“The students were excited to begin the day, and quickly discovered that there were a variety of skill levels to be found at this event,” Cameron said. “I’m proud of the progress the teams have made, and I’m looking forward to the changes that they will be making between now and their next competition. The biggest discovery was the need for more driving practice with the robots.”
Though driving skills are important, Cameron said the competition involves other skills as well.
“Before getting out any robots, students submitted their engineering notebooks for the judges to view,” she said. “Judges also walked through the event interviewing teams and asking specific questions. Teams were also able to show off their driving skills, including their coding that they programmed during their 1-minute autonomous skills (event).”

MCC’s newcomers gave a good account of themselves, with Owen Kaltunas and Oliver Kaltunas qualifying for the finals and placing third in the teamwork challenges, and finishing ninth in programming. Bluhm and Machen took 21st in the teamwork challenges.
Last year, the robotics team had a standout season which culminated in Brennan Sturgeon and Phin Kieszkowski to the 2022 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas.
The Sabers opened this season on Nov. 12 in a competition at Benzie Central Schools.
Eighth graders Cy Kosmowski, Dalton Diep and Riley Sturgeon performed well at the event, taking third in the skills challenges, fifth in the team challenge and receiving special recognition for their skills in building their robot.

“At the end of the tournament the team earned the Build Award from the judges,” Cameron said. “The award recognizes a well-constructed robot that is made with high attention to detail to hold up to the rigors of competition.”

Cameron said the camaraderie and friendly atmosphere found at elementary robotics tournaments was no more evident than when Manistee Catholic Central third grader Josh Kamaloski partnered up with a Benzie Central student and the pair finished eighth and 11th in the teamwork and skills challenges, respectively.
MCC’s Liam Gentz ​​and Easton Pierce spent extra practice hours driving, programming and troubleshooting their robot, Cameron said, and their hard work paid off as the duo finished eighth in independent skills, 10th in the teamwork challenges and were surprised during the awards ceremony when they received the Judges Award.
“The event judges interviewed them, watched their teamwork play and came back for another interview,” Cameron said. “… The Judges Award goes to a team that distinguishes itself in exhibiting a high quality team interview, displaying special attributes, exemplary effort and perseverance at the event.”
The Sabers are scheduled to compete on Dec. 10 at Bellaire Public Schools.