C.I.S. (Coalition of Independent Students) 4607, Becker High School’s robotics team, has begun preparing for this year’s competition season, getting their team together, positions assigned and a plan of action put in place. 

 

“The team is refining our processes and how we operate,” Head Coach Alex Jurek says. “We are by no means the largest team in the state, but we are very active in all aspects of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in Minnesota. This means incredible coordination by the team and a lot of responsibilities for team members.” 

 

This is Jurek’s seventh season coaching robotics; he’s helped by assistant coaches Maggie Maine, Eric McCalla, Kris Fischbach, Tom Murphy, John Stich, Chris Roadfeldt, Ryan Swanson, Mark Cheney, Kevin Kampa and Roger Schmidt.

 

The season for FRC 4607 robotics officially began Nov. 8, however the 40-member team has stayed busy in the off-season.

 

“This year we’re really working with the engineering side of the team,” said Jurek. “Most of our off-season focus has been on this area.”

 

Until the build season kicks off on Jan. 5, the team is meeting as a large group on Wednesdays with separate departments meeting on different days as needed. After that they will be meeting every day through February.

 

The robotics team’s first competition is in Duluth on March 7 and 8. They’re expecting stiff competition from teams across the country, with Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Colorado sending their best teams to the event. Overall there will be 63 teams vying for six bids for Worlds. 

 

“Last year we had a lot of successes overall,” said senior Jordan Gruenes. “But it’s not just about awards. It’s also about what we can do to give back and how we can help other teams. We look for creative ways we can help spread STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) further, opening it to more females and growing a diverse culture.”

 

This is Gruenes’ third year on the robotics team. This year he’s lead of Entrepreneur, as well as working with fellow senior Gavin Murphy, who’s lead of Chairman’s. He’ll also be meeting with sponsors, creating the business plan and working on the “bible,” which documents what the team has done over the years.

 

“We actually work with local businesses who help us to be a sustainable team,” said Gruenes. “We run it like a professional program. Students gain valuable experience in engineering, business and public speaking.”

 

“The team is ready,” said Jurek. “We have done the work to prep us for a great year. The senior class is as solid as ever and they’re backed by a very strong group of underclassmen. If the kids keep building on the solid foundation it will be a very memorable season.”

 

Last year the team took home five blue banners and six awards, including the Dunwoody College of Technology Engineering Award at State and the Chairman’s Award at regionals for the third consecutive year.