School District Five’s FIRST Robotics Competition team, the Pandamaniacs, placed fifth out of 27 teams from South Carolina and Georgia at the Anderson District Event.
The team piloted its 20th robot, Blocky “Mater” Balboa, through 12 qualification matches across a day and a half and compiled a 9-3 record. Seeded 8th after qualifications, the team became a playoff alliance captain for the third time in the past four seasons, and it continues a streak of five straight regional and district playoff appearances.
Pandamaniacs drafted the RAM Rodz (Hillcrest High) and Undercogs (North Myrtle Beach High) as partners to battle through the double-elimination tournament, finishing 5th after two close losses to much higher seeds- but not before eliminating the number-two seeded alliance from the bracket.
