COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA--Four Greenville Middle School VEX Robotics Teams traveled to Council Bluffs, IA this week to compete in the CREATE U. S. Open Robotics Championship-Middle School Division. There, they competed against 65 teams from across the United States and Hong Kong.

GMS Gigabots Coach, Orion Casper, said "Throughout the season the students that make up the Gigabots Team 2148 have proven their abilities through their successes. They have truly become a team by working together to become the US National Champions. I am so proud of everything they have done."

Greenville Middle School formed the number one alliance to withstand the challenge and lost only one match in the elimination rounds to become Tournament and National Champions.

This alliance consisted of the following teams:

Team 2148A, whose team members are Jordan Frimpter, Tessa Mitchell, Yeonsoo Jung, Austin Burns, and Trenton Burns.

Team 2148E, whose team members are Cheyene Sailing, Heaven Phillips, Kian Smith, Nick Stromberg, and Dallas Davies.

Team 2148D, whose team members are Faith Clayton, Corbin Hudgins, Noah Stone, Brady Diggs, and Landon Koger.

Team 2148A also won the Middle School Excellence Award, which is the highest award presented in a VEX Robotics Competition.  The recipient of this award is a team that exemplifies overall excellence in building a well-rounded VEX Robotics Program. They are also the Robot Skills champion.

Coach Casper said, "It feels amazing to see my students' hard work pay off with a National Championship. This is truly an awesome accomplishment, and they represented both Greenville ISD and Greenville well.”

2148C, whose members are Ethan McGee, Pierce Thurmond, Brett Ozarowski, and Javier Littlefield, finished the Qualification Rounds in second place. They formed the number two alliance with Team 8900 from Sherman Oaks, CA and Team 718D from Manassas, VA. They were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

The GMS Gigabots are led by Head Coach Orion Casper and Assistant Coach Nicole Masters. GISD Robotics Facilitator and Instructor (Grades 1-8), Johnny Tharp, said, "I am so proud of all the Gigabot students and coaches. The results they all achieved at the U. S. Open is a testament to their hard-work and dedication. Good Job."

Team 2148A competes next week in the 2015 Vex Robotics World Championship in Louisville, KY.

For additional information about the GMS Robotics Program and Pre-Stem education contact Johnny Tharp at tharpjr@greenvilleisd.com or call (903) 408-4432.