cougar strong racing 999
​8th grade team

Coaches: Stephanie Simmons & Chris Morris
Cougar Strong Racing 000 Team Photo
2024-2025

jacob bradfield
​team position: TBD

My name is Jacob Bradfield. I am in the eighth grade, and this is my third year on the team. I had always wanted to join a Greenpower team since fourth grade, but I didn't make the team in elementary school. However, I persevered and made the sixth-grade Cougar Strong Racing team. The first year on the team was great, and I fell in love with the sport. Because of the enjoyable experiences I had with friends and the creative problem-solving we engaged in during both years, I decided to apply again and am grateful to make the team once more. My first year on the team, I was on the pit crew, but I worked my way up to pit crew chief the next year on Triple 0. That season we were very successful, and I’d be honored to bring that experience to the Triple 9 team as pit crew chief if given the opportunity. I'm proud of how far I've come and am excited to continue and contribute to the team even more.
FUN FACT: I love fishing and hunting. I am also on the Long Cane football team.

piper graham
​team position : tbd

My name is Piper Graham I am currently in 8th grade. I wanted to join Cougar Strong Racing again because I had so much fun the previous year with my friends and my dad. I can’t wait for another year. I would like to be a data manager or my previous role, Team Leader.
 
FUN FACT: I am a competition cheerleader for the LCMS Blue team, and I play soccer for UMA FC.

maylee highland
​team position: tbd

Hi, my name is Maylee Highland and I am currently in the 8th grade. This will be my third year on the team. I wanted to join the CSR team because I had so much fun last year with my team. I learned new things, and made new friends. Last year I got to drive and I hope to have that opportunity again this year.

FUN FACT: I am on the LCMS competition cheer team.

nicholas kim
​team position: tbd

My name is Nicholas Kim, and I am in the eighth grade. This is my third year in Cougar Strong Racing. I wanted to rejoin the team because I enjoyed participating in the program last year. I was on my elementary school’s team when I was in 4th and 5th grade.  In the last years, I was the data manager and I’m interested in being one of the drivers. My team and I won the national championship and placed first in the standings. I am looking forward to the new season and the new coach. I would like to repeat last season and win the championship back-to-back.
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Fun fact: I am fluent in Korean.

miles maxwell
​team position : tbd

My name is Miles Maxwell, and I am currently in the 8th grade. This is my third year on the Cougar Strong Racing team. I wanted to join the team again this year because I have really enjoyed the past two years. Over that time, I have learned so much from both driving and observing the pit crew in action.

I have been a driver for the past two years, and I would love the opportunity to finish out my third year in the same role. If I am unable to be a driver, I would be happy to contribute as a part of the pit crew.

FUN FACT: My dad and brother both raced go-karts when they were younger and my eyes are two different colors.

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cash morris
​team position: TBD

My name is Cash Morris. I am in 8th grade and this will be my third and final year as a member of Cougar Strong Racing. I was Pit Crew Chief for 555 team and Assistant Pit Crew Chief for 000 team. I hope to have the opportunity to serve as Pit Crew Chief again this year as we work to bring home another National Championship. Even if I’m not
able to fill that position, I’m still proud to be a part of the team. I look forward to being able to welcome our new coach and help show them what Cougar Strong Racing is all about.

FUN FACT: I love to go duck hunting and fishing.

joshua ngafoe
​team position: tbd

My name is Joshua Ngafoe, and I’m in the 8th grade. I joined Cougar Strong Racing because I enjoyed working with others on the team last year. Another reason I wanted to join Cougar Strong Racing is that my brother used to be on the team, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I was included in a 4th and 5th-grade team at Rosemont Elementary School. This will be my 3rd year with the Long Cane team. I love breaking things down and rebuilding them. I was a pit crew member last year and would like to try another position this year. I’m also looking forward to working with our new coach.

Fun Fact: I love camping and cooking for others.

arianna rebennack
​team position: tbd

My name is Arianna Rebennack, and I am in the eighth grade. This is my third year on the Cougar Strong Racing team. I wanted to rejoin CSR because I had fun in the previous years I was on the team, and I learned a lot. This year, I want to be a driver.

Fun Fact: I have 2 dogs and a cat. 

tate schmitt
​team position: tbd

Hello, my name is Tate Schmitt, and I am in the 8th grade. I wanted to join Cougar Strong Racing again because it is a STEM program that helps students learn about engineering and work with electric-powered vehicles. I believe this is a valuable experience. I am not new to the team; this will be my third year with CSR. I am interested in the positions of pit crew member and pusher for this year.

FUN FACT: I am a part of the wrestling team for Long Cane Middle School.

blake wilson
​team position: tbd

Hi, my name is Blake Wilson, and I’m in the 8th Grade. I wanted to join Greenpower again because I love being with friends and I enjoy the teamwork. I have been doing Greenpower for a total of 5 years. I started in fourth grade, and I have been doing it ever since. Although I’ve only been involved with Greenpower at LCMS for two years, this season will be my third year. The position I have been in at LCMS Greenpower is Media Manager. That job makes sure we have pictures and videos for our team, and then I take those photos and videos and make a presentation out of them. But the current job I’m interested in is being Pit Crew Chief.
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FUN FACT: I’m a self-taught saxophone player. 

karson gushue

Hi my name is Karson Gushue and I'm in the 8th grade. It's my first year on the Cougar Strong Racing team. The reason I wanted to join LCMS greenpower...well for one I love race cars from dirt to asphalt, it is my dream to drive a race car or even work with a racing team. Two...I love working with other people from trying to troubleshoot things, or even playing on sports teams, and the last reason I wanted to join is to do it for my family. My grandma was a big Nascar fan and she showed me racing and it fascinated me. Sadly she passed away, but some of my family also drove race cars. A lot of the time when I'm down I think of my family and it keeps me going.

Fun fact about me: I love playing sports, fishing, and racing.

 Team coach / teacher - STEPHANIE SIMMONS

Mr. Simmons launched Wolfpack Racing at Clearview Elementary in the fall of 2022. She led her program to a 19th place national finish in her first season. In season 2 she added a second car to the Wolfpack Racing and doubled the number of students in the program at CVES. They placed top 13 in the last two season.

She was selected to replace Mr. Graham as the head coach of Cougar Strong Racing and will lead LCMS Greenpower into their 9th season of competition. She has big goals and is determined to build on the strong foundation at Long Cane and continue the tradition of excellence and success. The 2025-2026 season will be fun to watch!!!

YEARS OF GREENPOWER EXPERIENCE = 4

 assistant coach - chris morris

Chris Morris got involved with Greenpower in the fall of 2017 when his daughter Chloe joined the team as a 6th grade student. He began volunteering in various capacities and quickly became an integral part of the team. His contributions have made a tremendous impact on the success of our program across the three years in which his daughter Chloe was a member. After she moved up to the high school Chris decided to continue serving as an assistant coach with Cougar Strong Racing because he believed in the value of the experience for our students. He is solely responsible for all the modifications and upgrades found on the inside of our race trailer, and he has been a great mentor to our team members. The 2025-2026 season will be the ninth season for our program and he has been there every step of the way, having never missed a race event in 8 years. We are thankful for the time he has invested in our program and hope he stays with us for many years to come.