Contact: Jarrod Gerhardt | Director of Communications and Marketing | Cal Poly Maritime Academy

jgerha0@calpoly.edu; 619-302-4416

Cal Poly and Cal Poly Maritime Teams Earn Top Honors for Their Renewable Energy Solutions

VALLEJO, Calif. — Cal Poly Maritime Academy hosted the Western Regional Collegiate Wind Competition from May 10-12, challenging student teams from universities across the country to test and present renewable energy solutions and highlighting the growing role universities play in preparing the future clean energy workforce.

Participants were charged with applying engineering, project management and communication skills in real-world wind energy scenarios tied to the rapidly evolving renewable energy sector, giving them hands-on experience balancing technical performance with project planning, design communication and community outreach.

As California continues advancing offshore wind development and renewable energy infrastructure along the West Coast, the event highlighted the increasing need for professionals prepared to support renewable energy operations, engineering and infrastructure development.

“As California and the nation continue investing in renewable energy infrastructure, competitions like this help prepare the next generation of engineers and maritime professionals to support those industries,” said Robert Crockett, interim dean of Cal Poly’s College of Engineering. “We are proud not only of the performance of the Cal Poly and Cal Poly Maritime Academy teams but also that, as host, we were able to create this opportunity for students from universities across the U.S.”

The Cal Poly team earned the overall regional championship, the team from Cal Poly Maritime Academy captured first place in the turbine competition, and the University of Wisconsin won the project development competition. In addition to the competition events, students attended industry panels on offshore wind and career planning and several of the student teams stayed on the Cal Poly Maritime Academy campus, leading to extensive collaboration throughout the three-day event. The competition was held at the Cal Poly Solano Campus, with logistical support provided by the National Laboratory of the Rockies.

Cal Poly Maritime Academy entered the competition with a strong recent history of success, having won the overall title in 2024.

“Our consistent success in this competition is gratifying and reflects the determination of our students, our Learn by Doing spirit and the continued involvement and support of our alumni,” said team advisor Tom Nordenholz, mechanical engineering professor at Cal Poly Maritime Academy.

Participating schools included:

• Cal Poly
• Cal Poly Maritime Academy
• Everett Community College
• Northern Oklahoma College
• Oklahoma State University
• Rice University
• University of Massachusetts Lowell
• University of Texas at Dallas
• University of Wisconsin
• Washington State University Everett

Cal Poly Participants

Students participating from Cal Poly included Andrew Dillon, Napa, Calif.; Arlo Eitreim, Seattle, Wash.; Cody Firman, Pleasant Hill, Calif.; Ella Blaney, San Carlos, Calif.; Izik Hingeley, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Jacob Merida, Mission Hills, Calif.; Jeff Znachko, Encinitas, Calif.; Julian Hauge Gray, San Diego, Calif.; Julianna Martinez, Tujunga, Calif.; Lucia Nakashima, Santa Cruz, Calif.; Luke Oliver, Salt Lake City, Utah; Noah Fouts, Salinas, Calif.; Olivia Hoffsis, San Francisco, Calif.; Sierra Bindseil, Longmont, Colo.; and Tucker Donahue, Piedmont, Calif.

Cal Poly Maritime Academy Participants

Students participating from Cal Poly Maritime Academy included Cole Russell, La Crescenta, Calif.; Gab Tolentino, Tracy, Calif.; Jan Johnson, San Pedro, Calif.; Karl Nordhoff, Newark, Calif.; Riju Banerjee, Tracy, Calif.; Sam Cavanaugh, Scotts Valley, Calif.; Tassha Tilakamonkul, Vallejo, Calif.; Tyler Venator, Santa Clara, Calif.; and Will Fischer, Ventura, Calif.

“Hosting this competition demonstrated how Cal Poly Maritime Academy is helping connect engineering education, maritime operations and renewable energy innovation,” Nordenholz said. “It also reinforced the university’s commitment to preparing students to lead in the rapidly growing renewable energy industry.”

About Cal Poly Maritime Academy 

Located on the Cal Poly Solano Campus in Vallejo, California, Cal Poly Maritime Academy is part of Cal Poly and the West Coast’s only degree-granting maritime academy. It prepares students for leadership roles in maritime, engineering, logistics, business, global supply chains and national security. Through Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy, students gain real-world experience in classrooms, laboratories and aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear. Learn more: maritime.calpoly.edu

About Cal Poly

Founded in 1901 and part of the renowned California State University system since 1960, Cal Poly is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year about 23,000 top-tier students come to Cal Poly to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in areas such as engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on approach, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates Ready Day One to impact their communities, California and the world. Visit: www.calpoly.edu. 

Top Photo: The Cal Poly team earned the overall regional championship, the team from Cal Poly Maritime Academy captured first place in the turbine competition, and the University of Wisconsin won the project development competition at the Western Regional Collegiate Wind Competition held May 10-12 at Cal Poly Maritime Academy.