The Warren Central Digital Goats robotics team headed to the first Robotics Competition (FRC) championship in Dallas, Texas, from April 17 to April 20 and ranked in the top 20 teams out of 75 in their division. It was held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. During this event, teams from all around the world came together to celebrate their achievements and to be crowned champions in 2023-24.
The students who participated in this competition were seniors Noelle Capps and Juana Gutierrez; juniors Robert Shelton, Braden Hamilton , Allen Sollars, Angel Herrera-Sanchez, Keith Owens, Isaac Highsaw, Malaika Poluscar, Isabella Defiore and Justice Edgett; and sophomores Dalton McKinney and Christopher Irigoyen Carrasco.
The Digital Goats, Team 829, ranked 17th in the competition with a record of 7-3-0.
Warrior Robotics have been thriving for a while. At the FIN District Mishawaka Event on April 20, they were ranked number seven with a record of 13-5-0. For the First Indiana State Championship on April 17, they were ranked 13th with a record of 8-8-0.
The robotics team is coached by business teacher Nicholas Armstrong and Craig Harvey, who teaches engineering design and precision machining in the Walker Career Center.
“Participating in the world championship is an amazing experience for students,” Harvey said. “They are able to meet teams from all around the world, visit possible colleges and employers.”
Craig likes events like these so that students can encounter new opportunities. On a more personal level, he also enjoys watching the participants become better.
“Mentoring students is the best part about robotics,” he said. “The robot is a tool to help them become awesome and responsible people.”
Sophomore Dalton McKinney´s favorite part about competing is the spirit and passion people have for creating new things.
“It's cool to see other people interacting with each other and watching what goes on throughout,” he said.
The game the robotics team participated in was called Crescendo. The main goal was to score nerf-like rings in goals called the “Amp” and the “Source.”
“I believe that anyone can be in robotics,” sophomore Christopher Irigoyen Carrasco said. “People who want to learn and leave an impact on others should be in it,” he said.
Everyone, including the coaches, can agree that Warren’s robotics team always puts in 100% effort. Harvey strongly believes that “17th out of 75 teams in our division is a huge accomplishment.” He is very proud of the Digital Goats, and believes they will only get better from here.
According to The Digital Goats Facebook page, the group is “planning for a return in 2025.”
Their competitions are posted on YouTube and many other social media apps for anyone who wants to watch them at work during this life-changing event.