The Hueneme Port FIRST Robotics Competition Regional, held February 27- March 2, 2025, was an incredible showcase of talent, innovation. The event featured 46 teams and 1,400+ students from California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Canada and China.

In addition to the exciting matches, the event featured inspiring moments that highlighted the impact of STEM and FIRST:

• STEM Career Showcase: Thanks to our Navy partners, students had the chance to explore career pathways through interactive booths, including a drone cage, cutting-edge vehicles, and conversations with STEM professionals.
• Woodie Flowers Award Mixer: Prior Woodie Flowers Finalists gathered to connect, share experiences, and welcome this year’s newest finalist into the distinguished group.
• Distinguished Guests: The event was honored to welcome several esteemed leaders, including:
  • Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Celina Zacarias
  • Ventura County Supervisor, Vianey Loez
  • City of Port Hueneme Mayor Pro Tem ,Jess Lopez
  • Port Hueneme City Councilmember, Laura Hernandez
  • City of Oxnard Mayor, Luis McArthur
  • Oxnard City Councilmember, Michaela Perez
  • Office of Senator Monique Limon District Representative, Angelica Cisneros
  • Office of Assemblymember Steve Bennett District Director, Patty Quiroz
  • Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center Technical Director, Kail Macias

From engaging STEM outreach to thrilling competition, the Hueneme Port Regional was a fantastic celebration of the FIRST community. A huge thank you to all teams, mentors, volunteers, and sponsors who made this event a success!

Feel free to download and share any of these photos.  You can tag FIRST California at @firstroboticscalifornia on Instagram  and use hashtags #FIRSTinCA, #morethanrobots, #omgrobots, #REEFSCAPE and #FIRSTDIVE.

LIST OF TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!

The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the San Diego Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston, April 16-19, 2025.

FIRST Impact Award

The FIRST Impact Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST.

The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture. The recipient team will be invited to a FIRST Championship where it will compete for the FIRST Impact Award against winners from other qualifying events.

This Impact Award team believes that every student in their state needs STEAM and puts funding to their passion. They translate FIRST projects into resources for all in their country. They are roaring with FIRST to “cer”tainly be a compassionate and collaborative team.

• Team 4400, Cerbotics from Torreon, Mexico

Engineering Inspiration

The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school or organization, and community. Inspiring others to respect science and technology requires passion, knowledge and commitment, and we recognize these qualities through this award. This team will advance to the Championships.

This team strikes with impact by building FLL teams, hosting an FLL tournament, and running free robotics workshops at their local library. With outreach spanning 25 community events and 20 schools, they don’t just inspire – they take action. Their dedication to STEM continues year-round, hosting numerous off-season events in their own robotics league, leading the charge like true commanders indeed!

• Team 498, The Cobra Commanders from Glendale, AZ

Regional Winners Qualifying for Championship

• Team 4414, High Tide from Ventura, CA
• Team 3255, SuperNURDs from Escondido, 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.

• Aurora G – Team 4400 from Torreon, Mexico
• Nita S – Team 6560 from Irvine, CA

Woodie Flowers Finalist Award

FIRST stands apart from other competitions in STEM and sports due to the FIRST Ethos of Gracious Professionalism, the concept of Coopertition, and the commitment to the FIRST Core Values. The guiding force behind these principles was Dr. Woodie Flowers. Dr. William Murphy, Jr., who was instrumental in creating the concept of FIRST with Dean Kamen, recognized the unique perspective, wisdom, and communication style that Woodie brought to the FIRST Robotics Competition.

In honor of Woodie, Dr. Murphy founded the Woodie Flowers Award in 1996. He recognized that the FIRST ethos would be carried forward by our FIRST mentors and sought to celebrate those mentors who demonstrate the leadership, ethical behavior, and communication skills exemplified by Woodie. Woodie believed “societies get the best of what they celebrate”.

Being recognized by students, through nomination essays, makes this honor very meaningful to mentors. It is truly an honor for a mentor to be nominated for this award.

• Luke Balancio, Team 498, The Cobra Commanders

Additional Awards

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

Congratulations to the 50 teams PLUS all the mentors, volunteers, sponsors, friends and family members from all over California, Arizona, the Netherlands, Chinese Taipei and China who participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition Hueneme Port Regional from March 1-3, 2024.

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! 

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 17-20, 2024.

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 498, The Cobra Commanders from Arizona

Getting enough game play is one of the greatest challenges for FRC teams especially in Title I schools. These troopers took the time to identify the problem space and truly understand the broader operating environment. With sharp fangs using social media platforms addressing spectators and stakeholders alike, our winner secured funding to extend the robotics season statewide. Congratulations Team 498!

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 3473, Team Sprocket from Diamond Bar, CA

This team has been able to deliver a big impact all over the world. With their support, teams were able to get all the cogs turning and undertake new problems. This team’s goal is to achieve universal education, and with their curriculum development, training courses, and 3D printer distribution, they are ready for liftoff towards this goal.

Regional Winners

• Team 4481, Team Rembrandts from the Netherlands
• Team 3647, Millennium Falcons from San Diego, CA
• Team 9452, LHS Steel Stingers from San Diego, 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.

• Natalie W from Team 4201, The Vitruvian Bots
• Alisha A from Team 4414, High Tide

Woodie Flowers Finalist Award

• Klint Kirkconnell, from Team 3341, Millennium Falcons

Students agree that this mentor shows his commitment to the team while facilitating an environment conducive to learning. He helps the team stay calm in the face of serious issues. He teaches far beyond just robotics while being a ‘’fun” mentor. This mentor ensures the team stays productive while encouraging teamwork.

Volunteer of the Year

The Volunteer of the Year Award celebrates the dedication and service of truly outstanding volunteers. The phenomenal success of the FIRST Robotics Competition is a reflection of the commitment and enthusiasm displayed by our volunteers. We are truly humbled by the passion and commitment of our volunteers.

• Bart Panaghetti

Additional Awards

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

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.

Congratulations to the 36 Teams PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the Hueneme Port FIRST Robotics Regional Competition from March 3-6, 2022.

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 20-23, 2022

Regional Chairman’s

The Chairman’s 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 Chairman’s 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 Chairman’s Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.

• Team 4400, Cerbotics from Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico

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 3374, Robobroncs from Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Regional Winners

• Team 1678, Citrus Circuits from Davis, CA
• Team 4414, High Tide from Ventura, 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.

• Justine Ludden from Team 1452
• Roux Lake from Team 5199

Woodie Flowers Finalist Award

• Stuart Lee from Team 5199

Additional Awards

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

Support

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!