Members of the Cassopolis Robo Rangers celebrate a victory at the FIRST Robotics competition held in St. Joseph Saturday. (Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT)

ST. JOSEPH — In only its second year of competition, the Cassopolis Robotics team made a big splash at the FIRST Robotics competition held Saturday at St. Joseph High School.

The Robo Rangers advanced to the elimination round and took home the Engineering Inspiration Award after going 6-6 in the competition.

According to The Rangers’ advisor Paul Chapman, the award “celebrates a team’s outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering, both within their school as well as their community.”

In its first year of competition in 2012, the Robo Rangers finished second to last at the competition held in Niles. This year, after a slow start, the team found its rhythm and performed up to expectations.

This year, Cassopolis finished the competition ranked No. 16 and advanced to the semifinals.

“We upset a higher seeded alliance,” project manager Molly Moroz said. “That was pretty exciting. The feeling compared to last year is so much better. We are excited about the upcoming competition. We can’t wait to go out there and qualify for state this weekend.”

The Robo Rangers will compete in Allendale at Grand Valley State University.