Local Robotics Coaches Recognized After Teams Compete in State Tournament

Robotics State Awards 2026 – Coaches -Ryan Kostohryz(left) & William Swanson (right). (NMRC)

Bemidji, MN – The Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference (NMRC) congratulates all teams and coaches who proudly represented the region at the 14th annual Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Robotics Tournament, held this past weekend at Concordia University’s Gangelhoff Center.

A record nine NMRC teams qualified for this year’s state tournament, which featured 36 teams from across Minnesota. Competing teams included:

Team #2503 Warrior Robotics — Brainerd
Team #2883 F.R.E.D. — Warroad
Team #3277 Pro-Digi — Thief River Falls
Team #3293 Otter Bots — Fergus Falls
Team #3297 Full Metal Jackets — Perham
Team #4674 RoboJacks — Bemidji
Team #5653 Iron Mosquitoes — Babbitt
Team #5913 Patriotics — Pequot Lakes
Team #7257 Semiconductors — Sauk Centre

The Perham Full Metal Jackets tying for fourth place with the Thief River Falls Pro-Digi.

For just the fifth time in the history of the MSHSL Robotics State Tournament, coaches were formally recognized by their peers for outstanding achievement and leadership within the robotics community.

Like most Minnesota State High School League activities, the state is divided into eight sections, with each section recognizing two Coaches of the Year. The Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference was proud to have multiple coaches honored for their accomplishments during the 2025-26 season.

Section 8 Coaches of the Year

William Swanson — Team #3293 Otter Bots, Fergus Falls
Ryan Kostohryz — Team #3297 Full Metal Jackets, Perham

The NMRC is also especially proud to announce that this year’s Minnesota State Coach of the Year comes from within the conference ranks, with William Swanson of Fergus Falls High School and Team #3293 Otter Bots earning the prestigious statewide honor. The NMRC says Swanson’s leadership, dedication to student development, and continued commitment to excellence have helped elevate both his program and robotics competition throughout northern Minnesota.

Story courtesy of the NMRC