GREENVILLE, TEX.--The Greenville High School VEX Robotics Team, the “Iron Cowboys,” and Greenville Middle School VEX Robotics Team, “the Gigabots,” competed in the Lake Highlands Skyrise Tournament last Saturday, Nov. 15th. All GHS and GMS Teams made it to the Elimination Rounds of the tournament, while GMS Team 2148A was named tournament champion.

GMS Team 2148A, whose members are Jordan Frimpter, Trenton Burns, Austin Burns, Tessa Mitchell, and Yoensoo Jung, finished the elimination rounds in 4th place and formed the Number four Alliance with teams from the Mandarin Chinese School of Arlington and Arlington High School.   Through several tough matches they prevailed to become tournament champions. They were also the Programming Skills champion and tied for first in the Robot Skills Challenge. Team 2148A is currently ranked 22^nd in the World in Programming Skills and 40^th in the World in Robot Skills. They are also currently ranked first for middle schools in the state of Texas in both challenges.

Team 2148B, which consists of Alex Bahm, Alysia Martinez, Joshua Ross and Francisa Gutierrez, were selected by the second seeded alliance finishing the tournament as Tournament Finalists and earning third place in the Robot Skills Challenge. They also received the Judges Award for the design and presentation of their robot during judging. The Judges Award goes to a team that the judges decide is deserving of special recognition.

Team 2148D, whose team members in attendance are Noah Stone, Corbin Hudgins, Jacob Koger, and Brady Diggs, were selected by the fifth seeded alliance and finished in the Quarter Finals of the Elimination Rounds and second in the Robot Skills Challenge.

“The Gigabots had the strongest showing of the season. I am proud of how hard they worked and competed to all place so highly in this tournament. I look forward to seeing their continued success at the Greenville Vex Tournament on December 6th. I would like to invite the community out to see what educational competition robotics is all about” said GMS Coach, Orion Casper.

Colin Nobles, the GHS Iron Cowboys Coach, said “4148c played some great defense this weekend, driver Bobby Osorio laid down some great picks and fancy maneuvers."

GHS Teams Competing and Earning Places in the Elimination Rounds are:

Team 4148F – Whose members are Tyler Behrens, Noah Farkosh, Marco Alcaraz and Adriana Tucker, also made it to the Semifinals.

Team 4148C –members are Bobby Osornio, Mason Smith and Anthony Suggs.

Team 4148E –members are Martin Castillo, Jahlyl Cross, Shea Garland, Lydia Shatney, Katie Tolly, Jessica Bousquet and John Calderon.

The next competition for both the GHS and GMS VEX teams will be in the Greenville High School/Middle School Skyrise Tournament at Greenville High School on Saturday, December 6^th.

For more information about the Greenville High School Robotics Program and STEM Education, please contact Adrienne Emerson at emersona@greenvilleisd.com . For information about the Greenville Middle School Robotics Program and Pre-STEM Education, please contact Johnny Tharp at tharpjr@greenvilleisd.com.