Claremore, Okla. – Rogers State University’s competitive robotics team, the RoboClaws, finished in an impressive second place at the VEXUausTINCANs Robotics Competition held Oct. 24, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
Competing against engineering-focused teams from the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Texas A&M University, the RoboClaws delivered an outstanding performance. The team defeated every opponent during the qualifying rounds before falling to Texas A&M in the championship match.
“What makes this accomplishment especially meaningful is that our students are not pursuing engineering degrees; they are cybersecurity students who have applied their technical knowledge to the complex challenges of competitive robotics,” said Dr. Curtis Sparling, Department Head of Technology and Justice Studies and RoboClaws faculty coach at RSU. “These experiences extend learning well beyond the classroom, requiring students to collaborate, innovate, troubleshoot, and perform under pressure.”
“Competing against some of the top engineering universities in Texas and finishing second was an incredible experience for our team,” said Reece Dodson, president of the RoboClaws. “As cybersecurity students, we don’t necessarily have the same engineering background as many of the teams we compete against, but we’ve learned how to apply our programming, problem-solving, and technical skills to robotics. Every competition challenges us to think differently, work together, and find solutions under pressure. While we were disappointed not to win the championship, we’re proud of what we accomplished and even more motivated for our next competition.”
Beyond competitive success, the RoboClaws program serves as an important component of RSU’s workforce development efforts by providing students with practical experience in robotics, programming, automation, and systems integration.
These experiences reinforce technical knowledge while developing essential workforce competencies such as critical thinking, adaptability, teamwork, and project management. By applying classroom concepts to complex, real-world challenges, students build transferable skills that prepare them for careers in cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, automation, and other emerging technology fields.
The second-place finish continues the RoboClaws’ streak of competitive success and reinforces RSU’s commitment to experiential learning, workforce readiness, and student achievement in emerging technologies.
The RoboClaws return to competition on Nov. 14, 2026, at the University of Kansas, where they will look to build upon their strong performance in Austin.
For more information about RSU’s Technology & Justice Studies programs, visit www.rsu.edu/TJS.
About Rogers State University:
Rogers State University is a public four-year university situated in Claremore, Oklahoma, serving the northeastern part of the state and the broader Tulsa metropolitan area. Known for its small class sizes and affordable tuition, RSU is the only public university in the Tulsa metro that provides a traditional residential campus experience.
