Southern Maryland’s RoboBees Lead Alliance To District Championship, Advance To World Stage

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — In the final seconds of a championship match that came down to just six points, a group of Southern Maryland students stood on the edge of something bigger than robotics — they were on the verge of history.

In interviews with The BayNet, members of the RoboBees described the intensity, preparation and pride behind their win at the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship, held this past weekend at Virginia State University, where teams compete in three-team alliances, working together in each match, including the championship round.

For senior Collin Haycraft of Leonardtown High School, the moment wasn’t just about celebration, it was about preparation.

“In my mind, I was going over what I was going to have to do in the event that we needed to go into a finals three match,” Haycraft said. “Knowing that the score was so close, I was preparing myself to help out our alliance to ensure we all had fully functional robots.”

Others never doubted the outcome.

“I knew we would win,” said Sam Steele, a 10th-grade homeschool student. “I had full confidence that us and Gryphon Robotics were better than the other three robots that were still functional.”

A Six-Point Difference

In a match defined by precision and teamwork, even the smallest adjustments made the biggest impact.

“I believe that the work I did to help team 5549 was what made the difference,” Haycraft said, describing last-minute repairs. “I was actively installing these struts as the robot was being taken to the field … I truly do think that they made the difference.”

Steele pointed to coordination across the alliance.

“I believe that we were shooting all of the balls and Gryphon Robotics were supplying us with all of the balls we needed,” he said. “Dominic Musolino used his amazing driving to steal fuel from the opposing alliance during the inactive shift.”

When the final score flashed, the moment was immediate and unforgettable.

“When I finally saw that we won, I said to John Mueller ‘I told you we would win,’” Steele said. “We both screamed we were bees, we were bees, we are RoboBees.”

To see the six-point championship finish unfold, watch the final match here: 2026 Playoff Final 2 – FIRST Chesapeake District Championship presented by C-CAM, VSU, Go Tec and NASA

From Rebuild To No. 1 In The District

The championship didn’t come easy.

“This season has been a lot of hard work,” Haycraft said. “We ended up redesigning around 75% of the robot in the interest of making it perform better.”

That decision proved pivotal.

“We had an OK robot when we went into Pasadena, but we rebuilt our design for Severn,” Steele said. “Then in District champs we had a killer robot.”

The result: the RoboBees now sit as the No. 1 ranked team in the Chesapeake District, a milestone that reflects hundreds of hours of collaboration.

Haycraft said the achievement reflects months of collaboration between students and mentors, adding, “It really does show that hard work pays off in the end.”

Leadership, Legacy, And A 25-Year Milestone

With 10 seniors, many of them four-year veterans, experience played a major role.

“The seniors really contributed to the success of this team,” Haycraft said. “We were able to bring in a ton of experience … to produce a robot that is unlike any other.”

For those graduating, the win carries deep meaning.

“This victory really served as that cherry on top,” Haycraft said. “The 1,500+ hours I have put in over the last four years have really accumulated to this major championship win.”

For parents watching from the sidelines, the moment was just as powerful.

“Watching my son and his team win the District Championship was incredibly emotional,” said Megan Smith, whose son Owen is a senior. “Seeing all of their hard work, dedication and teamwork come together in that moment is something I’ll never forget.”

Innovation On The Field

What set the RoboBees apart this season was innovation, particularly their robot’s ability to perform under pressure.

“Our robot is able to drive and automatically aim and shoot into the scoring target completely on its own,” Haycraft said. “That has enabled us to produce a lot of points for the alliance.”

The team also made critical last-minute improvements, including additional cameras and design modifications to increase scoring capacity.

Built On Southern Maryland Pride

For the RoboBees, this victory represents more than a title, it reflects the community behind them.

“We are inventors. We are creators. We are strategists,” Haycraft said. “And most of all, we are the next generation for our area.”

Support from Southern Maryland has been essential.

“They have provided us with sponsorships … a place to call home … and helped us create a brand that is recognized at a global level,” he said.

The team, part of the growingSTEMS program, is also helping inspire the next generation of engineers.

“This win means a ton for inspiring younger students,” Haycraft said. “We can show them that there is a way to get involved in engineering early and that it has a purpose.”

Eyes On The World Stage

With the district championship secured, the RoboBees are now headed to the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas.

“Our goal is to make it to Einstein’s level of play,” Haycraft said.

Steele put it even more simply: “We are going to Worlds … to achieve one goal: go to the Einstein field.”

Preparation is already underway, with the team refining strategy, building spare parts and pushing their robot to peak performance.

A full breakdown of the team’s season performance is available through official statistics here: https://frc-events.firstinspires.org/2026/team/836

More Than Robotics

Beyond competition, the RoboBees say the experience shapes lives.

“I can promise that they will love every second of it,” Haycraft said of students considering joining. “The RoboBees have changed my life.”

Parents see that impact, too.

“Not only has he developed strong programming skills, but he’s also learned how to collaborate and perform under pressure,” Smith said. “He gained more from this experience than he ever could in a traditional classroom.”

A Legacy Of Excellence

According to team leadership, the RoboBees are now four-time Chesapeake District champions (2016, 2022, 2024, 2026), the most in district history, and have qualified for the world championship nearly every year since 2011.

They remain the only FIRST Robotics Competition team based in St. Mary’s County, representing a region often underrepresented in the field.

And now, as they prepare to compete on the world stage, one thing is clear:

Southern Maryland isn’t just showing up, it’s leading.

About growingSTEMS And The RoboBees

The RoboBees operate under growingSTEMS, a Southern Maryland-based nonprofit dedicated to inspiring students through hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. Serving students across St. Mary’s County and beyond, growingSTEMS offers opportunities ranging from introductory robotics programs like VEX IQ and FTC to the highly competitive FIRST Robotics Competition team, the RoboBees.

Through mentorship, real-world engineering challenges and community outreach, the organization helps students build technical skills while fostering teamwork, leadership and problem-solving. The RoboBees are the county’s only FIRST Robotics Competition team and have become a nationally recognized program, regularly advancing to the FIRST Championship.

Students interested in joining or learning more about growingSTEMS and the RoboBees can explore programs, outreach events and team updates through the organization’s Facebook page, visiting their website or emailing them at info@growingstems.org.

To keep up with the RoboBees’ journey, including their progress at the world championship, follow the team on Facebook and Instagram.

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