ACC’s robotics team, the Koibots, just finished up the 2024-2025 season with a total of three competitions. With this year’s game being known as Reefscape, the team had major goals in mind. They wanted to win the Imagery Award, which is about team appearance, especially since the game has an underwater theme. Additionally, based on the competitive goal, the team wanted to be competitive at the District Championships (DCMP). That didn’t mean only winning, but showing that they were a strong team who could hold their own against the top teams in the Chesapeake district. They also decided to do Week 3 and Week 4 competitions, which means that there is more time to build the robot originally, but less time to make changes between the first and second qualifying competitions, which can be risky, but can also have a major payoff if done properly. The team had a relatively good payoff which was exciting, as the robot performed well and was able to climb. 

 Bethesda, Week 3, was the first qualifying match the KoiBots attended. Their performance and ranking would determine whether or not they would be able to advance to DCMP. The team’s brand new robot, Sailfish, didn’t play that well, but they managed to get through. Due to the robot being so heavy, it excelled in playing defense. Even when other robots knocked into it, Sailfish was able to stay steady and continue blocking them from scoring. They ended up with a record of 2 wins, 9 losses, and 1 tie. The team was rather quiet on the first day, however, after a comment from the announcer they livened up and cheered their hearts out. The freshmen were especially enthusiastic about joining other teams in front of the stands to dance to YMCA, Hot To Go, and the Macarena. The KoiBots’ spirit was well rewarded with the Gracious Professionalism award. Alliance 7, consisting of teams: #8726 CryptoHawks and #4505 McDonogh Robotics picked the team as their second pick. They were able to advance all the way to semifinals, before losing at third place to Alliance 1.

Alexandria Week 4 was equally exciting, if not more. Students once again pulled on their inflatable shark costumes, the yearly tradition of stuffing freshmen into the shark to act as a mascot persisting. After seeing how Sailfish performed the previous week, the bot was now back better than before. The team shot up the ranks, ranking 8th out of the 37 teams present, with a record of 8 wins and 4 losses. This made the team an alliance captain, allowing them to pick two other teams to compete in their alliance for the playoffs. Teams #5338 ACL RoboLoCo and #9033 Ocebots were selected. #9033 is the only other team from Arlington, Yorktown High School’s robotics team and one of the KoiBots’ friends. The team once again won third place, but the victory wasn’t the only thing the team had won: they had won a slot at DCMP, which would take place on April 4th, 5th and 6th. 

Since the District Champions are the end goal for all teams in the Chesapeake district, it is always very exciting for the teams who make it. Especially since only 54 out of 111 teams qualify to go, being one of those shows that you have had a strong and exciting season. DCMP this year was hosted in Upper Marlboro, Maryland at the ShowPlace Arena, which was, interestingly, an equestrian center. The stadium was huge, having the field in the center and pits off to both sides. The team was sat right in front, at the very bottom of the stands, giving them a perfect view of the whole field. The KoiBot’s ended up ranked 29 out of the 54 teams present, winning 6 matches and losing 6. They were unfortunately not picked to be in an alliance, but did win an award! They were selected for the Imagery Award, which they had hoped to win, as the team has a good record of having distinctive and attractive branding across their merch, pit, robot, and even the team members themselves.

Overall, the season was a huge success, and the team is proud of their accomplishments, especially the seniors who will call this their last season on the team. From a busy pre-season to a series of competitive and successful district events, the team is excited to be ending on such a positive note, and can’t wait for the next season to begin in September. There is another article published on the ACC Chronicle about the pre-season, if you are interested in learning more. Please come back next year for more updates and to continue to see how the team will grow and evolve over the years. 

Link to the pre-season article- https://accchronicle.net/3954/acc-clubs-and-extras/koibots-hopping-to-bunnybots/