Kinetic Knights have amazing experience at FIRST World Championships in Houston, Texas

The Kinetic Knights Robotics Team (FRC Team 781) of Kincardine had an amazing experience at the FIRST World Championships in Houston, Texas, last week.

This is the first time in almost a decade the team has qualified for the worlds, and thanks to extensive support from the community and many generous sponsors, about 30 team members, mentors and parents made the trek, by bus and plane, to the George R. Brown Convention Centre. Most travelled by bus for almost 30 hours to get there.

Team captain Nathan Pollock said it's cool to see what other teams did with their robots to meet the challenge, “Reefscape,” created by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

“It was great to see how our robot squared off against the others,” said Nathan. “We were really busy in the pits, adjusting on the go to be competitive here.

“It was a lot of work to get here, but it was definitely worth it. The highlight was playing the game at the worlds in front of this huge crowd. There are so many people.

“With the robotics program, you get out of it what you put into it.”

Josh Adams, a member of the drive team, said it was interesting to see how the Team 781 robot was designed compared to the rest of the world.

Danny Bechard, also of the drive team, agreed, saying it was great to see how other teams tackled the challenge.

“It’s very exciting to be here,” said Carter Frook, administrative lead on the team. “The difference between this and Ontario Champs is huge. Here, you’re among the best of the best from around the world. I managed to swap seven T-shirts with other teams, including Team 4414, High Tide, of California.”

Mentor John Adams said it was a thrill to see the senior team members, who have had their sights on the worlds for the past four years, finally get here.

“These kids have learned a lot,” he said. “I’ve seen rookies step up and take on various roles. This team has made an impression on judges and other teams and on each other. It’s not what I would have predicted when I joined as a mentor four years ago.”

Lead mentor David Dadson said it was a great event; the team members enjoyed themselves, they learned a lot, and the robot performed well.

“Reaching the worlds, for our senior kids, was the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication,” he said. “For the younger kids, it was an opportunity to see what FIRST is all about, and how large this organization really is. This competition showcases a small sample of all the best teams in the world.”

Dadson said the highlight of the event was watching Team 781’s robot play against some of the best teams in the world, and hold its own on the field. The major challenge was the short time period to organize travelling to Houston, after finding out the team qualified, just a week-and-a-half before, at Ontario Champs.

The event drew about 50,000 people, featuring the FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) division which the Kinetic Knights are part of, as well as the FTC (FIRST Techology Challenge) division, and FLL (FIRST Lego League).

In the FRC division, Team 781 was one of 600 teams on eight fields. Thursday and Friday, were qualifying matches, when the Kinetic Knights worked in alliances of three robots to complete the challenge on the Hopper Field.



The Kinetic Knights’ robot competes in qualifying matches at the FIRST World Robotics Championships in Houston, Texas, Thursday

By the end of these matches, Team 781 was in 59th place, with four wins and six losses. The team was not selected for an alliance so did not advance to the playoffs.

The winners from the eight fields advanced to the Einstein Fields – Mass and Energy – and from there, to the overall final. In the best-of-seven, Newton Field beat Johnson Field for the world championship.

There were also awards presented, and some spectacular entertainment.

After posing for a photo in front of the FIRST sign, Team 781 climbed back on the bus for the trip home.



The Kinetic Knights Robotics Team includes, in the back, Ibrahim Syed (left), Tyler Neabel, mentors David Dadson, John Adams (hidden) and Jed Gonzales, Ty Ferguson, mentor Gregory Dadson, Ethan Moriarty, Sangat Chouhan, Cooper Moffatt, Carter Frook, Lenin Zandwyk, mentor Mike Pierunek, Xavier Hyre, Gabrielle Geberdt, and mentors Conner Dixon and Liz Dadson; and in front, Danny Bechard (left), Pravit Joshi, Josh Adams, Riley McKechnie, Nathan Pollock, Hayley Courtney, Ani Tokekar, mentor Natalie McKechnie and Graden Brijlall; photo by Jason Geberdt

Thanks again, to all the many great sponsors who contributed to the team travelling to the worlds, including Bruce Power and its suppliers, the Kincardine Legion, NPX, Kinectrics, Tetra Tech and B.M. Ross; as well as season sponsors, Bruce Power, the Kincardine Legion, NPX, Enbridge, Miller Insurance, McKechnie Pharmacy, FIO Automotive, Special Electronics and Design, Cottrill Heavy Equipment, Bruce Telecom, Solid Works, the Kincardine Record, the Municipality of Kincardine, and many more.

For more information about the Kinetic Knights, visit www.kineticknights.org/.



The Kinetic Knights’ robot competes in qualifying matches at the FIRST World Robotics Championships in Houston, Texas, Friday