Northport HS Robotics Team Participates In FIRST Robotics Competition

NORTHPORT, NY — Northport High School's Team 5099 robotics club participated in the FIRST Robotics competition this weekend at Hofstra University.

Students and staff, before entering the competition, emphasized that the real win comes in the form of friendships, networking and a sense of accomplishment from the entire experience.

On the final day of the build, members of the team gathered to finish the final touches on their robot. The team is led by advisors and technology teachers Bill Claps, Ed Moloney and Greg Robinson who oversee the students and provide guidance throughout the robotics season.

They were joined by mentors which includes parents and local community members with experience in engineering and robotics. In total, the season lasts approximately six to eight weeks, and includes countless hours and Saturday sessions to get competition ready.

Last year's competition followed a hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, so this year was about "getting back into pace," team captain Todd Petry said. He also shared that fellow team members, Carter Mooers and Hunter Rumpel, take welding courses, giving them an edge up in the competition.

"In terms of the robot, we utilized welding this year," Petry said in a news release. "That’s not something many schools can do because not many people know welding."

Each year, the competition's rules and the robot’s functions change, ensuring students have to consider fresh ideas to meet the challenge. The 2023 challenge was "ENERGIZE," encouraging students to "reimagine the future of sustainable energy and power their ideas forward."

The robot also has parameters around size and weight that must be taken into consideration.

Beyond the construction of the robot, students showed a real appreciation for the camaraderie that being a member of the team brings and the connections made through the contest.

"Number one, it’s going to be a lot of fun," Petry said. "Not only are we with teams from Long Island but around the world, too. Just talking with them, networking, maybe we can make plans with them in the future. Of course, we want to do as best as we can, but it’s also a big learning experience. Just the whole build season in general – it’s all about learning."

The full team includes Caleb Belanger, William Chambers, Nick Churaman, Veronica Flick, Robert Germani, Brendan Gorman, Tyler Hradek, Ryan Kattau, Peter Kucza, Eduardo Lopez, Carter Mooers, Erik Oderwald, Todd Petry, Cole Rumpel, Hunter Rumpel, Adam Sweeney, and Luke Tuthill.

"A special thank you to team mentors Craig Moores, John Posillico, John Farrell and Tom Hradek as well for their support and guidance," the district wrote.