Robotics Team 1218 Makes History!

By Alec Gupte ’26
Media & Branding Subteam Co-lead 

After nearly 10 years without a solo win, Team 1218 finally broke the streak. They didn’t stop at the competition trophy, either; they also secured the weekend’s highest honor.

Rewind: SCH Robotics Team 1218 headed to Seneca High School on March 13, their first competition of the 2026 season, just after revealing their robot. This was the first of three regional competitions, which, if they performed well, would send them to the World Championships in Houston at the end of the month.

After a day of intense qualification matches, Team 1218 entered alliance selection ranked 4th overall, poised to captain a strong alliance. However, it all changed when they were selected first overall by the highest-ranked team, Team 190 Gompei and the Herd. Team 190, a strong team with a winning history, traveled from Massachusetts to Seneca to compete. They were also joined by Team 5732 and, later, Team 8704 as a backup, forming a formidable alliance.

Meanwhile, Team 1218’s outreach team was busy presenting for the Impact Award, the most prestigious award a team can win at an FRC event. This year, they themed their presentation around crystals and caves in line with their season theme “Crystallized,” highlighting their bedrock foundations as a team and how they help grow and cultivate gems within the community.

Throughout the playoff matches, Team 1218 faced various issues with the robot that put their championship run in jeopardy, but they persevered and reached the finals despite the setbacks. And as the match timer hit zero, the scoreboard displayed the final tally: 254 to 204. Team 1218 had won!

Cheers erupted from the stands: Students screamed, mentors hugged, and everyone was ecstatic that the team had finally won their first competition since the World Championships 7 years ago. Just as everything began to quiet down, though, the announcer uttered words that would make this event unforgettable:

“The winner of the 2026 Seneca Impact Award is… Team 1218!”

Not only had Team 1218 won the event, but they also won the Impact Award. For the first time in program history, the team pulled off a double victory, securing both the Impact Award and the top spot in the competition at a single event.

“As a senior, it was nice to finally win a competition after three years of coming so close,” said 1218 co-captain Leo Cohen. “I don’t think it could have gone any better.”

Next up? The Philadelphia District Event! Go Team 1218!