'Engineers on the Track': Photographing robotics brings excitement

Tom Hawley
·3 min read
Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 robotics team members building lead Brandon Fisher (behind), Brenyn Hebert, electronic lead and chassis driver Eric Koenemann, Addison Huerta and BX engineer captain Gabriel Tegtmeyer look over the robot in the DTE Foundation pit area before the FIRST in Michigan State Championship 2024 at Saginaw Valley State University April 5, 2023.

The excitement is accelerating, whether it's a wrestling team state final, football state final, or a softball state final to photograph.

Now, Not just athletes!

Covering for the first time the high school FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition state finals was just as exciting as the sport finals to cover.

Ethan Bellino drive team coach (back left) watches the high school Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 robotics team members electronic lead and chassis driver Eric Koenemann, CAD lead Walker Schmus, drive team manipulator Ryan Marckel and looking on drive team technician Olivia Szczepanik practice the Crescendo High Note Toss on the practice field at the FIRST in Michigan State Championship 2024 at Saginaw Valley State University April 5, 2024.

There were 160 teams who took part in the championships that competed at Saginaw Valley State University on April 4-6. It was the Bedford Express FRC Team #1023, “Engineers On Track” who I followed for part of a day, from the pits to the field of action.

The set up on the field was four divisions: DTE Energy Foundation Division, Hemlock Semiconductor Division, Consumers Energy Division, and Aptiv Division.

Drive team technician Olivia Szczepanik takes a close look at parts of the Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 robot before going into competition on the DTE Foundation Field at the FIRST in Michigan State Championship 2024 at Saginaw Valley State University April 5, 2024. Notice the notes (orange rings) she is wearing as a fellow teammate made them on a 3D printer.

The Bedford Express were in the DTE Energy Foundation Division team consisting of two coaches, 23 mentors, and 30 high school students.

“At the beginning of January we get the season's challenge. After the challenge is revealed, the students design, prototype, machine parts, program, assemble and problem solve issues,” Coach Renee Rymanowicz said.

Braden Gandee (center) leads the Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 robotic team members, coaches and mentors chant as one student/mentor yells BX, everyone else yells ON TRACK as they do this three times, then a student/mentor yells LET's GO and everyone else screams. Family members (left) Hunter Gandee, 24, girl friend Sophie Dettling and (right) Kerragan Gandee, 23, and her fiance is Nate Ash. Behind Kerragan, is their mother Danielle Gandee.

As a rookie, it was a challenge to understand the scoring. I was amazed at how much is involved in the competition.

You have the high school students with mentors and coaches in the pits. You have the four students who take the floor with a drive coach: drive team technician Olivia Szczepanik, drive team manipulator Ryan Marckel, chassis driver Eric Koenemann, and human player Gavin Daniel and drive team coach Ethan Bellino. Also you have the students, mentors and coaches who view from the stands scream out an opening chat lead by crew chief Branden Gandee each time the team competes.

When competing in the FIRST  (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition the teams are paired up with two other teams, which focuses on their strengths, weathering its scoring or defense on the 27 feet by 54 foot field in several qualifying rounds to hopefully make the playoffs. The robot weighs around 125 pounds.

Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 robotics drive team manipulator Ryan Marckel and electronic lead and chassis driver Eric Koenemann compete in the qualifying rounds FIRST in Michigan State Championship 2024 at Saginaw Valley State University April 5, 2024.
Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 robotics drive team manipulator Ryan Marckel and electronic lead and chassis driver Eric Koenemann compete in the qualifying rounds FIRST in Michigan State Championship 2024 at Saginaw Valley State University April 5, 2024.

The Bedford Express was one of those teams that moved on and now will represent the state of Michigan in the world FIRST 2024 Championships in Houston, Texas from today through Saturday, April 20.

Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 supporters, team members watch as their robot competes on the DTE Energy Foundation field at the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 supporters, team members watch as their robot competes on the DTE Energy Foundation field at the FIRST Robotics Competition.

“The opportunity to go to the FIRST Championship really shows the dedication and effort we as students put forth to be successful as a team. The chance to compete against and learn from the best teams in FRC is something I attempt not to take for granted year in and year out," Gavin Daniel, conductor for the team and the human player on the floor, said.

Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 competes with a weigh restriction of 125 pounds.
Bedford Express FRC Team #1023 competes with a weigh restriction of 125 pounds.

The Bedford Express program started in 2003 and this is the 14th time to attend the FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) international high school robotics competition. Forty-three students/mentors/chaperones are making the trip to Houston.  As 599 high school teams around the world will be competing. Bedford will be in the Galileo Division.

“The hard work and dedication from the students and mentors is what makes this program so successful. It's truly amazing to be a part and witness the growth the students show from first going to the team until they graduate,” Coach Renee Rymanowicz said.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: 'Engineers on the Track': Photographing robotics brings excitement