Raymond's Team ASAP Robotics Wins Provincial Title, Advances to World Championship

Westwind School Division proudly celebrates the exceptional accomplishments of Team ASAP Robotics, a talented group of Raymond students from grades 7 to 12.Team ASAP recently secured first place at the regional and provincial FIRST Tech Challenge Alberta Championships, earning a coveted spot at the prestigious FIRST World Championship, which is scheduled for April 16-19, 2025, in Houston, Texas.

The FIRST Tech Challenge engages students in designing, building, programming, and operating robots to compete in strategic, head-to-head competitions. Teams collaborate through an "alliance format," joining forces with other teams to coordinate strategies, execute robot actions, complete tasks, achieve objectives, and maximize their combined scores. This cooperative format emphasizes strategic teamwork alongside individual robot performance.

At the upcoming World Championship, Team ASAP will compete intensely against 225 international teams, showcasing advanced skills, innovative designs, and strategic complexity. The event also provides valuable opportunities for networking, idea-sharing, and learning from diverse global perspectives.

Team ASAP has completed an extraordinary season with an impressive record of 26 wins and only one loss, placing them at the top among more than 100 teams in their division. Additionally, they set a provincial standard by achieving the three highest competition scores.

In recognition of their outstanding qualities on and off the competition field, Team ASAP earned the prestigious Inspire Award at both the regional and provincial championships. This award acknowledges teams demonstrating “Gracious Professionalism both on and off the playing field,” characterized by their enthusiasm, knowledge-sharing, community engagement, robot innovation, engineering skills, and presentation abilities.

The eight dedicated members of Team ASAP, each specializing in programming, design, building, strategy, and community outreach, include Seth Larson, Asher Holladay, Cyrus First Charger, Natalia Bolokoski, Dalen Hardy, Koehn Cornish, Nic Chapman, and Brian Hillyer.

Reflecting on their successful season, Seth Larson stated, "My favourite part of the season is designing, building, and coding our robot. It's really satisfying when everything comes together and works perfectly. It was my goal to make it to Worlds this season. I'm looking forward to competing against and learning from other teams."

Cyrus First Charger added, "I love the FIRST community and the friends we've made at the amazing competitions. I'm very grateful to have this opportunity to represent my school, community, and country. I'm extremely excited to go to Worlds!"

Highlighting the team's growing support, Natalia Bolokoski remarked, "Worlds is an amazing opportunity to show everyone what robotics is really about. People didn't know about us before, but now that we're going to the big leagues, everyone's cheering us on and helping us get there. It's so inspiring!"

Team coaches Katie and Mike Larson praised their students' exceptional dedication and growth. Coach Katie explained, "The power of FIRST lies in its genuine, hands-on approach. It's an environment where learning isn't contrived or artificial; it's driven by a tangible purpose. The students immerse themselves in studying, learning, and practicing because they see the direct application of their efforts. They're exposed to the kind of challenges and collaborative environments they'll encounter in future careers. And, most importantly, it's incredibly fun! It provides a supportive and engaging environment where teens can explore their interests, build lasting friendships, and discover their potential."

Coach Mike added, "We've been very impressed with the way the team has taken increased  responsibility and initiative over the years. Katie and I were much more involved in the first year, helping with nearly every aspect of the operations of the team. In just 3 years, the dynamic has changed dramatically. The team members have really taken over the program, leaving us with relatively little to do as coaches. The evolution of this team has been inspiring to watch. We are very proud of what they have accomplished together."

Beyond their competition successes, Team ASAP actively mentors new robotics teams, significantly contributing to the expansion of robotics in Southern Alberta. Beginning just three years ago in their coaches' basement in Raymond, the team has already inspired the formation of additional FIRST teams in Raymond and Magrath, creating new STEM opportunities for local students.

Supporters and community members are encouraged to visit the team's website at ASAP Robotics to learn more about their exciting journey and find out how they can support the team's fundraising efforts to cover travel and competition costs. Those interested in learning more about robotics or joining a team can also find helpful resources on the ASAP Robotics website.