The Hayward Middle School Drone Soccer Team is headed to the U.S. Drone Soccer 2024 National Championship in Virginia after a successful performance at Regionals. Hayward is now recognized as the first drone soccer team to represent Ohio at the national level.
The team consists of the following students: Collin Bostick (Striker and Defender), Neetchy Eugene (Striker and Forward), Christopher Moore (Goalie), Jamir Rolls (Forward), Anna Hollingsworth (Forward), Joesph Kelly (Defender), Eric Rofe (Defender) & Hart Underwood (Crew Member).
Hayward is coached by Mr. William Luke Kelly and Mr. David Zeller and sponsored by The Braxton Miller Foundation, which also sponsors the school’s XTreme Bots team.
“This sport is preparing our students for the fast, modern and technological world that awaits them,” said Coach Kelly. “A special thank you to LaShonda Miller and The Braxton Miller Foundation for their support along this journey. Let’s bring a national championship home to Springfield!”
At the national competition on April 27, Hayward will be facing 15 other middle and high school teams from around the country, as well as an international team from Turkey.
Hayward made history earlier this school year when they hosted Ohio’s first official drone soccer match.
About Drone Soccer:
Drone soccer is a high-speed, 3-dimensional competition that involves the building, maneuvering and repairing of drones. One match is composed of three sets. To win a match, a team must defeat their opponent in at least 2 out of 3 sets. Each team has 1 striker, 1 goalie, 1 defender and 2 forwards. The only person who can score is the striker. The rest of the team must protect the striker, while simultaneously keeping the other team’s striker from scoring.