Eric Zacherl, 17, the North Catholic High School Trojan, stands with Nate Bondra, 16, just after Heat 4 during the inaugural North Catholic Robotics Competition at the high school. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

CRANBERRY TWP — The North Catholic High School Trojans competed in what they hope will become an annual offseason robotics competition with other high school teams.

The event Saturday, June 3, drew teams from 16 other schools and was held to let students use the robots they built and designed from scratch one last time before the school year ends.

The competition is part of the “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” or FIRST, program that features robotic competitions from January through April every year, as well as other science and technology activities for younger students.

The Trojans participated in a competition last year that was hosted by Armstrong. That led to the school and the company collaborating to create Saturday’s offseason event.