Garrett County’s Public High Schools FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 1629, GaCo, competed at its first qualifier for the 2025 FRC season last weekend, March 7-9, at Chesapeake High School in Pasadena, Maryland.
GaCo was one of thirty-seven teams from across Maryland, Virginia, and DC that competed, earning 74 “District” points towards their advancement to the 2025 Chesapeake District Championship in April – the most that any of the teams received competing in Pasadena last weekend. All in all, the team ended up as a winner of the qualifier with a 16-3-0 record. According to GaCo, “A couple of matches were real nail-biters. We won our last final match by just 2 points, 127 to 125.”
During closing ceremonies, GaCo was presented with the event’s Engineering Inspiration (EI) Award. According to FIRST, the EI Award recognizes teams that promote respect and appreciation for engineering in their community and schools. Winning the EI Award will enable the team to compete for the same award at their District Championship in April among all the other EI Award winners of the District’s seven qualifiers for 2025.
There are approximately 112 FRC teams in the Chesapeake District, about half of which will advance to the District Championship in April. Each team will be able to compete at two of seven District qualifiers to earn points toward advancement. GaCo’s second qualifier will be in Blacksburg, VA, from March 22 to 33. Currently, GaCo is ranked 4th in its District, with the 2nd and 3rd ranked teams having already competed at both of their two qualifiers.
GaCo is composed of students from both Northern and Southern Garrett High Schools. Founded in 2005, this is the team’s 21st season. The team wishes to thank all for the support that allows them to represent Garrett County and make a difference throughout the central Appalachian region. In particular, the team expresses special thanks to Don and Liz Morin for their recent generous support, the largest single donation received in GaCo’s 20-year history. For more information, follow the team at @gaco1629 or email gaco@gcps.net.
Photo caption (left to right): Team Mentors: Alex Durst, Atlee Wise, and Jeremey Perando (hidden), Chris Morfe, Mason Qualls, Jackson Hordubay, Team Mentors: Jacob Green and Josh Smith, Eden Rankin, Amelia Bolden, Kiara Perando, Team Mentors: Roger Dixon and Phil Malone, Mikayla Frazee, Noah Sutter, Team Mentor Larry Mullenax, Tommy Scott, Kevin Parsley, Team Mentor Chuck Trautwein, Kelsey Brown, Eoin Elica, Jessalyn Simmons, Team Mentors: Lorie Burdock and Pam Trautwein. GaCo Students not pictured are Kara Opfer, Malea Fullerton, Maria Sanjulian, Alex Yommer, Kolton Heinrich, Domago Massari, Ava Anderson, and Peyton Yoder.
