Fort Cobb, Oklahoma – Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center’'s robotics team, “The Crickets”, made an impressive showing at the regional FIRST Robotics Tournament, ranking 7th out of 48 teams. Competing in the highly anticipated 2025 competition, the team demonstrated outstanding skill and teamwork in this year's challenging game, Reefscape. The tournament saw teams from across the country and two international teams come together for an exciting weekend of robotics, engineering, and innovation. The Crickets successful play earned them the title of “Alliance Captain” for the 5th seeded playoff alliance, where they competed alongside Team Obsidian of Bentonville, Arkansas and Team Kuhnights of Sedalia, Missouri.
The Reefscape challenge required teams to design and build robots capable of completing complex tasks related to an underwater ecosystem theme. Robots had to navigate obstacles, pick up and place objects, and work collaboratively with other robots on the field. The competition tested the participants' ability to adapt to a dynamic game environment, showcase strategic thinking, and execute precise engineering solutions.
The Crickets, although based out of Fort Cobb, is made up of high school students from multiple rural public schools in Caddo County and the surrounding area. They performed exceptionally well, securing a top spot in the highly competitive field. With fierce competition from both national and international teams, their 7th-place finish highlights the dedication, innovation, and expertise of the students, mentors, and volunteers who support the program.
"We are incredibly proud of our team's performance at this year's regional tournament," said Reed Allen, the head coach of the Crickets. "The work that went into preparing for Reefscape was intense, but it was all worth it. Our success wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of everyone involved, from the students to our mentors and sponsors. We’ve learned so much, and we’re excited to carry this momentum forward." Allen, a Fort Cobb native, also credited his predecessors, Rhett Morgan and Marcia Harmon, for the Crickets’ continued success.
The Crickets have gained recognition not only for their performance this season, but also for their impressive showing in last year’s regional competition that earned them a ticket to the World Championship in Houston. However, what the program’s leaders are most proud of is their spirit of collaboration and enthusiasm for STEM education. FIRST Robotics offers students invaluable opportunities to develop real-world skills in engineering, programming, problem-solving, and teamwork, all while fostering an environment of inclusivity and inspiration.
As the team looks ahead to future competitions, they are more determined than ever to continue pushing the boundaries of what they can achieve. The team's next goal is to further refine their robot design and continue their path of excellence as they prepare for upcoming games, the rules and objectives of which change yearly.
For more information about Caddo Kiowa Technology Center's Pre-Engineering program, or to learn about how you can support the Crickets by volunteering or through a financial sponsorship, please contact Reed Allen at rallen@cktc.edu.
About FIRST Robotics: FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring young people to become science and technology leaders. Through hands-on competitions like the FIRST Robotics Competition, students develop skills in engineering, programming, and problem-solving, all while learning the values of teamwork and community engagement.
About Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center: Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center is a Career Tech educational institution in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, dedicated to providing students with a well-rounded education that emphasizes innovation, creativity, and real-world learning experiences. The school's Pre-Engineering program is committed to fostering STEM education and preparing students for successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.