


photo: Jocelyn King

Wheeling Park Higher College student Ethan Matz shows off the Iron Patriots MK 1 robot that not too long ago won his group the state capabilities championship.

WHEELING – Ohio County’s robotics teams won the most of any in West Virginia at the state robotics championships this month, and now they want to take on the globe.
40 students from Ohio County are headed to the Wake Robotics Planet Championships April 25-27 at Kai Bailey Hutchinson Arena in Dallas.
One particular of the students is Wheeling Park Higher College graduate Azariah Baies, the “driver” of the Iron Patriots MK four robot that won the general state championship in West Virginia.
West Virginia has been awarded spots for 14 teams at the globe championships, with Ohio County schools taking nine of them – 3 for VPHS, 4 from Bridge Street Higher College and two from Triadelphia Higher College.
photo: Jocelyn King
Wheeling Park Higher College graduate Azariah Bayes demonstrates the Iron Patriots MK four robot that not too long ago won his group the general state championship and a berth in the globe finals in Dallas.
Bayes mentioned that possessing the very best and most effective robot in the competitors is not often what brings victory to his group. The robots are constructed and coded to do factors like shoot as several discs into the net as they can in a 45 second period.
“I would not say the robot is far better – I practice a lot,” Bayes mentioned. “They can outplay all of our opponents and they can outplay all of our opponents.
“Our robot is above typical, but then once more I would not say it is a robot.” It really is about practicing driving with my driving group and managing my time on the field.”
He took more than as robot driver right after the start out of the season, but which includes class time, he estimates he practices driving the robot for about 3 hours every single day.
He mentioned some modifications will be produced to the robot ahead of the Planet Cup, and alternatively of shooting 4 discs, it will be capable to shoot six at a time – permitting the group to score additional points through the allotted time.
Bayes hopes to pursue a profession in engineering when in college, and is contemplating attending Purdue University or Southern New Hampshire University on line.
VPHS senior Ethan Matz and his group, the Iron Patriots MK 1, also certified for the globe championships when winning the capabilities championship for West Virginia.
He knows what sets his team’s robot apart from the rest.
“It really is rapidly – more quickly than the other individuals,” he mentioned. “He’s most likely the quickest in the state, and he’s most likely the quickest shooter.”
Matz mentioned he produced some adjustments to the robot’s motors through the season to boost its speed.
Bridge Street Middle College eighth graders Mia White and Emma McNickle are excited to go to Dallas. Their Steels Devil III group was the state tournament champion amongst higher college competitors.
They added that they are seeking forward to meeting new individuals from all more than the globe and becoming capable to enhance their coding capabilities.
JoJo Shai, innovation coordinator for Ohio County Schools, has about a month to coordinate the logistics of finding 40 students and nine teams with their coaches and chaperones to Dallas.
That is double the quantity of robotics students who traveled to Dallas final year for the globe championships, she mentioned. It was their initially year competing, and Ohio County schools sent 4 teams.
“We certified nine teams this year, and that is a testament to their passion for robotics, their level of competitors and their want to take it to the subsequent level,” she mentioned. “We have a lot additional youngsters this year.”





Today’s breaking news and additional in your inbox