Cassopolis robotics fans cheer their team on Saturday during the Niles FIRST Robotics District Competition at Niles High School.

No rest for the weary.
After a full day of competition Friday, students were back at Niles High School bright and early Saturday morning for the final day of the Niles FIRST Robotics District Competition.
Matthew Sergio is used to the grind. He has been competing with Niles Team 2474 out of Lake Michigan College for the past four years.
“It’s definitely really tiring, but it is worth it,” Sergio said.
Team 2474 was part of the winning alliance at this year’s Niles FIRST Robotics District Competition. It is the second year in a row the team has been crowned champion.
Team 2767 out of Kalamazoo and Team 3617 out of Marquette were also part of the winning alliance.
Team 2474 is made up mostly of Niles area home school students.
Sergio acts as the team’s drive coach, while teammates Connor Miller and Lance Rensberger drive the robot.
Austin Herdklotz is the team’s human player, meaning he could shoot baskets.
Qualifying rounds took place Friday and Saturday morning. Teams advanced to Saturday afternoon’s championship elimination bracket based on their performance during qualifying.
Team 2474 also won the engineering excellence award.
A first-year team from Cassopolis High School, Team 4325, won the rookie inspiration award.