Biology

“Automaticus Rex,” a homeschool group from Lexington, was named overall champion at the Kentucky FIRST LEGO League State Robotics Championship on Feb. 2.

About 290 participants on 39 teams competed in the Kentucky FIRST LEGO League State Robotics Championship on Feb. 2 at WKU’s Diddle Arena. (WKU photos by Clinton Lewis)

The competition at WKU’s Diddle Arena featured 39 teams with about 290 participants. The theme of this year’s event was “Senior Solutions™,” which called for teams to research and explore the topic of aging and how it may affect a person’s ability to maintain his or her lifestyle.

Award winners are as follows:

Champion’s Award (Overall Champion)

• First Place: “Automaticus Rex,” a homeschool group from Lexington. Team members are David Gedney, Joseph Gedney, Daniel Houston, Jonas Houston, Philippe Bischel, Matthew Puckett and Damian Lopez. Coached by Stephen Gedney and Carolyn Gedney.  
• Second Place: “The Brainy Bots” from Gray Middle School in Union.  Team members are Will Henry Richards, Ken Ryumae, Alex Wilson, Oliver Lawal, Tanner Schmidt, Kyle Dolwick and Zachary St. Hilaire. Coached by Karen Cheser and Masaru Ryumae.

Research Award

• First Place: “Mann Lego Mechanics” from Mann Elementary School in Union.  Team members are Leah Benne, Logan Dodd, Luke Schauberger, Thomas Taylor, Max Coates, Liam Greene, Parker Wharton, Drew Press and Cameron Souder. Coached by Elizabeth Dodd, Todd Benne and Jim Coates.
• Second Place: “Jesus Freaks,” a homeschool team from Louisville. Team members are Jacob Foote, Jarod Lovekamp, Gabe Page, Nicholas Page, Hudson Thompson and Stewart Thompson. Coached by Rick Lovekamp, Chris Page and Scott Thompson.

Innovative Solution Award

• First Place: “Shark Attack” from T.C. Cherry Elementary School in Bowling Green. Team members are Lillian Debord, Madison McCloughan, Conner McCoy, Gavin McDole, Grace Tweedy, Ian Tweedy and Conner Twyman. Coached by Carrie Koedyker.
• Second Place: “Funky Squirrels” from Campbell County Middle School in Alexandria. Team members are Emma Burbrink, Jacob Chamberlin, Katie Emmett, Alex Schuchter, Gracie Wright, Logan Stadtmiller and Brianna Stadtmiller. Coached by George Kyle.

Presentation Award

• First Place: “LEGO Fix-A-Lot” from Sts. Peter and Paul School in California.  Team members are Trey Finkenstead, Ali Gebauer, Travis Martin, Ava Ritter, Noah Ritter, Emma Twehues and Ryan Twehues. Coached by Paul Yelton, Carla Martin and Matthew Martin.
• Second Place: “Glasgow Gladiators – White” from Glasgow Middle School in Glasgow. Team members are Alyssa Baker, Michael Crimmins, Jansen Dakin, Payne Flatt, Addie Johnson, Caleb Jones, Morgan Miracle, Mason Reid and Jasmine Smith.  Coached by JR Dakin, Heather Johnson and Michael Hildreth.

Robot Performance Award

• First Place:  “E-Bots” from T.K. Stone Middle School in Elizabethtown. Team members are William Elliott, Michael Feiler, Zachary Johnson, Esther Huggins, Isaac Huggins, Natavia Young, Mohamed Abdi, Cody May and Rhianna Clemons. Coached by Celeste Lawson and Dr. William Clagett.

   

  

  The theme of this year’s competition was “Senior Solutions.” (WKU photo by Clinton Lewis)

• Second Place: “Mann Lego Mechanics” from Mann Elementary School in Union.  Team members are Leah Benne, Logan Dodd, Luke Schauberger, Thomas Taylor, Max Coates, Liam Greene, Parker Wharton, Drew Press and Cameron Souder. Coached by Elizabeth Dodd, Todd Benne and Jim Coates.

Mechanical Design Award

• First Place: “RoboHawks” from Larue Robotics Club in Hodgenville. Team members are Dylan Rowe, Gilbert Cox, Mary Gearon, Ethan Johnson, Isaac Johnson, Parker Smith and Celeste Menard. Coached by David Walsh and Price Smith.
• Second Place: “O.C. Colonels”  from Oldham County Middle School in LaGrange. Team members are Eric Kirby, Jordan Berhow, Logan Parker, John Parks and Hart Hillerich. Coached by Joe Percefull and Rick Kirby.

Programming Award

• First Place: “LEGO Legends 1st Generation,”  an Anderson County 4-H Club team from Lawrenceburg. Team members are Brandon Gowan, Luke Edwards, Eric Adams, Rio Velasco, Zach Wentz, Nick Gnadinger, Alaina Gnadinger and Katie Kees.  Coached by Kelli Gowan, Lisa Schmoetzer and Marie Edwards.
• Second Place: “Meyzeek Red” from Meyzeek Middle School in Louisville.  Team members are Austin Kline, Jackson Haile, Griffin Fleischaker, Ryan Kline, Sophia DeVenuto and Jing Xu.  Coached by Trish Kline, Victoria Johnston and Kelly Haile.

Innovation and Strategy Award

• First Place: “Super Senior League” from Grant’s Lick Elementary School in Alexandria. Team members are Ava Owen, Michael Leicht, Cameron Riley, Jason Sand, Hannah Breitenstein, Payton Combs and Brennan Perkins. Coached by Fred Strange and Nikki Owen.
• Second Place: “Ingenious Engineers” from St. Joseph School in Cold Spring.  Team members are Matthew Batshoun, Maya Batshoun, Daniel Howard, Peter Kahmann, Reid Neufelder, Jack Scharstein and Patrick Seibert. Coached by Gaby Batshoun, Jennifer Batshoun and Susan Kahmann.

Inspiration Award

• First Place: “IDEA Club,” a new kid’s club founded