On Saturday, Sept. 16, BHS Robotics participated in their first competition for this season at Centennial High School in Bakersfield. Here, 23 teams from all different schools competed rigorously to place as high as they could, in hopes of qualifying for the state championship — something Burroughs accomplished last year — in future competitions.
BHS Robotics is made up of three teams, all of whom compete against each other and other area schools to do the best they can.
This year they will be participating in the Vex Over-Under game, a game involving two robots with the goal of scoring as many points as possible by scoring goals with and pushing triballs to the other side of the playing field.
All teams have completely unique, innovative robots that are made entirely by them.
Burroughs senior Logan Elwell captains the 7422 B team, which is regarded by some as the most advanced. Elwell approached the Sept. 16 competition optimistically.
“I felt hopeful about what could happen as we felt prepared,” said Elwell. “I can’t speak for how the other teams felt, but they were starting better than previous teams in the past.”
Sophomore Tyler Torres is the driver of the Robotic Burros team 7422 H, which placed third in offensive rankings. He was pleased with their overall effort.
“Me and my team weren’t as confident in our robot coming into the match, as we felt it was unfinished and unprepared,” said Torres. “Despite these doubts, our robot persevered and did much better than expected.”
Elwell’s 7422 B placed fourth overall.
“I think we did as well as possible with the complications we faced at the competition,” said Elwell. “I am pleased with how the autonomous performed, and our driver drove as well as he could with the bot we had. I do feel like we could have done stuff better, but the points we won from autonomous put us in rank 4#.”
Now the teams are looking to improve ahead of future competitions.
“The team wants to step up our efficiency. We can do everything we want to right now except climbing. We just want to pick up the pace on how fast we can do everything,” said Elwell. “I look forward to putting my all forward. This is a make-it-or-break-it season for me. I am also looking forward to seeing the growth from the Freshman and JV teams as I feel like they have shown they have what it takes.”
This attitude persists throughout the other teams here at Burros.
“I am most looking forward to the strategies and different bots that will emerge this season,” said Torres. “When my team and I work together, we are highly efficient, and I know that if we can keep that up throughout the season we will thrive.”
