Robotics Team Captures State Championship

Competing against 21 other teams at Saint Mark's on Saturday, February 28th, RobAUKtics entered the event with a clear focus: build a simple, reliable robot and be ready for whatever the competition brought. That preparation paid off.

Throughout the day, the team encountered its share of challenges. Parts broke more than once, and when the robot’s shooter malfunctioned—limiting scoring opportunities—the drivers quickly adjusted their strategy. Rather than forcing a fix mid-match, they shifted to a defensive style of play, focusing on smart positioning and disrupting opponents.

Despite competing in only three prior events this season, the drivers performed with the confidence and coordination of a far more seasoned squad. After each match, they regrouped calmly, often with little need for adjustments or corrections.

RobAUKtics finished the five qualifying matches with a 3–2 record, narrowly missing a win in their opening match. Ranked ninth out of 22 teams, they were selected for the playoff rounds by the seventh-ranked alliance captain. Their playoff partner, rookie Team 31730, known as “All About Jeff,” is a Wilmington-based community team. The pairing proved to be a strong match. Together, the alliance went 6–1 in the playoff rounds, overcoming higher-seeded and heavily favored opponents to claim the state title.

Led by faculty moderators Mr. Jim Haine and Mr. Jeff Jenkins '91, RobAUKtics turned hard work into a championship moment that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to the entire team for capturing the title!