Kinetic Knights win Rising All-Star Award at Ontario Champs; qualify for worlds in Houston

The Kinetic Knights Robotics Team (FRC Team 781) of Kincardine won the Rising All-Star Award at the FIRST Ontario Championships, held last week at the International Centre in Mississauga.

They have also qualified for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) World Championships, slated for April 16-19, in Houston, Texas.

Wednesday afternoon, Team 781 travelled to Mississauga through freezing rain, ice and snow, arriving in time to load-in the robot, have supper and head for the hotel.

Through Thursday and Friday, the team’s robot competed in qualifying matches on the Technology Field, squaring off against 49 other teams. Each match featured three robots per side in the “Reefscape” challenge which involved placing coral on a reef, removing the algae from the reef, and hanging from a cage at the end. Another 50 teams were competing on the adjacent Science Field.

After six qualifiers Thursday, Team 781 was in eighth place, with four wins and two losses. Friday’s matches didn’t go as well, as the team had three wins and three losses, ending the day in 17th place.



The Kinetic Knights’ robot competes in qualifying matches at the FIRST Ontario Championships in Mississauga, Thursday

During opening ceremonies, Friday, Dave Ellis, president of FIRST Canada, told the huge crowd that each team had faced challenges to get to the Ontario Championships, to be among the top 100 teams in the province.

He emphasized that the competition is not about the medals but the journey to get there.

“Goals don’t work unless you do,” he said. “You’ve faced some setbacks, but you’ve had some great opportunities all season long. Enjoy your journey this weekend. Compete hard but celebrate what you've achieved, on and off the field.”

Saturday morning, brought alliance selection, with Team 781 chosen to join Alliance 7, with captain Team 4069, Lo-Ellen Robotics of Sudbury, and Team 4920, the Bell River Boltheads of Belle River.

In elimination rounds, Alliance 7 took on Alliance 2 and lost, 229-173. It then faced Alliance 3, and lost, 193-180, ending Team 781’s quest for the championship.



FRC Team 781’s robot competes with Alliance 7 in elimination rounds at the Ontario Championships, Saturday

However, during the awards ceremony, the Kinetic Knights received the Rising All-Star Award which celebrates the team that has persisted through challenges, despite the difficulties of being young. This could be the result of being a new team, or a team with a recent turn-over in membership.

The judges said that the renewed energy that Team 781 puts into FLL (FIRST Lego League) mentorship and summer camps, serves as a role model for future generations of FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) participants.

“The Kinetic Knights have put in motion a recruitment strategy that has transformed them from an eight-member team to a 29-member team in just three years. They valiantly champion the advancement of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in their community by awarding their own educational bursary!

“Congratulations Team 781, the Kinetic Knights!”

The team raced to the front to collect the trophy and plaque, and had a photo taken.



FRC Team 781 members and mentors proudly pose with the Rising All-Star Award they won at the FIRST Ontario Championships in Mississauga; in the back, are team captain Nathan Pollock (left), mentors Conner Dixon and Matt Venner, Graden Brijlall, Sangat Chouhan, Lenin Zandwyk, Cooper Moffatt, David Ertel, Graeme Ferguson; in the middle row, are mentor Natalie McKechnie, Caitlin Brijlall, Briar Pollock, Riley McKechnie, Aniella Peterson, Carter Frook, Tyler Neabel, mentor Jed Gonzales, Ibraham Syed, Ani Tokekar; and in front, Hayley Courtney (left), Gabrielle Geberdt, Ty Ferguson, Josh Adams, Danny Bechard and Pravit Joshi; absent, are mentors Gregory Dadson, John Adams, David Dadson and Liz Dadson

The Kinetic Knights learned late Saturday that they have qualified for the World Championships in Houston, Texas, and thanks to their title sponsors, Bruce Power, NPX, the Kincardine Legion, McKechnie Pharmacy and Enbridge, and many other gracious sponsors and supporters, they are planning to attend.

Their bus leaves Sunday, April 13, for the lengthy ride to Houston, where their robot will be loaded in, followed by practice matches, Wednesday, the competition, Thursday to Saturday, and the long bus ride home.

Best of luck, Team 781!