Team 2847 was formed in the fall of 2008 when Ken Rosen from Minnesota's Regional FIRST visited with Lynn Manske, the principal of Fairmont High School, Bob Bonin Jr. and Brad Haugen about a potential STEM activity that was booming in the state of Minnesota. It was decided to go forward with forming a team for the 2009 competition. From that humble beginning, Fairmont High School Robotics has gone through some major transformations and continues to improve. Team 2847 began with 5 mentors and 10 student members. These members became the pioneers for our school and team. Enabled by the generosity of 3M-Fairmont and Fairmont Area Schools, we were able to fund that first season.
In 2011 it was announced that the Minnesota State High School League would be adding Robotics to the list of activities. With this becoming a MSHSL activity, students are able to receive a varsity letter for participating in robotics as well as compete for the Minnesota State High School League Title.
In 2018 lead and founding mentor Bob Bonin Jr. handed off the lead mentor role to team alumni Sam Viesselman who continues to serve as the lead mentor today.
The 2020 season presented our team’s first experience in the play-offs when we were the second pick in the 4th alliance at The Great Northern Regional Robotics Competition at Grand Forks, North Dakota. We won in the quarter-finals and made it to the semi-finals. The following week subsequent regionals and the championships were cancelled due to covid.
In 2021, we competed in a virtual regional consisting of 30 plus teams from around the country and the world. We finished 11th overall and were 4th in the autonomous challenge.
We were once again able to attend an in-person regional competiton in Duluth, MN, in 2022. We finished fourth after the qualifications rounds had concluded and were the captains of the 3rd alliance in the play-offs. We beat the 6th alliance in the quarter-finals, defeated the 2nd alliance in the semi-finals and lost in the finals to become the Northern Lights Regional Runner-ups. We also received the competition’s Quality Award. Based on our performance in Duluth, we qualified for the MSHSL state championships on May 7th where we finished in 22nd place.
2023 was a historic season for the MegaHertz! In Week One, we attended the Lake Superior Regional in Duluth where we earned finalist honors and qualified for both the Minnesota State High School League State Tournament and, for the first time in team history, the World Championship in Houston, TX! We then attended the Iowa Regional in Week Four where we finished on the fourth place alliance. At Worlds, we played with many of the world’s best teams in the Archimedes Division, amassed a 6-3-1 record and finished in 31st place of the 77 teams in the division. Our final competition was the MSHSL State Robotics Tournament on May 6th, where we finished in 4th place in the qualification round and then captained the third place alliance in play-offs, choosing Rocori and Dassel-Cokato to round out our team. We defeated the second alliance in the semi-finals, then lost to the fourth alliance before defeating the first alliance to enter the finals and battle the fourth alliance once again. In the three finals matches, the MegaHertz alliance won the first match 158-121, lost the second match 177-179 and prevailed in the third match 166-153 to win the tournament. It was the first state tournament title for all three of the alliance partners. Senior driver Aiden Nelson received All State honors and Head Mentor Sam Viesselman was recognized as Section 2 Robotics Coach of the Year and Assistant Robotics Coach of the Year for the State of Minnesota.
Highlights of the 2024 season include the team’s 6th place finish at the Lake Superior Regional and 3rd place finish at the Iowa Regional. Team 2847 also received the Autonomous Award at the Iowa competition for their robot’s program to move and score independently during the first 15 seconds of each match (autonomous mode). Isaac Sheard was selected to the All-State Team in the area of Programming. The All State Team consists of 3 students each in the areas of Competition, Business, Programming, Design, Build and Leadership. Isaac was one of three programming students from the state’s approximately 200 robotics teams lauded for excellence in their contributions to their teams. Sam Grogin was recognized as our team’s Dean’s List nominee. The FIRST Dean’s List Award recognizes the leadership and dedication of FIRST Robotics’ most outstanding sophomores and juniors. Kaylee Nelson was named Safety All-Star at the Lake Superior Regional Competition in Duluth for her exemplary knowledge of safety rules and procedures. This was her second year in a row receiving this award at one of our regionals. Isaac Sheard, Ben Moeller, Sam Grogin, Wylee Frederiksen, and Isaac Stone were named to the Academic All-State Team. Students on the Academic All-State Team must be in grades 10-12, have made a significant contribution to their teams, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher. Head Mentor Sam Viesselman received the Woodie Flowers Award
2024 - Crescendo
Students: Alex Kastning, Hudson Laven, Matthew Malo, Ben Moeller, Amanda Poetter, Max Poetter, Isaac Sheard, Sam Grogin, Kaylee Nelson, Noah Wolner, Jake Ehlert, Wylee Frederiksen, Emma Jerred, Illyana Kelley, Ainsley Malo, Jacob Murphy, Isaac Stone, Colton Anderson, Clark Hazard, Jacob Kastning, Isaac Laidig and Gabbie Thoeny.
