Brewster High School’s robotics team once again brings innovation, creativity, and teamwork to their next robotics competition: New York Tech Valley Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. Dedicated hours of revision and constant improvement of the robot was finally showcased in the MVP Arena in Albany, where the competition was held.
The Tech Valley Regional Competition took place from April 15th to April 18th, just a few weeks after the team’s debut at the Hudson Valley Regional Competition. Between the two events, the team carefully evaluated the robot’s performance, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement. After enhancing the robot’s shooting efficiency and dedicating additional time to driver practice, the CyBearBots entered the competition feeling prepared and confident.
The competition had 60 teams total, the majority being from New York with a couple coming in internationally from Canada and Türkiye. Like the last competition, each team was dressed up with themed costumes, giving out unique pins, stickers, and even candies. The first day also consisted of a series of 30 practice matches, allowing the teams to work out any issues in order to be successful in the real competition that would take place the next two days. This day was also an opportunity to scout the abilities of the other robots, as the team would have to work with or against them on the following days. During this time, the CyBearBots played in 3 of the 30 practice matches, using them to improve their robot’s shooter, efficiency, and strategies for the coming qualification matches.
The second and third day of the tournament is when the competition started to become more interesting; they became the moment for the CyBearBots to demonstrate everything they have done and learned this season. After arriving at the arena bright and early once again, the team had to get ready for the matches that lay ahead. Like the Hudson Valley Regional competition, there were 80 qualification matches over the course of the next two days, each lasting 2 and a half minutes. During this tournament, the matches were filled with many highs and only a few lows for the team, leaving them with a record of 6 wins and only 2 losses. This put the CyBearBots in a great position ranking wise for qualifications, giving the team high hopes for playoffs.
After the qualification matches concluded, Team 7504 finished ranked 18th out of 60 teams. The top eight teams, based on qualification match performance, each selected two additional teams to form alliances for the playoff rounds, along with a backup team in case of technical difficulties. Although Team 7504 placed within the top 30% of competitors, they were not selected for the playoff alliances, bringing the CyBearBot’s competition season to a close.
Even so, the season proved to be an incredibly valuable experience for the team. Throughout the competition, members adapted to unexpected challenges, built meaningful connections with other teams, and learned from a diverse and talented community of people. Most importantly, they were able to enjoy the process and take pride in how far they had come together.
What set this competition apart from the team’s first event was not only its larger scale and new location, but also the growth the team demonstrated when facing obstacles. There were matches where the robot experienced malfunctions, alliance partners did not show up for matches, and strategies did not always go according to plan. Despite these setbacks, the team remained determined, worked together to overcome challenges, and continued to improve throughout the event.
Although the 2025-2026 robotics season has come to an end for Brewster High School and Team 7504, the group is already preparing for next year, ready to refine their designs, strengthen their collaboration, and return even stronger next season.