Cyclone Cowboys
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Faculty Advisor
Nate Lannan
Student Lead
Sahir Virani
Follow This Team
Instagram: @osu_cyclonecowboys
LinkedIn: Cyclone Cowboys
Facebook: Cyclone Cowboys
Website: Cyclone Cowboys Student Organization | Cyclone Cowboys
What is your team name, institution name, city, and state?
We are the Cyclone Cowboys from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Who are your faculty advisor and student lead(s)?
Our faculty advisor is Nate Lannan, and our student lead is Sahir Virani.
Why is your team participating in the Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC)?
Wind energy is a vital component to the overall power supply in Oklahoma. In 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 40% of the state’s electricity generation came from wind energy, and that figure is increasing annually. We’re participating in the CWC to learn how wind energy is generated and can be improved and expanded.
What is your vision for a renewable energy future?
We believe that individual communities should have the resources and knowledge to decide what energy solutions work best for them. Communities will require an array of solutions based on factors such as geography, safety, and existing infrastructure.
The Cyclone Cowboys includes (from left to right) in the top row: Peter Tikalsky, Dawson Kinser, and Professor Nate Lannan; in the second-from-top row: Alyssa Miller and Bret Vaughn; in the third-from-top row: Ryan Lawson, Benjamin Marquis, and Hunter Reitze; in the fourth-from-top row: Professor Laura Southard, Austin Elliott, and Calvin Ward; in the fifth-from-front row: John-Todd Wallace, Wesley Dodson, and Brady Amox; in the fourth-from-front row: Kaden Clemmer, Maggie English, and Annie Grace Irlbeck; in the third-from-front row: Lenna Abouzahr, Adrianna Cheverie, and Mary Urias; in the second-from-front row: Lauren Millis and Carinna Marling; and in the front row: Sahir Virani and Tristan Kohn. Not Pictured: Meji Jayaseelan and Hayden Reitz.
Describe your project, objectives, and game plan.
Our project involves designing and testing a small wind turbine, planning an offshore wind farm, and developing an outreach program for the group. We have selected leaders for each subsection of the competition and established a project management team to make our work more efficient.
What does your team do exceptionally well? How will you use your team’s strengths to your advantage in the competition?
Our variety is our greatest asset, because our team includes students with different majors and experience levels. This allows us the freedom to place team members on the tasks they are most passionate about and able to make the greatest impact on. Having team members who are proficient in everything from welding to website design will drive our success.
What inspired your team’s name?
Our name—The Cyclone Cowboys—was inspired by our school— Oklahoma State University, which is known across the nation, especially in athletics, as The Cowboys—and the windy weather that the Great Plains and state of Oklahoma is known for.
This content was submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy by the team. Find more information on CWC 2023.