Medical Lake's Circuit Breakers are off to robotics nationals

The Medical Lake High School Circuit Breakers robotics team earned another notable accomplishment April 4–7 and hope to have more in a couple of weeks.

Competing in Portland, Ore. against 64 teams from Washington, Oregon and Alaska, Medical Lake finished 10th and played in the semi-final round of the playoffs. "It was our best result ever," coach Daniel Soeland wrote in an email. On the year the team finished fifth in districts - their highest ranking ever - securing a second invitation to the FIRST World Championships in Houston, Texas. They leave for this last competition on April 17, with matches taking place April 19–21.Regardless of how they fare in Houston, this has been a record setting year for the team.

Below is a list of Circuit Breaker accomplishments:

• Won both district competitions, Clackamas Academy and West Valley securing a trip to the District Championships. They had never won any titles before this year.

• Won the Quality Award for exception build quality, a team first.

• Won the Industrial Design Award for a well thought out and implemented design strategy.

• Had a Dean's List semi-finalist. This is an award for outstanding students that show high moral character and drive to help the community and FIRST.

• A Woodie Flowers Award semi-finalist, an award for outstanding adult mentors that go above and beyond to help students and the community.

• Accepted an invitation to go to the FIRST World Championships in Houston.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].