Skip To Main Content

2026 Robotics State Championship Run

(Boys Basketball)      (Girls Basketball)      (Robotics)

A group of robotics students standing behind their robot.

Virgin Valley’s "RoboDawgs" Gear Up for Nevada State Championship in Reno

MESQUITE, NV – This weekend, the spirit of innovation and competition will travel nearly 450 miles north as Virgin Valley High School’s FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team #15889, better known as the RoboDawgs, compete in the Nevada State Championship.

The two-day event, taking place Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, 2026, will be hosted at Galena High School in Reno. The RoboDawgs are among an elite group of teams from across the state who qualified through a rigorous series of league meets and regional tournaments.

The Road to Reno

The RoboDawgs have had a busy 2025–2026 season, which included hosting Leagues Meets #3 and #4 right at Virgin Valley High School in January. Competing in this year’s challenge, DECODE™, the team has spent months designing, building, and programming a robot capable of navigating complex tasks and "unlocking mysteries" on the game field.

Their journey to the state level is a testament to the team’s technical prowess and their commitment to the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) philosophy of Gracious Professionalism.

What’s at Stake?

The Nevada State Championship is the pinnacle of the local season. Top-performing teams in Reno won't just walk away with trophies; they are also vying for a spot at the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, scheduled for April.

  • Competition Format: The event features qualification matches where teams are paired in alliances, followed by an alliance selection process for the elimination bracket.

  • Judging: Beyond the robot’s performance on the field, the RoboDawgs will face panels of judges to present their Engineering Notebooks and discuss their design process and community outreach efforts.

A Weekend of Bulldog Pride

The robotics team isn't the only group representing Mesquite this weekend. In a massive showing of school spirit, the Virgin Valley Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball teams are also competing in their respective State tournaments.

For those who cannot make the trip to Reno to support the RoboDawgs in person, the event will be streamed live on Twitch, allowing fans back home in Mesquite to cheer on Team #15889 as they represent the Green and Black on the state stage.

Would you like me to find the specific match schedule for the RoboDawgs or more information on the DECODE™ game rules?