Article by Phoenix writer Samantha O’Donnell ’20:
On Saturday, January 18, 2020, Kellenberg’s Robotics team took part in Adelphi University’s annual VEX Robotics competition. Kellenberg’s team finished in the top 8 teams out of 35 other competitive teams. Although Kellenberg lost the first match in a tight game, they ended up winning the next 4, going 5-3, resulting in 12th Place out of the 35 rounds. This enabled them to enter into the playoffs. Overcoming an upside robot in the quarterfinals, Captains Evan Carroll and James Sprizzo stepped up to the challenge, pulling away with a victory. The Firebirds won 6 matches in the playoffs, making it all the way to the Semifinals. They finished impressively as one of the top 8 teams. Mr. Sorkin, the moderator of the club, says “Robotics really is a perfect STEM club where students can learn many different aspects of science. It is like a sport where every team member has their own role. Thanks to the leadership of our two captains, Evan Carroll and James Sprizzo, our team this year was able to succeed in a big way.” Kellenberg is proud of all who participated in this competition and look forward to seeing the robotics club compete in many more events.