By Kenney Kost/ne news editor

NE student Robert Cox placed first in the U.S. and  second overall in the NetRiders Round 3 Theatre Finale, securing a trip to Cisco Headquarters in San Jose, Calif.

“I knew he was going to do something special,” said Neil Brooks, associate professor of computer science. “Robert works so hard and has put so much into his studies and this competition.”

Cox didn’t have much time to celebrate, however. He left work to compete. Then when he found out he had won, he had 10 minutes to

accept congratulations before heading back to his job, Brooks said.

Cox and NE student Justin Savas had placed second and third, respectively, in Round 2 for the state of Texas. Each college is allowed only one representative.

“Justin Savas placed third overall, but we are only allowed to have one student represent our college, so the fourth-place finisher will take Justin’s place in the final round,” Brooks said before the final contest.

Cox said he knew the competition would be tough, especially within his own team.

“Honestly, I was most worried about finishing above the other guys from my team,” Cox said. “I just wanted one of us to advance because I know all of these guys are good at what they do.”

In rounds one and two, the team competed against other teams from Texas only, Cox said.

In the final round, Cox competed against representatives from all 50 states and Canada for a chance at one of four grand prize vacations to visit the Cisco Headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Before the final competition, Cox and Savas talked about the Round 2 experience.

“To get one of the trips would be nice. I am sure there are job opportunities that will come from it, but I don’t think I would want to move to San Jose,” Cox said. “It’s more than the trip to Cisco, though. Placing high in the final round gets your name out into the industry in a really positive way. They know how challenging the competitions are, so to place puts you a step ahead of other people trying to make a career in the industry.”

Savas said he is happy for Cox and knows he will do well. Like Cox, he said he knew the competition would come from within their team.

“We have a great program here. We have a great lab, and the faculty is amazing. Guys like Neil Brooks could be making so much more money in