The 13617 Bectobots are preparing for one of the most important competitions of their season as they head into the East Bergen League Tournament on February 22 at Emerson Jr. Sr. High School. The tournament will determine whether the team qualifies for the State Championship, making it a defining moment for the robotics program.
Representing Henry P. Becton Regional High School, the Bectobots team includes Captain Medhasree Suram, Co-Captain Zack Alami Ouali, Driver Reilly Chan, Human Player Jayden Pham, and team members Brandon Kim, Joseph Mejia, Saikiran Raguraman, Ranfis Reyes, Gerlina Valdez Herrera, Akansha Sathish, Aliana Aparicio, and Alan Alfaro.
The East Bergen League Tournament is known for its high level of competition, with 24 strong teams competing for a limited number of qualifying spots. For the Bectobots, the event is both a test of performance and an opportunity to showcase how much their robot and teamwork have improved throughout the season.
This year’s robot is the most advanced the team has ever created. One of the biggest changes was switching from Blocks programming to full Java programming, allowing for more precise control and flexibility. The team also rebuilt the robot mid-season, upgraded their autonomous system, and added a new shooter system featuring a servo-lift ramp and dual flywheels to improve scoring.
Another standout feature of the robot is its camera-based alignment system, which allows drivers to automatically aim with a single button. This system helps the team score more quickly and accurately during matches and sets them apart from other teams in New Jersey. The servo-lift ramp itself is a unique design choice that has helped the Bectobots stand out in competition.
Captain Medhasree Suram shared her confidence in the team’s progress, saying, “Our robot has improved dramatically since the start of the season, especially after the ramp rebuild and auton upgrades. If we keep up this level of performance, qualifying for States is a very realistic goal.”
The robot was built through a collaborative process that involved testing prototypes and working across mechanical, programming, and driving teams. This open approach allowed team members to combine ideas and strengths, resulting in a robot that reflects the entire team’s effort.
Beyond competition, the Bectobots also expanded their outreach this season by mentoring robotics teams in South Africa, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan, demonstrating a commitment to sharing knowledge and growing the global robotics community.
As the team prepares for the East Bergen League Tournament, confidence is high due to strong TeleOp performance, a consistent autonomous system, and regular practice. The upcoming competition will be a challenging but exciting opportunity for the Bectobots to prove how far they’ve come this season.
Looking ahead, Suram offered advice to future members of the team: “If there’s one thing I want future members to remember, it’s to never be afraid of starting over when something isn’t working. Rebuilding is a sign that you care enough to do things the right way. Never stop having fun.”
With momentum on their side, the Bectobots are ready to take on the challenge and aim for a spot at the State Championship!