2023 - Charged Up!
Students: Aiden Nelson, Noah Vetter, Ty Nawrocki, Sebastian Castro, Ben Moeller, Jonathan Heinze, Isaac Sheard, Amanda Poetter, Alex Kastning, Matthew Malo, Sam Grogin, Kaylee Nelson, Noah Wolner, Emma Jerred, Ainsley Malo, Jacob Murphy, Isaac Stone, and Jake Ehlert
Mentors: Sam Viesselman, Logan Kahler, Celia Simpson, Cindy Viesselman, Robert Malo, Jason Nelson, Noah Johnson, Bryan Kastning, and Chad Moeller
2022 - Rapid React
Students: Hannah Botzet, Alyssa Lutz, Aiden Nelson, Noah Vetter, Ty Nawrocki, Sebastian Castro, Ben Moeller, Jonathan Heinze, Isaac Sheard, Amanda Poetter, Matthew Malo, Sam Grogin, Kaylee Nelson and Andrew Haugen
Mentors: Sam Viesselman, Logan Kahler, Cindy Viesselman, Robert Malo, Jason Nelson and Noah Johnson
2021 - Infinite Recharge at Home
Students: Blake Haugen, Aaron Hendricks, Tyrell Zieske, Martin Mittlestadt, Connor Artner, Parker Vetter, Madison Northwick, SkyeLi Malo, Ameya Komaragiri, Ethan Grunewald, Gibson Berg, Hannah Botzet, Alyssa Lutz, Noah Vetter, Aiden Thomas, Aiden Nelson, Brayden Koch, Jack Hagen, Isaac Sheard, Alex Kastning,
Mentors: Sam Viesselman, Logan Kahler, Cindy Viesselman, and Robert Malo
2020 - Infinite Recharge
Students: Blake Haugen, Aaron Hendricks, Tyrell Zieske, Martin Mittlestadt, Connor Artner, Parker Vetter, Madison Northwick, SkyeLi Malo, Ameya Komaragiri, Ethan Grunewald, Gibson Berg, Hannah Botzet, Alyssa Lutz, Noah Vetter, Aiden Thomas, Aiden Nelson, Brayden Koch, Jack Hagen
Mentors: Sam Viesselman, Chuck Haugen, Logan Kahler, Cindy Viesselman, Mike Sukalski, Robert Malo, Brian Hendricks, Brad Haugen, Bob Bonin Jr.
2019 - Deep Space
Students: Blake Haugen, Max Skauge, Aaron Hendricks, Tyrell Zieske, Martin Mittlestadt, Connor Artner, Parker Vetter, Ethan Grunewald, Gibson Berg, Hannah Botzet, Alyssa Lutz
Mentors: Sam Viesselman, Chuck Haugen, Logan Kahler, Cindy Viesselman, Josiah Passe, Marcus Wiebe, Eric Madsen
2018 - Power Up
Students: Emma Koehler, Kyle Munsterman, Celia Simpson, Lucas Simpson, Aryanna Skauge, Blake Haugen, Aaron Hendricks, Maximus Skauge, Tyrell Zieske, Connor Artner, Alyssa Lutz, Martin Mittestadt, Marina Speckman
Mentors: Sam Viesselman, Chuck Haugen, Cindy Viesselman
2017 - Steamworks
Students: Connor Artner, Alyssa Lutz, Marina Speckman, Emma Koehler, McKenna Mathews, Kyle Munsterman, Celia Simpson, Lucas Simpson, Aryanna Skauge, Jon Lutz, Tyson Geerdes, Blake Haugen, Aaron Hendricks, Maximus Skauge, Tyrell Zieske
Mentors: Bob Bonin Sr, Bob Bonin Jr, Sam Viesselman
2016 - Stronghold
Students: Steven Bulfer, Nick Gerhardt, Lucas Jedlicka, John Johnson, Nathan Larson, Jonathan Rahn, Joy Tie, Carlos Sifuentes, Emma Koehler, McKenna Mathews, Carver Moore, Crystal Morton, Kyle Munsterman, Madison Pierce, Celia Simpson, Lucas Simpson, Aryanna Skauge, Kiara Wittmus, Malachi Anderson, Will Hilmer, Jon Lutz, McKenna Rodriguez, Tyson Geerdes, Blake Haugen, Gracia Heille, Aaron Hendricks, Maximus Skauge, Brandon Williams, Tyrell Zieske
