Eighth Annual Governor’s Cup Robotics Competition Demonstrates Healthy Competition and Teamwork Among Participating NH Schools
Plymouth, N.H. (October 9, 2025) – Twenty-nine robotics teams comprising more than 300 students and 60 volunteers from across New Hampshire gathered at Plymouth State University on Saturday, October 4, for the eighth annual Governor’s Cup, an off-season robotics competition for the state’s high school FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams.
The event began in 2018 and has grown from a full-day exhibition and competition to a much-anticipated annual warm-up for the upcoming FIRST Robotics Competition season. Plymouth State University has hosted seven of the eight Governor’s Cup events; a modified event was held virtually in 2020 due to COVID restrictions.
New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte attended Saturday’s opening ceremony and later visited with the competitors and observed some of the first-round action.
“Everything these students have learned through FIRST– the problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork – can lead to incredible opportunities right here in New Hampshire. I’d love to see them put those skills to work here at home, helping our state continue to lead the nation in innovation,” said Ayotte.
In addition to providing the state’s high school robotics teams with the opportunity to compete prior to the official season, the Governor’s Cup is a source for numerous awards and college scholarships. This year’s event sponsors included Eversource, BAE Systems, Fidelity Investments and Plymouth State University.
“Plymouth State University is proud to once again support the annual Governor’s Cup Robotics Competition and the innovation driving New Hampshire’s growing robotics industry,” said Nathaniel Bowditch, provost of Plymouth State University. “Our university is deeply committed to this partnership, to the state, and to advancing opportunities in robotics. With the nation’s first three-year bachelor’s degree in robotics, we’re helping PSU students graduate more efficiently, reduce costs, and strengthen New Hampshire’s future workforce.”
The Challenge
The 2025 Governor’s Cup competitors were tasked with REEFSCAPE in which the teams compete to score coral, harvest algae and climb onto a central “barge” structure within two minutes and 30 seconds. Alliances earn additional points for meeting specific scoring thresholds and for cooperating with their opponents.
This year’s winning alliance was comprised of:
- Team 5813: Morpheus, Concord Community Team
- Team 3467: Windham Windup, Windham High School
- Team 501: The Power Knights, Manchester West and Goffstown High School
The 2025 finalist (runner-up) alliance was comprised of:
- Team 509: Red Storm, Bedford High School
- Team 8046: Lakerbots, Inter-Lakes High School
- Team 8410: Overdrive, Oyster River High School
Scholarships and Awards
The Governor’s Award
Three teams, one from each of the northern, southern and central regions of the state, were honored with the Governor’s Award. Teams were chosen based on their enthusiasm for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), team dynamics, relationship with schools and sponsors and overall competition performance. Graduating seniors from each team received vouchers for one semester of free tuition to any University System of New Hampshire (USNH) or Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) institution.
The 2025 Governor’s Award-winning teams were 18 total scholarships awarded:
- Team 1721: Tidal Force, Concord High School
- Team 131: CHAOS, Manchester Central High School
- Team 2342: Team Phoenix, Academy for Science and Design, Nashua
$2,000 Individual Scholarships
Eight high school seniors were awarded $2,000 individual scholarships to attend any USNH or CCSNH institution. Students were nominated by their adult mentors, and the scholarships are underwritten, in part, by Eversource, BAE Systems and Fidelity Investments. The 2025 scholarship recipients were:
- Justin Harding, Team 2342: Team Phoenix, Academy for Science and Design
- Anthony Surace, Team 8046: Lakerbots, Inter-Lakes High School
- Kelly Bentley, Team 6690: MV Robopride, Merrimack Valley High School
- Alice Liu, Team 3323: Potential Energy, Campbell High School
- Nicholas Redard, Team 3467, Windham Windup, Windham High School
- Leo Oulette, Team 8724, Mayhem, Bedford Community Team
- Lauren Hallee, Team 131, CHAOS, Manchester Central High School
- Addison Lefebvre, Team 131, CHAOS, Manchester Central High School
Plymouth State University Housing Scholarship
All competition participants were offered $1,000 on-campus housing scholarships for each year of enrollment at PSU.
2025 Judge Awards
Gracious Professionalism® Award
Celebrates outstanding demonstration of FIRST Core Values such as continuous Gracious Professionalism® working together both on and off the playing field:
Team 3467: Windham Windup, Windham High School
Live Free or Die Safety Award
Celebrates the team that progresses beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards:
Team 501: The Power Knights, Manchester West and Goffstown High School
Mill Yard Creativity Award
Celebrates creativity in design, use of component or strategy of play:
Team 7314: The Tornadoes, Franklin High School
“Industrial” Imagery Like the Kanc Award
Celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance:
Team 8046: The Lakerbots, Inter-Lakes High School
First in the Nation Spirit Award
Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork furthering the objectives of FIRST:
Team 7674: The Raiderbots, Spaulding High School
Winnipesaukee Judges Award
During the course of the competition, the judging panel may decide a team’s unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit recognition:
Team 1729: Team Inconceivable!, New Ipswich Community Team
Lilac Mentor Award – NEW in 2024
Honors a FRC mentor, nominated by students, who embodies the essence of mentorship, offering guidance, support and inspiration to help others grow:
Josh Heger, Team 501: The Power Knights,
For information about FIRST NH Governor’s Cup, visit https://www.firstnh.org/governorscup. For information about Plymouth State University, visit www.plymouth.edu.
About Plymouth State University: Established in 1871, Plymouth State University serves the state of New Hampshire and the world beyond by transforming our students through advanced practices where engaged learning produces well-educated undergraduates, and by providing graduate education that deepens and advances knowledge and enhances professional development. The Plymouth State Cluster Learning Model emphasizes open, integrative, and project-based experiences. With distinction, we connect with community and business partners for economic development, technological advances, healthier living, and cultural enrichment with a special commitment of service to the North Country and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. To learn more about Plymouth State University, visit www.plymouth.edu.
