Chesterton High School’s Robotics Club is gearing up for a historic event this Saturday as they host their first-ever robotics competition. With 62 teams competing, the pressure is on for Chesterton’s own students to showcase their skills under the looming deadline. The competition will take place at Chesterton Middle School, starting at 8 a.m. The final round, featuring 16 of the top teams, is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Spectators are advised to enter through Door 19 of the gymnasium.

In preparation for the event, multiple teams, including the sophomore team comprising Ethan Glassman, William Morgan, Ryan Postelnik, and Keith Ward, were working tirelessly to put the finishing touches on their robots. Despite facing a setback with one of their members, Ray Hundt, being home sick, the team remained focused on perfecting the launching mechanism of their robot.

This year’s challenge involves building 18-inch robots capable of maneuvering soft, Reuleaux-shaped tri-balls across the field. The robots must throw, push, kick, or employ any other means to advance the balls past midfield and under a net located at the end of the 12-feet-by-12-feet playing field. Additionally, the robots must climb a pole on the side of the field to earn extra points.

Excitement fills the air as Chesterton High School prepares to make history with its inaugural tournament. The team members are thrilled to have the opportunity to compete on home ground after participating in robotics competitions since fifth grade. As the anticipation grows, the sophomores are confident in their abilities and look forward to a long day of fierce competition.

While the journey may be challenging, the team acknowledges the presence of another skilled group led by senior Aryaman Agashe. With their eyes set on success, Chesterton High’s Robotics Club is ready to put their engineering skills to the test and make their mark on the world of robotics.