May 18, 2023

The École secondaire Notre-Dame-du-Sault (Sault Ste. Marie) robotics team recently concluded a very busy and successful year that included several standout performances at regional, provincial and international competitions. Without a doubt, the highlight remains their participation at the VEX Robotics World Championship, held in Dallas, Texas, from April 25 to 27. With over 800 teams from more than 50 countries competing, it is the largest robotics competition in the world.

At the VEX Robotics World Championship, ÉS Notre-Dame-du-Sault’s Robotics team competed in Robot Skills and achieved a ranking of 144^th place out of the 800 teams competing. The team, made up of Liam Spacek (builder, driver), Gabriella Gutierrez (engineering design notebook), Sophie Barrette (programmer), and Luke Dallaire (designer), is led by coach David Spacek.

In match-play, the team competed in ten round-robin games and accumulated six wins and four losses, finishing 20^th in their division of 80 teams. They were selected to be an alliance partner by a Pennsylvania team to compete in the playoff rounds. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the first round of the single-elimination divisional playoffs with a final score of 122 to 157. 

Overall, the École secondaire Notre-Dame-du-Sault team placed within the top one percentile of the approximately 10,000 teams worldwide registered in VEX Robotics competitions this season. During the championship, ÉS Notre-Dame-du-Sault’s Robotics team faced competitors from China, Ireland, and the United States. The improvements the team built into their robot design and programming paid-off as they were able to achieve a reliable win-point advantage during match-play which was a personal best for the team this season. The exposure and experience they have gained on the world stage is amazing.

Furthermore, the École secondaire Notre-Dame-du-Sault Robotics team concluded a very successful year of competition by taking part in the Skills Ontario Competition held in Toronto from May 1 to 3.

The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon offers a French-language Catholic Educational Program that is widely recognized for its excellence. The CSC Nouvelon provides a quality learning environment and academic program that runs from early childhood to adult education, with some 5,900 students enrolled in 27 elementary, 1 virtual school and 10 secondary schools.

Source:
Paul de la Riva
Director of Communications and External Relations
Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon
705-673-5626, ext. 294
705-677-8195 (cell)