Teams

CARRIAGE OF THE VALIANT INFANT

Garage Headquarters: University of Missouri in Columbia, MO

Driver: Joel Haus

Mechanics: Daniel Beard, Jeremy Billheimer, Pascal Ruzigana, Jesse Simpson

Nuts and Bolts:

The gentlemen representing the University of Missouri are eggheads, and they're proud to admit it. "Three of us were on a team that competed in Mizzou's Engineers' Week egg catapult contest," says captain Joel Haus. "Throughout the four years of the team's existence, it brought home two first places and one second place."

Oh – did you think we meant the brainiac kind of egghead? Well, these five seniors are all that, too; but in the best possible way. Haus is applying to graduate school to study robotics or artificial intelligence. Teammate Daniel Beard makes interactives for the Youzeum, a new museum that's coming to Mizzou's home base of Columbia. Jeremy Billheimer builds custom electronics for the university's formula car team. A native of Kenya, Pascal Ruzigana is the communicator of the bunch: he speaks five languages. And when Jesse Simpson graduates with two majors and three minors, they'll probably have to make him an extra-long diploma. Collectively, the teammates possess a venerable history of success in creative extracurricular efforts. "Our next great project will be the Carriage of the Valiant Infant for the Red Bull Soapbox Derby," Haus declares. "Designed to be the fastest chariot built with the comfort of a baby in mind, it will be sure to make a good showing on the 28th."