For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics teams from Girard High School and Warren G. Harding High School scored in the top 10 out of 55 teams last weekend at the Buckeye Regional event at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland.

Judy Barber O’Brien, one of the Girard coaches, said the FIRST Robotics Aptiv Team 379, the RoboCats, is celebrating its 25th season this year, and finished second out of 55 teams from seven states and two countries.

She said the RoboCats finished as the No. 6 seeded team after two days of qualifying matches and were selected in the first round by the No. 2 alliance team 3484, Short Circuits, from Marysville. Team 6181, Cryptic Cyborgs from Archbold, Ohio, joined to compete as alliance partners in the playoff tournament.

Build coach Ashraf Hadi said, “Our robot performed extremely well this season, but that would not have been the case without the hard work of our students. Their efforts on and off the field are what truly make this possible.”

Joe Jeswald, a 25-year volunteer mentor, cites the team’s success in scouting other teams for alliances as a key to developing winning strategies. He said developing real-world skills such as problem solving, teamwork, communication and time management are what team members develop through their participation in FIRST Robotics.

Harding’s robotics team, which is in its 27th season, placed seventh at the weekend tournament.

Frank Bosak, coach for the Team E.L.I.T.E. 48 at Harding High School, said the team also received the “Gracious Professionalism Award,” which recognizes and celebrates a team for its collaboration with other teams. Bosak said the Harding team has received the award in past years, but it was an honor to receive the award again.

“The team has really shown growth this year. The team members have been very excited at the competitions,” Bosak said.

He said the team will compete at one more regional event — the FIRST Miami Valley Regional in Cincinnati April 5 and 6. Teams from Austintown and Champion also will compete at that event.

“We hope to be successful there, which will help us qualify for nationals,” Bosak said, noting a team from New York won the Buckeye Regional.

Warren Harding previously competed at the Hudson Valley Regional in Suffern, New York. Team 48 ranked 6th with a record of seven wins and three losses there. They also won the Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors, which celebrates the team that demonstrates Industrial Design Principles, striking a balance between form, function and aesthetics.

The Canfield High School robotics team placed 26th and Howland High School placed 50th at the Buckeye Regional.

Barber O’Brien said this year is not only the RoboCat’s 25th year, but the Buckeye Regional also is celebrating the 25th year in Cleveland. FIRST Robotics itself is celebrating 35 years. This year, 750,000 youth from over 100 countries are participating in FIRST Robotics.

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