By Wendi Reardon Price
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Team RUSH 27 didn’t finish the 2023 robotics season as they had hoped during the FIRST World Championship, but Clarkston students enjoyed the opportunity in Houston, Texas, April 18-22.
The team finished in the semifinals of the Archimedes Division going 4-8 during the competition.
Junior Luke Jeung is in his third year with Team RUSH but it was his second world championship as the 2021 season was canceled.

“World is always a hallmark experience for my year on the team,” said Jeung, who is a member of the drive team. “I was able to directly interact with and meet so many amazing people. Given its title, the world championship allows teams to meet others from all around the world, and compete at the highest level of competitiveness yet.”
For a lot of members of the team it was the first time including senior Tallon Ansel, who joined Team RUSH this season.
“My experience was very exciting because the energy of the building was so diverse and massive and engaging,” Ansel shared. “There were teams I got to meet and people I know I would never meet otherwise, and I got to share information with people about my team and my experiences and they shared theirs, it was enthralling overall to learn as much as I got to learn.”
Ansel added what he enjoyed most was the energy of the crowd.
“Since it’s FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) and most of us are around the same age, there was a lot of dancing and team engagement,” he said. “Watching the alliance selections is also a favorite part of every competition.”
A lot of students, especially those going for the first time, echoed Ansel’s thoughts about meeting new people from all over the world in Houston.
“It was pretty great,” said Abraham Reyes-Sanchez, who is a junior and in his first year on the team. “I’ve never been to something like this before and it was a great experience. I really liked meeting new people from all over the world and cheering for teams that weren’t my own because their team was cool, and their robot was awesome, too.”
Sophomore Zack Marko is in his second year with Team RUSH 27 and shared his experience at the World Championship was unlike any other competitions he has been to.
“Some things I enjoyed were spending time with teammates, meeting new people and watching ours and other teams’ robots competing,” Marko said.
Junior Charles Goodrich pointed out he noticed for his first visit there were fun dances.
“My experience was overall enjoyable,” he said. “I enjoyed cheering for our team, as well as other teams, the fun dances and activities in the stands. Next year I am excited to see how our team, as well as other teams, can do better.”
Time at the competition was also a learning experience for the students.
Reyes-Sanchez shared he learned a lot about the other teams and the individuals on the team including what their life is like where they are from.
Ansel learned a lot of new things about FIRST, its founders, and the foundations which make the event possible.
“I also was given the opportunity to learn a lot about different robots,” he said, adding he learned a lot about himself.
“Since it was my first year and only year I can personally say this experience, especially at the world competition, really helped me to get out of my comfort zone and explore what life is like outside of our hometown. You get to learn and improve, challenge yourself and others, and the best part is that it’s enjoyable because it’s about everyone sharing their thoughts, experiences, and their talents with one another.”
Team RUSH 27 finished the 2023 season with a 47-32-1 record and ranked No. 39 in the FIRST Michigan district.
Before going to the world championship, they competed in the FIRST in Michigan State Championship, April 6-8. They finished 8-6 and won the Innovation in Control award.
“I am ever grateful for Team RUSH’s sponsors, community, friends, and families for their continuous gracious support,” Jeung said. “While our dedication is immense, the support of our community and sponsors is immeasurable. While ‘thank you’ can never mean enough, we could never do what we do without all of you.”

  Robotics, Team RUSH 27, world championship