On Saturday, Jan. 16, Greenville Middle School entered four robots in the North Texas – Nothing But Net (Middle/High School) Tournament at L. V. Berkner High School in Richardson. Team 2148A was named tournament champion, however, all four robots entered in the tournament received a judged technical award, a first for the GMS Robotics program.

The GMS Gigabots Team 2148A, made up of Josh Allen, Austin Burns, Alex Portillo, Daniel Ugalde and Luis Ugalde, finished first in the qualification rounds and selected Team 400, the Omni Eagles, and Team 7504, Austin Academy for Excellence, to form the number one alliance. They went undefeated and dominated the elimination rounds to become the 2016 Tournament Champions. 2148A only lost 1 match during tournament play. This was 2148A’s fifth tournament win this season. They also received the “Build Award”, which is given to a team that has built a well-crafted and constructed robot that also shows a clear dedication to safety and attention to detail.

Team 2148D, whose members are Jayce Dickeson, Corbin Hudgins, Corbin Row, Dulce Romero and Francisca Gutierrez, finished the qualification rounds in thirteenth place but were eliminated in the quarter finals. 2148D also earned the “Energy Award”, which is given to a team that demonstrates boundless passion and energy throughout the competition – in the pit area, on the field, in the audience, when their robot is playing and when it is not.

Team 2148B, whose team members are Ben Butcher, Jacob Linden, Sam Martin, Matthew McFarland and Landon Fry Rowland, finished the qualification rounds in ninth place but were eliminated in the quarterfinals. They won the “Amaze Award”, given to a team that has built a competition robot that clearly demonstrates overall quality.

Team 2148H, whose team members are Elijah Wofford, Clay Gibson, Jonathan Hernandez, Caleb Johnson and Sistanas Stretch, finished the qualification rounds in sixth place but were eliminated in the quarterfinals. They received the “Innovate Award”, which is given to a team that has demonstrated a strong combination of ingenuity and innovation in designing their VEX robot.

As a Tournament Champion, Team 2148A has qualified for the North Texas VEX Nothing But Net Middle School Regional Championship in Greenville on February 27, 2016 and the CREATE U. S. Open Robotics Championship – VEX Middle School Division in Council Bluffs, Iowa beginning April 7, 2016.

For additional information about the Greenville Middle School VEX Robotics Program, email Johnny Tharp, Director of Robotics (Grades 1-8) at tharpjr@greenvilleisd.com or call (903) 408-4432.