PG robotics team claims first UIL state championship

TEXARKANA, Texas — On March 15, four Pleasant Grove High School robotics teams competed in the 1A-4A UIL VEX Robotics State Championship, and two qualified for the World Robotics Championship.

This is the first time in Pleasant Grove High School history that the robotics team has qualified for the World Robotics Championship.

The Magnificent 7 team claimed the state championship with Hawks, Brandon and MK Robert teams placing second, third and fourth in the state, respectively. The Magnificent 7 and Brandon teams qualified for the World Robotics Championship on May 7 in Dallas.

Magnificent 7 placed in the top 40 teams in their division of the world championship. A total of 800 teams competed.

Coach/sponsor Colton Mullins said there were 40 nations and 48 states represented at the world championship. There was also at least one team from every continent.

The teams competed with partners from other countries, where Mullins said there was a language barrier that students had to work through to complete the competitions. Robotic challenges included engineering robots to drive, balance on a balance board, pick rings and put them on a post, among other tasks.

Mullins said he couldn’t be more proud of what his team accomplished.

“I’m extremely proud of them,” he said. “Having four teams in the state tournament was awesome, and having two qualify for World’s our first year ever doing it was a great experience. They put in hours upon hours after school of practicing, building and re-designing. They’re great kids who are fun to be around. We had a blast.”

The teams are — Magnificent 7: Chris Brannan, Michael Glenn, Rose Anderson, Jacob Jones, Campbell Jackson, Nathan Hutcheson and Brooks Beck

Brandon: Mathew Thomas, Chris Ayers, Jakob Fontenot, Evan Damron

Hawks: Chase Bolton and Andrew Smith

MK Robert: Andy Hilton, Dylan Yost, George Matthews and Kelin Formes; and alternates Logan Knowles, Joey Ethridge, Joseph Boyajin and Wilson Cheng

Photo courtesy of PGISD Pleasant Grove High School robotics teams recently participated in the 1A-4A UIL VEX Robotics State Championship, with the Magnificent 7 taking the championship. Pictured are, from left, Colton Mullins, Joseph Boyajain, Logan Knowles, Michael Glenn, Joseph Ethridge, Chris Brannan, Caleb Watson, Jacob Jones, George Matthews, Mathew Thomas, Chase Bolton, Andy Hilton, Jakob Fontenot, Andrew Smith, Chris Ayers, Dylan Yost and Kelin Formes. Not Pictured Rose Anderson, Nathan Hutcheson, Campbell Jackson, Brooks Beck and Evan Damron.