Video: “Tachie-Tech” Team Takes Top Honors In National Competition

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MANTACHIE, MISS. (WCBI) – An academic team from one Northeast Mississippi high school takes top honors in a national bridge building competition.As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports, it is the first time an academic team from Mantachie High School has won a national event.

Since October, members of this academic club have spent hours in front of the computer, seeing which bridge designs work, and which ones fail.

Trenton Wiggington, Hunter Lindsey and Greg Cooper make up the “Tachie” Tech Bridge Building Team and they won the 9th and 10th grade division in the National Transportation and Civil Engineering Bridge Building competition in Cheyenne Wyoming.

“This shows the dedication of our students and their commitment to excellence and their commitment to furthering their education,” Teacher Lisa Cooper said.

Cooper is the team’s sponsor.  She helped guide students through a lengthy process, including compiling a portfolio about their design,  making a presentation for the judges and constructing several models out of balsa wood, glue and string.

The team was invited to the National Competition based on their portfolio.

All three members of this team knew each other from band, but had to learn to work together in a different environment.

“It really helps, the competition, in teamwork , because if you can’t work as a team, the bridge won’t be built.  It teaches you also, in any career, you got to have teamwork,” said Team Member Greg Cooper.

The Tachie Tech Bridge Builders were part of a group of nine schools invited to the nationals.  When results were announced, everyone was excited.

“I was estatic and I had to remind myself not to jump up and say, yes they did it,” Lisa Cooper said.

This is the third year Mantachie has formed a bridge building team and the first time to compete at the national level.  These star students plan to try for a repeat performance, next year.

Each team member split a $1200 prize for first place.