Grandview Heights High School's FIRST Robotics Team #128, The Botcats, captured second place and won multiple awards including the prestigious Judge’s Award for exemplifying the ethos of FIRST, excellent performance, and consistent unique efforts on the part of all team members at the Buckeye Regional competition in Cleveland, Ohio, March 24-26, 2022. The competition included an estimated 60 teams representing several states. The Botcats were named semi-finalists and earned a spot on one of the final alliance teams.
The Botcats also won the most Creative Pit Design Award. Our red-eyed 15-foot dragon, designed by Ayla Iisaka, was far and above the most unique display for our robot’s home base during the competition.
According to the FIRST Robotics website, FIRST Robotics competition combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team “brand,” and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.
"If you are unfamiliar with the FIRST program, it is much more than building robots. It is about community, collaboration, cooperation and more. It is commonplace to see teams helping each other with spare parts, tools and strategy throughout the competition; a characteristic FIRST has coined "coopertition," shared Dr. Jo Lee, Coach and Team Advisor.
To build a robot is truly a team effort with all parts and all team members being equally valuable. Congratulate Charlotte Amurgis, Louis Amurgis, Nina Brown, Anna Bullock, Simone Chordas, Masha Efanova, Therese Gjesdal, Maggie Herlihy, Ayla Iisaka, Maria Ionno, Porter Knouff, Max Lauer, Lucia Mastroianni, Sean McKelvey, Perry Mohr, Marek Moncol, Henley Mueller, Rohan Mueller, Everest Osborne, Norah Taylor, Zach Taylor, and Devin Yeager. Our team was is supported by mentors Max Fojtik, Alex Ronnebaum, Blaine Lee, and coaches Brad Gintert, and Dr. Jo Lee. The Botcats are generously funded by Grandview Heights Schools, The Bobcat Boosters, and NASA.
To build a robot is truly a team effort with all parts and all team members being equally valuable. Congratulate Charlotte Amurgis, Louis Amurgis, Nina Brown, Anna Bullock, Simone Chordas, Masha Efanova, Therese Gjesdal, Maggie Herlihy, Ayla Iisaka, Maria Ionno, Porter Knouff, Max Lauer, Lucia Mastroianni, Sean McKelvey, Perry Mohr, Marek Moncol, Henley Mueller, Rohan Mueller, Everest Osborne, Norah Taylor, Zach Taylor, and Devin Yeager. Our team was is supported by mentors Max Fojtik, Alex Ronnebaum, Blaine Lee, and coaches Brad Gintert, and Dr. Jo Lee. The Botcats are generously funded by Grandview Heights Schools, The Bobcat Boosters, and NASA.
A "robot reveal" video, created by Team Member Perry Mohr, is attached. To learn more about the FIRST Robotics program, visit https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc