Robotics teams dominate state championships and advance to World Finals
Syntax Error and System Overload from The Dalles High School show off two of their 4 trophies gathered at the State Championship as they ready themselves for World Finals. Pictured left to right: Zach Banks, Kim Morales, Everest Lenardson, Evelyn Schecter, Ian Castaneda, Jack McAllister, and Colin Schecter.
The Dalles, Ore. March 18, 2024 — Students from Hood River and The Dalles swept up at the Oregon State VEX Robotics State Championships and earned top honors at both middle school and high school competitions. Teams from The Dalles High School, Middle School, and WyEast walked away as Tournament Champions and Excellence Award Winners, and five teams will advance to the VEX Worlds Competition in Dallas, Texas, from April 24 through May 3.
At the high school level, TDHS teams System Overload and Syntax Error teamed up to win the Tournament Champions Award at the state’s final tournament which guarantees an entry ticket to the World Competition. System Overload won the Excellence Award for excellent robot design, engineering notebook documentation, and judging performance. Syntax Error brought home the Build Award highlighting its engineering abilities.
“I think our team performed really well under stress. I’m really looking forward to meeting teams from around the world. I am excited,” said sophomore and Syntax Error team member Kim Morales.
At the middle school state championship on February 24 in Sandy, team Disconauts representing The Dalles Middle School and Wasco County 4-H brought home top honors with the Excellence Award and Robot Skills Champions. Teams Bacanadoes and The Dust Pans from WyEast joined forces and earned the Teamwork Championship awards.
WyEast Middle School teams The Dust Pans and Bacanadoes are seen here winning the Tournament Champions Awards at the Dufur tournament. These teams also were state champions this year and will advance to the Middle School World Finals Competition in Dallas May 1-3. Left to right: Koltin Adams, Ronan Kairis, Austin Champion, Logan Follett, Justin Fox.
“The region has become an incredible force in robotics and dominated both high school and middle school tournaments. In VEX IQ, middle school coaches share resources and co-host local scrimmages and tournaments and that effort has paid off tremendously,” said Wasco County 4-H coach Lu Seapy. “We really cleaned up both state tournaments.”
With these wins, all five teams now advance to the World Championship level, an unprecedented accomplishment for the region.
Each team will need to raise approximately $8,000 for plane tickets, tournament fees, and travel costs.
“Our communities have shown us tremendous support in the past. We are happy to advance to Worlds Finals, but we will be reaching out for financial help,” said high school advisor and parent Marc McAllister.
All programs will be fundraising heavily this spring. To support the programs, please contact lu.seapy@oregonstate.edu for teams from The Dalles or patrick.getchis@hoodriver.k12.or.us for Hood River support. Call Lu Seapy at 541-298-4004 with any questions.
Wasco County 4-H Robotics and The Dalles Robotics programs wish to thank its sponsors: Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, Google, and Oregon State University Extension Service.
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