Solar Car Challenge National Champs!

​This week, the Greenville High School Solar Car Team, the Iron Lions, competed in the National Solar Car Challenge that raced from Texas Motor Speedway to Mendota Heights, Minn. The team finished in first place, logging approximately 671.1 miles to be named national champions with a 121 mile lead over their other competitors. 

Okay, let's pause there. If you don't know what the Solar Car Challenge is, it is essentially a national race using, you guessed it, solar powered cars. I don't mean to brag (sorry, not sorry), but the fact that this team has won this race just five years after forming is a testament to their dedication and hard work. Since forming in 2011, the GHS Solar Car team has placed within the top 3 in the country every year, with the exception of 2012 which was their first year to race. Y'all...if that's not speedy progress (see what I did there?) I don't know what is?! And this year, they won the whoooole enchilada...by a landslide!

This afternoon, I spoke with George Kroncke and Joel Pitts, Solar Car coaches, and they told me that this team demonstrated outstanding focus and sportsmanship.

Whenever the teams were stopped, if there was another team that needed help with engineering or car maintenance, the Iron Lions were quick to jump in to help with welding parts or anything else that needed to be done. Mr. Pitts told me "this isn't just a race about competition; it's about cooperation." These students definitely embody that mindset. 

Two Solar Car team members were also inducted into the Solar Car Hall of Fame this year. Inductees are chosen from among solar car teams nationwide. Only those who truly “embody the spirit of the Solar Car Challenge” are inducted into the Hall of Fame. That description could not be more fitting of Ty White and Anakin Settle, both GHS students, that were two of only EIGHT students inducted nationwide. Very very cool!

For the full story on the Solar Car victory, click here.

Congrats to the Iron Lions on an outstanding victory!!!