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Cory Spawn

The design and overview of the challenge FIRST STRONGHOLD. Each alliance of teams is on a quest to throw “boulders” to weaken and destroy the enemy tower. Ace Oubaha said, “Everyone loves First Stronghold because you get to destroy things. Its perfect.”

The Armada robotics team is a First Robotics club that operates out of Stillwater. The robotics team has been around for less than a decade. In less than five years, Armada claimed the top spot in Minnesota.

This club meets every week to design, make, and test new robotic equipment. On  Apr. 7, the Stillwater Robotics team placed 25th out of the 60 teams competing in a MSHSL regional competition. They will not be competing on May 21 for the state championship.

The Armada Robotics team is a student-run club. The team is run by a group of students called the Team Leaders. Among these leaders are seniors Ace Oubaha, Gina Jostes and Patrick Balfanz. As stated on the Armada team website, part of their mission is to develop leadership and foster an environment for the growth of all members. While Armada has a coach, Dennis Symalla who is often referred to as “Jedi”, usually “enjoys watching the students struggle and make mistakes,” stated  the Armada website.

Oubaha said, “It’s so much fun having the freedom to develop our own ideas and work together. We usually only need Mr. Symalla when something goes wrong.”

The robotics team thrives on rapport and cooperation. Every Thursday, the team meets in the Electronics Lab. These students spend their time together collaborating and growing as a team. Every stage of the season requires teamwork. First, the robots and machinery need to be planned out and designed. While some members work on the software and programming, others work on the mechanization and physical structure. During a competition, the team needs multiple people maneuvering and controlling the robots.

Jostes said, “There are a lot of components that make up a robot and a lot of different things that need to be done to keep a team running. If the team doesn’t get along and work together to create the best solution to problems, the robot the team makes would not be to it’s full potential.”

At the regional tournament, Armada placed 25th. Eligibility for the MSHSL state championship is based on points earned throughout the season. If Armada had placed higher at regionals, they would compete in the state championship. Teams can earn an instant trip to the championship by earning a Chairman’s award. Teams that do exceptionally well at a tournament can win a Chairman’s award to automatically qualify. Few teams earn this award and Armada fell short this year.

This year’s state tournament will be on May 21 and held in the Williams Arena, home of the Minnesota Gophers.  Only teams that score enough points during the season and regionals qualify for state.

“It’s a shame that we won’t go to the championship this year. It is a really hard thing to do. I really think we will have a chance next year and I’m confident in their ability,” Oubaha said.

Stillwater’s Armada Robotics looks to next year in hope of improvement. The team looks to be better than above average next season and will continue to improve for years to come.