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S.P.A.M. Does It Again: #1 Ranking and Another Win at the South Florida Regional!

Updated: Apr 27

S.P.A.M. Robotics continues to dominate the 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition season, and this past weekend was no exception! At the South Florida Regional, held April 3–5, 2025, at the Watsco Center in Miami, FL, FRC Team 180 S.P.A.M. Robotics once again took the spotlight as the #1 ranked team out of 47 fierce competitors. Following our Orlando Regional win in March, this marks our second regional victory of the season, solidifying our momentum as we head to the 2025 FIRST Championship.

🏆 South Florida Regional Winners

S.P.A.M. secured the regional championship alongside trusted alliance partner FRC 179 (Children of the Swamp) and the talented Eaglebots Robotics. This dynamic trio navigated the REEFSCAPE field with precision, teamwork, and unstoppable energy. S.P.A.M.’s Speed, Power, and Maneuverability paired seamlessly with Swamp’s power plays and Eaglebots’ strategic support, leading to a decisive victory.

Our Drive Team—Matthew Marini (Driver, Martin County High School), Isabella Bodea (Human Player, Jensen Beach High School), Zach Dean (Human Player, South Fork High School), and Nathan Jones (Technician, homeschool student at IRSC), delivered a stellar performance, showcasing the diverse talent across Martin County schools.
Our Drive Team—Matthew Marini (Driver, Martin County High School), Isabella Bodea (Human Player, Jensen Beach High School), Zach Dean (Human Player, South Fork High School), and Nathan Jones (Technician, homeschool student at IRSC), delivered a stellar performance, showcasing the diverse talent across Martin County schools.

🏅 Zach Dean Wins Dean’s List Award

We’re so thrilled Zach Dean, our Student Board President and Human Player, was honored with the prestigious Dean’s List Award at the South Florida Regional! This award recognizes Zach’s exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to FIRST’s values of Gracious Professionalism and community impact. As a South Fork High School student, Zach has been a driving force on S.P.A.M., motivating the team on and off the field while contributing to our outreach efforts, like mentoring FIRST teams. This win makes Zach a semi-finalist for the Dean’s List Finalist selection at the FIRST Championship, where he’ll represent Martin County on a global stage. We’re so proud of you, Zach!

🤖 Autonomous Award Presented by Ford

S.P.A.M. was also honored with the Autonomous Award presented by Ford, celebrating our robot’s consistent excellence in programming and autonomous operations. From scoring game pieces to executing seamless mobility routines, S.P.A.M.’s autonomous mode pushed the envelope in reliability and innovation. This award highlights the hard work of our programming team, whose dedication to precision has set us apart in the 2025 season.

Paisley Kemp receives the Autonomous Award on behalf of S.P.A.M.
Paisley Kemp receives the Autonomous Award on behalf of S.P.A.M.
Nathan Jones accepts the South Florida Regional Winner's trophy
Nathan Jones accepts the South Florida Regional Winner's trophy

🌊 The Road to Houston

With two regional wins (Orlando and South Florida), the FIRST Impact Award from Orlando, and a current #1 world ranking in the 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition Regional Rankings, S.P.A.M. is ready to take on the global stage at the FIRST Championship in Houston, TX, from April 16–19, 2025. We’ll compete for the global FIRST Impact Award thanks to our Orlando win. These achievements reflect the relentless dedication of our students, mentors, and supporters as we aim to make Martin County proud internationally.

S.P.A.M. students, mentors, and family pose with the Winner's blue banner.
S.P.A.M. students, mentors, and family pose with the Winner's blue banner.

💙 Thank You to Our Supporters

None of this would be possible without our mentors, families, alumni, and incredible sponsors. Your belief in S.P.A.M. fuels our mission to inspire through STEM and community outreach, from hosting Florida’s largest LEGO Robotics camps to logging 2,000+ volunteer hours this season. A special shoutout to our Pit Crew, Varun Sign and Lenny from South Fork High School, their behind-the-scenes work kept our robot competition-ready.

📲 Follow Our Journey to Houston

Stay connected as we prepare for Houston! Follow our updates on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, and cheer us on as we aim for global glory. Want to get involved? Email us at frcteam180@gmail.com to mentor, sponsor, or join S.P.A.M. Robotics. Let’s go, S.P.A.M.!


Photos courtesy of: Elizabeth Marini Photography

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