Mat-Su College Robotics Club gears up for Sumo Competition

The Mat-Su College Robotics Club is gearing up for the MSC Sumo Robotics Competition, which will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Glenn Massay Theater. The competition welcomes all high school and college students, who may enter individually or as part of a team. Participation is free, and winners will be awarded a three-credit tuition waiver at Mat-Su College.

Wasilla High School, Career Tech, and Mat-Su College have already confirmed their participation. More competitors are expected to register as the event approaches.

Hunter Cameron, a member of the Mat-Su College Robotics Club and a Mechanical Engineering student, is building one of two robots for the competition. He is using parts from past club members' robots to create an original design. One new feature is a frame that allows easy access to the inside, making repairs during competition possible. Quick fixes can improve the chances of success since damage can occur during these events.

Hunter explained that club advisor Dr. Nichols helps with specific aspects of the robot, but much of the work he tests and figures out on his own. The Mat-Su College Robotics Club provides students with an ideal space to develop creativity and self-reliance—important skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

The MSC Sumo Robotics Competition will follow international Sumo Robotics rules. For more information, contact Dr. Daniel Nichols at dnichols4@alaska.edu. Updates and information will also be available on Mat-Su College’s Facebook and Instagram platforms.