The Becker robotics team (FRC 4607) returned from Houston, Texas, this week after participating in their incredible ninth World Championships as a program.  Participating in the Daly Division, Becker finished fifth and once again proved their robot was one of the top in terms of engineering and maneuverability.

“Our season was marked by innovation, resilience, and sharp competitive instincts,” Head Coach Alex Jurek said. “Our robot, RIPTIDE, was a powerhouse on the field: quick, precise, and packed with smart engineering touches.” 

Here’s a look at Becker’s journey to the 2025 World Championships.

The season began strong at the Lake Superior Regional in Duluth, where the team earned the seventh seed with a solid 7-4-0 record, advancing to the second round of playoffs and then winning the prestigious Impact Award.  

“This is our sixth time winning this award and now places us fourth in the state for this award behind other powerhouses Eagan (9), Edina (7), and Prior Lake (7),” Jurek said. 

At the Phantom Lakes Regional in Mukwonago, WI, the team finished as finalists and brought home the Quality Award, finishing with a record of 13-4. 

In their third regional in St Cloud, the team finished third overall and won the Excellence in Engineering Award, while going an impressive 11-3 in matches.

“Even though we didn’t take home the winning banner at regionals, our performance earned us a spot at Worlds, setting the stage for what would become one of our most impressive runs yet,” Jurek concluded.

A total of 600 FIRST robotics teams (from all different levels) qualify for the World Championships in Houston, TX, each year, making it the largest competitive sporting event in the world. For that weekend, Houston balloons with an extra 100,000 people who come to attend the event.

This was Becker’s fourth straight trip to the World Championships and the team has been there every year since 2015 (2020 and 2021 seasons were canceled due to COVID-19).

In previous years, the team has finished in fourth place in the world (2023), fifth place in the world (2019), division finalists (2018), and division seventh place (2016). This year the team finished  fifth in their division.

In this year’s competition, Becker showcased elite-level strategy and teamwork. The team finished with a 5-5 record, yet all metrics proved their robots’ unique abilities to compete with the best. 

“Our EPA (Expected Points Added aggregate) was sixth overall in the division that had four of the best teams in the world competing,” Jurek said. 

Six of the current team members have attended the past four championships, giving each of these students an elite level of experience at the highest possible level.

Makayla Hoefs started out within on the electrical side of the team and then moved onto the FMEA process, making sure the robot failures were documented and then mitigated. She was instrumental in bringing Coding For Cookies to the Girl Scouts of America and gained her Gold Star for her efforts.

Aliyah Szabla is the team’s most decorated Safety Captain to date as she boasts six regional Safety All-Star pins, the most in FRC history.

Collin Lietha has become a force in machining the robot parts, as well as the team’s technician and lead PIT member the last three seasons.

Cameron Northenscold started in the team’s media department where he showed great promise and then last year he transitioned into the build team where he became the expert in powder coating application and a staple in the Pit.

Eli Bring regained the role of Driver, a position he held as an eighth grader back in 2021. He has been the Drive Team Coach, the Lead CAD, leader of the robot build, and in his final season the driver of the robot.

Landon Jurek has been with the team since 2013 when his dad started FRC4607. Not just the team’s biggest fan, he has been the team’s strategy lead for some time. As an eighth grader he was the operator, but quickly found his groove in the scouting and strategy departments.

With a trip to the MSHSL State Tournament on the horizon, Jurek is both looking ahead to that competition, but also reflecting on the difference his seniors have made with the team.

“Our outreach programs have grown each year, including mentoring younger teams, organizing STEM events, and visiting local schools to ignite a passion for science and engineering in the next generation,” Jurek said.  “Our success in 2025 reflects more than technical excellence; it’s the result of a team culture built on leadership, mentorship, and a love for learning.”