Stolen robot dropped off overnight at Tahoma High School; robotics team back in action

COVINGTON, Wash. -- The Tahoma High School robotics team is back in the competition after someone dropped the team's stolen robot off outside the school.

The group posted the good news Wednesday morning in Facebook:

Officials say security surveillance shows the robot, named Xcalibear, was left outside the school around 12:55 a.m. There was not enough information to determine a make or model of the vehicle.

The stolen robot can be seen in action last weekend in Oregon, where the Tahoma team took first place. They got home Saturday night. Their adviser parked the team trailer outside his home, someone stole everything inside and dumped it in Auburn.

On Monday night, they were racing to retool a practice robot in time for a big contest this weekend.

When the word of the theft got out, their competitors came to the rescue.

"The outpouring of support from our competing teams is just amazing," said student Alex Gibbs.

Other teams are donating material, practice space and even offering to buy dinner as these young scientists and engineers of the future get a lesson in good sportsmanship after a major setback.