Kinetic Knights make it to the semi-finals at Oshawa district robotics competition

The Kinetic Knights (FRC Team 781) of Kincardine, travelled to Durham College in Oshawa for their first district competition March 3-4.

The team spent Friday evening making some last-minute changes to its robot, named “Richard,” after mentor Richard Yun who died March 17, 2017.

The Kinetic Knights struggled during qualification matches, Saturday and Sunday morning, finishing with a record of 3-9-0, but gaining much-needed driving experience and improving their robot’s performance during the weekend.

Heading into Alliance selections for the elimination rounds, Team 781 was ranked 37 of 38 but was hoping the top teams would recognize its improvement over the weekend and its stronger finishing matches.

Sunday afternoon, the Kinetic Knights were selected by Alliance Captain Team 1285 (The Big Bang) of Mississauga joining its first pick, Team 4939 (Allspark9) of Brampton, forming Alliance 4.

Alliance 4 faced off against Alliance 5, consisting of Team 4704 (Northern Lights Robotics) of Timmins, Team 2708 (Lake Effect Robotics) of Kingston, and Team 2994 (Astechz) of Kanata, eliminating Alliance 5 in two straight matches.

Alliance 4 then took on Alliance 1, consisting of Team 610 (Crescent Coyotes) of North York, Team 4476 (WAFFLES) of Kingston, and Team 6110 (Doc Botics) of Ajax, in the semi-finals.

Alliance 1 defeated Alliance 4 in two straight matches, eliminating Alliance 4, and the Kinetic Knights, from the competition. Alliance 1 went on to win the district event.

The Kinetic Knights thank their alliance partners for a great elimination round run, and look forward to seeing them again later in the season.



The Kinetic Knights robot competes on the field at the Durham College district event in Oshawa, March 3-4; videos by David Dadson