Cody Arnold, a network infrastructure major at Ivy Tech Community College Northeast, has placed first in the 2015 Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician, or CCENT, competition.

Of 170 participants from across the United States and Canada, Arnold took the first spot among students from other high schools, colleges and universities.

According to the NetRiders website, Cisco Networking Academy NetRiders competitions are designed to enhance classroom learning, unite students worldwide, and promote technology training and education. The NetRiders competitions test students on their knowledge of computer technology, from troubleshooting network problems to the components of a monitor.
The first portion of the exam involved a 100-question virtual test that lasted an hour, equaling out to less than a minute per question. The second portion included a virtual lab with vague instructions, allowing Cisco to see if competitors could think on their feet, Arnold says.

For winning, Arnold received a $150 voucher for CCENT certification.

A 2014 Northrop High School graduate, Arnold plans to complete his associate degree at Ivy Tech Northeast in spring or summer 2016 and hopes to enter the field upon graduation.