2008
Sponsored by RackSolutions.com, L-3 Communications Integrated Systems and Greenville ISD, Team 148, the Robowranglers, participated in the 2008 FIRST Robotics Competition. In the 2008 FRC game, "FIRST Overdrive," two three-team alliances compete in each match. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by racing your robot around a track knocking down 40" inflated "trackballs" and moving them around the track, passing them either over or under a 6'6" overpass. Team 148's robot, "Tumbleweed," was successful with the strategy of using a racecar design that circled the field for points. "Tumbleweed" led the team to a first place finish at the FRC St. Louis Regional with teams 217 and 830, and as a Finalist at the FRC Bayou Regional with teams 118 and 49. After winning the Galileo Division at national championship in Atlanta, the team became the World Champions alongside teams 1114 and 217. The Robowranglers also took home the Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control Award from the St. Louis Regional and the Delphi "Driving Tomorrow's Technology" Award from the Bayou Regional. In addition, lead engineer John V-Neun was honored with the prestigious Woodie Flowers Award, in recognition of his leadership and inspiration as a mentor to the team.
