The Gloucester High School RoboDukes robotics team hosted a VEX robotics tournament at Page Middle School on Dec. 10. This marked the first time Gloucester has hosted a major robotics competition.

RoboDukes head coach Rusty West said his team used the open-space design of Page to accommodate 29 tourney teams from Northern Virginia, Richmond and Portsmouth. There were four 12’x12’ playing fields laid out, including one for practice, and seating for spectators. 

“The crowd of over 300 was able to easily watch some of the best STEM students in the state as they competed to earn a spot at the Virginia VEX Championships in February,” said West. 

The winning alliance of teams was composed of teams from Manassas, Henrico and Portsmouth. Each of those three teams was awarded a bid to the state championships.  GHS entered two teams, with its Team A making it to the semifinals before being eliminated. The team included captain Melissa Wishmeyer, Macey Wi...