Robotics rules this weekend at Kettering

FLINT (WJRT) -- (03/05/09) -- Some of the brightest future engineers and technical gurus from across the state are heading to Flint this weekend.

The students will take part in a major robotics competition that could eventually lead to college scholarships.

The Grand Blanc Engi-Nerds start their own version of march madness this weekend. "We hope to take those opponents and take them down," team Captain Eric Salem said.

The Engi-Nerds will duke it out with 39 other Michigan high school teams in the First Robotics District Competition at Kettering University. At stake is a trip to the state finals.

"I would love to win. I'm very competitive," Co-Captain Kylie Nichola said.

Last year in their rookie season, the kids from Grand Blanc made it all the way to the national competition in Atlanta.

"We actually placed second in the Curry Division and made it to the semifinals in the elimination rounds. We ended up ninth globally overall, and the highest rookie seed in the world," team mentor Brandi Bolinger explained.

Aspirations are just as high this time around. The Engi-Nerds will go as far as this souped-up robot can carry them.

"I keep calling it the 'Bad Dream Machine from Mario,'" team member Eric Salem said.

The Bad Dream Machine is so bad,  you probably want to keep your distance.  "Oh, if you're not careful, it will take your finger right off," team mechanic Ryan Brancheau warned.

It's not all about death and destruction. There's a strong motivation behind the madness.

"I'm using this to help get a scholarship, the first robotics scholarship here at Kettering, so that will definitely help me out," Eric Salem said.

The Grand Blanc Engi-Nerds are just that -- nerds. Smart nerds, in fact.  And they wear that distinction with honor.

"Nerds are usually the people that rule the world, and they're the head of corporations. Everyone that goes to Kettering or is on our team embraces their inner nerdness," Bolinger said.

The First Robotics District Competition begins tomorrow (Friday) and runs through Saturday at Kettering.

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local, marc jacobson

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