Robowranglers capture top three spots at meet

March 11, 2009
Herald-Banner

By Amber Pompa
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE -- The Robowranglers -- a robotics team comprised of students and teachers from Greenville High School, along with staff members from the team's corporate sponsors -- opened their competitive season by capturing the top three spots at the VEX Robotics Competition at Lovejoy High School in Lucas on March 7.

The three teams the nationally-acclaimed Robowranglers submitted for the meet took first, second and third places.

"I'm so proud of all the students and their effort on Saturday," said team coach Johnny Tharp.  "They demonstrated what teamwork is all about.  They worked together and overcame adversity to achieve accomplishment."

Team 148A, which formed an alliance with Team 1429 -- the Houston regional Champions from Galena Park -- took first place.  Members of Team 148A were Mark Mahrer, Josh Matlack and James Russell.

Finishing second, and partnered with Team 139 from Berkner High School in Richardson, was Team 148C, which included members Parker Francis, Keri Porter, and J.C. Lawler.

Team 148B earned third place, paired with Team 2587A from Lamar High School in Houston.  Team 148B included members Adam Risley, Colin Doby and Dillon Row.

All three teams are now qualified to compete in the VEX World Championship, scheduled April 30 at the Dallas Convention Center.

The group that attended the VEX Competition included more than just team members.  The Robowranglers also took Alex Cartier, Charles Wensel, Chris McMurray and Connor Horton who served as the team's pit crew, along with Allison Chitwood as the statistician and Rae Arnold, Katie Kroncke, Jeff Bethel, Cody Horton, Laura Risley and Trevor Wooten who served as scouts.

June Tharp attended the competition as a volunteer assistant coach and John V-Neun, Brandon Martus, Corey Chitwood, Monty Wineinger, Steve Maxwell and Vanessa Pope served as mentors.

Next on the Robowranglers' calendar is to defend their title in the FIRST (First in Recognition of Science and Technology) competition March 12-14 at the Dallas Regional at Southern Methodist University.  Next the team will be heading to the FIRST Lone Star Regional meet in Houston March 26-28 and the FIRST Championship Event in Atlanta, Ga., scheduled for April 16-18.

The VEX team is sponsored by Innovation First, Inc., and the Greenville Independent School District.  The FIRST Team is sponsored by Innovation First, Inc., the Greenville ISD and L-3 Communications.

Team148.org  |  Robowranglers.com