Sandy Creek Robotics Logo

Team Advances to 2016 VEX World Championship

April 1st, 2016 by Lani Camp, Public Relations

The A-Team from Sandy Creek along with their alliance, Freezing Code from Oswego, finished in first place at the Northern New York VEX Nothing But Net State Robotics Championship, advancing them to the 2016 VEX Worlds on April 20-23, in Louisville, KY. Members of the Sandy Creek A-Team include: Team Captain Andrew Olin; Programmer Oren McDougal; Scout T.J. Harding; Driver Logan Hatch; and Team Scribe/Record Keeper Zeke Durham. The team is coached by Sandy Creek Technology Teacher John DeGone.

"John came to me over a year ago and we discussed the future of robotics here at Sandy Creek," said Sandy Creek Superintendent of Schools Stewart Amell. "I was very excited to hear he was interested in starting a program. We provided him and his students the resources and then they win the NNY State Championship his first year! I'm ecstatic for him and his students. They have worked very hard after school until the late night hours preparing for this competition."

To prepare for the VEX competitions, the students, designed, built, and programmed their robots from the ground up and then went headto-head in tournaments and challenges. This year's theme, the "Nothing But Net" challenge was played in a competition arena by scoring colored balls in high and low goals, and additional points could be earned by elevating the robot in a designated climbing zone. At the VEX Worlds, the Sandy Creek team will compete against the best of the best robotics teams from around the world. The event will feature top teams from over 1,000 VEX Robotics tournaments happening in cities around the globe. Over 30 nations will be represented in this elite competition taking place at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
"The Sandy Creek School District has been very supportive of the robotics program throughout its inception," said Coach DeGone. "I have been blessed with a supportive superintendent and administration that value problem solving, critical thinking, and the practical application of mathematics and sciences. I am very proud of the hard work, dedication, and relentless determination of all of the Sandy Creek robotics team members!"

The championship VEX Robotics team from Sandy Creek High School are pictured here with their winning robot and trophies. Left to right are Coach John DeGone, T.J. Harding, Logan Hatch, Oren McDougal, Andrew Olin and Zeke Durham. The championship VEX Robotics team from Sandy Creek High School are pictured here with their winning robot and trophies. Left to right are Coach John DeGone, T.J. Harding, Logan Hatch, Oren McDougal, Andrew Olin and Zeke Durham.