Listen Live

Courtenay teens named world’s second-best robotics skills challenge team

COMOX, B.C. – Highland Secondary welcomed teams from around the province for a special robotics competition over the weekend.

It was the 10th annual Vex Robotics tournament.

Courtenay-based team 7K Robotics helped put the Comox Valley on the map by ranking second best in the world in the skills challenge category.

The VEX Robotics skills challenge ranked all participating teams worldwide, a total of 3,051 squads.

7K finished with 48 points. The world champion captured 51 points.

The team is comprised of grade 11 Mark R. Isfeld students Gauthier Appaix, Taylor Lafleur and Eony Kim.

“We faced off against (around) 16 teams,” Appaix said.

He explained that their team is a “home-run team”, which means they go to school together but compete in robotics outside of school.

Appaix said this is the trio’s first year working together as 7K.

“In two weeks, there is a competition in Port Moody,” he added.

“The week after that, we have a competition in the U.S. in Bellingham, then there’s provincials which is March 1st, and the US Open, which we’re actually qualified for…(and) it’s like the second biggest event in the world.”

Appaix said that if the team wins provincials, they move on to the world championships in Kentucky at the end of April.

Justin Goulet
Justin Goulet
News Reporter/Weekend Host - If you've got a news tip, I'd love to hear from you. You can contact me at [email protected] or call the news-line at (250) 331-4033.

Continue Reading

cfcp Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Infrastructure, housing, UNDRIP will top agenda as local governments meet in Victoria next week

Members of local governments and First Nations are gathering in Victoria next week for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention.

Fundraiser walk supporting Comox Valley seniors set for Sunday

The Glacier View Lodge Society is welcoming walkers to support its 2025 Walk for Glacier View, individual walkers or teams will take a scenic 2km walk around the lodge while taking in a bake sale, live music and other entertainment.

NIC officially opens new student housing buildings

A student housing project at Courtenay's North Island College has officially opened its doors.

B.C. Conservatives support federal bill to classify intimate partner killings as first-degree murder

B.C. politicians are voicing support for a federal Conservative bill that would classify the killing of an intimate partner as first-degree murder. 

“Please stop”: Eby says Alberta’s pipeline dream jeopardizes B.C. projects

Premier David Eby said Alberta’s push for a new pipeline is a threat to existing major projects in B.C. 
- Advertisement -