VW Robotics team prepares for upcoming competition

VW independent/submitted information

The Van Wert Robotics program has been successful so far this year, with one team winning a competition, and is preparing for its own competition to be held next month.

Last weekend, the Van Wert Robotics teams traveled to Wapakoneta to compete in a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics competition. Both teams performed well, with Van Wert Robotics Team 5501 winning both the competition and the highest award, the Inspire Award. The team that receives this award is chosen by the judges as having best represented as a role model FIRST Tech Challenge Team. The team that receives this award is a top contender for all other judging categories and is a strong competitor on the field.

Cougars Robotics Team 14174 also did very well; however, it lost in the semifinals to the other Van Wert Robotics team.

Both teams competed in December in Newark, with Van Wert Robotics losing in the semifinals. Cougar Robotics won the Connect Award in Newark and Van Wert Robotics won the Design Award. To earn the Connect award, a team must connect with its local community and inform the community of FIRST. The Design award recognizes design elements of the robot that are both functional and aesthetic.

The robotics team will host and compete at the Van Wert Regional Robotics Competition on Saturday, February 1, in the Van Wert High School gymnasium, beginning with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. The tournament is free to attend and will run throughout the day.