UPDATE 3:44 p.m.:

Clark Magnet High School robotic team lost two matches in the first semi-final championship round. Clark’s team ended Regional with a ranking of 11 out of 66 teams.

CVHS Falkons robotic team made it to the last match of the third semi-final round. They fought hard but lost the tie-breaking match. Falkons  can be proud of how far they went into the championship playoff.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: CVHS won their second match of the first round.  They will move on to the second round championship matches.

To view a live webcast from the floor, click here.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: First championship round matches: Clark alliance lost their first round. CVHS won their first.  Each alliance plays at least one more match.

UPDATE 12:57p.m.:  Clark Magnet and CVHS Falkon Robotic Teams have both been chosen to join alliances for the final championship competition! The playoffs begin at about 1:30 p.m.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: Clark lost their last match which pushed them to an 12 Ranking. Still well within the competitive field however.

CVHS had a penalty due to an autonomous error, putting them with a ranking of 34.LCHS and St. Francis are still ranked below the 40 mark.

Matches are winding down, competition will turn to final match.

By Mary O’KEEFE

Yesterday, over 60 high school teams from Southern California as well as one team from Nevada, one team from Brazil and one team from Chile competed in the F.I.R.S.T. competition. The three-day event began on Thursday when a few team members traveled to Long Beach, with their robot in tow, to prepare for the match. On that first day they spent their time setting up their team booth with information on their team and a pit where they can repair their robot throughout the two days of competition.  Throughout the competition, judges stop by each booth to talk to the teams, evaluating on how well they explain not only the mechanics of their robot but what they have done as an outreach team in their community and booth safety.

On Friday the teams competed throughout the day. Clark Magnet and Crescenta Valley high schools did very well with both teams ranked above 12th place, but La Cañada had some technical issues and slipped in the ranking. St. Francis was in the middle of the ranking, which is a strong showing for a rookie team. This is the first year the school has developed a robotics team and their first year of competition.

By mid-day, Clark continued its standout performance with CVHS slipping to a ranking in the 20s, still in the top third of the competition. La Cañada continued to struggle back after their mechanical difficulties and St. Francis hovered in the 30s.

DAY TWO: As of 10:40 a.m., Clark has a strong ranking of 4th place. CVHS is in the center ranking followed by St. Francis and LCHS.

Clark has won the PIT SAFETY AWARD for the day.

CV Weekly will continue to update throughout the day with photos and video.

Clark Magnet is updating after every match at “http://www.youtube.com/user/Team696LBRegional?ob=0&feature=results_main”  Channel  team696lbregional.  Visit this YouTube Channel by clicking here or pasting the URL into your browser.