Madison Highland Prep's VEX Robotics team, MHP Smoking Motors (Team 8373M), has officially qualified for the Arizona State Championship after a dominant performance at their recent tournament. The team secured their advancement by winning the prestigious Robot Skills Champion award, marking them as one of the top-performing programs in the region. MHP Smoking Motors is the second Madison Highland Prep team to qualify for the 2026 Arizona VEX Robotics State Championship, following a successful advancement earlier in the season by MHP Loose Screws (Team 8373P).
The success of MHP Smoking Motors is built on a foundation of specialized roles tailored to each member's strengths. The team features Michael Syntax (driver, coder, builder), Eshan Syed (driving coach, builder, coder), Moises Borralles (driving coach, builder), Andrew Reese (coder, notetaker), and Ozill Correa (notetaker). This well-coordinated partnership allows the members to communicate effectively and adapt quickly to the fast-paced challenges. "We recently added a conveyor belt design that allows us to score points quicker," said Michael Syntax. "As a driver for the team, it also helps having great driving coaches who help guide me during the match."
As they prepare for the state championship on March 6-7, 2026, the team remains focused on the high level of competition ahead. "Arizona is a competitive robotics state, so we know it will take a lot of preparation and practice to get our bot where its needs to be, but we are very excited." said Michael Syntax. With two powerhouse teams now heading to the state level, Madison Highland Prep continues to establish itself as a leader in STEM and competitive robotics.