The William Floyd High School Robotics Team #287 participated in the FIRST Robotics Long Island Regional competition at Hofstra University last weekend. Advisors Joseph Carpinone, Joseph Brand, Roxanna Casey, and volunteers Chris Ryon and Jack Fried from Brookhaven National Laboratory guided the team. In a competition focused on enhancing engineering skills for ocean habitat improvement, Team 287 placed fourth overall out of 48 teams and third in the playoff bracket, completing the competition with a record of 9-1. The team also received the Quality Award, which celebrates machine robustness in both concept and fabrication.
To achieve the Quality Award, a machine must exhibit top-notch quality in aspects such as workmanship, welds, attachment systems, and wiring, all while maintaining functionality under competition conditions. This includes employing designed-in redundancy and risk mitigation measures. The team must also explain their quality strategies to the judges, demonstrating how the machine sustains its robustness.
Members of Team 287 include driver Max Heitman, operator Anthony Nacchio, scouting specialist Carlos Hernandez Parias Jr., human player Carmine Nacchio, media specialist Alice Chen, programming specialist Hamza Cheema, safety specialist Christian D’Ambrosio, and team members Gerard Gawlowski, Victoria Basharina, Berline Francois, Bee Indursky, Kenny Vo Nguyen, Jack Pantazis, Alpha Diallo, Connor Ng, Douglas Smith, Giovanni Tzitzimititla, Lucas Colon, and Davyen Robinette.
William Floyd Robotics first entered competitions in 1999 and has accumulated several awards, including the Xerox Creativity Award (2001), Daimler Chrysler Team Spirit Award (2001), Regional Finalists (2001), and the most recent Quality Award (2025) for machine robustness.
The Gene Haas Foundation, one of the FIRST Long Island sponsors, acknowledges the demand for skilled manufacturing employees and supports programs like FIRST Robotics. Important skills acquired in these competitions are in high demand and crucial for the future.
Team 287 thanks its sponsors: FESTO, Christopher Horsford Physical Therapy, Riverhead Building Supply, Mr. Tech Pro, and Jaime’s Wallpaper Hanger.