TCHS Brandywine seniors Konnor Blevins and Jackson Trostle celebrate their first-place finish at the Greater Philadelphia Auto Technology Competition alongside their instructor, Ryan Kuhnle. Photo credit: Tech Comp (Anthony Torcasio)
For the first time in school history, Technical College High School (TCHS) Brandywine claimed the top spot at the Greater Philadelphia Auto Technology Competition (Tech Comp). Seniors Konnor Blevins of Downingtown West High School and Jackson Trostle of Coatesville Area Senior High School earned first place on March 6.
The road to first place began in December, when proctors arrived at TCHS Brandywine — one of just 12 qualifying schools in the region — to administer a written exam. Out of approximately 280 students who took the test, Blevins earned the single-highest written exam score in the entire competition. He and Trostle were selected to represent their school in the hands-on finals, and they delivered.
In preparation for competition day, the pair trained alongside industry professionals from their sponsor, Del Toyota in Thorndale, including Service Director Matt Johnson and Technician Brent Murray, gaining real-world experience that you simply can’t get from a textbook. Blevins also brings extra experience to the shop floor through his co-op work at The Jp Shop in Chester Springs, his father’s automotive business.
At the competition itself, the stakes were high and the bar even higher. Competitors rotated through 11 demanding workstations covering everything from electrical diagnosis and air conditioning to following precise manufacturer service information, with two industry judges scoring each one. One station simulates a job interview, a reminder that today’s top technicians need interview experience just as much as technical. Blevins and Trostle rose to every challenge.
As first-place winners, Blevins and Trostle each earn their choice of a full scholarship to Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Automotive Training Center (ATC), or Lincoln Tech, setting them up to turn a passion for cars into a full-time career.
For Trostle, the win carried meaning well beyond the trophy. “Winning Tech Comp means a lot to me. Not only did I get to show off my skills and abilities, but it also opened the opportunity to go to schools that I would’ve been unable to go to due to cost, and I also got to realize how much I’ve improved as a new technician in the past few years.”
Belvins said Tech Comp represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. “Tech Comp means a lot to me. It gives Automotive students a chance to strive in their work and showcase the skills we’ve developed in the program. After three years of training, we finally get to show what we’ve worked so hard for. Winning Tech Comp is a huge achievement, and it means a lot to look back and see how far I’ve come.”
TCHS Brandywine Automotive Service Technology Instructor Ryan Kuhnle says the win reflects the strong team culture he has worked hard to build. “I try to make my class like a team,” he said. “I tell the 10th and 11th graders to look at these seniors, learn from them, and strive for this level of achievement.”
That spirit showed up on competition day. “The seniors put their time in, and their classmates cheered them on. We celebrate the wins and the losses of this program.” And when it comes to explaining how a first-place finish happens, Kuhnle states, “This stuff doesn’t happen by accident. Success doesn’t just appear to these boys; they took advantage of the learning opportunities every single day.”
As for what the moment means to him, Kuhnle keeps the spotlight exactly where he thinks it belongs, on his students.
“This competition speaks more to them than it does to me. They’re willing to learn every day and put the work in to accomplish these things.” He’s already looking ahead: “The first of many.”
TCHS Principal Dave Purdy gave the students praise by stating, “I am extremely proud of Jackson and Konnor. Their achievement speaks to outstanding technical ability, great work ethic, and a willingness to explore problems and solve them. Konnor and Jackson also embodied the concept of ‘team’ as they bring different skillsets to the table. Their ability to rely on each other led to this accomplishment. Like all competitions, great teams also have great coaches. Konnor and Jackson are outstanding technicians and young men, but Mr. Kuhnle has consistently coached them up!”
