The 2009 K-State Powercat Tractors Quarter-Scale Design Team placed second overall out of 23 teams in the ASABE international competition held May 28-31 in Peoria, Illinois. The team finished first in the written report, first in sound (quietest tractor), first in Campbell Scientific activities, and fourth in the oral report.

Members of the team are K-State Biological and Agricultural Engineering majors from the College of Engineering and Agricultural Technology Management majors from the College of Agriculture. Advisors include: Ed Brokesh (instructor), Darrell Oard (research assistant), Lou Ann Claassen (senior administrative assistant) in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering; and Pat Murphy (professor) in Agriculture and Natural Resources.

"I'm extremely proud of this year's team because I saw a group of young people, in spite of adversity, come together as a unified team and finish the task before them," said Dr. Joe Harner, Interim Department Head in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. "Overcoming adversity provided this group of young people a unique educational opportunity while at Kansas State University. This accomplishment is a reflection of our students' ability to transform and utilize knowledge beyond the classroom."

2009 Quarter-Scale Tractor Team Members: David Becker (BAE Junior, Melvern, KS), Michael Berggren (BSE Junior, Tribune, KS), Andrew Brockelman (BAE Freshman, Selden, KS), Nick Depenbusch (BSE Junior, Nashville, KS), Douglas Grollmes (BAE Sophomore, Circleville, KS), Matthew Grollmes (BAE Senior, Circleville, KS), Denton Haag (ATM Freshman, Bartley, NE), Dan Martin (BAE Junior, Pittsburg, KS), Brett McClain (BSE Sophomore, Phillipsburg, KS), Mark Neeland (BAE Senior, Pawnee Rock, KS), Josh Ogle (BAE Sophomore, Manhattan, KS), Clay Reinceke (BAE Junior, Centralia, KS), Benjamin Ross (BAE Junior, Topeka, KS), Jared Selland (BAE Senior, Everest, KS), Jared Unrau (ATM Senior, Newton, KS), Byron Yeager (BSE Freshman, Emporia, KS), Jonathan Zeller (BSE Sophomore, Overbrook, KS)