Robotics competition gets rave reviews

Van Wert independent

This past Saturday’s FTC robotics competition hosted by the Van Wert Robotics Club was extremely successful, to judge by comments received by club advisors Bob Spath and Zane McElroy.

“To say it went well is an understatement,” McElroy said. “Here are a few comments made by the participants: ‘Your school is amazing. How does a town this size support such an awesome venue’; ‘you and the volunteers put on a fantastic event’; ‘hard to believe it was your first time hosting’; ‘it was by far the best-run FTC event I’ve been to’. These are just a few of the positive comments received.”

Spath and McElroy, along with the entire VWHS robotics team, thanked all those who pitched in to make the competition a huge success.

“Whether it was financial support, food donations, or by simply putting up signs welcoming the participants, all was appreciated,” McElroy said. “Once again, the community came together for the good of all. Hopefully, Van Wert will be asked to host future robotics competitions.”

Several awards were handed out during the event, which was held in the Van Wert High School gymnasium. The winning alliance in the team competition consisted of The Mecha-Hampsters of Martinsville, Indiana, Broken Axels from Toledo and Tobor, from Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Other awards given on Saturday include the following:

• Inspire Award: Broken Axels of Toledo
• Think Award: Men in Kilts, Mequon, Wisconsin.
• PTC Design Award: Broken Axels of Toledo
• Rockwell Collins Innovate Award: RoboChargers of Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Connect Award: Broken Axels of Toledo
• Judge’s Award: Techno-Raiders of Toledo
• Motivate Award: Cville-ized Botman of Crawfordsville, Indiana
• Control Award: Broken Axels of Toledo
• Promote Award: Quantum Barracudas of Strongsville.