Henderson – Middle School Robotics Squad Earns Coveted VEX Worlds Berth

Claiming State Supremacy (Image Credits: Unsplash)

A team of seven middle schoolers from Coral Academy of Science’s Cadence campus captured the Nevada state championship in VEX Robotics, earning a trip to the world event in St. Louis next month.[1][2]

Claiming State Supremacy

The Genesis Eagles team shone at the Nevada VEX V5 Robotics Competition State Championship held last week at Green Valley High School. They secured tournament finalist status and claimed the Judges Award, which propelled them to the global stage.[3] This marked a strong performance in a field demanding precision engineering and strategic gameplay.

Competitors designed robots to handle a fresh challenge each season. This year’s task required directing machines to place softball-sized blocks into horizontal tubes at different heights, with bonus points for accuracy and efficient maneuvers.[1] The students had tested their creation in prior events across Utah and Arizona, building momentum toward the state crown.

Spotlight on the Genesis Eagles

The squad features a mix of builders, coders, and strategists, mostly eighth graders with one seventh grader. Their roles blend technical skills and teamwork essential for high-stakes matches.

• Rasul Razack, 13: Captain, builder, and driver
• Trevor Mangan, 14: Builder
• Xavier Chamberlain, 13: Main coder
• Kevin Mossman, 14: Coder
• Saheed Razack, 12: Coder (Rasul’s brother)
• Hazelle Ritchie, 13: Journalist and manager
• Julia Chavez, 13: Journalist and manager

These young innovators dedicate five to ten hours weekly outside class to refine their project, embodying the academy’s push toward STEM proficiency.[2]

Unveiling Spider: The Robot at the Core

Named Spider, the team’s robot vacuums up blocks, propels them through a rubber-band web via rotating paddles, and deposits them into elevated tubes. Matches last two minutes, rewarding centered placements and end-zone parking.

The design impressed judges with its functionality and the students’ documentation. Captain Rasul Razack emphasized strategy’s role: “You can have the best robot, but if you have a bad strategy, you won’t get far.”[2]

Coach Simogan’s Proven Track Record

Alvin Simogan, the robotics teacher and coach, guides his third consecutive squad to the VEX Worlds. He praised this group as his “dream team,” highlighting parental backing and the students’ zeal for rigorous subjects.

The Cadence campus, part of a six-site charter network serving over 5,500 K-12 students in Southern Nevada, holds a five-star state rating and boasted 99 percent graduation rates in 2024 and 2025. Its STEM emphasis fosters such successes.[1]

Gearing Up for Global Competition

Ahead of late April in St. Louis, the team plans upgrades: lightening the frame, bolstering the drivetrain, and smoothing block flow. They anticipate fierce rivalry from nearly 500 international entrants.

Hazelle Ritchie, reflecting on past Worlds experience, noted, “Those Chinese robots are a whole different beast.” Simogan expressed gratitude: “I’m grateful for this team because they’re all interested.”[2]

These Henderson students already demonstrate that dedication and high standards propel local talent onto the world stage. Whatever unfolds in St. Louis, their journey inspires future innovators. What do you think about their chances? Tell us in the comments.