The CRyptonite Robotics team won the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology’s (FIRST) Bayou Regional competition in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 15-17. The CRyptonite Robotics team totaled a score of ten-to-one, after the qualification matches, ranking them as the second place team. The team then banded with the first ranked team from the Woodlands during a section of the competition that allied certain teams together. The win qualifies the team to advance to the FIRST World Championship in St. Louis in late April to compete against robotics teams from around the world.

Furthermore, the CRyptonite robotics team also won the Innovation in Control, Quality in Design, and Safety awards at the FIRST Bayou Regional.

“We have a phenomenally well-rounded team. The quality of our robots has increased dramatically, enabling us to qualify for the World Championships four times in the past four years and win numerous awards in a wide array of fields,” senior and CRyptonite President Elizabeth Waters said.

More than just the win, robotics members enjoy being part of a team.

“I wish I joined the robotics team last year, in fact, because I really love my team members the most. They are all nice and always willing to teach you anything you don’t know. It’s like a big family,” sophomore Mericyn Daunis said.

The CRyptonite Robotics team has their next competition in Houston from April 5-7 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where they hope to win once again.

“We hope to have a similar performance at this our ‘home’ regional as we did at Bayou from both a robotics standpoint and win the highest award possible through the FIRST program–the chairman’s award,” Waters said. “It’s a long process, and thanks to the continued efforts of each and every student we’re able to build not only a successful robot but a successful, sustainable team beyond this year.”