Built to Compete, Wired to Lead

In a sea of wires, wheels and precisely-engineered parts, one team stood out at the VEX Robotics World Championship this year — not just for their technical merit, but for the professionalism and teamwork that carried them through every challenge on the world stage.

Aggie Robotics, a leading student organization in the Texas A&M University College of Engineering, sent its teams WHOOP and WHOOP5 to the 2025 VEX World Championship in Dallas, Texas. The event brought together more than 120 university-level teams from 33 countries for the international competition. 

WHOOP advanced to the semifinals in their division of over 60 teams and earned both the Energy Award and the Workforce Readiness Award, recognizing not only their technical achievements, but the distinctive spirit and strategy behind their success.

The Energy Award captured what anyone at the competition experienced during a WHOOP or WHOOP5 match: unmistakable momentum. From the start of each match to the final buzzer, coordinated cheers and chants of “Farmers Fight” echoed from the stands. Team members supported each other with enthusiasm and extended that same encouragement to other teams throughout the competition. Their sportsmanship, pride and respect for fellow competitors left a lasting impression on everyone in the arena.

“The natural inclination of Aggies to uplift each other and show their support without question is truly special and unlike anything else in the world,” said Evert Guzman, Aggie Robotics board secretary. “The yells in the bleachers were a massive morale boost for the whole team and made a huge difference in giving our drivers the confidence they needed to succeed.”

The Workforce Readiness Award recognized WHOOP’s exceptional preparation, communication and work ethic. From the moment the season’s challenge was announced, the team spent months evaluating potential designs using spreadsheets and simulations to identify the most effective strategies. Their planning extended far beyond the build — every element of their robot was driven by purpose and backed by data, prepared for rigorous judges’ interviews. Meticulously documented across hundreds of notebook pages, their process demonstrated a mindset that mirrors industry standards and impressed judges at every level.

Behind every award was nearly a year of focused effort — designing, building, testing and refining two robots to meet the season’s unique challenge. Each year, VEX unveils a new game that requires entirely new approaches from its competitors. This year’s challenge involved securing mobile goals, collecting and stacking rings onto them and climbing a multi-tiered platform — an objective that only about one-third of teams successfully completed.

Alongside technical challenges, students faced personal hurdles — balancing exams with late-night build sessions, recovering from unexpected setbacks and problem-solving on the fly with creative solutions. From repairing a damaged robot arm in-transit to developing an essential cooling system powered by a leaf blower, WHOOP and WHOOP5 exemplified the resilience and ingenuity that define Aggie engineers. 

Bradley Alexander Cougar Stiles, Aggie Robotics president, shared how their team deals with loss and demonstrates tenacity.

“The pressure of competition can bring stress and heartbreak when things don’t go our way, but it also creates some of the most ingenious designs and impactful moments,” he said. “We developed a strong support system, teaching emotional intelligence and how to deal with stress or frustration. This preparation and management are what got us to semifinals and allowed us to cheer on other teams throughout the tournament.”

More than a competition team, Aggie Robotics is a community of mentors and future professionals that many students consider to be a defining part of their college experience. The organization actively mentors high school students in the robotics community and fosters leadership and hands-on experiences for Texas A&M students at all levels. Although the teams’ rosters include mostly first-year students, their performance rivaled veteran teams and demonstrated their commitment to growing talent from the ground up.

“Aggie Robotics has given me and other members a platform to apply some of our most essential skills,” explained Guzman. “From project management and product development to public speaking and networking, all of it happens in a fun, competitive environment against universities from around the world. The learning never stops.”

Whether designing innovative robots, mentoring peers or articulating complex concepts under pressure, Aggie Robotics is shaping the next generation of engineers who are prepared to lead with skill, resilience and authentic Aggie Spirit.