Robowranglers take first

Win at regionals qualifies GHS team for world championship next month

March 13, 2011
Herald-Banner

By Amber Pompa
Herald-Banner Staff

The Greenville High School Robowranglers took first place at the recent regional Robotics Tournament in San Antonio, acquiring regional high scores, world record scores and the GM Industrial Design Award along the way.

"We finished the qualification matches 7-1, and were ranked as the fourth overall team at the event," said Adrienne Emerson, robotics coach. "We were picked by the number one-ranked team, The Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home, Ark., to work with them in the finals."

Together the group selected the third and final team to work with in the finals, the Bronc Botz from San Antonio.

"We had been working with the Bronc Botz throughout this season," said Emerson. "They are a rookie team and called us early in January to ask for help. They came up to our shop a few times and we assisted them in building, wiring and programming their robot."

The alliance sailed through the elimination rounds without losing a single match and always winning by 60 points or more.

"In the first match of the finals we scored a new world high score of 135 points," said Emerson. "The highest before that was 122, which we had also scored previously. We also came away from the event with the GM Industrial Design award, which celebrates machine robustness and reliability."

The Greenville High School robotics program is one of the premier programs in the country, with the Robowranglers winning two world championships and numerous regional championships.

"We are proud of our students, mentors and all of the support staff on the job they've done this year," said Superintendent Don Jefferies. "We have high expectations for their continued success."

Winning the regional tournament qualifies the Robowranglers for the World Championship in St. Louis April 27-30. This year's world championship will host 360 qualifying teams from all over the world.

"I don't think our team has ever run with a rhythm so steady," said team member Allison Chitwood. "It's obvious that we all have one thing on our minds, and our determination has just fueled our ability to help, inspire and raise the bar for teams all around us. I have never been more proud to be part of such a professional and unstoppable force that is the Robowranglers."

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