The Journeys School High School Robotics Team (Manada de Lobos) travelled to Casper, WY on the weekend of January 15th to compete in the Wyoming regional robotics tournament. Our robot competed in nine different matches, winning eight and tying one and walked away with a 1st place finish and an invitation to the FIRST robotics World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. Senior Gabe Chapeton commented “this is a highlight of my senior year”.
The traveling team consisted of senior Gabe Chapeton, sophomores Jairus Whipple, Sam Matelich, Markus Lemma, and eighth grader Dakotah Daily. Key team members: freshman Melissa Slaughter, and 7th graders Michelle Slaughter, and Ryan Levy were unable to attend the competition but whose spirits and efforts on the robot were greatly appreciated. Please be sure to congratulate any of these students if you see them.
Our team was competing against teams from Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. Three of the teams we competed against were former regional champions who attended last year’s World Championships. This year’s challenge was incredibly difficult and it stymied many of the teams. Our team’s autonomous program (non remote controlled) was very successful and distinguished us from the rest of the competition. It scored early and quickly and all teams were unable to overcome that early point differential.
Students are now eagerly anticipating the World Championships which will take place between April 27th and April 30th. We are currently fundraising and reaching out to the community for support in our travels. If you have an interest in supporting their efforts in any capacity, please contact me at ethan.lobdell@journeysschool.org or at 307-734-9855.
Over the next three months students plan on refining our drive train, autonomous program and further developing our conveyor belt system to improve our chances at the World Championship.
As their coach, I am overwhelmed with pride for my students. The teamwork, commitment, creativity, perseverance, and enthusiasm these students displayed was reflective of their shining characters.
Thanks to all the support we have already received from Nate McClennen, Frank & Mimi Slaughter & Ryan Talermo.