Leadership

Kelssy Modaff

Kelssy Modaff

Position: Lead of Public Relations
Grade: Junior

Why did you join the team?
I joined the team because I had a friend whose brother was very involved in robotics, and he really seemed to like it. I went to the first meeting to try it out and fell in love with robotics ever since.
Why did you want to become CBO?
I wanted to become CBO because my role last year involved a lot of researching team history and synthesizing data about the team, so I got a lot of good ideas about how we could improve and build on what we’re already good at, especially on the business side.
What is your favorite team memory?
My favorite team memory is pretty much the entire Colorado Regional this past season- I was really proud of how well we did in all aspects of it, and it was also super fun seeing friends from other teams. Getting to experience it all with all my amazing teammates just made the entire thing better.
What are your plans for business sub-teams?
My plans for business subteams this year is to apply the system that worked really well for technical last year to our business side, which means streamlining communication and fostering interconnectivity.

Beck Brau

Beck Brau

Position: Chief Technical Officer / Chief Executive Officer
Grade: Senior

Why did you join the team?
I went to the first meeting freshman year only because my brother made me. But after the first meeting, I was hooked. I saw our robot designed for the 2022 season made completely from scratch, as well as all the materials and tools utilized to make it. But more importantly, I saw the returning members excited to be back from summer break, I saw everyone chatting up this year’s game with so much excitement and anticipation. While yes, the robots are cool and yes, I love competition season, Cougars Gone Wired would not be who we are without the people.
Why did you want to become CTO/CEO?
Every year in the fall, we host a barbecue, and at the end of each barbecue we have a water balloon fight. When the water balloon fight is coming to a close, a few team members grab the cooler full of water and dump it on the CEO. Whilst having a cooler of water dumped on me during our team barbecue was not the only reason why I want to be CEO, I’m telling this story as I feel it illustrates our team dynamic. I wanted to become CEO not for the title, but because I believe in leading a team where trust, laughter, and shared moments—like a surprise soaking at the end of a barbecue—are just as important as the goals we achieve together.
What is your favorite team memory?
My current favorite team memory was Qualification Match 12 at the Missouri Regional. Before the match, I realized one of our alliance members would be unable to attend this match, and the other had a critical breakdown, leaving them unable to score. As Drive Coach, I should not tell my Drivers—the 2 people controlling our robot—that we would be the solo scorers. I don’t want them focusing on anything but our robot, and the knowledge that our robot would be the only scorers would affect their performance. During the match, we were keeping up with the opposing alliance, which absolutely shocked me. After the match, I remember looking at my Driver, Ethan, and hearing him say “Holy crap! We could actually win this match!” This match will forever stick with me and will always be one of my favorite memories.
What are your plans for technical sub-teams and the team as a whole?
We have restructured our leadership in a few ways, consolidating a few sub-teams. The current plan for technical subteams is going to be similar to last year, starting with good preparation in the off-season. We will be designing and producing a robot made for the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Tournament, or KCMT. This is to develop our team’s technical experience before the real build season. During build season, we will continue to focus on rapid prototyping, forethought integration and data driven designs.


Business

James Christian

James Christian

Position: Lead of Public Relations
Grade: Junior

Why did you join the team?
I Found out through a friend tryed out M.A.D summercamp and joined the team!
Why did you want to be a part of the leadership?
To bring our teams social media, website, and youtube to a new level.
What is your favorite team memory?
Going to the Misouri regional and getting to take photos of one of the teams best bots yet.
What are your plans for the Public Relations sub-team?
Daily and weekly posts to boost engadgement and view count to show our teams impact.

Raven Van Hoy

Raven Van Hoy

Position: Lead of Community Relations
Grade: Junior

Why did you join the team?
I joined the team my freshman year because I was looking for a way to make new friends in a high school with lots of unfamilliar faces. I couldn't have been more successful!
Why did you want to be a part of the leadership?
I wanted to be a part of leadership because I feel motivated and determined to make this team the best it can be, and felt I could do that the most as a part of leadership.
What is your favorite team memory?
My favorite team memory is by far the 2025 colorado regional. I made it onto main drive team and with a competition of experience under my belt I had an absolute blast driving and being cheered on. I call it the best three days of my life!
What are your plans for the Community Relations sub-team?
For the upcoming season, my goal with community outreach is to really take advantage of our team's experience and resources to bring STEM and robotics to more students than ever!

