The AHN-Jesuit First Tech Challenge (FTC) Team 4960 placed second for the Innovate Award at the FTC Qualifying Tournament at Hagerty High School in Oviedo, on Saturday, January 28, and will now move onto States on February 18, in Daytona. In addition, the team won the Rockwell-Collins Innovate Award and placed as finalists for the Connect and Think Awards.
FTC is a new program at Academy-Jesuit robotics. As rookies this year, the team performed beyond their expectations this weekend. At the end of the 23 qualification matches, the team held first seed, after six undefeated matches. As first seed the team qualified to choose any other of the thirteen teams present to be their alliance partner in semifinals and finals.
The team won their first semifinal match (played as the best of three), but did not get into finals. However, team member Gabrielle Madden reported, “AHN JHS FTC kept our heads up high and continued to show exemplary spirit. After the finals had finished and the winning teams announced, the awards ceremony began, our team, Team 4960, was in for a huge surprise when we placed second for the Inspire award, won another award, and were finalists for two others!”
Students interested in joining the FTC Robotics Team are invited to visit the team’s workshop at Jesuit at any time. Until 21 February, AHN visiting students will not only be able to see FTC practicing with the Tiny Shiny, but also will see FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) building a robot for this year’s game (click the link for game information http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/2012-rebound-rumble). Until February 21, team will be practicing Monday-Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 4:00.
