The JPII middle school robotics team delivered a commanding performance at the Robo Raiders Groundhog Blitz Invitational held at River Ridge Academy in Bluffton this past Saturday. Team members Sebastian Sakowicz, Gabriela Pavlick, Alex Marcinkoski, Georgette Golden, and Jensen Downs showcased exceptional skill, strategy, and teamwork.

The event opened with the Drivers Skills Challenge, where three team members had one minute to score as many points as possible using two different drivers. JPII posted the highest driver score of the day with 86 points, narrowly surpassing the reigning skills champions.

"The team’s standout performance came during the autonomous portion of the competition," commented JPII robotics moderator Paul Brown. "With no driver input, the JPII robot executed a flawless series of movements, earning an impressive 63 points—28 points higher than any other team. Their combined total of 149 points secured 1st place in the skills division and propelled them to 2nd in the state, just one point behind the current leader."

In the afternoon qualification matches, the Warriors continued their momentum in a round robin format with randomly assigned alliance partners.

• Sebastian and Gabriela opened with a powerful 107 point match alongside a team they would later reunite with in the finals.
• By the fourth heat, Sebastian and Alex delivered a crowd energizing 118 points, placing JP2 firmly at the top of the leaderboard.
• Despite a dramatic shake up in the rankings when the No. 2 team suffered a mechanical failure, JP2 stayed focused and closed qualifications with a strong 97 point performance, securing the #1 seed heading into the championship round.

The top 10 teams advanced to a single round, winner take all championship. JPII was paired once again with the Bluffton Middle School team that had helped them post their early high score. After several alliances fell short of the leading score of 80, the JPII–Bluffton alliance took the field.

Under pressure, the teams executed with precision and confidence, posting the highest score of the entire tournament: 119 points. The performance drew applause from judges and spectators alike as JPII clinched the championship title.

"I was incredibly proud of our students’ hard work, dedication, and composure under pressure," said Mr. Brown. "Their teamwork and preparation truly paid off.  The Warriors now turn their focus to the South Carolina State Championship next month, where they aim to capture the top spot. I would like to extend my gratitude to River Ridge Academy for hosting an outstanding event and to the parents and supporters who continue to champion the robotics program."