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Aye, Robot: Parkersburg High School robotics team wins inaugural SSAC championship

Winners of the first 2022 WV Secondary Schools Activities Commission robotics competition were, from left, Logan Richard (freshman), Logan Miller (sophomore), Jackson Simmons (sophomore), Bradley Leonard (senior), Paiden Evans (freshman), and Peyton Snider (freshman). (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG — Members of the Parkersburg High School robotics team became the first West Virginia state champions after winning the inaugural Secondary Schools Activities Committee robotic championships held Monday at Fairmont State University.

“They did very well,” said Steve Reiner, PHS robotics program teacher. “The results are evident.”

The team entered competition as the 12th seed Monday and that ranking motivated them to succeed.

“It definitely motivated us,” said sophomore Jackson Simmons, the team’s driver. “We felt we deserved a higher ranking.”

The team included sophomores Logan Miller and Jackson Simmons, freshmen Paiden Evans, Logan Richard, and Peyton Snider, and senior team captain Bradley Leonard. It persevered throughout the competition beating Wheeling Park for the championship.

The Parkersburg High School Robotics team, with team guide Bobbi Gelpi, far left, at the state robotics championship competition held at Fairmont State University. (Photo Provided)

“They’re a good group of smart kids,” said Bobbi Gelpi, PHS math teacher and team guide. “One thing we’re really proud of is the level of sportsmanship the team showed. They would stay after their competitions and help reset the field, without even being asked, they just did it.”

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., were present at the championship along with NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy and Morgantown-born astronaut Drew Morgan.

“It was nice to see how many big name people were there, and were interested in robotics,” Simmons said.

Gelpi added, “If West Virginia wants higher paying jobs, and people to stay here, these kids are a good place to look. They don’t just drive [the robots], they built and designed them.”

Competition parameters will shift each year, with next years already being released, and having a “disc golf” theme.

Members of the Parkersburg High School robotics team looked on as senior, and team captain, Bradley Leonard showed U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito their robot. (Photo Provided)

“It’s a whole new game,” Simmons said.

“New challenges, new builds,” Miller added.

The team looks forward to coming back and defending its title next year and wants to thank the parents, teachers, and community who supported it this year and will continue to support the team in future competitions.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com

Bradley Leonard, far right in grey,, watched as Jackson Simmons, in red, drove and Logan Miller watched the monitor during Monday’s championship. (Photo Provided)

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