Mariners Sailed into the Top 25% in Fall National Cyber League Competition

Sail Cyber, the College of Coastal Georgia’s student cyber defense club, recently demonstrated their cybersecurity skills and knowledge in the National Cyber League (NCL) competition November 14-17. The club competed as two teams and both placed in the top 25%.

Senior Eric Gravelle led Team A, using the handle “Sai1 Cyb3r A”, and they placed 230 out of the 957 national competitors. Team A members were: Michael Reese, Robert Moffatt, Cameron Arbo, Destinie Neal, and Alexander Kinchen. The team earned 1,515 total points out of a possible 3,050. The second team, using the handle “Team B”, was led by Allison Simpson and placed 228. Team B members were: Nathan Noe, David Mosely, Jordan Thomas, Justin McCartha, and Shelton Moye. They earned 1,525 total points.

During the competition, teams shared ideas and worked as one to complete the challenges presented to them. The challenges were designed to test their practical knowledge and ability to work as a team.

“This is my last time competing in the NCL,” said Gravelle. “Although we didn’t win first place, the team members have improved in different areas since the last time we competed, which was Spring 2020.”

In an individual NCL competition, held October 23-25, Gravelle placed in the top 12%. Noe, Reese, Moffatt, Mosley, and Kinchen placed in the top 30% among the 6,000 participants from various colleges and universities.

Assistant Professor of Cyber Defense and Criminal Justice Dr. Nelbert “Doc” St. Clair said, “I am very proud of all the students who gave up several weekends to compete in the cybersecurity competitions. I was most impressed with the team event and I enjoyed watching them work together to solve the given problems.”

Cyber Defense is a concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program in the School of Business and Public Management. The cyber program provides a virtual training ground for the students to develop, practice, and validate their cybersecurity skills using next-generation, high-fidelity simulation. Sail Cyber is open to all students—not only cyber defense majors. Any student with an interest is welcome to join.