St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School VEX IQ Robotics Accomplishments
Brainerd’s St. Francis Robotics Teams have been having a great year. After the quiet/distance from COVID last year – we have 4 amazing teams this year.
Middle school Team A – The Rocky Raccoons: Max Wehseler, Logan Olstad, Levi Wolff and Joe Junkert
Middle school Team B – The Royal Chihuahua’s: Cam Esser, Shawn and Connor Marcussen
Elementary Team C – The Dream Team: Annabelle Didier, Irene Steinhauser, Macie Steinke and Gemma Dobosenski
Elementary Team D – The Funky Monkey’s: Vinnie Buffetta, Lane Mielke, Miles Mehr and Fletcher Scofield
The St. Francis 2021-2022 Robotics season kicked off on October 6th with a 3 week computer programing class so the kids could get a better grasp of the programing aspect for this year’s game. Their main season started on October 26th with 15 kids ready to go. So far the events attended were ‘St. Cloud Pitching In (24 teams- middle school), ‘Cold Spring Afternoon Jam’ (21 teams – elementary), ‘NW MN IQ Tournament in East Grand Forks’ (28 teams – middle school)’, and the recent ‘Kimball Second Chance’ (23 teams – elementary) on February 5th; ‘Minnesota State Competition’ (50 teams for middle school and 50 teams for elementary) on March 5th.
The students are learning how to speak/explain their ideas with judges, good sportsmanship, showing pride in their creations and programs. A typical competition would begin about 8 am with check in, kids would meet the judges, have inspections of their robots. About 9:30 there is Team meeting/opening ceremony and by 10 am Competition rounds would start and go till around 2 (typically a 3-4 hour of one-minute matches). Around 2:15 the Final rounds would begin with closing and awards by 2:45. The students have learned how to manage their time, work well under pressure, and above all exhibit good sportsmanship which is just as important as winning.
Awards as of Feb: Team A and B placed 1st at ‘St. Cloud Pitching In’.
· Team B placed 1st at ‘NW MN IQ’ with Team A placing as Runner up.
· Skills Champion – Team B at ‘NW MN IQ’
· Excellence Award – Team B at ‘NW MN IQ’
· Energy Award – Team D at ‘Cold Springs Afternoon Jam’
The St. Francis elementary team D was invited to compete at the State Competition at the St. Cloud Convention Center that will take place on March 5th. Our middle school teams A & B have qualified as well. Additionally, our middle school teams were nominated for US Open in Council Bluffs Iowa on April 4-6th where our they B will be competing with 65 other teams from all over the US and Canada. After a year and a half of virtual ‘Worlds Competition’ – this year will be hosted in Dallas Texas in May (800 teams in middle school division and 640 teams in elementary). We hope to be invited to ‘Worlds’ after State.
We would love to thank our amazing sponsors for their donations to our program and confidence they have helped foster in these kids: Tri-ven, Lindar and Avantech; Pequot Tool & Manufacturing, Inc.; A-Tek; Clow Stampin; Precision Tool Technologies, Inc.; and MaxBotix.
More donations are welcomed to support and help finance the teams for upcoming events.