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SANDY -- A daddy-daughter rocket building team is heading to Serbia to represent the United States in the International World Space Modeling Rocket Competition.
Every child in the Steele family grew up making model rockets. Now their father, a former world champion, gets to take his daughter to make another run at the title.
Since Cassi Steele was little, she's loved spending time with her dad making rockets from scratch.
"I've been flying rockets as long as I can remember," she said. "I started competing nationally six years ago."
She's already held the title of U.S. National Champion, but now she's taking on the world.
In August Cassi and her dad Matt Steele are competing in the 18th Annual Model Rocket World Championships in Serbia.
Starting in 1980, Matt Steele won his first world championship. He won again in Poland, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.
"I've been to four world championships in the past," Matt said. "Then kind I kind of got married and had kids."
Now his daughter will be his partner representing the U.S. They will be competing in a handful of events, like the scale model event where their rocket model will be scrutinized.
"They actually take measurements, and we have to submit a drawing to make sure the measurements are within one percent," Matt said.
It's this event the family hopes to bring home another medal in. That's what Cassi likes about doing this.
"To be honest, winning," she said. It's fun to win, and seeing all you hard work pay off."
In this competition, it's the Russians they have to keep a close eye on.
"The Russians are always good. Many are part of the military, and they get paid a salary to go and do it," Matt said.
Cassi and her dad don't make any money doing this, and they have to pay to go. But neither would miss this chance for the world, and it's not only about rockets.
"We have friends from all over the county, and it's fun to spend time with people with the same interests," Cassi said.
In case you were wondering, Cassi gets A's in science and math. She wants to be an astronaut when she grows up.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
