Dozens of robots completed an elaborate obstacle course in the gym in front of hundreds of cheering spectators last weekend during the first robotics tournament Whitman has ever held. The event marked a milestone for the robotics team, which also pulled out its highest ever in-season finish, placing fourth out of the 40 teams competing.

The tournament drew teams from all over the DMV, with around 1,200 people in attendance, including an impressive showing of Montgomery County Councilmembers, Maryland delegates and even Congressman Chris Van Hollen. The event was arranged by For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology (FIRST), a nonprofit that puts together robotics competitions across the nation.

“Walt Whitman has been amazing,” said Jenny Beatty, volunteer director for STEMaction, an organization that supports FIRST programs. “It’s a lot of work putting on these events, but I want to emphasize just how supportive the school has been, and the robotics team here has been just terrific.”

In each match, two alliances of three robots each compete to score the most points by crossing medieval-themed defenses—a fake moat, drawbridge and portcullis—and by getting balls into the opposing team’s “castle” through small openings. The energy level in the gym was high, and students packed the stands.

“It’s a game of robots, and you want to cheer for them,” junior Eliana Weiss said. “You can’t help getting into the spirit.”

Kate Cameron, a competitor from Linganore H.S. in Frederick, also enjoyed the enthusiastic mood.

“Everyone is really excited and happy to be here and they’re all proud of the work they put out,” Cameron said. “It’s a really fun atmosphere, and I never feel like it’s too serious.”

Volunteers and the robotics team spent over nine hours setting up all the equipment and technology on the Friday before the matches. As part of a push to increase recognition for Whitman robotics, the team submitted an application to FIRST to host a tournament here and completed extensive paperwork and measurements to ensure there would be enough space for both the matches and the pits—the spaces designated for each team to fix up its robot.

“Our team put together a pitch and they bought it, and it looks like we’re locked in for 2017 as well,” robotics mentor J.J. Biel-Goebel said.

“Our goal is a) it’s just cool to host our own event, and b) we really want more kids from Whitman involved in the robotics program, and we’re hoping that the attendance brings more students to robotics,” Biel-Goebel said. “This competition’s a first big step for us.”

Junior Annie Waye, a member of the robotics team, agreed.

“Qualifying for quarterfinals at a district event that we hosted was incredible,” Waye said. “I was so happy for everyone on the team.”