HOUSTON – The robotics team at Merrimack High School, Chop Shop 166, made it to the finals in the Curie Division of the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Championship, which was held from April 29 to May 2.

This was Chop Shop’s fourth appearance at the FIRST Championship in five years.

“What an amazing way to finish out the season,” said Chop Shop’s Lead Mentor Ian MacGregor. “Watching the team experience Worlds and the hugeness of it all and performing all the way to the finals on our field was outstanding. It would be hard to have a better season, but maybe next year?”

The FRC teams are randomly assigned to one of eight divisions, competing in ten qualification matches before playoff alliances are formed. At the end of qualifications Chop Shop finished 39th out of the 74 teams in the Curie Division. Though their record did not show it, their skills on the field did not go unnoticed.

Chop Shop was selected by Team 5907, the CC Shambots of Navi, Mich. The Shambots were the highest ranked team in the Curie Division, making them Captain of Alliance #1. Along with Chop Shop, the Shambots selected Team 6369 – Mercenary Robotics of McKinney, Texas and Team 8595 – This Is How We Play of New Taipei, China to fill out the four-team playoff alliance.

The alliance showed great skill as they progressed through the playoff brackets securing a spot in the Curie Division Finals. Chop Shop and its alliance fought hard but were unable to overcome Alliance #2 and were eliminated in the finals.

“Being picked by Alliance #1 felt amazing and fighting all the way through playoffs felt even better”, said Liam, Chop Shop’s software lead and robot operator. “The drive team had a rough start to the Championship but finished stronger than ever. I’m so glad that we were given the opportunity to represent the team and all our accomplishments by making it to finals for the second time ever.”

“I have been with the team through a lot of ups, downs, and multiple FIRST Championships, but I have never been prouder of a team or of an achievement,” said Katie, a senior and Chop Shop’s outreach lead. “I couldn’t be happier leaving the team with a better group of people!”

The official competition season for Chop Shop has ended, but Chop Shop will still be competing in friendly off-season tournaments and continuing their community outreach activities.