Most schools would be proud to field one successful academic team. At Timothy, two championship teams—ACES and Scholastic Bowl—have thrived under the leadership of one extraordinary teacher for over three decades. Carlton Rink, in his first year at Timothy in 1994, started Timothy’s Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) team, which was renamed Academic Challenge in Engineering and Science (ACES) in 2020. Just one year later, he founded the Scholastic Bowl team. Remarkably, he has coached both ever since.

Timothy’s ACES team won the state championship—for the fourth year in a row. The ACES competition is an intense academic battle among private and public school scholars across Illinois. Students compete individually and as teams in seven subjects: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, English, computer science, and engineering graphics. Each test features 30 to 80 multiplechoice questions to be completed in 40 minutes.

This year, Timothy had an outstanding showing. Three students placed in the top five in physics: Jake Ellens (1st), AJ Rakers (2nd), and Hyan Sachs (5th). Hyan also placed 1st in math, with AJ finishing 3rd. In English, Luke McCalley earned 2nd place and Joel Ziegler 5th.

Rink’s specialty is physics, and his students’ consistent success in that subject reflects both his expertise and his commitment to preparing them well. Ten Timothy students have earned 1st place in ACES physics over the years. But the wins go far beyond his own classroom—Timothy students have also placed first in math, English, computer science, and engineering graphics. “The best way to prepare for an ACES competition is to pay attention in your classes,” says Rink. “Do the work, put in the time, and you will be ready.” Their success is a testament to Timothy’s teachers and the academic rigor expected of all students.

While ACES is both an individual and team academic test, Scholastic Bowl is a fast-paced, team-based competition governed by the IHSA. Five-person teams go head-to-head answering live, verbal questions across a wide range of subjects. Points are awarded for correct answers, and teams must learn to think quickly, buzz in at just the right moment, and shift gears from one subject to another with ease.

In recognition of his outstanding coaching record and impact on Scholastic Bowl, Rink was recently inducted into the Scholastic Bowl Hall of Fame. 

Rink has coached Timothy’s varsity Scholastic Bowl team for 25 of its 29 years, stepping aside only briefly to coach JV while one of his former students led varsity. Under his leadership, the team has amassed an impressive 747–368 record, winning two conference championships, 13 regional titles, two sectionals, and a state championship in 2017. In 2021, the team again reached state—but the final competition was canceled due to COVID-19. Over the years, nine Timothy students have been named All-State in Scholastic Bowl.

In recognition of his outstanding coaching record and impact on Scholastic Bowl, Rink was recently inducted into the Scholastic Bowl Hall of Fame. Nominees are selected by fellow coaches from across Illinois and chosen by a selection committee. He is also a founding member of both the South Metropolitan and Metro Suburban Scholastic Bowl Leagues.

So what keeps Rink going after more than three decades of coaching two high-level academic teams?

“I love working with the students, helping them improve their skills, and getting them ready for competition,” he says. “They keep me energized. This is what God has called me to do.”

At Timothy Christian, academic excellence is more than a goal—it’s a mission. And thanks to one teacher’s vision, dedication, and faithfulness, generations of students have experienced the joy of learning, competition, and achievement at the highest levels. Timothy is truly in rare air—with two championship academic teams, both founded and coached by the same inspiring educator.