Ten WSU Tech students competed on the national stage at the 2026 SkillsUSA Championships, and every single competitor finished in the top 10 of their event, a first for the college. 

Held June 1-5 in Atlanta, Georgia, the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference brought together some of the best students in the country to compete in skilled trades, leadership, and service occupations. WSU Tech students earned multiple national medals and demonstrated the technical excellence, professionalism, and hands-on talent that set them apart.

Each year, WSU Tech students have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge, technical abilities, and career readiness through SkillsUSA, a national partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to strengthen America’s skilled workforce.

This year’s results were nothing short of impressive and a powerful reflection of the hard work, preparation, and dedication these students brought to the national stage.

National Finalists

Automotive Service Technology

7th Place (High School): Jeremiah Foster

Architectural Drafting

BRONZE (Post Secondary): Jace Warden

Aviation Maintenance Technology

GOLD (High School): Cael Miller

7th Place (Post Secondary): Dawson Griffth

Commercial sUAS Drone:

GOLD (Postsecondary): Caleb Davis, Chris Shields

CNC 5-Axis Programming:

8th Place (Postsecondary): Matthias DeYoung

Criminal Justice:

SILVER (High School): Riley Schoen

SILVER (Post Secondary): Ryan Golden

Welding:

5th Place (Post Secondary): Diego Gamboa

In addition to our national winners, WSU Tech proudly recognizes the many students who earned medals at the SkillsUSA Kansas competition earlier this year. Their strong performances helped qualify several for the national competition and showcase the depth of talent within our colleges.

State Medalists

Architectural Drafting:

GOLD (Post Secondary): Jace Warden

SILVER (High School): Krosby MacBeth

Automotive Service Technology

GOLD (High School): Jeremiah Foster

SILVER (Post Secondary): Jesse Cooper

Aviation Maintenance Technology

GOLD (High School): Cael Miller 

SILVER (High School): Oliver DeCou 

BRONZE (High School): Charles Weddle 

GOLD (Post Secondary): Dawson Griffith 

SILVER (Post Secondary): Jacob Roth 

BRONZE (Post Secondary): Keith Chroeung 

Carpentry

SILVER (High School): Jack Graham  

CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer

SILVER (Post Secondary): Kaven Dreier 

CNC 5-Axis Milling Programmer 

GOLD (Post Secondary): Matthias DeYoung 

Commercial sUAS Drone 

GOLD (Post Secondary): Team A (consisting of Caleb Davis, Chris Shields)

Criminal Justice 

GOLD (High School): Riley Schoen 

SILVER (High School): Hope Gettings  

BRONZE (High School): Karlynn Keatley 

GOLD (Post Secondary): Ryan Golden 

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 

SILVER (High School): Dylan Bailey 

SILVER (Post Secondary): Lander Blackburn 

Masonry 

BRONZE (High School): Paxton Listwan 

Welding 

GOLD (Post Secondary): Diego Gamboa 

 

These achievements would not be possible without the dedicated mentorship and support of WSU Tech’s SkillsUSA faculty advisors, who invest their time and expertise to help students succeed at the highest levels. Their guidance plays a critical role in preparing students to compete with confidence, integrity, and skill.

Architectural Drafting:

Jeremy King

Automotive Service Technology

James Lawhead

Chuck Kauffman

Aviation Maintenance Technology

Dawn Kealey

Carpentry

Travis Broxterman (CTEC Fort Scott)

CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer

Michael Corby

Tim Glassco

CNC 5-Axis Milling Programmer 

Michael Corby

Tim Glassco

Commercial sUAS Drone 

Joel Eck

Criminal Justice 

Clint Cartwright

Jacob Holle (Goddard High School)

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 

Brad Havner

Masonry 

Nacoma Oehme (CTEC Fort Scott)

Welding 

Eli Chiles

Corey Kauffman

About WSU Tech

As Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, WSU Tech stands at the forefront of modern technical education in Kansas, offering over 100 degree and certificate options. These programs cover critical fields such as aviation, health care, manufacturing, design, information technology, police science, culinary arts, business, and more. WSU Tech operates four campuses and serves as the managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS—a city known for its high concentration of STEM jobs.

In 2018, Wichita State University, Kansas’ urban public research university, affiliated with WSU Tech, enhancing the institution’s student-centered focus and aligning with Wichita State’s dedication to innovation and applied learning. This partnership has created a comprehensive educational environment that supports student achievement and meets the evolving needs of industries in the urban heart of Kansas and beyond.

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and as a Kansas Board of Regents institution, WSU Tech upholds high academic standards and equips students with the skills necessary for lifelong success and career readiness.

For more information on how WSU Tech shapes the future of technical education and contributes to the workforce in Kansas and beyond, please visit www.WSUTECH.edu.

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