The CCHS robotics team intends to compete at the F.T.C. South Super-Regional Championship. This is the first time that the team has advanced this far. “We’ve never gone to the word championships before, but I would really like to go before I graduate, and this is the closest that I’ve ever seen us get,” sophomore and robotics driver Marco Newman said. Photo by Porter McLeod.
By WILLIAM WHITE – Staff Writer
Following their success at state competition, the RoboGlads will advance to the Super-Regional Championships in San Antonio.
After a successful performance at the state robotics championships, the Clarke Central robotics team will travel to San Antonio to compete in the F.T.C. Super-Regional Championships.
“State went very well. We went up against a lot of great teams, and we came in second place. We were beaten by a homeschool team called Monkey Madness from Huntsville, Alabama,” Clarke Central science teacher and robotics sponsor William Swain said. “Now, however, we have turned our attention to the super-regional championships in San Antonio.”
Despite a second-place finish at the state championship, the robotics team has yet to fulfil their ultimate goal of qualifying for the world championships.
“We’ve never gone to the word championships before, but I would really like to go before I graduate, and this is the closest that I’ve ever seen us get,” sophomore and robotics driver Marco Newman said.
Qualifying for the super-regional championship was impressive, but getting to San Antonio involved more than qualifying. Between flights, food and lodging for 13 people, it was going to be an expensive trip.
“It’s pretty expensive, but we’ve managed to secure enough money to cover it, at no cost to the school,” Swain said. “Between parents, our booster club and sponsorships from local businesses, we covered it. Some parents made it even easier by making it into a spring break trip, so they bring their entire family and handle their own flights and hotels.”
While the team managed to secure a place at the super-regional championship, they had to face the realization that one of their members would not be able to attend. Despite this drawback, the team still intends to compete in San Antonio, albeit with a different driver.
“We are still deciding who will drive the robot. We are having our potential drivers practice after school,” Swain said.
