Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools
 By  GreggParker Published 
4:37 pm Friday, March 24, 2017

Motorized Mayhem headed to world robotics competition

MADISON – Two Madison teams took top honors as first- and second-place winners at the FIRST LEGO League or FLL Alabama State Championship.

Robots were racing to complete missions and navigate obstacles at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center for the state tournament on March 4. At earlier regional tournaments, 36 teams qualified from across Alabama and met for a fun and challenging day of STEM competition and robot games, robotics parent volunteer Pam Bourque said.

Motorized Mayhem, an independent team consisting of students and alumni from St. John the Baptist Catholic School, was named Alabama Grand Champion. They will represent Alabama at the FLL World Competition in Houston, Texas on April 19-22.

Motorized Mayhem includes team members Matthew Freestone, Joseph Groger, Remy Patin, Kate Petersen, Bennett Rigby, Zoe Patin, Julia Freestone, Audrey Groger and Lilly Butler. Max Patin and Todd Freestone coach the team.

At the world competition, Motorized Mayhem will be one of 110 champion teams competing from 25 states across the United States and 38 foreign countries.

“Motorized Mayhem is honored to serve as an ambassador for the State of Alabama on this international stage. Our kids are extremely proud to represent their community in this way and spread the word that Alabama knows STEM,” Coach Patin said.

In addition, the BATtlebots team from Heritage Elementary School was awarded the second-place championship. BATtlebots team members include Madhu Balaji, Ronan Barnes, Evelyn Coon, Akshat Dubey, Nathan Johnson, Parth Kommidi, Dylan Templet, and Jeremiah Yang. Team coaches are Rachel Gibbs, Elise Coon and Matt Johnson.

FLL is an international robotics competition organized by FIRST for students ages 9-14. “FLL challenges students to think like scientists and engineers to solve real-world problems,” Taylor Whisenant said. Whisenant is FLL Affiliate Partner for Alabama.

“Students build, test and write software for an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORM technology to complete a set of Robot Game missions, all while displaying gracious professionalism,” Whisenant said.

FLL Champions must demonstrate excellence in all categories, which involve Robot Game, Robot Design, Project and Core Values.

To help Motorized Mayhem represent Madison and Alabama at the world competition, visit their GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/MotorizedMayhem.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *