Staff writer
Hillsboro High School sophomores Aaron Slater and Nicholas Ediger are national champions in structural engineering.
The duo took first place among 100 teams at Technology Student Association’s National Convention June 28 to July 2 in Denver.
In less than two hours, the team designed and built a 14-inch truss that held 101 pounds, Ediger said.
The event was judged on the strength to weight ratio and technical drawings. Ediger estimated the truss weighed 20 grams, giving it a strength ratio of 2,250 to one.
“I feel honored to be national champions,” he said.
Their path to the championship began early in the school year. They practiced with advice from co-sponsor and technology teacher Creigh Bell.
“When we went to state, we took first place, too,” Ediger said.
He and Slater want to defend their title throughout high school.
Slater also had the third fastest drag racer design, co-adviser Bob Woelk said. Slater enjoyed his work in TSA this year.
“It’s a really neat organization,” he said. “I think more students should give it a try.”
Senior Amanda Roble also competed at national convention. Woelke, Bell, and guest judge, Merlin Funk, accompanied the students.