Team 3161

By: Kristyn Farrell
Photo Credit: @HolyTrinityOak via Twitter

Team 3161 ­Tronic Titans, Holy Trinity’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics team, advanced to the semi­finals at the Waterloo Regional this past weekend.
After an exhausting yet exhilarating build season, Team 3161 wrapped up their 2014­/2015 season at the Waterloo Regional. Teams participating across the world in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) were given six weeks to design and build a fully functioning robot to complete certain tasks in this year’s designated game.

Although over a hundred regional and district events are held across the world each year, the Waterloo Regional is arguably one of the most competitive high calibre regional competition in all of FRC.

30 teams from across Canada and the United States competed at this event, including teams who were World Championships in previous years, and teams that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

After 65 qualification matches, the 30 teams were ranked in order of their point average per game. Team 3161 was ranked 17th out of 30 teams and was selected to be part of the fourth alliance. Eight alliances of three teams entered the playoffs; out of the four that made it to the semifinals, the two with the highest point average advanced to the finals. Unfortunately, Team 3161’s alliance achieved the third highest point average, and did not proceed to the finals.

Team 3161 is celebrating an outstanding end to the season; members came back home as proud semi­finalists. The team even achieved a coveted blue banner, as founding mentor Steven Lao won the Woodie Flowers Finalist Award for his continuous dedication and commitment to mentoring the team.

Overall, the team had a successful season and gained amazing, unforgettable experiences in the process. The members and mentors of Team 3161 are already looking forward to next year’s season, which will kick off in January 2016!