KDSS Robotics Team wins big in Ohio
After successfully competing at three regional competitions, Team 781 from Kincardine District Secondary School (KDSS) is on its way once again to the FIRST World Championship!
The Kinetic Knights FIRST Robotics Team spent their Easter weekend competing at the inaugural Queen City Regional in Cincinnati, Ohio, playing against 56 other FIRST Robotics teams from Canada, Brazil and the U.S.A.
In a basketball themed game with robots scoring baskets and balancing on a seesaw style bridge, the Knights finished the qualification matches in the 21st seed. However, during selections, the Kinetic Knights were invited to join the 8th ranked alliance. This consisted Team 45, The Techno Kats and Team 3940, The Cyber Tooth, both from Indiana. Although their alliance was the underdog throughout the elimination matches, Team 781 made it to the finals, thanks to their alliance's ability to balance three robots on the bridge.
The first match of the finals finished with the alliance earning the highest scoring match of the competition, 91-83. However, the competition would not give up that easily, keeping the second match of the finals at a tight score. It wasn't until the concluding seconds when Kinetic Knights' human player, Luke Splettstoesser, scored a basket from across the field to win the match and competition, 64-62.
A special mention goes out to the Kinetic Knights' drive team of Matt Pagnan, Luke Splettstoesser and Bradley Reid, lead by build captain James Jackson.
The Knights didn't just come home with the regional champion title but also their 5th regional website award. Winning this regional secures a spot for the Kinetic Knights at the upcoming FIRST World Championship in St. Louis, MO, where they finished second last year. For those unable to make it down with the team, there will be a live stream of the competition, Facebook updates and Tweets with more information available on their award winning website, www.team781.com.
Team 781 is also holding a Penny War at the high school and an elementary school dance at the beginning of June to help with the cost. However, they are always looking for new sponsors and encourage anyone wishing to donate to or sponsor the team to please contact sponsorship@team781.com or call KDSS at 519-396-9151.
The Kinetic Knights would like to thank all current sponsors who have already made this season possible and the community for all its support this past year.
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