Garrett County’s Public High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 1629, GaCo, competed internationally at the FIRST Championship last week, April 15-19, 2025, in Houston.
GaCo was one of 600 FRC teams from across the world to compete among eight divisions and finished qualification rounds ranked 44th in their division with a 5-5-0 in Houston, which brings their win-loss record to 47-17-0 at the conclusion of their 2025 season.
However, the team did not return empty-handed. During their division’s award ceremony, GaCo was presented with the Judge’s Award for their leadership in STEM education - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Also, while in Houston, GaCo students conducted a session at the 2025 FIRST Conference on how robotics teams can make a systemic impact on their schools and communities. Their conference session was highly attended and well-received. In addition, GaCo students taught dozens of “impromptu” personalized STEM lessons to youth visiting from the Houston area as well as from around the world.
The team double-qualified to compete at the Championship in Houston, being inducted into the FIRST Hall of Fame in 2022, as well as being ranked 4th in their district, which encompasses 112 teams from Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Seventeen of the 112 from their district teams advanced to the FIRST Championship in Houston.
GaCo is composed of eighteen students from both Northern and Southern Garrett High Schools. Founded in 2005, this is the team's 21st season. GaCo is grateful for the generous support it receives. Gracious donors such as Don and Liz Morin and, most recently, Gary and Luanne Ruddell make their program possible and are much appreciated. For more information, follow the team at @gaco1629 or email gaco@gcps.net.
Article courtesy of Garrett County Public Schools.
