INDIANAPOLIS – The Wawasee Iron Pride robotics team are the Indiana VEX Robotics state champions and state runners up for the second year in a row. Wawasee’s 574D, ranked fifth, allied with Triton Central High School, facing off against Wawasee’s 574C, ranked 19th, and Portage High School in a battle royale for the title. Team 574D came out on top with points, but their Triton Central partners accidentally knocked a scoring cube into their opponent’s scoring zone resulting in an automatic disqualification for round 1 and giving team 574C the first win. 574D fought back hard in the next round winning cleanly 46 to 38. Wawasee alumni Joseph Kelsheimer was the official announcer for the match and called the play by play announcing that the next round would determine the state championship, “unless of course it ends in a tie,” foreshadowing the most heated match of the day and a score of 55 to 55 leaving the crowd astonished. Both sides were evenly matched, but 574D and Triton Central edged out 574C and Portage in a finale that had the crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium on its feet with a score of 51 to 46.
In order to make it to the finals, team 574C had to pass through team 6842Z from Park Tudor, who is ranked third in the world. In a match that was too close to call from the stands, team 574C edged Park Tudor out by a mere 4 points with a score of 61-57. This pit both Wawasee teams against each other in the finals for the second year in a row and guaranteed Wawasee earned the top two spots in the championship. Last year, it was team 574C that emerged on top. Both teams, having advanced to semifinals at the state championship, are heading to the VEX Robotics World Championships that will be held in Louisville, Ky., at Freedom Hall on April 22 - 25.
Other accolades for the day included team 574D earning the Amaze Award which is given to a well rounded and top performing team. This brings this season’s Iron Pride total trophy count to 19, plus adds another State banner to put on display. Iron Pride coach Jed Wandland said, “It was a rollercoaster of a day. We had one of the toughest match schedules in the qualifying rounds and not being ranked in first or second for alliance selection out us at a distinct disadvantage, but it’s a testament to the kids’ incredible tenacity and drive that they were able to get to the finals.”
Team 574D is Indiana’s state champion and Amaze Award winner. Team members are Noah Beckner, Jack Collins, Wesley Hays and Nathan Smith.
Team 574C is Indiana’s state tournament finalist. Team members are Evan Rassi, Taylor Fiedeke and Evan Brower.
Both team 574D and team 574C have qualified to compete in the 2020 Vex Worlds Robotics Championship in Louisville, Ky.
Team 574F placed 38th and made it to the round of 16 in the elimination bracket.
Team 574H placed 19th in the middle school division and made it to the round of 16 in the elimination bracket.
