CyberPatriots Finish #2 in State Competition and Secure Top Spots Throughout Season

CyberPatriot, the Air Force Association’s National Youth Cyber Education Program, encourages students to pursue careers in cybersecurity and other STEM fields. At the heart of CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, where middle and high school teams take on the roles of IT professionals, tasked with securing a small company’s network.

In this competitive environment, teams face off in online rounds, using virtual operating systems to identify and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities while keeping critical services operational within a four-hour window. 

This year, McNicholas had two CyberPatriot teams—#107 Little Bobby Tables and #112 Timko & Co.—that both had a highly successful season. Both teams consistently performed well, earning recognition locally and nationally. Their success reflects the hard work of the students and the support of their coaches, Mrs. Jolene Esz and Mrs. Chrystel Wells.

In Round 1 of the 2024 season, the McNicholas teams—#107 Little Bobby Tables and #112 Timko & Co.—excelled. Both teams identified and fixed all cybersecurity flaws, achieving perfect scores. Little Bobby Tables completed the challenge in 1 hour and 27 minutes, while Timko & Co. finished in 2 hours and 47 minutes. Out of 50 teams in Ohio, they secured the top two spots, ranking in the top 5% and top 10%, respectively, out of 2,967 teams nationwide. As the competition intensified, both teams worked hard to maintain their strong positions.

In Round 2, Little Bobby Tables achieved the #1 ranking in Ohio, while Timko & Co. secured the #16 spot out of 56 teams. On the national stage, Little Bobby Tables ranked in the top 12%, while Timko & Co. performed solidly in the top 50%. These rankings demonstrate the exceptional skill and dedication of both teams.

In Round 3, Little Bobby Tables placed second in the state in Division 1 (Platinum), while Timko & Co. took first in Division 2 (Gold), demonstrating their resilience under pressure. This success is a reflection of the high caliber of McNicholas students, many of whom are enrolled in the UC Early IT program and have taken College Credit Plus courses in Networking and Systems Administration. These courses have equipped the students with the skills necessary to identify and address cybersecurity flaws, contributing to McNicholas’ continued success in CyberPatriot.

Thanks to their top-three state finishes, all students on both teams have been awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Gannon University’s Cybersecurity program.

In the National Semi-Finals, Team 17-0112 (Timko & Co.), composed of juniors Kaelin Timko, Alex Stewart, Will Homan, senior Alex Dalton, and sophomores Isaac Heaton and Nico Voegele, finished second in the state after a late image score shift. The team placed in the top quarter of their division nationally, showcasing strong perseverance, especially when working with the complex Boeing Airplane image for the first time. The team is already preparing for next year, aiming to advance to the Platinum division and secure a spot at the National Finals in Washington, DC.