Merriam-Webster defines “dark horse” as “a little-known contender … that makes an unexpectedly good showing.”
That is exactly what Goleta’s Octobots Robotics did at last week’s FIRST Robotics Southern California State Championship — a label that stuck after a popular robotics YouTube channel (@FUNRoboticsNetwork) predicted their breakout.
The student-led team placed second in Anaheim, advancing through a field of 60 top teams and earning a spot at the FIRST Robotics World Championship, set for April 28 through May 2 in Houston, Texas.