Clinton schools teams do well at SeaPerch robotics competition

On Apr 1, 2022

Teams compete in the obstacle course March 19 during the Michigan Regional SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Clinton High School science, technology, engineering and math teams performed well and qualified two teams for the International SeaPerch Challenge at a regional competition on March 19.

For the first time since 2019, the Michigan Regional SeaPerch Underwater Robotics Competition took place in person on the University of Michigan’s North Campus in Ann Arbor, according to a news release from the Clinton school district.

Clinton High School students Joe Bohnett, left, and Sam Hoffman of the On Porpoise team compete in the mission course March 19 at the Michigan Regional SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The Michigan Regional SeaPerch Challenge was co-hosted by Clinton Community Schools and the University of Michigan Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department. The event brought in 44 middle and high school teams from as far away as Columbus, Ohio, and Petoskey to compete in four events:

Pool mission course with a series of tasks requiring robots to open doors as well as transport sinking and floating items.
Pool obstacle course testing robot high-speed maneuverability through a series of hoops at varying depths and angles.
Team video that recorded the design process and reflection on what was learned through the project.
Technical design report that documented the development of the unique remotely operated vehicle features including the design prototypes and their testing results.

The International SeaPerch Challenge will be at the University of Maryland on June 4. The international event brings in approximately 250 teams from seven countries and 80 regional competitions across the U.S.

Clinton Middle School student left, Aurelia Bennett, left, of Team Angelfish is pictured with Anusha Sachin of UA team, Haiden Bennett and Lucas Bennett March 19 at the Michigan Regional SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Notable achievements by Clinton teams in the high school field of 33 teams included:

On Porpoise (Jon Baughey, Sam Hoffman, Joe Bohnett, Eric Neff)

Overall first place in the high school division and international qualifier.
Third place team video; third place mission course, sixth place obstacle course.

Bazooka Space Sharks (Bradyn Lehman, Jacob Gilson, Zak Shadley)

Overall first place in the high school division and international qualifier.
First place mission course; second place obstacle course; fourth place team video.

The Codfathers (Zach Duford, Jacob Rothman, Connor Younts)

First place team video and second place mission course.

Members of two first-place winning teams from Clinton High School in the Michigan Regional SeaPerch Challenge on March 19 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor are pictured. They are, from left, Bradyn Lehman, Jacob Gilson and Zak Shadley of the Bazooka Space Sharks team and Jacob Rothman and Zach Duford of The Codfathers.

Clinton Middle School SeaPerch results:

The Bandit Bops claimed first place in two events: the obstacle course and mission course. They recorded a time of 29.42 seconds in the obstacle course, which was faster than the time recorded by the national champs last year. The Bandit Bops are represented by Brian Ferree, Jaren Settles, Teagan Zibikowski and Quinn Walden. They placed third overall and are currently working on a wildcard application to compete at the International SeaPerch Competition.

The Clinton Middle School students Teagan Zbikowski, Austin Putnam, Jaren Settles, Quinn Walden and Brian Ferree compete March 19 at the Michigan Regional SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Zbikowski, Settles, Walden and Ferree make up the Bandit Bops team. Settles, of the Stingrays, was helping out.

The UA Crew had a good day as well by capturing second place in the technical design report event and third place in the mission course. The team was helpful to others showing pride by assisting in the assemblies of controllers and answering lots of questions that other Clinton Middle School teams had during the build phase. The UA Crew consists of Ava Vantuyle, Anusha Sachin and Zoey Varga.

Ava VanTuyle and Anusha Sachin, members of Clinton Middle School's UA Crew team, show off the second- and third-place awards they won March 19 at the Michigan Regional SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Team Angelfish also performed well. The team earned a second place award in the team video category. The Angelfish team includes Dalia Albashir, Lilian Trubiano and Aurelia Bennett.

Clinton Middle School students Zoey Varga, center, of the UA Crew and Lacey Gerten of Team Inc. compete March 19 at the Michigan Regional SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Other Clinton Middle School teams competed with innovative designs. The Spice Girls consisted of Sam Stewart, Bryce Randolf and Colt Perry. Team Inc. consisted of Lacey Gerten and Genevieve Urban. The Stingrays have Boston Lawler, Austin Putnam, Donovan Fagan and Robert McDonald, and Mr. Krauss’s Midnight Plumbers team members are Korynn Allen, Mia Calucci and Braden Broderick.

Clinton Middle School students Anusha Sachin of UA Team helps Korynn Allen of Mr. Krauss's Midnight Plumbers on March 19 at the Michigan Regional SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.