Edwardsville High Robotics Team Wins Judge's Choice Award

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Edwardsville High School's robotics team had a successful first season in the FIRST Robotics – Decode League, finishing with a 10-5-0 record and winning the Judge's Choice Award at the Central South Illinois regional tournament. The team made the switch to the new league after participation in their former Bot Ball competition had dwindled significantly.

Why it matters

The Edwardsville High robotics team's transition to the FIRST Robotics league and their subsequent success highlights the importance of persistence and adaptability in competitive STEM programs. Their ability to overcome the challenges of being a new team facing long-established opponents sponsored by major companies demonstrates the value of dedicated coaching and student commitment.

The details

After years of competing in the Bot Ball league, the Edwardsville High robotics team made the switch to the FIRST Robotics – Decode League for the 2026 season. This change came as participation in the former league had declined to the point where the team would have had to travel as far as Oklahoma to compete. The transition was not without its challenges, as Edwardsville High was the only new team in the Central South Illinois region and had a small roster compared to the teams sponsored by Caterpillar, John Deere, and Boeing. Despite these obstacles, the team finished the season with a 10-5-0 record and won the prestigious Judge's Choice Award at the regional tournament.

• The Edwardsville High robotics team competed in the FIRST Robotics – Decode League for the first time in 2026.
• The team won the Judge's Choice Award at the Central South Illinois regional tournament in February 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Edwardsville High robotics team will look to build on their successful first season in the FIRST Robotics – Decode League and defend their Judge's Choice Award at the 2027 regional tournament.