Representing Ripon at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship are, kneeling, from left, Greg Selz, Micah Rieder, Rose Hoffman-Slattery; standing, Gavin Magadanz, Brett Johns, Thomas Heyn, Dylan Bush, Sarah Rieder, Dave Hickman, Kyler Rieder, Nathan Hanson and Devynn Schneiter.
Ripon High School’s robotics team returned from the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship after competing among top teams from around the globe last week in the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Ripon Robotics FRC Team 7915 was one of nearly 600 teams, representing roughly 19,000 high school students, at the international event held April 29 through May 2 in Houston. The annual competition challenges students to design, build and operate robots in a themed engineering contest. This year’s theme, “REBUILT presented by Haas,” focused on archaeology, engineering and reimagining the past to build the future.
Ripon competed in the Galileo Division, one of eight divisions at the event. The division included 75 teams from 27 states and six countries: Mexico, Israel, China, Turkey, Canada and Chinese Taipei.
The team finished with a 4-6 record and ranked 48th out of 75 teams in its division. During the competition, Ripon set a new team high score of 518, surpassing its previous record of 467 set at the state level.
Ripon earned its first win in its second match, competing alongside alliance partners from Turkey and Israel. Team members cited working with international partners as a highlight of the trip, noting the challenge of developing match strategies despite language differences and varying approaches to gameplay.
Students observed that strategies used by teams outside Wisconsin sometimes differed, requiring additional communication and collaboration to determine effective plans for each match.
The team also emphasized the performance of its robot, “Super Dave,” which did not break down during any match. Students said the robot’s durability allowed it to withstand the increased level of defensive play seen at the world competition, where some alliance partners experienced mechanical or programming issues.
Between matches, team members scouted other teams to gather performance data and help drivers prepare strategies. Students also connected with other teams to exchange ideas and learn ways to improve both their robot and team operations.
Outside of competition, the group explored the Houston Zoo and downtown Houston prior to the event. A student purchased a team tiger mascot at the zoo, which remained with the robot throughout the competition. Some students also toured NASA facilities during the trip, while others attended playoff rounds.
Managing logistics at the event posed challenges, including finding space for meals among tens of thousands of participants and spectators. Parent chaperones helped organize daily schedules to ensure the team could rest and eat between matches.
The team’s participation followed a rapid turnaround, with only eight days between qualifying for the world championship and traveling to Houston. Team representatives credited support from the Ripon community for making the trip possible, including contributions that helped cover travel, lodging and registration costs.
Ripon Robotics thanked local donors, businesses and organizations for supporting what team members described as a unique opportunity for students to compete on a global stage.
