Robotics teams rock in Tacoma

Enumclaw High School’s robotics teams fared well during the first qualifying match of the fall season.

Enumclaw High School’s robotics teams fared well during the first qualifying match of the fall season. Competing in Tacoma, teams of EHS students placed first, second and fourth in their league.

Prior to the Tacoma competition, groups of six students each developed a strategy and constructed their bots.

At EHS, the Robo Knights team consists of Billy Staley, Angus Drynan, Chloe Nemish, Emily Wessel, Jacob Woodley and Haley Henken. That group placed first in Tacoma.

The second-place Biomech team was made up of Wyatt Hanson, Max Hesselgessel, Gabe Noel, Gabe Hanson and Alex Taupin. Placing fourth was Game Over, consisting of Nathaneal Busch, Caleb Daniells, Natalie Sauvageau, Alex Perez, Jackson Woods and Matt Helmer.

The FIRST Robotics organization hosts two competition seasons every year, fall and spring. The fall features smaller bots in a two-versus-two format, while the spring season is played on a basketball court in a three-versus-three contest. In the spring, bots can weight up to 120 pounds and cost as much as $4,000.

The Enumclaw students will look for continued success during a second fall qualifying event, planned for December.

Gabe Hanson, Wyatt Hanson (sitting), Gabe Noel, Max Hesselgessel and Alex Taupin also competed in Tacoma, placing second. Submitted photo

Gabe Hanson, Wyatt Hanson (sitting), Gabe Noel, Max Hesselgessel and Alex Taupin also competed in Tacoma, placing second. Submitted photo