1 of 6
Dragon Robotics
Dragon Robotics takes home both the State Championship and third place trophies at the 2024 RECF-VEX Pilot Championship - Feb. 5-7, 2024 - Clear Creek ISD.
2 of 6
Dragon Robotics
3 of 6
Dragon Robotics
Dragon Robotics Team 7110-H members include; Andrew Balson, Ish Bhakta, Alexander Charlton, Arjun Nayana, Arjun Rai, Sumyak Raj and Leonardo Xiao
4 of 6
Dragon Robotics
5 of 6
Dragon Robotics
Dragon Robotics Team 7110-A members include; Ryan Brown, Krish Dalela, Ashwin Iyer, Bailey Koh, Joshua Landgraf, Spandan Patel and Saarim Syed
6 of 6
Dragon Robotics
Dragon Robotics Team Instructor Leah Schwedler and Team 7110 head to the 2024 State Championships.
Outside of Houston less than a mile from the NASA Johnson Space Center, the Carroll Dragon Robotics Team was on a mission of its own — to bring home a state championship trophy. The Dragons were amongst 38 of the state’s top-performing 6A teams who made their way to Clear Creek ISD’s Robotics Event Center for the 2024 RECF-VEX Pilot Championship. When it was time to take the medal stand, the Dragons had not one, but two teams collecting some hardware.
Dragon Team 7110-H took home the state championship trophy while Team 7110-A came in third — an amazing accomplishment that is beginning to seem all too common for robotics instructor Leah Schwedler.
“These teams are special because they work together to challenge each other and make each other better,” Schwedler says. “Both groups are some of the most well-rounded teams that I have had the privilege of coaching.”
And Schwedler would know, because she’s had quite a few great teams over the years. In fact, Dragon Robotics has sent at least one team to the VEX World Championships each of the past 10 years dating back to 2014. If all goes well, Team 7110-H may just be next.
“7110-H has extraordinary vision,” Schwedler says. “They design their robot with a focus on how the game strategy is evolving and are consistently ahead of the pack in local competitions. They have participated in several national-level tournaments, and these experiences have contributed to a team that is competing at a very high level. This year’s competition game requires a great deal of match awareness and strategy, and 7110-H does this very well. The team works with a singular focus, and each student contributes to their fully-functioning team.”
Team 7110-A defied early expectations and made their way to the semifinal round. Unfortunately for Southlake, this is where they matched up against each other, and only one could advance.
“I was so very proud of 7110-A, they had several challenges throughout the day and they showed grit and determination with positive attitudes, which paid off during the elimination matches. Although it is often bittersweet to have two of our teams on opposing alliances in a big match, this one was different. Both teams were excited for the matchup. Even at the end of the semifinal match when 7110-A was eliminated, they were genuinely happy for 7110-H and immediately began to cheer for their sister team in the finals.”
Next up on the schedule for both teams and several others from Dragon Robotics will be the Texas Region 5 Championship. The top teams from this event can earn a spot at the 2024 World Championships, taking place this year in Dallas. Each year, more than 20,000 teams from 50 countries compete for a spot at the prestigious event.
Team Rosters
7110-H (State Champions) 7110-A (Third Place)
Andrew Balson Ryan Brown
Ish Bhakta Krish Dalela
Alexander Charlton Ashwin Iyer
Arjun Nayana Bailey Koh
Arjun Rai Joshua Landgraf
Sumyak Raj Spandan Patel
Leonardo Xiao Saarim Syed