Socal Showdown First Robotics Competition

On the weekend of September 13, 2025, Team HYPERNOVA Robotics had the opportunity to participate in the SoCal Showdown, an off-season competition based on the FIRST Robotics Competition: Reefscape game challenge. The event was hosted by Phantom Catz and Robonauts at Da Vinci High School.

This competition gave our team a valuable opportunity to experience what a real FIRST Robotics Competition event looks like. As a newer team, being able to observe the fast-paced environment, interact with other teams, and see the robots in action helped us better understand what to expect as we continue to grow.

Throughout the event, the members of Phantom Catz and the Robonauts were incredibly supportive. They offered advice, shared insights on how we could improve, and welcomed us into the community. Beyond the competition itself, they also offered their support through sponsorship and even provided us with a workspace where we could continue working during weekends.

Although we attended the event without a fully prepared robot or a pit setup, the experience was incredibly meaningful for our team. It helped us recognize where we currently stand and inspired us to keep pushing toward the level we hope to reach in the future.

We are extremely grateful to Phantom Catz and Robonauts for their guidance, generosity, and support as we begin our journey in FIRST Robotics.