LBCSI Qualifies for CyberPatriot National Finals for Fifth Year

Students in Loyola Blakefield’s Cyber Science & Informatics (LBCSI) Program will be returning to the Air Force Association’s CyberPatriot XIII National Finals in March after qualifying for one of the twelve finalist spots in the Open Division. These twelve spots were whittled down from more than 2,800 teams competing from across the country since last October. Team Crystal, made up of seniors Will Erdman, Matt Fleschner, Jack Klug, Aidan Brehm, Julian Javillo, and Luke Alonsozana, took first place in Platinum Tier of the State Round, held Jan. 22–23, to advance to the National Finals. 

In addition to Team Crystal’s first place finish, Loyola also captured third place in Maryland thanks to Team Saffron, made up of Matt Bach ’21, Michael Trent ’21, Kyle Egbert ’21, Cody Smith ’21, Spencer Smith ’21, and Nick Jacob ’23.
 
Loyola also captured first and second place in Maryland for the Middle School Division:

Cybersquad (1st Place)

Dimitri Kokkinakos ‘25
Elias Jamison ‘25
Casey Nazelrod ‘25
Nick Fanto ‘25
Greg Zabora ‘25
Ben Edwards ‘27
 
Team Beaufoons (2nd Place)

Ryan Wachter ‘26
Elias Dornbush ‘26
Ari Rogozin ‘26
JT Nachtman ‘26
Christian Tony ‘26

This is the fifth year in which Loyola has placed a team in the National Finals of CyberPatriot. "I'm really proud of all of our students for finding creative ways to stay involved with LBCSI this year," said Program Director Mr. Steve Morrill. "And I'm very excited to see what Team Crystal can do in the National Finals this March."

A total of 13 high school and two middle school teams represented Loyola in this year's competition. Our Cyber Dons have been brushing up on their operating system and network defense skills since the start of the academic year. While LBCSI students haven’t been able to be 100% in-person under ideal conditions, they have found ways to study and practice topics they are passionate about.

Now in its 13th season, the AFA CyberPatriot is the largest national youth cyber defense competition in the country. The competition features three rounds from October through January, leading up to the National Finals in March. The competition challenges teams of students across the United States, Canada, and from DoDD schools abroad to find and resolve cybersecurity vulnerabilities in simulated environments.

The National Finals will be held virtually between March 19–21.