Meet TEam 6817
the Coaches
Louis McCarthy
Louis is a Project Manager at Brewer Science, Inc. He received a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri S&T) and was an active member of the national champion solar car team. He uses the skills learned there to mentor the team in mechanical, electrical, software, and design and fabrication. In his spare time, he is coach to FTC team 27023 and plays trombone for the World's Finest Rolla German Band, town band, and pit orchestra. He also sings tenor in the Rolla Men of Song. Louis mentors to give students the opportunity to try new things and hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Hovhannes Avagyan
Hovhannes Avagyan is a Software Engineer at Viasat who builds and operates ground systems for performing the signal processing core function in global satellite networks. He received his Bachelor of Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech where he participated in programs like CubeSat and ThinSat. He participated in FRC in high school and this drove him to pursue a career in engineering. This led him to participate as a mentor to help inspire the future engineers of the world.
the mentors
Gwen Menier
Gwen Menier is a student at Missouri S&T studying Psychological Science. She was on FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1706 in high school for two years and enjoyed it so much that when she went to college, she decided to help out the local team. Gwen helps the team out with getting funding through grants and fundraisers, and handles all marketing supplies, such as recruitment flyers and posters, to get more students.
Kraig Sheck
Kraig Sheck is a FIRST Alumni studying Mechanical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He wanted to support the local FIRST presence to give back and learn how to mentor teams while away at college.
Athena Keys
Athena Keys is a dedicated student from Rolla High School who is currently pursuing further education at East Central College. She was actively involved as an FRC member throughout high school. In 2023 she had the prestigious opportunity to mentor the team at the World Championship. Athena is driven by a desire to give students the same enriching experience she had in robotics, showcasing her commitment to mentorship and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Ben Atkins
Ben graduated high school from Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, MO, participating in eight years of FIRST programs, from FIRST LEGO League to FRC (Team #4256). He wants to give back time to the program that led him to pursue a Mechanical Engineering Degree at Missouri S&T, while providing help and guidance, honoring his past mentors and edifying current students. His specialties have always been drive-coaching, strategy, and fabrication.
Luke Freyermuth
Was introduced to First Robotics at Staley High School in Kansas City. Currently studying mechanical engineering at Missouri S&T and working as a market clerk at Fareway Meat Market over break. Decided to mentor to try and share accumulated knowledge to make things easier for students going through FRC. Serves as a mechanical and CAD mentor for FRC 1678.
Gannon Niehaus
Gannon Niehaus graduated from Clayton High School and now mentors team 6817 in strategy and design. He wanted to mentor 6817 because FIRST helped him find something he enjoyed doing, and he wanted to be able to share what he learned.