Hybrid Hornets take third place at robotics competition

By Andrew Flynn, Reporter|March 10, 2016

Senior+Michael+Fitzgerald+%28left%29+gives+a+double+high+five+to+senior+Lindsay+Nofs+after+winning+a+match.

IMAGE / Katie Valley

Senior Michael Fitzgerald (left) gives a double high five to senior Lindsay Nofs after winning a match.

The Hybrid Hornets finished in third place after a two-day FIRST robotics competition.

Kettering University hosted 40 teams for the event on Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5.

The Hornets, Team 5150, were in first place for most of the competition but fell short on their second day.

Senior Gabe Carnes said that the team performed well.

“We did amazingly well,” Carnes said. “We finished the qualification rounds in first place out of the 40 teams. Unfortunately, we were knocked out in the semifinals after a tough fight.”

But the Hybrid Hornets did not go home empty handed. They won the team spirit award.

Sophomore Hailey Anderson said the spirit award goes to the team that best represents their team’s enthusiasm and camaraderie.

“We were loud and we stayed extremely positive,” Anderson said. “And we never stopped cheering our team on.”

As for the robot, which the team named Sir Buzzbee of Robotis, Carnes said it performed well.

Senior Alex Gatica waves Team 5150's flag to pump up the crowd before a match.
IMAGE / Katie Valley
Senior Alex Gatica waves Team 5150’s flag to pump up the crowd before a match.

“The robot stayed together and was fully operational for every match, which was an accomplishment in itself,” Carnes said. “I’m very proud of the team for working hard the entire season long.”