The WUHS FIRST Robotics Team made it to the semi-finals at its first competition last Friday and Saturday in Marysville.  The team was ranked 18th individually out of 40 teams.

The team, coached by Dave Long, a Wayland Union Schools alumni, consists of ten members: Grace Chandler, Lewis Bartlett, Alex Sobiesczyk, Eric Chandler, Landon Kohtz, Jake Radmacher, Christian Mattingly, Matthew Gauthier, Kyle Thelen, and Josh Gemmen.  Team mentors are Christina Johnson, Keith Kohtz and Joe Sobiesczyk.

This is the first year for the Wayland team, which was funded by grants totaling $13,000. The WHS team is part of the Southwest Michigan district and will compete again this weekend, March 3–April 2, at East Kentwood High School.

For more information about FIRST Robotics, please visit www.firstinmichigan.org

PHOTO: (front row, from left) Grace Chandler, Lewis Bartlett, Alex Sobiesczyk, Eric Chandler, Landon Kohtz, (back row) Jake Radmacher, Christian Mattingly, Matthew Gauthier, Kyle Thelen, Josh Gemmen and coach David Long. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Zywiczynski)