It's not all about the bots

Transcript Staff Writer

For more than two years, Norman High School has had a near stranglehold on the local and national Botball scene.

The Tigers have stared down any and all comers on their way to consecutive national titles and three regional championships. With each victory, they paid homage to their den with roaring renditions of the NHS fight song.

As powerful as this building robotic dynasty seems to be, NHS might have learned at the recent Oklahoma regional Botball tournament that sometimes it's harder to stay on top.

"It was a complete freak accident," said Whittier Middle School Botballer Braden Denton, 12, seventh grade, of his team's defeat at the tournament March 3 at the Omniplex Science Museum in Oklahoma City. "That one point was a freak accident."

Botball is a fast-paced robotics competition that combines elements of math, science, technology and engineering into a hands-on educational opportunity for students. There are more than 15 regional competitions worldwide, and this summer's national championship tournament will be held in Hawaii.

Participants design, construct and program their own robots for autonomous operations. The bots compete on a playing field about the size of a pingpong table. The machines have 90 seconds to collect, separate and distribute different colored foam and cloth balls. This year's gaming area featured a simulated volcano eruption.

About 300 students from 26 different teams arrived in Oklahoma City to meet this challenge. Whittier was the only school to come close to NHS as the Tigers placed first in documentation, seeding, double elimination and overall. But that may be all the team needs to push them in the right direction. They already believe in their simple robots. Both Whittier's teams finished in the top 10 ??the all-boy team was fourth and the all-girl team was sixth.

"Our robots did really good," said Whittier builder and programmer Jake Marsh, 12, sixth grade. "I think we could have beaten them."

Taking Norman High wasn't a goal when Whittier entered the Botball season. They do have a history of breaking into the top 10 but not beating the older kids. That may have a lot to do with their philosophy of building simple, consistent robots. NHS also assembles consistent robot, but the high schoolers have a flare and style for the complex. For the Tigers it works, but not for Whittier.

"Our robots are really simple," Marsh explained. "I didn't think we were going to do that well."

It appeared Whittier's all-boy squad was going to beat the "Champs" for the double elimination crown. But in the final seconds, that freak accident happened. A red ball, worth -1 points, bounced off of NHS' robot and landed on Whittier's side. That twist of fate has become a source of confidence and inspiration.

"Hopefully we can come up with a better design for next year," said Denton, co-leader and builder. "When we get to Norman North, we are going to dominate Norman High."

David Askey, a NHS teacher and Botball sponsor, is more than aware of the potential and talent coming out of Whittier. He said George Beaver and Charlie Bevers, Whittier's Botball sponsors, are building a strong program at the middle school level.

"I wish Whittier were a feeder school for Norman High School," Askey said as his big three of Tim Ashley, John Romanishin and Arya Azma will graduate. "Norman North will be a good team. They have a good sponsor, and Whittier will give them some strong kids."

Askey's team also seemed to give the Whittier team respect. They spoke of the competition as a learning experience.

"We learn a lot from tournaments about our robots and other teams," said senior Tim Ashley, 18, programmer. "We look at what they build."

Fellow senior Franziska Landes, 17, historian agreed with Ashley and added that teams like Whittier help them prepare for the national tournament.

"I enjoy seeing the other teams," she said. "They give us different ideas."

They might need every idea and concept as they prepare for the national competition in Hawaii. The team is thinking of constructing two new robots for the June tournament, but first they have to practice there sales pitch. Traveling to Hawaii will be expensive.

"All we are doing now is trying to raise money," Askey said. "Most of the national teams have corporate sponsorship. What we need is a couple of big donors."

Askey is serious about the fundraising effort. He has promised to shave his head the night of graduation if the students can raise $2,500.

"I told them I wouldn't cut my hair until May for this," he said.

Scissors are about the only danger to Askey's hair. He has faith in his team in both fundraising and winning championships.

"These guys work better when the pressure is on ... when their backs are to the wall," he said. "And we have the smartest robots this year than we ever had."

If there is stress on the team, it's not showing. NHS has assumed the "We've been there before." If they raise enough money to make it to Hawaii, Askey has promised it won't all be work. That has his team feeling pretty good.

"It's not important if we win," Ashley said. "It would be cool if we did, but it's about fun."

This may be the last time NHS has that luxury. Whittier's near knockout has started something.

"The word has gotten out," Bevers said. "The students are asking about Botball because of the success. I'm excited for next year. They better look out."

Tony Pennington

366-3541 schools@normantranscript.com