ZEELAND, Mich. — Zeeland Public Schools is proud to celebrate the OverClucked Bots, a Cityside Middle School robotics team that has been named 2025–2026 FIRST Tech Challenge World Champions in Houston, Texas, after an extraordinary performance on the world stage.
The OverClucked Bots competed against 336 of the best robotics teams from around the world, including high school teams, and became the first middle school team in FTC history to both reach interdivisional playoffs and be part of the winning alliance.
Following qualification matches, the OverClucked Bots ranked 20th overall in their division and were selected as the third robot for the number one alliance. Despite ongoing connection challenges, the team’s robot consistently demonstrated strong performance, achieving one of the highest OPRs (offensive power rating) in its division while shooting from the far zone.
The team ranked 14th highest in non-penalty OPR with a score of 144.8, an incredible achievement while competing at the highest level and overcoming technical challenges with the robot.
Although technical setbacks and connection issues during the division matches made the robot a higher-risk selection, the number one alliance captain recognized the team’s potential based on its competition stats and strategically selected the OverClucked Bots as a partner to round out the alliance. OCB’s selection reflected the strength of their robot, their performance throughout the competition, and the respect they earned from teams across the field.
The OverClucked Bots’ winning alliance partners were Team 30030 Exodus from Texas, and Team 21087 Velocity from Romania.
The team also earned 3rd place in its division for the Innovate Award, recognized for their robot’s use of a slip ring mechanism from Moflon, technology typically used in industrial and aerospace applications.
“This is a really great moment for Zeeland Public Schools, Cityside Middle School, and the entire robotics community,” said Superintendent Rod Hetherton. “The OverClucked Bots showed awesome innovation and stamina on a world stage. We could not be prouder of these students, their mentors, and everyone who helped support this season.”
“There are no words to fully capture the dedication, emotion, and effort that go into a season with OCB,” the team spokesperson shared. “We are deeply grateful for the continued support from Cityside, staff, students, and the entire community—your encouragement is a cornerstone of this program’s success. “
Zeeland Public Schools also celebrates the Creekside RoboDux, another outstanding middle school robotics team that represented ZPS at the 2025-2026 FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship. Competing against some of the best robotics teams from around the world, RoboDux finished qualification matches with a strong 6-4 record in one of the most difficult divisions at the competition. The team scored at a high level throughout the event, finished with the 48th highest Offensive Power Rating at Worlds, and was selected by the 8th-seeded team from Lake Orion, Michigan, for the elimination tournament. Their talent and teamwork make ZPS proud, and their season is one worth celebrating.
Cityside plans to have a school celebration assembly on Friday, May 8, to celebrate the OverClucked Bots. Zeeland Public Schools congratulates the OverClucked Bots on an unforgettable season and a world championship achievement that will be remembered for years to come.