Venue: Montgomery High School, San Diego, California, United States
Date: October 5, 2025
Teams: 30 registered | Matches: 78
PART 1: THE MAIN DATA
Awards
🏆 Tournament Champions
9123A – Aztec Engineering from Montgomery High School Robotics in San Diego, California (High School) partnered with 25678C – Circuit Breakers from North County Robotics in Escondido, California (High School) to take home the championship title.
The alliance demonstrated consistency and teamwork throughout the elimination rounds, executing coordinated plays and clean strategies that led them to victory in the final match.
🥈 Tournament Finalists
11120B – Titan Robotics from Eastlake High School Robotics in Chula Vista, California (High School) joined forces with 9123B – Aztec Innovators from Montgomery High School Robotics in San Diego, California (High School) to secure the finalist position. Their alliance showed sharp driving and strategic awareness in every match.
🧠 Design Award
23456A – Coastal Robotics from Carlsbad High Robotics in Carlsbad, California (High School) earned the Design Award through excellent documentation and mechanical design. Their engineering notebook and methodical testing process stood out to the judges as a model of discipline and clarity.
⚙️ Robot Skills Champion
25678C – Circuit Breakers from North County Robotics in Escondido, California (High School) dominated the Skills Challenge with precise driving and flawless programming runs. Their robot operated with mechanical control and coding confidence that separated them from the field.
💡 Judges Award
9123C – Aztec Mechanics from Montgomery High School Robotics in San Diego, California (High School) received the Judges Award for their sportsmanship and persistence. Judges praised their teamwork, enthusiasm, and steady improvement throughout the event.
Skills Challenge Highlights
Driver Skills Top Score: 25678C – Circuit Breakers (North County Robotics)
Programming Skills Top Score: 25678C – Circuit Breakers (North County Robotics)
Circuit Breakers topped both skill categories with balanced performance and consistency.
PART 2: THE STORY
San Diego’s robotics community came alive as Montgomery High School hosted the second installment of the VEX Match Only Tournament series. The gym was filled with excitement as teams fine-tuned their robots, tested autonomous routines, and prepared for a day of high-stakes matches.
Each round delivered a blend of creativity and technical skill. Students adjusted strategies on the fly, coaches provided quick guidance, and alliances were forged based on trust and adaptability. The local energy was contagious, with every successful climb and precise maneuver drawing cheers from the crowd.
The finals showcased the best of Southern California robotics. 9123A and 25678C combined efficiency and focus to dominate their matches, overcoming fierce competition to claim the championship. The Eastlake and Montgomery alliance of 11120B and 9123B pushed them to the limit, displaying impressive coordination that kept the crowd engaged until the very last second.
Off the field, Coastal Robotics (23456A) earned recognition for engineering excellence, and Aztec Mechanics (9123C) embodied the spirit of teamwork and learning. The Circuit Breakers (25678C) swept both skill categories, marking themselves as a powerhouse in the region.
By the end of the day, students left inspired, teachers proud, and San Diego’s reputation for strong robotics programs further solidified.
RFORCE Commentary
The San Diego VEX Match Only Tournament No. 2: Push Back reflected everything that makes the VEX community great — creativity, competition, and collaboration. From powerful alliances to standout individual performances, this event captured the drive and imagination of Southern California’s best robotics teams.
Congratulations to all the participants, mentors, and volunteers who made this tournament a success.
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Written by the RFORCE Editorial Team
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