Photos by Jason Harrington, Truman Media
NEW YORK, NY – On March 11, 12, & 13, 2016, The Steel Horses, Truman’s Robotics Team rode in to Javits Center to compete in the FIRST NYC Regional championship tournament. Sixty-six teams competed, including six international teams. After eighty-eight qualifying matches, The Steel Horses finished with a record of 5-3, placing 26th place. During the competition, the main electrical board malfunctioned, causing the team to re-wire the system between matches.
Photos by Jason Harrington, Truman Media
The team worked tirelessly troubleshooting the different systems of the robot throughout the competition. Over one-half of the team stayed until 8:00 pm on Friday night to finish connecting the pneumatics system only to realize that they needed four more air tanks to create a working system. Undaunted, they secured the necessary materials and continued to work on the pneumatic system between matches.
The eighteen students functioned as one cohesive unit. The terms “give up” and “quit” were not in their vocabulary. In addition to placing 26th, the team met their three goals:
- To work as one productive team;
- To learn something new;
- To have fun!
The team members are: Tai Ballantine, Eric Baret, William Bell, Kenneth Brown-Sapp, Leon Burley, Christofer Carrasquillo, Michael Gibbs, Jon Carlos Gomez, Nicholas Harrington, Fariha Islam, Bryan O’Connor, Rayan O’Connor, Tristan Palms, Jacques Pelman Jr., Sanzid Rashid, Shanique Reid, Ajani Scott, and Zion Wiggins
Photos by Jason Harrington, Truman Media
Jason Harrington from Truman’s media program accompanied the team to take photographs of the team in action. Additionally, four former members of The Steel Horses attended the competition to lend their support.
The team thanks Ms. Alfano and Ms. Mullings for their incredible support. Also, the team could not have been as successful without the support of Esther Podlas, Alma Virola, and Louie Virola.
The Steel Horses could not have improved over previous years without the guidance of Dean Gordon, the team’s mentor.
Finally, the team thanks co-advisor Beth O’Donnell for all her work and dedication throughout the year.
Photos by Jason Harrington, Truman Media