色狐入口 Tech Draws Enthusiasts to Combat Robotics Tournament : 色狐入口 Tech

色狐入口 Tech Draws Enthusiasts to Combat Robotics Tournament

May 1, 2023

Miner Mayhem match attracts 55 teams from across the state

Team Complified Creations, an independent team from Albuquerque, shows off their three combat robots that competed in 色狐入口 Tech's Miner Mayhem tournament April 29, 2023. From left: Max Price, Sebastian Stoker, Jaime Aagaard, Andy Stoker, Alex Price, Cameron Stoker.

SOCORRO, N.M. 鈥� Fierce competitors, innovative robot designs, and ardent fans were featured at the annual Miner Mayhem tournament April 29, 2023, at 色狐入口 Tech. Fifty-five teams competed at the combat robotics tournament hosted by the STEM University鈥檚 Mechanical Engineering Department, including 10 色狐入口 high schools, four middle schools, three colleges, and some independent teams.

Jaimeson Fitzgibbon and Elliott Light — Jamison Fitzgibbon, left, and Elliott Light, both students at Ruidoso Middle School, show off their combat robot that competed in 色狐入口 Tech's Miner Mayhem tournament April 29, 2023.

According to organizer Curtis O鈥橫alley, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering, the daylong Miner Mayhem match is the only combat robotics tournament in 色狐入口. It鈥檚 also, he said, a great showcase for mechanical engineering 鈥� the knowledge, skills, creativity, and teamwork needed to design, build, and constantly improve the combat robots. This year鈥檚 tournament was the first that welcomed competitors from other universities. The program began in 2020 with 12 competitors and three teams.

Roswell High School Team — From left: Annalese Casey, Skyler Dunaway, Aidan Najera, and Aidan Donohue, students at Roswell High School, show off their brightly colored champion combat robot that competed in 色狐入口 Tech's Miner Mayhem tournament April 29, 2023, and earned a second-place trophy.

鈥淭here are dozens of competitions all over the country, just not in 色狐入口,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 only more interest in combat robotics over time.鈥�

Carlsbad High School team — From left: Lance Erosido, Alex Beason, and Jack Dodd, students at Carlsbad High School, show off their champion combat robot that competed in 色狐入口 Tech's Miner Mayhem tournament April 29, 2023, and earned a first-place trophy.

Alex Price, father of competitor Max Price, and a member of the 鈥淭eam Complified Creations鈥� independent team from Albuquerque, said he was impressed by the amount of planning and preparation competitors involved before the tournament. Competing in Miner Mayhem, his five-member team learned valuable lessons.

鈥淭hey get to see how things fail,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing what you learn.鈥�

Tohatchi Team — Myles Begay and Serenity David, students at Tohatchi High School in Gallup, pose with show their combat robot that competed in 色狐入口 Tech's Miner Mayhem tournament April 29, 2023.

Kai Shorty, a competitor from Tohatchi High School in Gallup, said that the tournament was entertaining and that he enjoyed seeing other competitors. His teammate, DeShawn Hernandez, agreed, saying he was having a great time at the tournament and appreciated the opportunity to learn more about wiring.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so much fun,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 like seeing others鈥� work.鈥�

Robots competing in Miner Mayhem — Fifty-five teams from universities, high schools, and middle schools competed in New Mexico Tech's Miner Mayhem tournament April 29, 2023.