Lewiston Regional Technical Center’s Robotics Team, LRTC 8023, climbs to the top at Pine Tree District FIRST Robotics Competition, held March 11-13 at Thomas College in Waterville. From left are Ahmed Hussein, Omar Osman, Jacob Willette and Chance Tuttle. Submitted photo

Lewiston Regional Technical Center’s robotics team, LRTC 8023, went into the competition at Thomas College in Waterville as underdogs and came out as champions, according to a news release from center.

Team members worked from the ground up and spent many hours after school for months to get their robot ready for its first competition of the season. Their robot was coded from scratch, can climb using mechanical advantages and no electrical, can move autonomously, and is strong and powerful enough to move other robots out of the way with ease.

The Pine Tree District FIRST Robotics Competition was held at the Alfond Athletic Center from March 11 to 13. There were 26 teams from all over New England competing. After competing in battles all day Saturday LRTC 8023 made it to the finals. With two more battles on Sunday, LRTC 8023 and its alliance were crowned champions.

“They worked hard, showed up and had what it took to show what a true underdog can do,” LRTC Student Services Support Kelsey Poliquin said.

The LRTC 8023 team now ranked 21st in all of New England. LRTC Trade Works instructor Alan Graves and Lewiston High School Social Studies teacher Kathy County served as lead mentors for the team.

The full team includes lead mentors County and Graves; mentors Jeremy Randall, Alex and Jacob Willette, and Toby Roy; and team members Ahmed Hussein, Omar Osman, Chance Tuttle and Matthew Ashton.

Team LRTC 8023 members, from left, are Alan Graves, Jacob Willette, Toby Roy, Omar Osman, Chance Tuttle, Ahmed Hussein and Kathy County. Not pictured from the team are Alex Willette, Jeremy Randall and Matthew Ashton Submitted photo