Get MarauderBots to Worlds

Ovid-Elsie High School Robotics Team Secures Spot In State Championship Games and Needs Your Help!

With an impressive play of this year’s robotics game, FIRST POWER UP, the Ovid-Elsie High School Robotics Team (The MaraduerBots) has secured an opportunity to compete in the State Championship held at SVSU April 11th – 14th.  With their first out of two district events the MarauderBots left Kettering University placing fourth out of the forty teams in attendance overall on March 3rd.  They took a loss in the semi finals but left that event with a very impressive 49 State points heading into their second District event which they traveled to Gaylord to compete this past weekend. They finished the qualifying rounds ranked in first place out of the forty teams.  This gave them an additional 43 ranking points for a combined total of 92 State points among the two District events.  They also received two awards at their events for their robot.  They received the Engineering Inspiration Award and the Innovation in Control Award for their fabricated chassis.  Approximately 65 ranking points earned is expected to move on to the State Championship and without a doubt will be a part of the Championship Games. 

The MarauderBots are still considered a young team and this will be the first time in the five-year history of the team that they will advance to the State games.  This shows the tremendous growth in the team and their abilities.  Each year the team has taken on more advanced methods in the engineering and construction of a fully operational mechanical and electrical machine.  But being on the Robotics team is more than just building a robot.  The students learn leadership skills in media, safety, finances, fundraising and building relationships with sponsors and donors.  These skills obtained will carry with them far beyond High School.  They are leaders and innovators that will help them be successful in their future careers. 

The students are very excited to have placed so well and to have the opportunity to compete with some of the 20-25 year veteran teams at the State level.  But, an even bigger picture for them is the likelihood of then advancing to the Worlds Championship event that is held at Cobo Arena and Ford Field in Detroit just one short week after the States event.  At this event, the students will compete with other teams from across the world.  With the points they currently have prior to going to the State Championship, the probability of gaining enough additional points needed to advance to the World Championship is highly likely.  The team is fearful however that financially they may have to decline the invitation.  The additional cost to attend both the State Championship and World Championship will be $9,000.

They are working on fundraising now in these short twenty 24 days in order to fulfill the dream of competing at such an advanced level.  They would be devastated to have to decline such an invitation after coming so far.  “ I have been on the team all  four years of high school, and I’ve been a part of the Drive Team for the past three”, said Dawson Coats, Senior at OE,  “to  have to decline is not an option”.  “This opportunity just means we need to work even harder with our Business Team to ensure that the funds are there.”  There has been no other year that the team has been this close to being in contention to compete at such a level.  “To go to States is very exciting and the probability of advancing to Worlds in my senior year would be a dream come true. I have been the Programming and Coding Captain during my time on the team.  I am planning on pursuing a career in computer programming.  The knowledge and experience I have obtained while being a part of The MaraduerBots for the past four years will help me excel“, senior, Joey McGroarty says.    

The team is comprised of 22 students (freshmen to seniors), 7 adult Mentors (5 of the 7 are OE alumni), and is led by Brian Topping, Head Coach and Chemistry teacher at OE.  “Kevin and I have been with the team since it started.  What an honor for these students to be recognized at this level.  Their hard work and dedication to the team has opened up so many opportunities for them.” -Ginny Freeman, Mentor.  All of the students and mentors will be doing everything they can to ensure they have the funds to go as far as they can but could use some help.  They will need to raise $4,000.00 by April 7th to pay the State registration fee, travel expenses and additional parts they may need to keep their Robot fully functional in the competitions ahead. If they do well and advance to the World Championship, an additional $5,000 will be needed to register by April 17th.  

Any and all support from you is greatly appreciated.  Together we can help provide a career based foundation for the innovative youth of tomorrow right here in the corn fields of Ovid-Elsie!

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