Three teams earned qualification to compete in the Ohio VEX IQ Middle School Robotics State Championship, which will take place March 2-3 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton.

Crestview and Columbiana will both be represented at the state level following strong performances in the Teamwork Challenge. Crestview’s Dunkaroos and Columbiana’s The Almighty Cheeto Puffs captured the Teamwork Challenge Championship, combining for an impressive high score of 118 points in their match. Crestview’s Robot Renegades also secured a place at the state championship as the highest-ranked skills challenge team, rounding out the league’s group of state qualifiers.

This season’s VEX IQ challenge tested teams on their ability to design robots capable of efficiently collecting, organizing, and placing game elements to maximize scoring opportunities. Success required a balance of strategy, driver skill, and effective teamwork as alliances worked together to complete scoring tasks within each match.

Participating teams were from Beaver Local, Columbiana, Crestview, East Liverpool and Springfield Local.