I'd chalk it up to the ambiguity of natural language: "A Rocket Built by Students Reached Space for the First Time" as in the particular rocket referred to in the title reached space for the first time in that rocket's existence.

That's being too generous. Other than spacex, essentially every rocket that reaches space does so "for the first time". The title is intentionally misleading

I strongly disagree. The article describes in detail the student group's years of efforts to reach space, culminating in this success after years of failures. Moreover, they're the first collegiate team to make it to space (and the second "amateur" team).

The title is not intentionally misleading, just a bit ambiguous.

USC RPL was referring to CSXT, not the USAFA.