Team 8902 has seen its ups and its downs in its three years, yet it never gave up on the team and on the robot, and this enthusiasm and teamwork has propelled them to the state tournament.

This year saw a lot of early change for the team: a new coach, new student administrators, and even a name change was proposed.

The team took on new faces this year.

“It was a lot of fun It was a great experience,” said Parker Li, one of the newest members of the team.

New faces replaced veterans, like Simon Bruce, who graduated last year and were great contributions to the team.

The team also had a change of coach with Mr. Stephen McNally taking over the mantel as coach.

A new strategy for building was decided upon, too. A plan for the robot was brought forward and, if the majority agreed to the plan, it would be put into action with no second guessing – no going back..

Although the plan was well liked among the teammates, there was some regret among the team about the functions the robot could perform.

“I would add something that would shoot the particles,” suggested sophomore Madeleine Brennan.

This was the team’s greatest year to date. More competitions were attended and the robot was consiatently functional and game ready.

“We have built a robot that actually moves and scores points, which is a first for us,” senior Aaron Mueninghoff said. 

The team also worked together wand everyone was treated equally, no matter how long they had been on the team or what grade they were in.

“I think the team has really grown close over this season,” Brennan said. “We know how to work as a team and we’ve bonded over similar senses of humor and general interest in robotics.”

Although the entire team is excited and happy about making it to finals, it is also a bittersweet moment for the seniors on the team because this is potentially the last FTC match they will compete in.

“It’s kinda sad. It’s bittersweet, but I’m happy we got to States. This my first state competition for FTC, and I think we’re going to have a lot of fun,” senior Ben Unger said.