Led by Rocketry Coach Tom Lipscomb, Northridge has fielded three teams that compete annually in the American Rocketry Challenge (ARC), a prestigious nationwide competition featuring more than 1,100 teams from across the United States.
While the Rocketry Coach provides strategic guidance and oversight, the program is fundamentally student-driven. Team members, especially the team captains, take primary responsibility for rocket design and simulation, construction, testing, and launch operations.
The program has demonstrated strong competitive success. In 2024, the Northridge team advanced to the National Finals in Washington, DC, finishing 25th overall in the nation and 1st in the state. In 2025, the team narrowly missed returning to Nationals by just three qualifying positions. Looking ahead to 2026, Northridge is confident in its ability to return to the National Finals and is competitive enough to pursue qualification for the International Rocketry Competition in Paris.
Timothy Archibald
Captain: Knight Hawks
A sophomore at Northridge, Timothy has been a member of the school’s rocketry program since its inception in 2022, making him one of the program’s most experienced students. Over that time, he has developed strong technical skills and a deep understanding of competitive rocketry, making him a greater leader for the "Knight Hawks".
As a team leader, Timothy is a member of a five-person team, coordinating design, construction, testing, and flight preparation while ensuring every team member contributes meaningfully. With four years of competitive experience, he also mentors and supports his teammates, sharing knowledge and leadership as they compete against teams from across the nation.
Nicholas Tirpak
Captain: Silent Knights
Nick, a freshman at Northridge, has been a member of the rocketry program since its inception in 2022. This year, he chose to lead a team including sixth-grade students, using the opportunity to strengthen his mentoring and leadership skills while building a strong foundation for the team’s future.
Welcoming new students into the program is essential to its long-term success and reflects Northridge’s commitment to engaging younger students early, ensuring they can take full advantage of the unique opportunities the school provides. With support from several upperclassmen, Nick’s team, the "Silent Knights", has adopted one of the program’s most technically ambitious approaches to the competition. Their innovative strategy aims to give them a competitive edge as they face teams from across the country
Daniel Lulkiewicz
Captain: Knight Flights
Daniel, an 8th grader with two years of experience in the Northridge rocketry program, stepped into a team leadership role this season as the captain of the "Knight Flights". He assembled and leads a team that includes several middle school students, providing guidance and mentorship that has been critical to both the team’s development and the long-term growth of the overall program.
Daniel’s leadership has helped mentor younger students, building skills and confidence that will ensure Northridge’s competitiveness for years to come. As a member of the 2025 team, he also played an important role in the program’s success during a particularly challenging season, overcoming difficult weather conditions and motor supply chain disruptions to come within reach of national qualification.
2026 ARC Team
(From Left to Right)
