CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Charlotte High School’s robotics teams competed in the Gulf Coast Robotics League Championships on Saturday, February 1, at Pine View School in Osprey, showcasing impressive gameplay and technical innovation. Among the standout performances, Team 13093 Golden Fish not only secured a championship win but also achieved top state and global rankings.

Golden Fish finished ranked 3rd overall after the qualification rounds and went on to form a playoff alliance with Team 3830 Violet Fusion from Palm Harbor. Together, they dominated the playoffs, winning all three rounds to be crowned Winning Alliance Champions. Their outstanding performance included earning the top three scores in Florida, with their highest match reaching 357 points. Golden Fish is now ranked 1st in Florida out of more than 200 teams and holds an impressive 30th place ranking in the world out of 7,500 teams.

Their success has earned them a spot among just eight teams from the Gulf Coast Robotics League invited to compete at the Florida Championships, a 56-team, two-day event taking place February 28 – March 1 at the Advent Fieldhouse in Winter Haven.

Additionally, Golden Fish won the 1st Place Innovate Award for the third consecutive year, recognized for their unique double-claw scoring robot with a focus on 3D CAD design and innovation.

Charlotte High’s other two teams also had strong showings at the competition:

Since September, all three teams have been designing and engineering robots to compete in various aspects of FIRST Tech Challenge: INTO THE DEEP, demonstrating their commitment to teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation.

Charlotte County School Board Chairman John LeClair praised the students for their dedication and success:

“These students are not just building robots—they’re building the skills and mindsets that will make them future leaders in STEM fields. Their achievements at the Gulf Coast Robotics League Championships showcase their hard work, creativity, and ability to compete at an elite level. We are incredibly proud of them and look forward to seeing Golden Fish compete at the state level.”

"Robotics provides a fantastic opportunity for students to discover their passion for STEM. Seeing these students find that spark and then achieve such remarkable success is truly inspiring. Congratulations to all our teams, and especially to Golden Fish on their championship win!" added Mark Vianello, Superintendent of Schools.