Hueneme Port Regional – 2023

Congratulations to the 44 Teams PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members from all over California, Hawaii, Arizona, and as far away as the Netherlands and Mexico who participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition Hueneme Port Regional from March 2-5, 2023.

The regional started out with a high school junior offering a Jimmy Hendrix style guitar rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, proclamations from the County Board of Supervisors, the Mayor of Port Hueneme, U.S. Representative Julia Brownley and a presentation of a $5,000 check from the Community Benefit Fund, the City of Port Hueneme, and the Port.

Throughout the event, gracious professionalism was displayed by Team 4 in helping to set up the  field, Team 4481 from the Netherlands who helped anywhere needed, and many who helped a struggling team finish their robot build.  All received the new Gracious Professionalism pin from FIRST California.

There was a marriage proposal where Brian Martin, game announcer, popped the question with the help of his team and SHE SAID YES!!

As far as robotic competition, you could not ask for more entertainment.   In the first round, the #1 alliance was upset by the #8 alliance and with the new double elimination format they really had to work their way back.  The finals started out with a tie, 148-148. then as the play went on, they were neck and neck, a field mechanical failure and finally the #1 alliance ended up on top.  5 matches in the final round!  At one point a high score match record was set.

We’d like to extend an immense THANK YOU to all the sponsors, mentors and volunteers who contributed to this very successful Regional. 

We hope you too had a memorable experience at the Hueneme Port Regional Regional! 

Thanks to Rynn Grogin, we’ve capture some of those great moments from the Regional for you. Feel free to find your team and download pics in the gallery below.

LIST OF TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!

The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Hueneme Port Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston, April 19-22, 2023

FIRST Impact Award

The FIRST Impact Award represents the true spirit of FIRST.  It honors the team that best serves as a model for other teams to emulate and that embodies the goals of FIRST.  It remains FIRST’s most prestigious team award.  The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants, school, and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season or school year. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture.  The recipient will be invited to the FIRST Championship where it will compete for the FIRST Impact Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.

• Team 4, Team 4 Element from Van Nuys, CA

Engineering Inspiration

The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community.  This team will advance to the Championships and receive a $5000 NASA grant toward registration.

• Team 3008, Team Magma from Honolulu, HI

Regional Winners

• Team 1678, Citrus Circuits from Davis, CA
• Team 4414, High Tide from Ventura, CA
• Team 696, Circuit Breakers from Glendale, CA

Dean’s List Finalist

In an effort to recognize the leadership and dedication of FIRST’s most outstanding FRC students, the Kamen family sponsors an award for selected top students known as the FIRST Dean’s List. This award celebrates a student’s outstanding leadership and effectiveness in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering and engineers, both within their school, as well as their community. FIRST Dean’s List Finalists will compete at the championship for the FIRST Dean’s List.

• Sienna Simantob from Team 1661, Griffitrons
• Giselle Ng from Team 2429, La Canada Engineering Club

Woodie Flowers Finalist Award

• Brian Mendoza from Team 2429, La Canada Engineering Club

Additional Awards

Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Hueneme Port Regional! See the list here.