The SDHS robotics team, a group of hard-working and technical individuals, participates in the FTC robotics league with the aim of qualifying for the state, national and world championships, and after their last competition, they are one step closer.

Every robotics competition is composed of various aspects. Teams are judged based on their notebook (a journal recording accomplishments of each meeting), interviews, their robot’s performance, community outreach and gracious professionalism. For the technical part of the competition, teams form alliances and attempt to accomplish a specific task. This year’s task involved the robots picking up Wiffle balls and putting them in tubes, which they moved around the field. Later challenges also involve this teamwork and technical ability.

Although their robot had some malfunctions, the St. Dominic varsity robotics team scored high with the judges in interviews and note-taking, earning a nomination for the Motivate Award. The Motivate Award is given for team building, team spirit and enthusiasm.

Although the team did not qualify for state this time, there is hope in upcoming competitions. Their high scores combined with their nomination makes the St. Dominic varsity robotics team the front-runner to qualify for state. Additionally, if one team gets through, all of the teams from St. Dominic will compete.

“I’m excited for our next competition. Going in, we have an advantage. We also now know our strengths and weakness. We are going to fix our mistakes and improve so that in the next competition, we can qualify,” said Ashna Mahadev, a team member.

“I’m really excited for them. They’ve made some changes and they work so hard,” said head coach Mrs. Savant.

The next competition is at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 7. If they qualify, the team will move on to state to compete against other regional qualifiers. The St. Dominic community sends their support and best wishes to the robotics team.