VEX Regional Robotics Tournament

  The Blackhawks Robotics Tournament was held Saturday February 9, 2013 at the Adrian R-3 school.  The Adrian Technology Students Association sponsored the event which culminates at the VEX Robotics High School World Championship April 17 – 20 in Anaheim California.  Twenty teams entered the tournament in Adrian. 

 Two traveled from Corning Iowa, three from Belton High School, and two from the Black Family Technology Awareness Association in Kansas City.  The remaining teams were from Adrian Technology Education classes.  Teacher and sponsor, Jim Hogan, guided his TSA students in organizing and accomplishing this event.  

 The tournament was held in the main Adrian R-3 gymnasium and it was filled with activity.  Two twelve foot square arenas were the center of the competition while the entire north section was occupied by the team “pits”.  A main projection screen provided continual information on the tournament as well as reminders such as barbecued steak and burgers cooked by Bates County Cattlemen and concessions by TSA.  Two additional projectors gave schedules and standings.  This year’s VEX Challenge, called Sack Attack, was refereed by Danny Ferguson, David Hollingshead, Heath Oates, and Jayson Rugg.  Before being allowed to compete each team’s robot was inspected by Richard Corum and Scott Ford.  Head judge, Richard Apple, supervised the judging team of Caroline Jett, Sharon Knuth, Josh Huenfeld, and Elbert Scrogham. 

  Jerry Ferguson served as announcer for the almost sixty matches.  Teams were paired in an alliance for each match, and then that pairing rotated so the teams were able to compete both with and against all the other teams.  This gives much opportunity for competing as well as exhibition of sportsmanship.  Jacob Rugg worked as manager of VEX software in covering the tournament.  Alex Apple was the overall tournament manager which was a monumental task.  Alex insured that everything came together as it should.  In the end every team was a winner, and all left with a sense of satisfaction.  The tournament was well attended with many spectators learning much about the program.  The Bates County Robotics FLL team, the Brick Heads, provided “kid power” to ensure the arenas were properly set for each match, and they had their robot demonstrating the challenge they worked for this year.  The tournament culminated in a rewarding awards ceremony.  Teams that did not win a place for advancement, learned, and will be working to win at future competitions.