Lark Tipton

Lark Tipton

Position: Lead of Sponsor Relations
Grade: Junior

Why did you join the team?
I started having to go because my brother was on the team and then I got interested.
Why did you want to be a part of the leadership?
The previous VP convinced me to try.
What is your favorite team memory?
Hearing about Cooper and the stoplight incident and also pie night and senior night last year.
What is your favorite team memory?
I really just want to be productive and get us more sponsors and maybe give the team more opportunities for outreach.


Technical

Keegan Walker

Keegan Walker

Position: Lead of Mechanical
Grade: Senior

Why did you join the team?
I joined the team after doing the summer camp that the team runs, I was already really into engineering but seeing how close everyone was on the team and how much fun they were having made me want to join even more.
Why did you want to be a part of the leadership?
I wanted to be in leadership because I want to be able to make more of an impact on the future of the team and I really enjoy teaching and helping people figure out problems.
What is your favorite team memory?
One of my favorite memories was at the 2023 Colorado Regional playoffs, when our alliance pulled off a win with just two robots against three.
What are your plans for the Mechanical sub-team?
Since this is the first year with a mechanical lead role, one of my main goals is to set a solid foundation for the future leaders. I also want to focus on improving our machining precision and keeping the shop more organized so that we can be more efficient during the season.

Sylis Sharp

Sylis Sharp

Position: Lead of Software
Grade: Junior

Why did you join the team?
I joined the team because I heard my friends were going to do robotics and it sounded fun.
Why did you want to be a part of the leadership?
I wanted to be a part of leadership because I enjoyed being on the team and wanted a more involved role.
What is your favorite team memory?
My favorite team memory is the Colorado regional during the 2024 season, this was since it was when I realized that I really wanted to devote all of my time to the team.
What are your plans for the Software sub-team?
Get a guitar hero controller and a steering wheel ready for the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Tournament.

Jaxson Tasca

Jaxson Tasca

Position: Lead of Electronics
Grade: Junior

Why did you join the team?
I joined the team because i wanted to be apart of something and do something with my free time and have something fun to do.
Why did you want to be a part of the leadership?
I wanted to be apart of leadership because I wanted the electrical team to be the best i could be and teach other people about electrical things.
What is your favorite team memory?
My favorite team memorie is getting to know new people and makeing new friends that made me feel included with everything.
What are your plans for the Electrical sub-team?
My plans for the electrical team is to have all my sub-team members to learn new things and get them ready for build session and make the best robot that I can make to help the team out and help anyone that needs help with the robot.

Lyric Enger

Lyric Enger

Position: Lead of Special Projects
Grade: Senior

Why did you join the team?
I joined the team because I was interested in the team itself, there was a strong connection I saw between everyone and I saw that as something I wanted to be a part of. I was also interested in robotics but found everything very confusing for me, and that’s why I joined special projects.
Why did you want to be a part of the leadership?
I wanted to be a part of leadership because I looked up to my old VPs and mentors and they all believed in me and saw so much potential. I wanted to show everyone my effort and improve on the things that might have not worked out in the previous seasons
What is your favorite team memory?
My favorite team memory is probably getting together with other special projects members and teaching them how to skateboard, we would all go to the skate park and learn new things. I think it kind of brought us together a little more too.
What are your plans for the Special Projects sub-team?
My plans for special projects this year is to make a new pit structure, as well as some new storage in the pits, make sure our fields are built the best we can, and make sure the field stays as structurally sound as possible.

Cougars Gone Wired
Contact Us

Cougars Gone Wired - Team
cougars.gonewired@gmail.com

Bryce McLean - Head Coach
bryce.mclean@d11.org

Address

Coronado High School

1590 W. Fillmore Colorado Springs, CO 80904