Team 574C Evan Brower, Taylor Fiedeke, Evan Rassi, and 574D Jack Collins, Wesley Hays, Noah Beckner and Nathan Smith stand in front of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum-Udvar Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

CHANTILLY, VA. — Wawasee Iron Pride robotics traveled 1,322 miles round trip to compete at the Vex Night at the museum signature event in Chantilly, Va., Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Sixty teams, representing 31 states in the U.S., arrived Friday morning at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum-Udvar Hazy Center. Wawasee was one of four schools in the nation to qualify two teams to compete and two of four teams from Indiana. Practice fields were under the thrusters of the space shuttle Discovery and the competition and skills fields were back dropped by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a retired supersonic, reconnaissance aircraft used throughout the Cold War.

The competition was fierce at this tournament as each team had to be an award winner from local qualifying tournaments to even be considered to be invited. Each team competed in nine qualifying matches during two days in order to be ranked for selection in the elimination rounds. No team escaped the qualification rounds unscathed with an undefeated record, which is a true testament to the level of competition present. 574D finished its qualification rounds with a record of 6-3-0 and a rank of 16, earning them a 14th seed spot in elimination round. 574C finished its qualification rounds with a record of 5-4-0 and a rank of 26, but secured an 11th seed spot.

574C defeated the sixth seeded alliance in the round of 16 with 574D successfully dispatching the third seeded alliance. In the quarterfinals, both teams were pitted against each other. 574C came out on top, winning 55-37. 574C then advanced into the semifinal rounds where they lost the match because their alliance partners were disqualified due to a rules violation.

“We are very pleased with our teams’ performance this weekend. This tournament was excellent practice for the state championships and, with a bit of hard work, worlds. The Iron Pride was recognized nationally as an organization to keep an eye on by many of the teams present,” said head coach Jed Wandland.

Tourney results:

574D — 16th rank, seventh robot skills

574C — 26th rank, 17th robot skills

What is next:

The next tournament is Saturday, Feb. 8, at Plymouth High School, 1 Big Red Drive. Qualification starts at 9:30 a.m., finals at 3 p.m., awards and closing ceremonies to follow.