Mentors: Bob Bonin Sr, Bob Bonin Jr, Melanie Koehler
2015 - Recycle Rush
Students: Drew Anderson, Jessica Moore, Matt Stone, Steve Bulfer, Lucas Jedlicka, John Johnson, Nathan Larson, Taylah Lawton, Carlos Sifuentes, Chloe Diekmann, Ben Hernes, Emma Koehler, McKenna Mathews, Crystal Morton, Kyle Munsterman, Madison Pierce, Celia Simpson, Lucas Simpson, Isaiah Wilde, Cole Camp, Jon Lutz, Malachi Anderson
Mentors: Bob Bonin Sr, Bob Bonin Jr, Mark Hernes, Melanie Koehler
2014 - Aerial Assist
Students: Bret Bonin, Matt Stone, Drew Anderson, Steve Bulfer, Nick Gerhardt, Lucas Jedlicka, Nathan Larsen, Austin Phillip, Taylah Lawton, Seth Alfonso, Chloe Deikmann, Ben Hernes, Emma Koehler, Crystal Morton, Madison Pierce, Celia Simpson, Lucas Simpson, Isaiah Wilde, Cole Camp, Jon Lutz, Dustin Vandever, Avory Vlieger
Mentors: Bob Bonin Jr., Bob Bonin Sr., Melanie Koehler
2013 - Ultimate Ascent
Students: Brooke Bonin, Jeff Brickner, Clint Kelly, Caleb Larson, Andy Ruppert, Payton Schlomann, Emilee Shaikoski, JT Viesselman, Marcus Weibe, Derek Hohensee, Missy Viesselman, Bret Bonin, Dillan Hall, Jonathan Harris, Jessica Moore, Brice Bonin, Andrew Anderson, Steven Bulfer, Lucas Jedlicka
Mentors: Bob Bonin Jr., Bob Bonin Sr., Bob Sponsel, Brian Sokoloski
2012 - Rebound Rumble
Students: Alejandro Valdovinos, Andy Reiter, Ben Gratz, Buddy Anderson, Cayce Craig, Devon Ford, Matt Johnson, Brooke Bonin, Clint Kelly, Brady Korn, Caleb Larson, Josh Nutt, Payton Schlomann, Emilee Shaikoski, JT Viesselman, Marcus Weibe, Missy Viesselman, Andrew Johnson, Bret Bonin, Garrett Malo, Jessica Moore & Brice Bonin
Mentors: Bob Bonin Jr., Bob Bonin Sr., Mike Plucinski
2011 - Logomotion
Students: Buddy Anderson, Levi Becker, Brock Bonin, Brooke Bonin, Jeremy Botzet, Brandon Brooks, Liz DeLaTorre, John Demarre, Jake Ellis, Lauren Friese, Joe Fujan, Ben Gratz, Libby Humpal, Matt Johnson, Austin Jones, Joanna Kautzman, Caleb Larson, Cameron Meyer, Logan Petersen, Jacob Portz, Andy Reiter, R.J. Reynolds, Payton Schlomann, Brandon Schwidder, Dan Sumey, Alejandro Valdvinos, J.T. Viesselman & Sam Viesselman
Mentors: Bob Bonin Jr., Bob Bonin Sr., Mike Plucinski
2010 - Breakaway
Students: Briar Bonin, Brock Bonin, Brooke Bonin, Jeremy Botzet, Liz DeLaTorre, Kelsey Every, Joey Fitzgerald, Lauren Friese, Reid Gerhardt, Laura Hamp, Alex Hodges, Jacob Huinker, Matt Johnson, Josh Koehler, Caleb Larson, Destiney Meyer, Abby Pousch, Andy Reiter, Robby Riley, Alejandro Valdvinos & Sam Viesselman
Mentors: Bob Bonin Jr., Brad Haugen, Brad Johnson, Mike Plucinski
2009 - Lunacy
Students: Briar Bonin, Brock Bonin, Jeremy Botzet, Caleb Goraczkowski, Brennen Holm, Styles Johnson, Spencer King, Derek Meachum, Jacob Sanden & Aaron Weinke
Mentors: Bob Bonin Jr., Brad Haugen, Brad Johnson, Mike Plucinski, Keith Anderson