Robotics teams do well in tourney

Five teams from Tucumcari Diamondback STEM robotics program recently competed at the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics’ botball tournament in Los Lunas, and all have been invited to the international contest in Oklahoma this summer.

In botball, students design and build robots to accomplish varying challenges during the competition.

Team 806, which consisted of Caden Thomas, MiKayla Klinger and Bryson Klinger, won first place overall and first place in documentation and presentation.

Team 805, consisting of Aaron Chand, Justin Keith, Nolan Ryen and Angela Vasquez, finished second overall and earned the judge’s choice award because of the design and programming of their robots.

Team 803, consisting of Mesha Powell, Kaylee Brown and Alan Jimenez, won the KISS (or Keep It Simple, Student) Award by accomplishing the most with the fewest parts and least programming.

Representing Tucumcari on two other teams were Sariah Mardo, Rachel Mardo, Mary Ann Avery, David Olguin and Shane Jaggers.

The sponsors of the Tucumcari Diamondback squads are Tommy and Morisa Evans.

All of Tucumcari’s teams have been invited to the international contest in Norman, Oklahoma, on July 11-15. They also were invited to a competition at the Air Force Academy in Colorado on May 21.