From Local Legends to Global Contenders
The Incredible Journey of the Magnificent Mangos
The Magnificent Mangos (Team 78454B) didn’t just have a good season—they had a historic one. Demonstrating incredible growth and persistence, this team overcame early challenges to excel in both autonomous coding and mechanical design. Their hard work paid off, earning them a spot on the world stage.
2025 World Championship Team: Saaqib Maraicayer, Cooper Radler, Caleb Roche, Kolbe Tessarzik
Dominating the Empire State
It all started right here in New York. The Magnificent Mangos quickly established themselves as a powerhouse team, proving that Capital Region students have what it takes to lead the pack.
- #1 in New York State for Robot Skills: They achieved the highest combined Robot Skills score (356) of any middle school team in the entire state at Worlds.
- Top Tier in NY Match Play: Their consistent high scoring earned them a #2 ranking among all New York teams in the Teamwork Challenge at Worlds.
Making Their Mark on the Nation
Competing against hundreds of the best teams from across the United States, the Mangos didn’t just keep up—they excelled, placing themselves firmly in the top tier of national competitors.
- Elite Drivers & Programmers: Their skills were balanced and formidable, ranking 14th in the USA for Driver Skills (Top 6.1%) and 17th for Programming Skills (Top 7.5%).
- National Contenders: Their average match score of 141 points placed them 41st in the nation within the highly competitive Research Division.
Shining on the World Stage
At the 2025 VEX IQ World Championship in Dallas, the Magnificent Mangos competed against the elite teams from around the globe. They proved that they belong among the very best in the world.
Global Performance Highlights
- Top 12% Worldwide in Robot Skills: Finishing with a global rank of 38th out of 325 teams, they are among the elite top tier of robot operators and programmers worldwide.
- Global Competitors: Their division performance secured them a global ranking of 73rd out of 412 teams in match play, placing them in the top 17.7% of all teams at the World Championship.
This incredible showing is more than just a list of stats—it’s a story of dedication, innovation, and the bright future of STEM in our community. We are incredibly proud of the Magnificent Mangos and excited to see them continue to inspire the next generation of leaders!
🏛️ Community Recognition
Our program’s impact reaches beyond the field. We are honored that all our teams have been formally recognized by:
- Congressman Paul Tonko
- Albany County Executive Dan McCoy
Thank you to our representatives for supporting the next generation of leaders!
Building a Legacy: The 2026 Roster
Meet the teams defining the future of STEAMwhiz
Our students hail from all over the Capital Region, including Guilderland, Colonie, Delmar, Schenectady, Niskayuna, Albany, Watervliet, Latham, Cohoes, Voorheesville, and Rotterdam.
Returning Champions
🥭 Magnificent Mangos
They’re Back! After their world-class performance, the Mangos have returned for the 2026 season and are already off to an amazing start. With their eyes set on new heights in the “Mix & Match” game, they continue to lead by example in the lab.
2026 Team Members: Cooper Radler, Caleb Roche, Kolbe Tessarzik, Xavier Pulecio
🏆 Team Dunk-IN
Winning the Create Award at local qualifiers and the prestigious Design Award at the state level, Team Dunk-IN stood out for their unique robot design and outstanding engineering notebook. Their achievements set a high standard for STEAMwhiz, earning the first banner to hang in the lab!
Team Members: Rithika Boosa, Maansi Chamakura, Sriniket Muthyala
🌪️ Team Vortex
Competing against older students, this elementary school team showed remarkable promise and tenacity. Despite challenges, their performance was impressive, demonstrating significant potential for future competitions. Team Vortex was officially recognized by Senator Patricia Fahy’s office for their outstanding representation of Capital Region youth.
Team Members: Benjamin Epstein, Daniel Epstein, Lorcan O’Loughlin, Elle Pulecio, Tegan Waters
🌯 2025 Season Spotlight: Team Purple Burritos
We also want to recognize the incredible achievements of the Purple Burritos during the 2025 season. Known for their engineering creativity, they built five different robots, each with unique designs, and their innovative approach led them to qualify for the state tournament!
2025 Team Members: Waliy Ashary, Austin Merrill, Xavier Pulecio
Welcome New Challengers
🍉 The Blue Watermelons
We are thrilled to welcome our newest elementary team, the Blue Watermelons! These students have trained extensively in our Robotics Enrichment Program and are now officially stepping up to the plate. They are ready to rock the “Mix & Match” challenge with high energy and fresh skills!
Team Members: Orlin Bogdanov, Aadhya Pilli, Aaryan Bhavanam, Rishik Patlolla
Interested in forming a team for your school or students?
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