton, Ill. places in Top Ten at national competition with Lewis University Flight Team

2014 Jun 9

For the fourth year, Lewis University Flight Team placed in the Top Ten of the nation during the 2014 National Intercollegiate Flying Association Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) in Ohio. Lewis University placed 10th overall, sixth in ground events and 18th in flight events.

The regional event was held May 12-17 at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio with Lewis University competing against 27 other universities. Other universities that placed in the Top Ten overall with Lewis University include Southern Illinois University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, University of North Dakota, Western Michigan University, Liberty University, United States Air Force Academy, Ohio State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

In addition to Lewis University's team achievements, select Flight Team members earned individual awards. Matthew Pall of Orland Park won the Outstanding Team Member award and Joseph Burlas of Joliet placed second for Men's Achievement. Alex Kwiatkowski of Wheaton won the Harold S. Wood Award for Excellence. The junior student was honored for his excellence in academics, aviation-related extra-curricular activities and non-aviation related extra-curricular activities. Last year, Lewis University student Kayan Todiwalla earned the Harold S. Wood Award for Excellence.

Alex Kwiatkowski, a junior, finished in the following places and events:

103rd out of 134 in Short Field Landing

104th out of 134 in Power Off Landings

86th out of 134 in Aircraft Recognition

The Lewis University flight team members include Nathan Bennet-Swanson of Vernon Hills, Kyle Budewitz of Watertown, Wisc., Joseph Burlas of Joliet, Michael Calloway of Hazel Crest, George Chiampas of Addison, Geoff Culloton of West Chicago, Kevin DeBoissiere of Columbia, Md., Kazimierz Dyduch of Des Plaines, Kyle Jachcinski of Naperville, Alex Kwiatkowski of Wheaton, Cody Marks of Orland Park, Kyle Meyer of Homer Glen, Jack Mullen of Naperville, Matthew Pall of Orland Park, Ben Schmaltz of Naperville and Kayan Todiwalla of Romeoville.

The coaches of the flight team include Head Coach Megan Zahos of Downers Grove, Andrew Baniecki of Chicago, Jacob Luedtke of Hampshire, Hyun "Howard" Pae of Orland Park and Robert Delaney of Lisle.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,600 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.