The Sacramento Regional: An Unforgettable Weekend
The Sacramento Regional was a whirlwind of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. Our team delivered strong performances on the field, with two standout matches that showcased our robot’s capabilities. Off the field, we took home the prestigious Impact Award, a testament to our outreach, innovation, and dedication to the FIRST mission.
Kaylee Vigil (12), Kira Ford (10), and Kaden Walker (10) proudly took the stage as this year’s Impact presenters! With the guidance of mentors Amy and Heather, they fine-tuned their news anchor-themed presentation to perfection. Despite unexpected challenges like illness and voice loss, they persevered, securing the team’s first-ever Impact Award! This historic victory earned Team 4135 a spot at the World Championships, where we will not only compete for the championship title but also vie for the prestigious Hall of Fame Impact Award.
The regional wasn’t just about competition—it was also about community. During the opening ceremony, our own Bryon Johnson, a Mechanical subteam captain, took center stage alongside two members of EagleForce 2073 to perform the National Anthem on trumpet. Their performance set the tone for an inspiring weekend and was a true testament to the talent and spirit of FIRST teams.
Between matches, we had a blast with Rambots 2205, exchanging interviews and hyping up the crowd. Shout-out to Jocelyn and Joshua for the awesome hat and shirt trade! We also faced off in a spirited chant battle with SEStemic Eliminators while waiting in line for the field. Staying at the same hotel as Team SCREAM, a World Championship-winning team, and Deep Blue 119 made for great late-night bonding—including an impromptu blackjack game with Aaron and friends from Deep Blue. A special shout-out to the CTEC Titans 8768—we may not be able to pronounce or spell your names, but we won’t forget you!
We also took the opportunity to learn valuable defensive strategies that will strengthen our gameplay. With the debut of new cheers and chants and plenty of great food after long competition days, this regional was one for the books. Most importantly, we built friendships with teams across the competition, reminding us that FIRST is about more than just robots—it’s about the community we create together.
And, in what can only be described as a legendary caffeine-fueled showdown, CTEC Titans 8768 absolutely destroyed us in the unofficial "Most Energy Drinks Consumed During Regionals" competition. We thought our intake was impressive, but they left us in the reef. Respect.
