Local robotics teams kicked off the competition season for the FIRST Tech Challenge over the weekend.

Recharged Green and Recharged Orange of Pella are advancing to the next level. Both are part of Recharged Robotics, which sent a team of high school students to the World Competition last year. Recharged Orange ranked first after the qualifying rounds in Ottumwa Saturday, and won the design award. Recharged Green won the Inspire Award, given to the team that best embodies the spirit of the FIRST Tech Challenge. They will be competing again this coming Saturday in Johnston for a chance to advance to the State Championship.

Pella High School’s “Bionic Dutch” competed in their first ever elimination level contest for the FIRST Tech Challenge, as the robotics program is in its first year in the district. The team of Joe Beukelman, Luke Beukelman, John Fetty, Hunter Kephart, Elyse Kriegel, Jeremiah Kriegel, Geordie Laidlaw, Malachi Langebartels, and Jeffrey Quangvan participated. Head Coach Brent Bambrook tells KNIA/KRLS News it was a great learning experience for the students.