GHS robotics team receives high marks in national competition

April 30, 2006
Greenville Herald Banner

By Brad Kellar
The Herald Banner

ATLANTA, Ga. – A second Greenville High School team has done well in a national robotics competition.

The Greenville High School/L-3 Communications Robowranglers Team 148 made it to the quarterfinals and finished in the top 20 of their division Saturday during the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, according to team coach Vanessa Pope.

"We competed nationally in the Curie Division," Pope said. The squad from Greenville competed against 85 other teams from across the United States and other countries.

Driving the large robot, nicknamed "Lone Star", were seniors Mike Risley and Kevin Morris.

The challenge began Thursday with practice rounds and continued through the seeding rounds, alliance picks and division finals Friday.

"We were in the fourth seed alliance," Pope said. The Greenville team partnered with teams from Ontario, Canada and Hicksville, N.Y. in the division finals. The final four rounds for the national title were held Saturday.

Greenville compiled a 5-2 overall record and finished 16th out of the 86 teams in the division.

"We're very excited with how we did," Pope said.

The team was under the mentorship of L-3 Communications engineers throughout the building and competition process.

Friday, the Greenville High School Robowranglers Vex Team 1148, sponsored by Rack Solutions, a division of Innovation First of Greenville, won the national championship in the FIRST Vex Challenge competition.

"It's been a good run for our robots," Pope said.

Pope said the teams, along with fellow coaches Terri Galloway and Johnny Tharp, were scheduled to return to Greenville Monday.