03/19/2026
Team 7250 Shines at Lake City: Underdog Run, Semi-final Finish, and Spirit Award Victory
LAKE CITY, MI — The air at Lake City High School from March 13-15 was electric with anticipation. The scent of machine oil mingled with the faint aroma of popcorn, the hum of motors punctuated the cheers of students, mentors, and volunteers, and banners representing teams from across Michigan swayed above the crowded gym. It was the FIRST Robotics Competition FIM Lake City District Event, a high-stakes arena where engineering, strategy, and teamwork collide.
For Team 7250, 0sCODEa 0w|5, hailing from Oscoda, this wasn’t just a weekend of matches. It was a journey of discovery, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact—both on and off the field. We arrived with our robot, tools, and a strategy, but we left with a renewed sense of identity, community, and purpose.
Qualification Matches: Learning Under Pressure — From the first whistle, it was clear this event would push every team to its limits. Michigan boasts some of the most competitive robotics programs in the country, and Lake City was no exception. Each alliance brought cutting-edge robots, carefully honed strategies, and relentless energy.
Our matches were a rollercoaster of triumphs and near misses. Some were nail-biters, decided in the final seconds as our alliances battled back and forth for points. In one unforgettable match, our robot executed flawlessly, keeping pace with our opponents down to the last second—but victory slipped through our fingers by a mere few points. In another, everything clicked: our drivers navigated with precision, scoring cycles executed smoothly, and teamwork shone through.
These experiences taught us resilience, adaptability, and the importance of communication. Each loss revealed areas to improve, while every win reinforced the power of preparation and teamwork. By the end of the qualification rounds, we weren’t just competitors—we were a more cohesive, confident team ready for the playoffs.
Qualification Performance by the Numbers — Our growth throughout qualifications was reflected in our match data. On average, our robot delivered 12.4 points in autonomous (hands-off driving), demonstrating consistent early-game performance. During teleoperated play (hands-on driving), we averaged 35.2 points, balancing scoring and positioning as we refined our strategy match by match. In the endgame, we contributed an average of 11.4 points, bringing the total match score to 59.
These numbers represent more than statistics—they show steady improvement, effective teamwork, and a foundation we can build on as we head into the playoffs.
Alliance 8: Rising to the Challenge — When the alliance selection came, our team was chosen for Alliance 8—an honor that also came with immense responsibility. We were ranked 18 out of around 34 teams. We were also the second pick of Alliance 8 for the playoffs.
Embracing the underdog role, we approached our quarterfinal matches with determination and strategy. In the first match, our alliance kept the score tight, executing plays with precision while staying calm under pressure. The second match required quick thinking: we adjusted in real time, synchronized our scoring cycles, and implemented defensive maneuvers to protect our alliance’s lead.
Though we didn’t advance past the semi-finals, the experience was invaluable. Facing the best teams at that event taught us to think strategically on the fly, trust each other implicitly, and maintain composure under pressure.
Playoff Performance and Final Placement — In the playoffs, our team elevated its performance to a whole new level. Our autonomous average was 10.25 points, while our teleoperated gameplay surged to 91.5 points per match, reflecting stronger coordination and faster scoring cycles. In the endgame, we averaged 25 points, contributing to a remarkable overall playoff average of 126.75 points per match.
This significant jump in performance showcased how much we had grown over the course of the event. By combining refined strategy, improved communication, and trust among ourselves, we were able to compete at an elite level.
Our run ultimately ended in the semi-finals, earning us an impressive 3rd place overall in the competition. For a team seeded outside the top rankings, this achievement was a testament to our perseverance, adaptability, and belief in each other.
A Snowstorm Looms — As the weekend progressed, news of a severe snowstorm moving across Michigan began to spread. A few teams made the difficult decision to leave early to beat the storm, packing up robots and supplies with urgency on the second day of the event. The atmosphere in the gym grew tense yet supportive, as mentors and students helped each other navigate last-minute schedule changes and coordinate safe departures.
Even amidst the chaos, Team 7250 stayed focused, balancing competition with safety. The storm was a stark reminder that robotics isn’t just about engineering—it’s also about adaptability and looking out for your community.
Winning the Team Spirit Award — While the competition tested our technical skills, we never lost sight of the human element. Robotics is as much about people as it is about machines, and that philosophy guided our interactions throughout the event.
Our dedication to fostering positivity and community was recognized when we won the Team Spirit Award. This accolade celebrates energy, enthusiasm, and impact—qualities we strived to demonstrate every day. From cheering for alliance partners and helping teams in the pits to keeping morale high from setup to the final matches, we lived our core values.
Receiving the award wasn’t just a celebration of what we did—it was a recognition of how we approach robotics: with heart, enthusiasm, and a commitment to supporting others.
Duck Bucks: Creativity Meets Purpose — One of the most memorable parts of our weekend was launching “Duck Bucks”.
This inventive system lets teams earn a playful currency they can redeem at our duck store for small prizes, like green light-up ducks, green squeaky ducks, and regular yellow ducks. What started as a game quickly became a bridge for connection. Students from every corner of the gym visited our pit, laughed, and traded Duck Bucks, creating a buzz of engagement and camaraderie.
Beyond fun, Duck Bucks carried a deeper purpose: raising awareness for mental health. Competitive environments can be stressful, and we wanted to encourage conversations about well-being and support. By combining creativity with advocacy, we reminded everyone that caring for ourselves and each other matters just as much as winning matches.
Seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter, and watching teams engage showed us that even small initiatives can leave a lasting impact. Duck Bucks wasn’t just a fun activity—it was a statement that compassion and community go hand in hand with competition.
Collaboration in Action: Team 5547, The Talons — Strategic partnerships are key to success in FIRST Robotics, and Team 5547 found one in us. Together, we scouted competitors, analyzed match data, and shared insights in both pits and bleachers. This collaboration allowed us to refine strategies, anticipate opponents’moves, and make smarter in-the-moment decisions.
Working closely with 5547 also reinforced a vital lesson: teamwork extends beyond your own team. Even in a competitive arena, helping and learning from others elevates everyone’s experience. It’s a core FIRST principle—Gracious Professionalism—in action.
Reflections and Takeaways — By the conclusion of the Lake City District Event, Team 7250 had:
Competed in intense qualification matches and improved with every round
Advanced to the semi-finals as part of Alliance 8
Placed 3rd overall in the competition
Earned the Team Spirit Award for positivity and energy
Launched Duck Bucks to raise mental health awareness
Partnered with Team 5547, The Talons, to enhance scouting and strategy
More importantly, the weekend taught us lessons that will last a lifetime: adaptability, effective communication, collaboration, and the power of community. Robotics isn’t just about constructing machines — it’s about building people, relationships, and a supportive culture.
Looking Forward — As we set our sights on the rest of the 2026 season, the experience at Lake City strengthens our resolve. Challenges will come, competition will intensify, and new lessons await–but we now carry the confidence, skills, and team spirit to face them head-on.
Lake City wasn’t merely a competition—it was a defining experience, a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and community. It reminded us why we love robotics, why our team matters, and why leaving a positive mark is just as important as scoring points.
We are Team 7250, “0sCODEa 0w|5”, and this is only the beginning.
Author: Kassidy Stepp
Team 7250 Business Lead
