Cimarron-Memorial High School's robotics team defended its national championship in April, thanks in part to Bearing Belt Chain Co. of Las Vegas.

The bearings and PT products distributor has sponsored local robotics teams for years, president Steve Philpott says. The teams compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition, a varsity activity designed to encourage teenagers to pursue careers in the sciences and engineering.

Cimarron's Team 987 won the Las Vegas regional competition, setting the stage for a defense of the world title it won last year. The youngsters headed to Atlanta for the final competition April 17-19.

Philpott says the financial sponsorships began three years ago, but the company has been donating parts and technical advice for about five years.

“A couple of my managers were donating parts to high schools and I didn't even know about it,” he says. “These [students] are either my future customers or future employees.”

“Not only has he given us monetary donations, but he has given us nearly any parts we need, such as chain, bearings and belts,” Cimarron team president Keaton Frerker says. “Our program surely would not be where it is today without [his] help.”

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