The Creekside Middle School robotics team, better known as the Robodux, posted the best finish ever by a Michigan middle school team at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship, held in Houston, Texas last month.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
It’s been an amazing season for the robotics team at Creekside Middle School.
In fact, it’s unprecedented. The Robodux, as they’re called, just finished the most successful season ever by a middle school team in the state of Michigan at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas April 16-19.
The Creekside team was one of 256 teams from around the world to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge, Robodux coach Andy Quick wrote in an email to the Zeeland Record.
After a strong 8-2 record in the qualifying rounds, the Robodux ranked eighth in the Jemison Division, one of four divisions at the championships. Their performance statistics were among the best of any team in the division. Although their rank earned them a spot as an alliance captain, they were honored to be selected by the No. 2 seeded team from Thailand for the elimination tournament.
On the final day of the competition, the team continued to excel. After a close first-round loss by just three points, the alliance battled back through the lower bracket, defeating both of the division’s top-ranked alliances, including the No. 1 seed, and ultimately finishing third in their division.
“We’re so proud of our students,” Quick said. “They’ve shown incredible teamwork, resilience, and skill. It’s been incredible to watch the Creekside Robodux make history and represent our Zeeland community on the world stage.”
The team consisted of eighth-graders Jack Haisch, Evan Kalajainen, Kyle Lyon and Shea Westveer; seventh-graders Charlie Bouwkamp, Sarah Gleason, Case Hekman and Ian Pope; and sixth-graders Cara Alofs, Elliot Haisch, Landon Hill and Elsie Nienhuis.
Zeeland Record
It’s been an amazing season for the robotics team at Creekside Middle School.
In fact, it’s unprecedented. The Robodux, as they’re called, just finished the most successful season ever by a middle school team in the state of Michigan at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas April 16-19.
The Creekside team was one of 256 teams from around the world to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge, Robodux coach Andy Quick wrote in an email to the Zeeland Record.
After a strong 8-2 record in the qualifying rounds, the Robodux ranked eighth in the Jemison Division, one of four divisions at the championships. Their performance statistics were among the best of any team in the division. Although their rank earned them a spot as an alliance captain, they were honored to be selected by the No. 2 seeded team from Thailand for the elimination tournament.
On the final day of the competition, the team continued to excel. After a close first-round loss by just three points, the alliance battled back through the lower bracket, defeating both of the division’s top-ranked alliances, including the No. 1 seed, and ultimately finishing third in their division.
“We’re so proud of our students,” Quick said. “They’ve shown incredible teamwork, resilience, and skill. It’s been incredible to watch the Creekside Robodux make history and represent our Zeeland community on the world stage.”
The team consisted of eighth-graders Jack Haisch, Evan Kalajainen, Kyle Lyon and Shea Westveer; seventh-graders Charlie Bouwkamp, Sarah Gleason, Case Hekman and Ian Pope; and sixth-graders Cara Alofs, Elliot Haisch, Landon Hill and Elsie Nienhuis.
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