Robotics team contenders in St. Louis championship

District 214’s WildStang Robotics Team, comprised of members from Wheeling, Rolling Meadows and Prospect high schools, received outstanding results in both FIRST Robotics regional competitions.

The FIRST Robotics Competition combines the excitement of athletics with the rigors of science and technology, “the varsity sport for the mind.”

On March 23-24, the WildStang team took second place at the Midwest Regional in Chicago. They won several additional awards, including the Imagery Award.

Rolling Meadows junior Jessica Endres was awarded one of two “Dean’s List” awards for her outstanding leadership and promotion of FIRST and its ideals.

Endres is one of 100 students vying for 10 national “Dean’s List” finalist awards in April at the FIRST Robotics Competition Championships.

At the North Star Regional of the FIRST Robotics Competition in Minneapolis, Minn., March 30-31, the WildStangs, partnered with teams from Duluth, Minn., and Albany, Minn., were victorious.

WildStang was the only team to be undefeated, winning all nine preliminary matches and six elimination matches to earn a 15-0 record for the two-day event.

The WildStangs also earned the “Innovation in Control” award, granted to the team best able to explain the functions of the robot.

The WildStang team will travel to St. Louis for the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship April 26-28.

WildStang is one of the defending World Champions from 2011 and won championships in 2009 and 2003, as well as the Chairman’s Award for best overall team in 2006.