Schools
Robotics team builds future success
New season brings new successes for Shelby Junior High team
The 2015-2016 FIRST Robotics season has come to an end for Shelby Junior High FTC teams 7253 and 7254.
The teams overcame some early challenges at the Canton event to have some great successes at both the Howell event and the Michigan State Championships.
“The teams far exceeded our hopes and expectations,” said lead mentor Wade J. Sorensen.
After both teams made it to the semi-finals in their respective pools at the Howell event, Team 7254 (4th seed alliance) was knocked out of the semi-finals by the #1 Alliance. However, team 7253 was on the #1 alliance in their pool, and successfully won the Howell event, and advanced to the Michigan State FIRST Robotics Championship!
At the State Championships, the team had a successful run, and left match play at the #12 ranked team (of 32 teams) in their pool (64 total teams at the event). #7253 was chosen to join the #4 ranked alliance team for the semi-finals (each alliance has three teams - there are only four teams for the semi-finals).
After defeating the #1 ranked Alliance in two straight matches, the team lost in the finals in a hard fought 3 game match (1 win, 2 losses). 7253 ended the State Championships as a member of the #3 or #4 ranked Alliance for Michigan.
The team was supported by Crevolution Robotics (FRC team 2851). Local businesses ZF TRW, Arctic FX, and Silver Pine Medical Group donated resources and use of their facilities to both fabricate parts and to build the robot for competitions.
Team members were Brandon Massey, Jamie Knoflach, Chad Sorensen and Nolan White.
