Damien Robotics Team 2017 Programmed for Brilliance

Damien Robotics Team 2017

The Damien High School Robotics Team has become one of the most dominant programs in Southern California. Competing in the VEX Inland Empire High School League, Damien has qualified four teams to the state championship.

At the VEX Inland Empire League Championships on January 21 hosted by Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Riverside, Damien competed against 39 teams from 17 schools. The championship was a combined effort between Damien’s Team 6526E and Team 6526D for the league title. Team 6526E was also honored with the “Amaze Award” for best all-around robot and the “Top Skills Award” for robotic programming and driving skills.

Team 6526E comprises seniors Eric Delgado (Chino), Adrian Macias (La Verne), Marco Capistrano (Diamond Bar), Sean Li (La Verne), Daniel Enright (Chino); junior Lorenzo Scaturchio (San Dimas); and sophomore Wes Alameda (Montclair).

Team 6526D includes seniors Matthew Soriano (La Verne) and Jonathan Zhang (Chino Hills); sophomores Anthony Ebiner (San Dimas) and Dylan McKenzie (Chino Hills); and freshmen and Nicholas Aguilar (Pomona) and Logan Joseph (Glendora).

Both Damien teams automatically qualified for 2017 California State VRC High School Championship to be held at the Los Angeles Fairplex March 10-11, 2017.

Earlier in the school year, Damien robotic teams took first place at both the Downey (Team 6526G) and Quartz Hill (Team 6526F) tournaments. Both teams earned automatic berths to the state championship.

Team 6526G comprises St. Lucy’s junior Arden Mahintorabi; sophomores Isabel Puchalski, Lena Shindy (Duarte), Jaden Santiago; Damien seniors Justin Camargo (Covina) and Davis Carrillo (Corona).

Team 6526F includes St. Lucy’s sophomore Emily Inkrott; Damien juniors Jason Merthan (Ontario), Federico Parres (Etiwanda), Justin Romero (Chino), Erin Bikmaz (San Dimas), Nicholas Vasquez (Chino); sophomore Simon Pike (Upland); and freshman Curtis Lin.

The Damien High School Robotics Team, in its fourth year, combines students from Damien and St. Lucy’s Priory. The program gives students the opportunity to design and build cutting-edge robots. They learn valuable engineering skills, and having fun doing it. During its first three years, the program has competed in both the US Open Robotics National and World Championships.