Kimball Vex IQ Robotics sent all four of its teams (three elementary and one middle school) in grades 5-6 to the 2023 State Championships on Saturday, March 4, at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. The invitations to the State Championships are based upon awards that the teams earned during the regular season.
Kimball IQ was led by Team 55353D, The roBots, who finished tied for fourth in the elementary division. The squad also earned the first award announced at the state event, the “Energy” Award. Team members included Reino Hendrickson (sixth grade), and Adam Foos (fifth grade).
“We had a lot of energy and excitement at the state competition,” said Kimball’s IQ head coach Mike Kunkel. “I’m so proud of our IQ students, and for pushing their robots to the max to score as many points as they could.”
Team 55353C, Vexcellent, had an outstanding day in the middle school division, placing fourth overall. Those team members included Landon Schneider (sixth grade), Tristyn St. Onge (sixth grade), and Hunter Freeman (sixth grade).
“All of our IQ teams worked so hard to strengthen their driving and programming skills for the state event over the last few weeks, and it paid off,” added Coach Kunkel. “We had three of our four teams place in the top-10 at the state IQ competition.”
Also competing at the state event were Team 55353B and Team 55353D.
Team 55353B, the Red Roly Polys, finished ninth overall. Those team members included Dean Durga (sixth grade), James Beck (fifth grade), and Troy Edwards (sixth grade).
Team 55353A, Stitch, was rostered by Haydin Cunningham (fifth grade) and Jobe Hendrickson (fifth grade), and they finished the season strong in 48th place overall.
“As a coach, we could not ask for anything more,” said Coach Kunkel. “I’m so proud of our Kimball IQ students for putting in the time and effort this season.”