On Saturday, Jan. 6, the Greenville Middle School and Sixth Grade Center VEX IQ Robotics teams, the Protobots and Cyborgs, entered twenty robots in both the Utley Middle School “Bank Shot” tournament in Rockwall and the Killeen “Winter IQ Bank Shot” tournament in Killeen. Three GMS VEX IQ teams were Teamwork Champions at the Utley tournament and received the Excellence Award at the Killeen tournament. The SGC VEX IQ teams received the Design Award and Energy Award at the Killeen tournament.

At the Utley Middle School “Bank Shot” tournament, the GMS Protobots, team 5148A, were named Teamwork Champions. Their members include Brandon Moore, Thomas Mattson and Jovani Rodriguez.

Team 5148J, whose members are Xavier Johnson, Abel Martinez and Jon Osornio, finished the tournament in fifth place.

During the Killeen “Winter IQ Bank Shot” tournament, the GMS Protobots, team 5148C, received the Excellence Award, which is the highest award presented in the VEX IQ Challenge, and finished the tournament in second place. The recipient of the Excellence Award is the team that demonstrates overall excellence in all components of the VEX IQ Challenge. Team members include Enrique Oropesa, Jovani Reyes, Cristian Villegas and Angel Ugalde.

GMS team 5148B, whose members are Zach Cook and Jackson Talmadge; joined GMS team 5148G, whose members are Austin Jackson, Evan Shommette, Nate Smith and Nathan Smith, to become Teamwork Champions.

GMS team 5148E, whose team members are David Pavy, Noah Plumb and Jose Quintero, received the Excellence Award. The Excellence Award is the highest award presented in the VEX IQ Challenge and is given to a team that demonstrates overall excellence in all components of the VEX IQ Challenge. They finished the tournament in third place.

SGC team 3148A, whose team members are Brian Ward, Austin Russell, Caden Bowers, Angel Gonzales and Devin Davis, received the Design Award. The Design Award recipient demonstrates the ability to implement the most effective and efficient robot design process. Their Engineering Notebook and discussion with the judges will demonstrate the team’s ability to produce a quality robot with minimal adult assistance.

SGC team 3148G, whose team members Sara Eshelmanm, Puja Bhusal, Brea Walters, Elizabeth Gonzalez and Mary Adeluyi, received the Energy Award. The Energy Award is presented to a team that displays a high level of enthusiasm and passion at the event.

SGC team 3148J, whose members are Sydney Beherens, Dalton Martinez, David Ortega and Xander Aguilar, finished the tournament in second place.

SGC team 3148C, whose team members are Emiliano Portillo, Aiden Schafft, Rance Robles, Andy Shield and Dawson Diggs, finished the tournament in third place.

SGC team 3148B, whose team members are Allieyah Bright, Dolapo Ogunyemi, Shayla Portillo and Yanley Epindola, joined SGC team 3148D, whose members are Conner Martin, Travis Bowers, Johnathan Merino, Matthew Johnson and Austin Seaholm, to finish the tournament in fourth place.

SGC team 3148K, whose members are Isaiah Lowe, Bryan Rubio, Cameron Parks, Japheth Cranfill and John Shuler, finished the tournament in fifth place.

As Excellence Award winner and Teamwork Champions, GMS teams 5148C, 5148B, 5148G and 5148A, have qualified for The North Texas VEX IQ Bank Shot Elementary/Middle School Regional Championship which will be in Greenville on March 05, 2016.

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