The Metal Jackets Win Two Blue Banners in Alexandria

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Metal Jackets Win Two Blue Banners in Alexandria

Prince William County, VA - March 11, 2026 -  The Metal Jackets proudly announce a historic achievement at the 2026 FIRST® Robotics Competition Alexandria Regional, bringing home two prestigious Blue Banners: Regional Tournament Champions and the coveted FIRST Impact Award.

This win marks the most successful regional appearances in the team's history, recognizing both exceptional on-field performance and the team's longstanding commitment to outreach, leadership, and positive community impact. 

Tournament Champions

The Metal Jackets delivered a dominant performance throughout the event, advancing through qualification matches with technical precision, strategic gameplay, and robot reliability. In the elimination rounds, the team collaborated with FRC Team 9072 (Tigerbots) and FRC Team 1908 (Shorebots) to secure decisive victories, ultimately earning the title of Alexandria Regional Champions!

FIRST Impact Award Winners

In addition to their competitive success, the Metal Jackets were honored with the FIRST Impact Award, the highest recognition in the FIRST Robotics Competition. This award celebrates a team's sustained efforts to spread STEM, foster inclusivity, and build lasting programs that inpsire future generations of innovatorrs.

Judges cited the Metal Jackets' far-reaching community initiatives, student-led stem programs, and dedication to creating accessible engineering opportunities as key reasons for the team's selection. 

A Milestone for the Season

"We are incredibly proud of our students for excelling both on the field and in our mission to serve and inspire our community," said the team's coach. 

With these achievements, the Metal Jackets have officially qualified for the 2026 FIRST Chesapeake District Championships in Petersburg, Virginia at Virginia State University, where they will compete alongside some of the best teams from around the Chesapeake area. 

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About the Metal Jackets Robotics Team

The Metal Jackets are a student-led robotics team dedicated to engineering excellence, innovation, and community outreach. Through competition, mentorship, and advocacy, the team works to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders in Prince William County and beyond.