Team History

The Lightning Bots have developed a proud team history over the years. Here are some highlights of our rookie year leading up to the present season:

2006-2007 Year (Rookie Year)

  • Summer 2006 – Champion Lightning Bots team was initiated by Mark Baka, Delphi Engineer and Michelle Roberts, Champion Schools Technology Coordinator.
  • The game challenge was Rack & Roll and the name of our robot was “Silver Bolt”
  • 15 Students signed up to participate on the team
  • FUNDRAISERS 
    • Aluminum cans – team fundraiser
    • Aluminum can tabs – to donate to Ronald McDonald House
    • Used cell phones – to donate to “Phones4Life”
    • Used eyeglasses – to donate to underprivileged children in Romania
  • September 2006 – Robocats Team 379 invited Lightning Bots team members to attend a FIRST robotics demonstration at Kettering University.
  • October 2006 – Several team members attended CAD and machining classes at Kent State University – Trumbull Campus.
  • October 2006 – The team registered for ODOT “Adopt a Highway” program.
  • November 2006 – The Image Team sent over 300 letters to local businesses describing the team and      requesting donations.
  • December 2006 – Design/Build Team members attended programming classes at Kent State University – Trumbull Campus.
  • December 2006 – The team established several recycling programs
  • March 2007 – A “Chinese Auction” was held as a team fundraiser.
  • March 2007 – The first regional we attended was the Pittsburgh Regional competition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    • We won the “Rookie All-Star” award
  • March 2007 – The second regional we attended was the Buckeye Regional competition in Cleveland, Ohio
    • We won the “Highest Rookie Seed” award.
  • April 2007 – We attended  the FIRST National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia

2007-2008 Year:

  • The game challenge was called Overdrive and our robot name was “The Flash”
  • There were 19 students on the team
  • The first regional we attended was the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, Ohio
    • We went 5-4-0
    • We ranked 23rd
  • Our second regional we attended was the SBPLI Regional in Long Island, New York
    • We went 13-5-0
    • We ranked 13th
    • We won the 2008 SBPLI Regional
    • We won the Underwriters Laboratory Industrial Safety Award. This award celebrates the team that progresses beyond fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards.

2008-2009 Year:

  • The game challenge was Lunacy and our robot name was “Emanon”
  • There were 20 students on the team
  • The first regional we attended was the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, Ohio
    • We went 9-5-0
    • We ranked 42nd
    • We won the 2009 Buckeye Regional
  • The second regional we attended was the SBPLI Regional in Long Island, New York
    • We went 12-5-0
    • We ranked 2nd
  • We also mentored team 2901, The Rocket Sock Em’ Robots from Maplewood High School
    • They had 10 students on the team
    • The first regional they attended was the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, Ohio
    • They ranked 31st with a record of 4-4-0
    • The second regional they attended was the Pittsburgh Regional in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    • They ranked 14th
    • They won the Rookie Inspiration Award. This award rookie teams outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering, and both within their school, as well as their communities. 

2009-2010 Year:

  • The game challenge was called Breakaway and our robot name was “Ish Cha”
  • There were 19 students on the team
  • The first regional we attended was the Washington D.C. regional in Washington D.C.
    • We went 4-6-1
    • We ranked 8th
  • The second regional we attended was the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, Ohio
    • We went 7-5-0
  • We also mentored team 2901, The Rocket Sock Em’ Robots from Maplewood High School
    • They had 5 students on the team
    • The first regional they attended was the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, Ohio
    • They finished with a record of 5-5-1

2010-2011 Year:

  • The game challenge was called “Logo Motion” and our robot name was “Silver Bullet Re-loaded.”
  • There were 25 students on the team.
  • The first regional we attended was the BAE Granite Systems Regional in Manchester, New Hampshire
    • We went 4-6-0
    • We ranked 37th
    • We won the Underwriters Laboratories Industrial Safety Award. This award celebrates the team that progresses beyond fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards.
  • The second regional we attended was the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, Ohio
    • We went 6-5-0
    • We ranked 8th

2011-2012 Year:

  • The game challenge was called “Rebound Rumble” and our robot name was “Will You Marry Me?”
  • There were 32 students on the team.
  • The first regional we attended was the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, Ohio
    • We went 4-6-0
    • We ranked 52nd
    • We won the Team Spirit Award sponsored by Chrysler. This award celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through partnership and teamwork furthering the object of FIRST.    
  • The second regional we attended was the SBPLI Regional in Long Island, New York
    • We went 6-6-1 during this competition
    • We ranked 15th
  • We attended the FIRST World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri
    • We were in the Galileo division
    • We went 7-2-0 during this competition
    • We ranked 57th

2012-2013 Year:

  • The game challenge was called “ Ultimate Ascent” and our robot name was “ Dr. Wee Woo”
  • There were 33 students on the team
  • The first regional we attended was the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, Ohio
    • We went 1-9-0 during this competition
    • We ranked 53rd
  • The second regional we attended was the Midwest Regional in Chicago, Illinois
    • We went 6-4-0 during this competition
    • We ranked 19th
    • We won the Entrepreneurship Award sponsored by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. This award celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit by recognizing a team that has developed the framework for a comprehensive business plan to scope, manage, and achieve team objectives.