Cypress Woods High School Computer Science Team Ranks Among World’s Best After Winning Lockheed Martin Code Quest in Houston
In a region known for strong schools and competitive academics, a group of Cypress Woods High School seniors has delivered a moment that resonates far beyond campus—earning top honors at one of the most challenging high school programming competitions in the country.
The Cypress Woods High School computer science team recently claimed first place at the Lockheed Martin Code Quest in Houston, outperforming teams across Texas and ranking among the top competitors worldwide. For families, students, and educators across Cypress and the broader Cy-Fair area, the achievement highlights not only academic excellence but the growing role of STEM education in shaping future careers and opportunities.
Cypress Woods Students Shine in Global Coding Competition
At the Feb. 28 Lockheed Martin Code Quest Houston event, 16 teams competed head-to-head, solving more than 20 complex programming problems using languages like Java, Python, C#, and C++. The Cypress Woods team—seniors Koa Asagami, Ryder Sanchez, and Alaqmar Trunkwala—did more than win locally.
They achieved the highest score across all Texas competition sites, including Grand Prairie and Fort Worth, and placed fifth globally out of more than 2,000 teams.
The results reflect years of dedication and a level of preparation that goes far beyond the classroom.
A Culture of Commitment Behind the Win
All three students have spent their entire high school careers on the team, consistently putting in extra hours after school. Under the guidance of head coach Stacey Armstrong, they’ve focused on mastering programming strategies, learning new coding concepts, and sharpening their problem-solving skills week after week.
That consistency, according to Cypress Woods assistant coach Joseph Gaasbeck, made the difference.
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“At Cypress Woods, we call this the ‘212° Spirit,’ putting in every single degree of effort required to make the water boil,” said Gaasbeck. “All of this consistent hard work led to their success.”
Their success this season has been anything but a one-time victory. The Wildcats also captured titles at the Katy Tompkins and Fort Bend Clements invitationals and secured the UIL District 16-6A championship in March.
What Is Lockheed Martin Code Quest?
The Lockheed Martin Code Quest competition is one of the nation’s premier high school coding events, designed to mirror real-world engineering challenges. Each year, teams of two to three students work collaboratively to solve 20 to 30 problems developed by Lockheed Martin engineers and computer programmers.
Lockheed Martin, a global leader in aerospace, defense technology, and advanced scientific solutions, brings real industry complexity into the competition. With more than 120,000 employees worldwide and over a century of innovation, the company plays a major role in fields ranging from aeronautics and cybersecurity to space systems and national defense.
For students, Code Quest offers more than a competition—it provides a glimpse into high-demand careers in computer science, engineering, and technology.
What’s Next: UIL Region 2 at Baylor University
With momentum on their side, the Cypress Woods team is now preparing for the UIL Region 2 competition, set for April 24–25 at Baylor University. The event will bring together top-performing teams from across the region, raising the stakes even higher.
For the Cypress Woods community, the team’s journey reflects something deeper than trophies. It represents the impact of strong academic programs, dedicated educators, and students willing to push themselves to excel.
As the Wildcats head into regionals, they carry not only their own ambitions but also the pride of a community that continues to invest in its future through education and opportunity.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.