2025 San Diego VEX Eighth Annual MS/HS Open Tournament: Push Back

Venue: Montgomery High School, San Diego, California, United States
Program: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025–2026: Push Back
Date: October 4, 2025
Teams: 20 registered | Matches: 47

PART 1: THE MAIN DATA

Awards

🏆 Teamwork Champions

1658S – Practice Years 2.5 from Education Empowerment Asia, competing in the High School division, brought an exceptional balance of power and precision. Their robot, Atlas, showcased the kind of controlled aggression that defines top-tier play. Alongside 91233X – Irvine Ruiguan from Irvine Ruiguan, this alliance found perfect synchronization. Team 91233X’s sleek, adaptive drivetrain and field awareness made them a strategic anchor throughout the tournament.
Together, 1658S and 91233X dominated the elimination rounds with poised driving and intelligent route choices, sealing the championship title in front of an electrified crowd.

🥈 Teamwork Finalists

13889X – ELIXIR, representing Education Empowerment Asia, and 24580A – Inferno from the AI & Robotics Youth Foundation, delivered a fiery finals performance that had fans on edge until the last second. ELIXIR’s consistency and command of both autonomous and driver periods earned admiration from peers, while Inferno’s precision scoring and efficient coordination kept them in every match. Though they finished as finalists, their teamwork and perseverance were second to none.

🧠 Design Award

507B – Mustang Robotics 507B from Otay Ranch High School in Chula Vista, California, proudly took home the Design Award. Competing in the High School division, their robot Beta was the result of patient iteration and engineering discipline. Judges highlighted their well-documented design process, attention to mechanical detail, and effective problem-solving strategies that turned theory into consistent on-field performance. 507B’s work ethic and creativity serve as a blueprint for future competitors.

⚙️ Robot Skills Champion

13889X – ELIXIR once again proved its technical superiority by topping both the Driver and Programming Skills rankings, achieving 58 points in Driver and 20 points in Programming. Their autonomous pathing was efficient, and their driving routine was composed and calculated. Weeks of practice were evident in every clean lift and turn. ELIXIR’s all-around mastery earned them this well-deserved dual recognition.

💡 Judges Award

24580A – Inferno, representing the AI & Robotics Youth Foundation, received the Judges Award for their professionalism, problem-solving mindset, and standout presentation. Inferno demonstrated both competitive excellence and sportsmanship, embodying the values that define this community.

🔧 Build Award

10410B – El Capitan Robotics Team 10410B from El Capitan High School, Lakeside, California, impressed the judges with their mechanical craftsmanship and robust construction. Competing in the High School division, their robot Titan displayed smooth motion, reliable lifting systems, and clever component placement that balanced weight and control. Every screw, plate, and brace was evidence of care and purpose.

🎨 Create Award

507A – Mustang Robotics from Otay Ranch High School, Chula Vista, California, showed the creativity and originality that the Create Award celebrates. Their robot Alpha integrated unique scoring features and adaptive elements that made it a dynamic competitor. The judges commended 507A’s innovation in design thinking and their ability to experiment under real match pressure.

🤝 Sportsmanship Award

90471B – Sundevils B from Tierra Del Sol Middle School, California, brought infectious positivity to the entire event. Competing in the Middle School division, this team set a standard for collaboration, respect, and genuine enthusiasm. Whether helping another team fix a connection issue or cheering from the stands, 90471B proved that robotics is just as much about community as competition.

Skills Challenge Highlights

• Driver Skills Top Score: 13889X – ELIXIR (Education Empowerment Asia) with 58 points
  
• Programming Skills Top Score: 13889X – ELIXIR (Education Empowerment Asia) with 20 points

PART 2: THE STORY

San Diego showed up ready for Push Back. The gym at Montgomery High School buzzed from the first qualification to the last elimination. Alliances tried new autonomous paths, refined match plans between rounds, and chased every extra point on the field. By mid-day, you could feel the adjustments paying off as routes became smoother and handoffs sharper.

The numbers tell part of the tale. The day’s highest combined score landed at 132, proof that top alliances were converting cycles at pace. The closest battle ended with a margin of 0, a true heart stopper that had everyone on their feet. Those swings set the tone for a bracket where every decision mattered.

Champions 1658S and 91233X earned their banner with collected driving and field awareness that never wavered. The finalists 13889X and 24580A answered with clutch scoring runs and scrappy defense at key moments. In skills, a focus on repeatable routines made the difference, and the top programming run proved that reliable sensors are a superpower.

Design thinking also shaped outcomes. 507B’s engineering notebook and on-field choices showed a clear through line from concept to execution. Smart packaging, sensible tradeoffs, and iteration discipline translated into a machine that stayed consistent when it counted.

The event wrapped with high fives, lessons learned, and a bracket that showed how competitive Southern California already looks this season. Students left with fresh ideas, coaches left with new notes, and the RF pit chatter is already shifting to the next tune-up.

RFORCE Commentary

This qualifier delivered the blend we love to see: precision, creativity, and teamwork. Congratulations to all award winners, especially our Tournament Champions 1658S and 91233X, Skills leader 13889X, and Design standout 507B. The Push Back season is heating up, and San Diego just raised the bar.

—

Written by the RFORCE Editorial Team
For the dreamers, the builders, and the next generation of innovators.