Solar Stallions Win Fifth Consecutive Championship

Five seniors from Shadow Ridge High School have won the 2024-2025 Maker Class Championship for their solar-powered go-kart.  Known as the SRHS Solar Stallion Solar Go-Kart Team, these engineering students got to put their skills to the test by researching, designing, testing, and building a full sized go-kart.  The team is comprised of Sam Hartsock (team captain), Alayna Dent (driver), Matthew Alvarez, Skylar Varkalis, and Josh Milonis.  Engineering teacher, Eric Bennett, is their coach.

After a year’s worth of work, the Shadow Ridge team went up against other high schools from around the state to race at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona.  The goal was to see how many laps the solar karts could complete, and secondarily, how fast.  The Stallions competed in the highest division known as the Maker Class.  This meant the students had to design and build their go-kart for the competition from the ground up. 

Preparing young engineers for this annual competition is always exciting for Mr. Bennett.  

“Working with students on our solar kart team has been an amazing and rewarding experience.  Each team is unique, but they all have the same goals and they work very hard to achieve them.” 

With driver Alayna Dent at the wheel, the Solar Stallions tied for first place at ten laps, and ultimately won by virtue of completing those laps faster.  This year’s win marks the fifth Maker Class Championship for Shadow Ridge.  The team was also named Speed Champion for having the fastest kart.

Mr. Bennett, however, is most proud of the Solar Stallions for winning the prestigious title of Best Engineered Team.  The award was new this year and is given to the top team from all divisions.  It’s an honor Mr. Bennett feels the team earned because of their hard work, ability to collaborate, and tireless dedication.

“It’s very fulfilling when the students see their efforts rewarded. Team captain Sam Hartsock led team members Josh Milonis, Skylar Varkalis, Matthew Alvarez, and Alayna Dent to a historically successful season!”

Mr. Bennett also won Coach of the Year.

When asked how they feel about all the awards and accolades, the students returned Mr. Bennett’s sentiment, albeit more succinctly.

“Coach of the Year? More like Coach of the Century!”