Four of Oxford High School’s automotive students proved they’re very good under the hood by bringing home awards and scholarships from a state competition.

Sophomores Kyle Kalbfleisch and Austin Hunter, along with seniors Cody Blanchard and Eric Johnson, earned a combined nine awards May 13 in the automotive competition held as part of the 88th Annual MITES Professional Development Conference and Student Project Competition in Lansing.

“I was very pleased with the results,” said Auto Instructor Dan Balsley. “I didn’t really have any expectations going in. I was pleasantly surprised that all of the students did so well.”

MITES stands for Michigan Industrial & Technology Education Society.

Twenty-six high schools and career centers sent 104 students to take part in the auto competition. Fifty-one students participated in the basic maintenance service portion, while 53 students competed in the advanced service technology portion.

Kalbfleisch placed second overall in the basic competition, beating out 49 other students.

“It was a total surprise to me,” he said. “I had no clue.”

Kalbfleisch also took second in the math category and placed third in the written test.

For his efforts, he earned a total of $25,000 in scholarship offers from Universal Technical Institute ($10,000), Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology ($8,000), Lincoln Technical Schools ($5,000) and the University of Northwestern Ohio ($2,000).

Kalbfleisch plans to attend Universal Technical Institute so he can someday pursue a career involving automobiles.

“I love cars,” he said.

Being a student in Balsley’s Auto I class not only “sparked” his interest in the field, it “fed the fire,” he said.

Hunter finished seventh overall in the basic competition. He placed first in both math and tool identification, and took fifth in the written test.

Going into the competition, Hunter was uncertain about how he would do, but once he got rolling, he was amazed by the depth of his knowledge compared to his competitors.

“It shows Mr. B’s ability (as a teacher),” he said.

Kalbfleisch agreed. “(Balsley’s class) more than prepared us,” he said.

Hunter’s performance earned him an $8,000 scholarship offer from the Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology, and $2,000 from Lincoln Technical Schools.

Blanchard placed sixth in brakes.

“I was just happy to be there and be able to compete,” he said.

He was honored to be one of only two students selected by Balsley to compete in the advanced competition.

“It felt good knowing we’re the best from this class,” Blanchard said.

Johnson earned first place in engine performance and earned a $4,000 scholarship offer from the Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology.

“I was proud of all of them,” Balsley said.