Rezbotics Tournament Brings Navajo Nation Robotics to San Juan County
Sixteen robotics teams from across the Navajo Nation competed Saturday at Kirtland Central High School in the Rezbotics Rock with Wings qualifier, with Newcomb and Shiprock schools reaching the final rounds and an alliance taking home the championship. The event expands local access to STEM education, sends all teams on to the Four Corners Championship in February, and creates a clear pathway for regional students toward national competition.
On Saturday, November 23, the Kirtland Central High School cafeteria buzzed as 16 robotics teams from across the Navajo Nation gathered for the Rezbotics Rock with Wings qualifier. After 20 qualification matches and a slate of playoff rounds, an alliance that included Newcomb and Shiprock high schools finished as a finalist alliance, while the Blue Alliance led by Newcomb Skyhawk Techs and the Green Hawks were awarded the championship.
Organizers said the Flagstaff based CocoNuts program delivered materials and logistical support for the San Juan County event, helping make this the largest Rezbotics tournament yet. Teams traveled from Kayenta, Wingate, Toadlena and other communities to compete in matches that lasted two and a half minutes, beginning with a 30 second autonomous period followed by driver controlled play. Points were earned through coded and driver controlled tasks, and judges handed out awards for design, volunteerism and other categories.
“This is our biggest Rezbotics tournament yet, and that, in itself, is a win in my book because these kids got the experience to compete today with other teams from the reservation in a place that's closer to home,” said Christine Sapio of the CocoNuts. The tournament also drew comment from Navajo Transitional Energy Company education coordinator Nathan Tohtsoni, who pointed to participation growth at small schools. “You look at Navajo Mountain, who was here, they got 13 kids in their whole student body, and half of them are Robotics Club,” he said.
Awards presented included Judges Choice to Newcomb Skyhawks Techs, the Volunteer Award to Samuel Kunzeman, and the Design Award to Skyhawks Robotics, along with recognitions for excellence in reach, control, innovation, sustain and more. In addition to regional recognition, all teams that competed will advance to the Four Corners Championship in February. At least two teams from that event will qualify for the World Competition, creating a clear competitive ladder for students.
For San Juan County residents the event signals expanding STEM opportunity on the Navajo Nation and stronger local pathways to technical education. The presence of a program delivery organization that brought materials and organization to the county lowered travel and cost barriers for smaller schools, and the tournament format emphasized coding, teamwork and hands on engineering skills that are transferable to higher education and workforce pipelines.
Policy implications are immediate. Local schools and funders face a choice about whether to scale support for robotics clubs, coach training and equipment maintenance to sustain growth. The tournament demonstrated demand and participation, with 16 teams and a mix of awards reflecting both technical skill and community volunteerism. As teams move toward the Four Corners Championship, San Juan County stands to benefit from increased student engagement in STEM, potential scholarships and the long term cultivation of a local talent pool for technical jobs and education.
