WMHS Robotics team wins regional qualifying competitions, poised for success in regional championship match

The William Monroe High School Robotics team won both the Charlottesville FTQ Qualifier regional competition at Albemarle High School on January 14 and came out of the Harrisonburg competition January 20 in a great position to take the regional championship in February.

The team competed against 28 teams from Virginia and Maryland and went undefeated after five qualification matches and four final matches. 

In addition to placing first in the competition, the team received the First Inspire Award, which is given to the team that best embodies the ‘challenge’ of the FIRST Tech Challenge program. The team also won the "Control" award in Harrisonburg, which is given to a team that demonstrates innovative thinking.

The robotics team has also qualified for the FTC Championship scheduled for Feb. 3, 2024, in Haymarket, Virginia. The team will compete in another qualifying event Saturday at Harrisonburg High School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. 

“The dual victories this weekend showcase our team’s extraordinary technical proficiency and teamwork,” said lead coach Keith Congdon. “Over the past four years, they have grown from a small band of self-taught neophytes to the forerunners of their craft. Their passion, innovation, and collaboration demonstrate that the future of technology and robotics are in good hands,” added Congdon.

“I am very excited, not only to achieve winning alliance captain, but also the highest award (a player) can receive, the Inspire Award,” said William Monroe High School senior and team co-captain, Thomas Traber.

Monroe Robotics is ranked third out of 208 ranked teams in the First Chesapeake Region (Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.)

Click here for photos and here for a video of the Harrisonburg tournament.