Robotics Team - Michigan State Championship Results

Congratulations to the Freeland Middle School robotics team for earning runner-up at the Michigan State Championship for FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC).  The team performed exceptionally by winning all of their qualification matches during the 2-day event at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, held December 15-16th.  They earned the 2nd rank captains spot in the Edison Division of the tournament.  Each of the divisions, Edison and Franklin, consisted of 48 teams from across the state of Michigan.  These 96 teams were the best-of-the-best from more than 400 teams in Michigan competing in the 2017-2018 FTC Relic Recovery game.  After selecting robotic alliance partners from Kalamazoo and Troy, Freeland proceeded into the divisional playoff rounds.  Their alliance won every match including a win against the #1 ranked divisional alliance.  Those wins secured their alliance's spot in the final match against the Franklin Division winner, which was lead by 2-time state champion, The HexaSonics of Allendale.  The Fabricators' alliance lost the first match of the finals, but rebounded quickly by winning the second.  Going into the sudden death final match, Freeland's finest put up a great effort, but their partner from Kalamazoo had difficulty with a scoring element, and their opponents had just too much offense.  Freeland finished as runner-up in the event.  However, their performance in the Michigan State Championship did earn them a nomination to the next level of competition.  That event, the FTC North Super Regional, will be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 15-17, 2018.  The team will be busy the next several months raising the necessary funds to make the trip, as well as improving their robot.  They will be competing against high school and middle school teams from across a 12-state region.  Best of luck to the Freeland Fabricators.  Thanks to all students and mentors for their dedication and hard work!