SGAMS Rockets to Victory at National Competition

Six students from Spring Grove Area Middle School soared to success at the Battle of the Rockets competition held this past weekend in Culpeper, Virginia. Competing against middle schools, high schools, and even universities from across the country, the team took home impressive finishes in two challenging events.

Representing Spring Grove were students Gautham Narayan, Greyson Straub-Levis, Logan Shearer, Aidan Crawford, Eland Kampes, and Xavier Bowman. The team was led by advisor Brian Hastings and assistant advisor Janet Senft.

In the Target Altitude Competition, the students were tasked with designing, building, and launching a uniquely shaped rocket—shorter than it was wide—that could reach a target height of 1,100 feet using an F motor. Spring Grove’s rocket reached altitudes of 1,084 and 1,095 feet in its top two flights, securing 1st place—beating out teams from prestigious universities such as Virginia Tech, George Washington University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

In the Deployable Payload Competition, the challenge involved building a rocket capable of deploying an electronic payload at apogee that could transmit live telemetry data back to a base station and automatically open a parachute at 200 feet. The team underwent two virtual presentations throughout the school year: a Preliminary Design Review in December 2024 and a Critical Design Review in March 2025. Both evaluations contributed to the final score. Their rocket successfully flew to 810 feet on a G motor, with the payload and parachute functioning flawlessly, earning 2nd place overall with a score of 97 points.

This outstanding performance by the Spring Grove team not only highlights their technical skills and dedication but also proves that middle school students can compete—and win—on a national stage against top-level competition. Congratulations to the team and their advisors for an incredible achievement!