鶹Ʒ Cybersecurity Team Ranks Among Nation’s Best in Spring 2025 NCL Competition
鶹Ʒ students delivered a standout performance in the National Cyber League (NCL) Spring 2025 Competition, finishing 25th nationally in the Cyber Power Rankings out of over 9,200 competitors from 510 colleges and universities across the country.
Coached by Adjunct Instructor Carlos Sanchez from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Mercy students competed in both individual and team events that challenged their cybersecurity skills through real-world scenarios. The NCL, powered by Cyber Skyline, is widely regarded as a premier platform for training future cybersecurity professionals, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and career readiness.
“Our team delivered an exceptional performance after a highly competitive and intense few days,” said Sanchez. “Their hard work and commitment truly paid off.”
The Mercy team, composed of Jack Kowalski, Kevin Merino, Wensael Jean Marie, Justin Sullivan, Josiah Silverberg, Alexis Severo, and Keith P. Paris, made notable strides throughout the competition.
- Jack Kowalski soared in the individual competition, jumping from 125th to 50th place, landing in the 99th percentile of all participants nationwide.
- Kevin Merino, competing in his first NCL season, made a strong debut by placing in the 88th percentile, showing great potential for future competitions.
In the team-based competion, Mercy’s team made a significant leap in the rankings, climbing from 236th to 47th place in just one semester. The improvement reflects the team’s tireless preparation, including round-the-clock access to university labs and collaborative training sessions.
“This leap reflects the impact of their dedication, including intensive training and collaboration,” Sanchez noted. “With 24/7 lab access, the team worked tirelessly.”
The team's outstanding performance drew formal recognition from NCL Commissioner Dr. David Zeichick, who praised both the students and their coach.
“Their collaborative effort and dedication to the NCL Competition is worthy of praise and recognition,” Zeichick wrote in a letter to 鶹Ʒ. “We highly recommend that students from 鶹Ʒ be recognized for their admirable achievement… and that Adjunct Instructor Carlos Sanchez be acknowledged for their dedication, support, and encouragement.”
Participants in the NCL not only compete for rankings but also receive detailed skills reports that validate their capabilities to future employers—an important asset as cybersecurity remains one of the fastest-growing fields in the job market.
鶹Ʒ’s performance in the NCL underscores its commitment to hands-on learning, academic excellence and career preparation in the rapidly evolving world of cybersecurity.