The 2015 Vex Robotics season is off to a solid start for the Fountain Hills High School teams, with one roster bringing home a second place finish and an Excellence Award from the first competition.

FHHS had two teams take part in the Southern Arizona Vex Robotics Competition, recently hosted out of Walden Grove High School in Sahuarita.

“Fountain Hills Robotics Club had two teams participating this year,” explained club advisor Dr. Paul McElligott.

“Team A, headed by Andrew Cooper, included Turner Adams, Hector Tucto, Brendan Tjeerdsma and Katelyn McErlean. Team B, led by Cameron Ribail, included Joseph Morettia and John Kelly.”

For the preliminary rounds, teams competed in head to head events to try and score the most points by constructing pillars and placing objects on scoring pegs.

Following the opening rounds, Team A found itself in sixth place with 24 points with Team B in 16th place.

Teams form alliances for the finals, with Team B joining the current leader and earning an automatic pass into the semifinals. Team A, being in the top seven, was allowed to choose its own alliance of three teams.

Team A won its quarter-final rounds and was eventually eliminated in the semi-finals. Team B won their semi-final rounds and tied one game each in the finals.

“Team B lost in the last game of the tournament but won second place overall,” McElligott explained.

“Team B was one win away from winning it all.”

Despite a slightly earlier exit, Team A also managed a huge honor, landing the tournament’s Excellence Award.

This award is given to the overall top team at each tournament and is considered the highest distinction at a Vex competition.

As a result, Team A will get an automatic entry into the Arizona State Competition scheduled for March. Before then, the squads plan on competing in several more events to get ready.

One such event will be hosted locally on the high school campus on Feb. 13 and 14.

Volunteers

McElligott is on the lookout for volunteers to help run the local event, which he explained in a recent letter to the editor:

Friday we need volunteers starting at 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. to help set up and assist in the gyms as teams enter for registration, set up and perform skills.

On that Saturday, we will need volunteers in both the gym and cafeteria locations to assist with some of the same duties.

You do not need any technical background to help.

We are in need of judges and referees. If you have a technical background and would like to help, please contact me.

All volunteers should either call Dr. McElligott at 664-5573 or email pjmcelligott@fhusd.org.