Robotics teams bring home state championship trophies for second year

Both the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School and Middle School robotics teams brought home championship wins from the VEX VRC State Tournament March 8-9, held  in Marion, Ohio.

The high school tournament consisted of 86 teams, while the middle school tournament hosted 60 of the top teams from around the state.

BBH Middle School now stands with four state wins in a row, while the high school holds three consecutive titles.

Six of the eight high school teams competing at the state tournament made it to the elimination bracket, with 2011A, 2011B and 2011D making the finals. Yes, that means three of the four finalist teams were from BBH. Teams 2011D, allied with 60883W, from Akron, went on to defeat teams 2011A&B in the best of three final.

The tournament championship is just part of the success of the day. Along with winning the tournament, 2011D won the skills challenge and the Think Award. Team 2011A won the Build Award and 2011B won the Amaze Award. Team 2011F earned their way to the World Championships with a semifinalist finish, while Team 2011K earned its way to world’s with their skills performance.

Six high school teams, A, B, D, F, J & K, are qualified for the World’s competition in Dallas, which will take place in late April. The teams will compete against 820 teams from around the globe to finish out their season. Team 2011A is aiming for a three-peat of making the World’s Final Elimination Bracket, something that has never been accomplished before.

All six of the middle school teams competing at states made it into the elimination bracket with 2011Z and 2011W making the finals. Due to the way teams choose their alliance partners for the elimination bracket in Vex Robotics Competition, the two BBH teams were competing against each other for the championship. 2011Z allied with 19291R from Beavercreek, Ohio, while 2011W allied with 19291A, also from Beavercreek. The 2011Z alliance earned the championship in a best of three finals and 2011Z won the Excellence Award at the competition. Teams 2011W and 2011Z earned their qualifications for the Worlds as well. The Middle School tournament will host 480 qualified teams from around the globe.

Multiple videos and updates are available on the 2011 Robotics YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@2011-Robotics, for those curious about the competition. Upcoming events along with fundraising and sponsorship opportunities can be found on the Robotics Booster website, bbhhsteched.com/robotics-boosters. ∞

Photo: Six of the eight Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School robotics teams competing at the state tournament made it to the elimination bracket, with 2011A, 2011B and 2011D making the finals. Photo submitted.