Michiana robotics team qualifies for international competition

NILES, Mich. -- A robotics team in Michiana is one of the only teams in the United States to qualify for an robotics competition halfway across the world. 

Michiana Youth Robototics' VEX high school team is one of seven teams in the U.S. recently invited to compete in the Wuhan Robotics Tournament in Wuhan, China this summer. 

This is the first time the four-member team qualified. The team qualified by placing fourth in the Create USA Open Championship in April. 

This July, the group hopes to compete against 24 other teams from across the globe. Group members said they want to make it to the competition's elimination rounds, but added just qualifying for an international tournament is a big enough reward. 

“It’s just a great experience for us," said Sam Jager. "It’d be an amazing to be able to go to China to have the experience and the opportunity to compete there and better ourselves."

The nine day trip will cost $15,000. The team is asking for donations. 

“This experience is like once in a lifetime, so we’d really like to go if we can raise enough money," said Daniel Brennan. 

A link to the team's GoFundMe can be found here.