Smith-Cotton clinches 2024 FIRST robotics world title | Mid-Missouri News
Smith-Cotton High School’s Team SCREAM became one of the teams to emerge victorious at the 2024 FIRST Robotics World Championships held in Houston, Texas, over the weekend.
Team SCREAM became the first Missouri team to claim the FIRST world championship banner, according to a news release from the Sedalia School District.
The team’s journey to victory culminated in a thrilling showdown at the Einstein Field, where eight division champions vied for the title.
Head coach Michael Wright, who said he spent years hoping his team would get this far, watched proudly as Team SCREAM’s alliance secured the crown by going undefeated in the finals playoffs.
The alliance was comprised of Orbit (Team 1690) from Israel, RoboLancers (Team 321) from Philadelphia, and 8-Bit (Team 9432) from Arizona.
“Facing off against powerhouse teams like the Citrus Circuits, Cheesy Poofs, and Madtown on Einstein was both thrilling and daunting,” Wright said in the release. “Our primary goal for the season was to reach Einstein, and going up against teams with multiple world championship titles was a testament to the caliber of competition at that level.”
Jackson Sparks, Team SCREAM’s robot driver, agreed, and expressed inspiration in competing against legendary teams.
“To come from a point earlier in the season where we were struggling to then competing in the finals against these teams at the world championship was really inspiring,” Sparks said.
In a competition centered around the challenge dubbed Crescendo, where robots maneuvered to pick up foam rings for scoring, Team SCREAM’s alliance distinguished itself through a strategic defensive approach that disrupted opponents’ offensive plays.
“Our alliance’s main strategy set us apart from others,” Wright explained. “Recognizing the value of a robust defender, we tasked Team 321 with disrupting the triple offense commonly employed by other teams. This defensive approach created openings for Team 1690 and ourselves to play a fast-paced, aggressive game.”
The finals, which unfolded in a best two-of-three round, saw Team SCREAM’s alliance clinch the first match with a score of 119-99, according to the news release. The second match was fiercely contested, with the final outcome hanging in suspense until judges confirmed a narrow victory for Team SCREAM, with an official score of 123-120.
While the spotlight was on Team SCREAM’s triumph, their junior counterpart, Team SCREAM Jr., also left a mark, reaching the division finals in the Johnson Division. Wright lauded their remarkable journey, citing their growth and determination throughout the season.
Looking back at the challenges his team has overcome, Wright expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from the community, mentors, sponsors, and school district.
“We are proud to bring the title home to Sedalia,” he said. “And we are looking forward to defending that title again next season.”
The victory was celebrated among Team SCREAM members and supporters, as they shared their accomplishment during a welcome home rally at Smith-Cotton High School Sunday night.
