The Robowranglers from Greenville, TX emerged triumphant at the 2018 Dallas FRC Regional, beating out schools from Dallas and Rockwall.

On March 3 and 4, 60 high school robotics teams from around Texas and the surrounding states gathered to compete for robotic glory at the Irving Convention Center. By going 9-0 in qualifying rounds, the Robowranglers entered the elimination tournament as the #1 seeded team. Choosing partners from League City, TX and Manor, TX, the Robowranglers and their 2018 robot “Uppercut” continued their undefeated streak through the finals and emerged as Event Champions.

This is the eighth Dallas Robotics Championship Greenville has won in the 10 years since the event was created. The team was also given the “Excellence in Engineering” Award by the event Judges, celebrating their robot’s technical achievement.

The Robowrangler team this year includes 22 students from Greenville High School, partnering with industry professionals from two local companies Innovation First, International and L-3. The Robowranglers and Uppercut will continue their season at the Colorado Regional in Denver, CO on March 23-24, then will attempt to win their 3rd World Championship in Houston, TX on April 19-21.

Students and their sponsors and mentors had this to say about their great experience:

• “It felt great to win the Dallas regional because the team has such great camaraderie this season and everyone had their best foot forward all weekend, My favorite part of the competition was being able to talk to judges about our robot and its different mechanisms. Our ‘Robot-Wrangler,’ which helps us lift our partners, was a huge hit with the judges, and the crowd loved seeing it in action. I was very proud to see our team members helping other teams keep their robots running throughout the event.” - Madison Kroncke, Robowrangler Pit Boss and GHS senior
• “After weeks of research and development, the most exciting part of the weekend for me was seeing the ‘Robot-Wrangler’ lift a partner in a real match. Having it be so successful, and being able to showcase it in front of such a large audience made me feel proud of all our hard work. Knowing my work helped inspire others to be interested in STEM and will drive others to strive for greatness, is a greater feeling than winning the medal and yet is very humbling at the same time.” - Carlos Rodriguez, Robowrangler Strategist and GHS senior
• “The Robowranglers showcase the best Greenville has to offer. Year over year, I'm blown away by the team's accomplishments. Innovation First is proud to support GISD and sponsor these brilliant minds. In speaking with any member of the Robowrangler team, it’s clear that they are learning something special from this once in a lifetime experience. Their mentors are shaping them into the young professionals we need as a society, capable of solving any problem through iteration and a "make it happen" approach to success. Honestly, it's no surprise we end up hiring so many of them after they return from college.” - Tony Norman, CEO - Innovation First International - Robowrangler Title Sponsor
• “The results on the field don’t matter as much as the lessons we learn. I’m incredibly proud of our students. This weekend’s success is a testament to all their hard work. It’s been an incredible journey already, and you can see the impact it’s had on our students. Our whole community is a part of making this victory possible.” - John V-Neun, Robowrangler Mentor & Lead Engineer
• “Attending a competition is always exciting because I get the chance to see the faces of our students light up as their months of hard work come to life on the playing field. Watching my students come out of their shells, take on leadership roles, and make friends with other teams is what makes this program so fulfilling for me." -Adrienne Emerson, Robowrangler Lead Teacher & Greenville ISD Director of Robotics (9-12)

To learn more about the Robowranglers and Uppercut, click HERE.