NCI robotics team wins Challenge Cup, $10,000

LEFT TO RIGHT, FIRST ROW: Marco Sanchez-Garcia, Autumn Wingfield, Samantha Edwards SECOND ROW: Michael Thompson, Nicholas Goehle, Sheccid Lara-Diaz, James Li, Victoria Pritchett, Andrew Hill THIRD ROW: Jacob Gray, Kirby Ledyard, Zachary Wilson, Joshua Graham, Alayna Williams, Delando Morris FOURTH ROW: Austin Hurd, Blake Wilson, Jeremiah Witt

MARTINSVILLE – The Mid-Atlantic Broadband (MBC) Challenge Cup has a new home for the next year at New College Institute.  

The MBC Challenge Cup is a competition that rewards superior performance for FIRST FRC robotics teams in Southern Virginia.  

New College Institute’s team, STAGS, finished the highest of the 11 MBC-sponsored FRC robotics teams.

In addition to $10,000, the STAGS gain possession of the MBC Challenge Cup trophy for one year. 

According to the team’s coach, Brian Pace, highlights from the competition season include being part of the winning alliance at the 2019 Richmond district event; qualifying for the FIRST World Championship in Detroit, Michigan; and being selected by the number one seeded team in the Tesla Division at the FIRST World Championship.

“Our robotics team is the epitome of dedication. Our team includes many students and adult mentors. They sacrifice their personal time and selflessly share their knowledge for the betterment of our team,” said Melany Stowe, NCI's Assistant Director of Academics and Communications.

Under strict guidelines and the guidance of local volunteer mentors, including parents, engineers, teachers, and NCI staff the team of students build and program a robot to perform challenging tasks against a field of competitors from across the state and country.  

The team members learn and apply STEM and life skills.

LEFT TO RIGHT: NCI Robotics Coach and Coordinator of Advanced Manufacturing, Brian Pace, 2018–2019 robotics team members Austin Hurd and Samantha Edwards