While some high school students spend their summers lounging poolside, Milton’s remotely operated underwater vehicle team (MAROV) members competed poolside against the top schools during this year’s National Student ROV Competition.

After winning first place overall in MATE’s New England Regional ROV Competition, the MAROV team traveled to Santa Barbara, California, in June for the Nationals. Milton’s team performed well against what seemed impossible odds. Despite a pre-launch camera and engine failure of their remotely operated vehicle, affectionately named “Herbie,” the Milton team pulled together and not only placed 10th out of 23 nationally recognized teams, but also took home top prize for design and use of their ROV’s grippers.

According to John Schoen, father of MAROV team member Matt Schoen, “We didn’t bring home a win, place or show finish, but the team did a great job under difficult circumstances.” Click here to read the full story of Milton’s challenge on MSNBC.com.

MAROV members include Will Joo (Class of 2004), Dan Lee (Class I), Sam Minkoff (Class II), Matt Schoen, (Class II) Kristen Tsai, (Class I) Alice Tin (Class II), and Seo Hyung Kim (Class II) and faculty advisor, Tom Gagnon.