This Wawasee Middle School eighth-grade robotics team consisting of, in front from left, Cory Dunivan, Nicholas Murphy and Ethan Hays and in the back row Clay Kelsheimer, Joe Kelsheimer and Garrett Smith qualified for the state competition in Fort Wayne Dec. 13.

Wawasee Middle School’s eighth-grade robotics team known as “Wawasee 8th” and made up of students Cory Dunivan, Nicholas Murphy, Ethan Hays, Clay and Joe Kelsheimer and Garrett Smith qualified for the state competition by placing first and earning the Champion Award at the district competition Sunday at Grace College. The third annual FIRST Lego League tournament was held at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.

State competition will be Saturday, Dec. 13, at Indiana University-Purdue University in Fort Wayne.

Though the team placed third in the game portion of the competition, their coach, Ryan Edgar, noted they did well enough on their project presentation and embracing the core values to place first overall. Edgar also noted the team’s name will be changed to “Wawasee Minecraft Men” for the state competition.

WMS had two other teams competing Sunday. Seventh-graders included Braxton Studabaker, Michael Hammer, Jack Collins and Carson Hunter. Sixth-graders competing were Wesley Hays, Bode Grimes, Austin Vetor, Noah Beckner and Nathan Smith. Neither team placed high enough to qualify for the state competition.

Milford Middle School had a team made up of students from grades six through eight and coached by Mary Brower. Team members included Isabella Umanzor, Alex Troutman, Max Hurst, Aarron McKinney, Ryan Scott and Blake Roose.

Judging and robotics make up the competition. Judges score teams on core values, innovative solution and robot design. The annual event is sponsored by Grace College and 3M.