Kalamazoo Times

Western Michigan University's all-female pilot team, known as the "Golden Girls," successfully completed the 2025 Air Race Classic. The race spanned over four days and covered more than 2,500 miles from Fairhope, Alabama, to Spokane, Washington. Competing against 17 other collegiate teams, WMU's team aimed to celebrate and support women in aviation.

This marks WMU’s 21st participation in the race since 2000. The event is part of a series of activities dedicated to promoting women in aviation throughout the year.

Pilot Caroline Yuska expressed her motivation for joining the team: “I joined the WMU Air Race Classic Team to push my limits and gain a broader, more diverse experience as a pilot.” She highlighted the inspiration she drew from women's air racing traditions and her mission to champion this cause.

The competition involves racing against an aircraft-specific handicap rather than direct head-to-head competition. This year's route included stops across several states including Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon.

The Golden Girls consisted of Yuska; co-pilot Olivia Arnold; ground coordinator Marie Evon; and navigator Hunter Romuald. They were guided by co-advisors Dominic Nicolai and Annie Quardokus.

Arnold described the race as “the most exhilarating, challenging and educational event I have ever been a part of.” Romuald found it transformative: “The race taught me a lot about myself as a pilot.”

Evon shared her experience from the ground perspective: “It was an incredible experience to watch...all of the teams of incredible aviators as they flew this challenging route.”

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