Growing Interest in Sumo Robotics Competition at Mat-Su College
Contributed by Cadence Sellars
Mat-Su College welcomed nearly one hundred attendees to its Sumo Robotics Competition at The Glenn Massay Theater, bringing together student talent from across the Mat-Su Valley.
The event featured eleven custom-built robots and twenty participants, most of them from local high schools. These students put their problem-solving skills to the test in head-to-head sumo-style matches.
Among the competitors were two robots from the Mat-Su College Robotics Team. Taking first place was “Overbite,” designed and built by club member Hunter Cameron. Second place went to “Benny-Net,” created by teammates Boden Parrent and Lincoln Worley. A top high school prize was awarded to Kyler McElvain of Career Tech for his robot, “Window Wiper,” in recognition of outstanding performance among high school competitors.
The competition was judged by Professor Dan Nichols and College Director Marie Gardner. In addition to judging, Nichols assisted participants throughout the event by helping troubleshoot robot malfunctions, ensuring matches continued with minimal delays. After the event, he also walked students through Mat-Su College’s lab, where robots and even rockets are designed and built each year.
With strong attendance and growing interest from local schools, the competition is expected to expand. Events like this not only celebrate student achievement, but also strengthen connections between the college and local high schools, helping inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.