Team History

Hamilton Microbots (FRC Team 698) — History & Highlights

Group of young people and two adults posing for a team photo at a robotics competition, with a sign labeled 'MICROBITS' in the background, some dressed in white shirts with bow ties and others in team T-shirts.

Origins

  • Founded in 2001 at Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ) by Mr. Corky Miner; in their rookie season they won the 2001 Southern California Regional (“blue banner”). HHS Robotics 698+1

Group of students and team members at a robotics competition, standing on a stage with three competition robots in front. Some team members are holding awards and medals, with banners and posters in the background.

Awards & competitive milestones (selected)

  • 2003: Judges’ Award at the Arizona Regional. The Blue Alliance

  • 2014: Industrial Safety Award (UL) and Entrepreneurship Award (KPCB) at the Arizona Regional. The Blue Alliance+1

  • 2015: Volunteer of the Year (Austin Kipp) at the Arizona East Regional. The Blue Alliance

  • 2017: FIRST Dean’s List Finalist (Luke Fink). The Blue Alliance

  • 2024: Creativity Award (Rockwell Automation) at the Arizona East Regional. The Blue Alliance

  • 2025: FIRST Like A Girl - Ambassador

Group of students and mentors posing with a robot at a robotics competition booth with a banner that reads 'Hamilton Microbots' in a gymnasium.

Participation timeline (by era)

  • 2001–2007: Regulars at SoCal and AZ regionals; notable early win in 2001 and Judges’ Award in 2003. The Blue Alliance

  • 2008–2013: Continued AZ appearances (incl. Las Vegas 2008; Phoenix/Arizona regionals). The Blue Alliance

  • 2014–2016: Award-winning 2014 season; competed at Arizona East/North and Colorado events; state events begin appearing. The Blue Alliance

  • 2017–2019: State championship participation (2017); Arizona West Regional (2018–2019). The Blue Alliance

  • 2020–2021: 2020 AZ West cancelled (pandemic); 2021 listed as “regional participation” season. The Blue Alliance

  • 2022–2025: Return to full play at Arizona regional circuit, plus ARL qualifiers/championships; 2024 Creativity Award; 2025 season included Arizona North/East and ARL qualifiers. Team record in 2025: 11–14 (official). The Blue Alliance+1

A robot with a transparent shield, wires, and mechanical parts, surrounded by people.

Recent seasons (details)

  • 2024: Robot “Chipper 24”; played Arizona Valley & Arizona East; Creativity Award at AZ East. frc-events.firstinspires.org+1

  • 2025: Robot “CORALine”; Arizona North Regional (Flagstaff) 6–6 in quals, ranked 19; also Arizona East and ARL qualifiers.

  • (CORALine on the left)