![Members of Team 8714 controlling the robot during competition. [contributed]](https://www.theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/TPAA-FTC-team-2.jpg)
Three teams from the Academy competed — Secret Team (8396), Torchbots (9777) and Alloymantulas (8714). Alloymantulas ended qualifying matches in sixth place.
The closing ceremonies included the Secret Team winning second place for the Promote Award, and Alloymantulas won third for the Think Award.
Diana Cruz and Priscilla Diaz, two members of the Secret Team, were semifinalists on the FIRST Dean’s List for demonstrating leadership and dedication to FIRST. They were nominated by their mentor.
The competition, RES-Q, was modeled after mountain rescue missions and played by two alliances of two robots each. Robots scored points by resetting rescue beacons, delivering rescue climbers to a shelter, parking on the mountain,and parking in the rescue beacon repair zone or floor goal.
“These middle school students were competing against high school students who had a few more years of practice with robotics and building, and were at the same level of competition,” stated robotics advisor Sandramarie Delestre. “Their hard work and dedication this season has paid off.”
For more information about the competition, visit http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc.
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