Courtesy photo of the UR² robotics team from Alpena. The team recently and came home with a historic performance.

ALPENA, — The UR² (Underwater Research Robot Company) competitive robotics team from Alpena High School returned from St. John’s, Newfoundland, with a collection of milestone achievements at the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship–the premier international student underwater robotics competition.

Competing among 84 teams representing 18 countries, the team delivered one of the strongest performances in program history.

Record-Breaking Performance

In the RANGER class competition, UR² set a new program record by scoring 260 points in the product demonstration–the highest product demo score the team has ever achieved at the World Championship level. The product demonstration evaluates the team’s ROV and float systems in realistic underwater mission scenarios, rewarding engineering quality, mission effectiveness, and operational execution.

The team also earned the highest engineering presentation score of any team in their competition arena. With four arenas operating simultaneously across the event, earning the top engineering presentation in their arena is a significant distinction reflecting the depth and quality of the team’s technical documentation and design rationale.

When final standings were released, UR² placed 8th overall out of 84 teams from 18 countries–a new program record and the highest finish in the team’s history.

The team’s technical documentation earned a score of 96 out of 100–another program

best–reflecting the exceptional depth and precision of the team’s engineering write-ups, design rationale, and mission reporting.

In a remarkable display of creative and professional excellence, the team’s marketing display received a score of 51 out of 50–earning bonus points above the maximum for outstanding presentation quality. It marks yet another program-best performance across a competition season defined by record-breaking achievement.

Individual Honors

Team Captain Lydia Thomson, an incoming mechanical engineering student at Michigan

Technological University and former lead engineer of the UR² program, was selected as the

Engineering MVP for the competition–a judge-recognized award honoring outstanding engineering leadership and contribution.

Thomson also received news during the competition that she had been awarded the MATE

Scholarship in the amount of $5,000–a national recognition of academic excellence and

demonstrated commitment to ocean technology and STEM education.

Quotes

“Finishing 8th in the world out of 84 teams is a great way to finish a season. A record product demo, a 96 on technical documentation, a 51 out of 50 on our marketing display, the top engineering presentation in our arena, Lydia earning MVP and a $5,000 scholarship–this team did not just compete at the world championship, they excelled at every level,” Bob Thomson, team mentor said. ” I am incredibly proud and deeply grateful to the Alpena community for making this possible.”

Lydia Thomson, team captain and Engineering MVP said everyone on the team worked hard and its success is something she will hold dear.

“Leading this team has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. We built

something together–not just an ROV, but a company, a culture, and a mission,” she said. “To be recognized as an Engineering MVP and then learn about the MATE scholarship in the same week is truly humbling. I am so proud of what every member of this team accomplished.”

“All the hours in the pool, every practice run, every systems check–it all came down to those

missions in St. John’s,” Senior Pilot Gus Wirgua said. “It’s been a journey, and this team has been awesome to work with. Thank you for a great run, Mr. Thomson”

Community Support

The UR² team and Alpena High School wish to express their deep gratitude to the Alpena

community for the generous support that made this historic achievement possible. Competing at the MATE ROV World Championship requires significant resources, and the community’s commitment to the students who made the journey to St. John’s, Newfoundland a reality. Special recognition goes to the Economic Generator Network (EGN), a local non-profit organization whose $15,000 matching grant provided critical funding for the team’s program this season. EGN’s investment in UR² reflects a shared belief that investing in students is investing in the future of the Alpena region.

About the UR² Program

The UR² (Underwater Research Robot Company) is a student-led competitive robotics team at Alpena High School, operating under the mentorship of STEM educator Bob Thomson. The team competes annually in the MATE ROV World Championship, one of the most prestigious underwater robotics competitions. The program emphasizes real-world engineering, marine science, technical communication, and professional development.

The team’s work is supported by partnerships with NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Michigan DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MSU Extension, Alpena Community College, and the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative.