Two separate robotics teams from La Mesa Junior High School have earned their right to compete at a regional tournament after placing well at the Los Angeles Qualifying competition held at West Ranch High School Sunday.

The First Lego League competition, sponsored by Rockwell Collins, saw the Robo Lobos take first place in robot design and Le Mesa’s other team, the Lobotics, take second place for their research project.

The Lobotics earned enough points in all three areas to finish in the top five and advance to the regional tournament while Robo Lobo learned their fate Monday based on the school’s “strong performance,” according to tournament officials.

“This was our first experience at a competition and we are extremely proud of how our Robotics teams performed,” said Seth Rowland, who along with Kam Punpanichgul served as the team’s coaches.

“They have demonstrated a high level of commitment and dedication to their fellow teammates and to their school. We have a truly special group of students here at La Mesa and we all expect more great things in the future.”

Twenty two teams participated and were judged in three areas surrounding the theme, “Trash Trek Challenge: The Robot Game.”

Students were asked to program and design an autonomous Lego EV3 Mindstorm robot to complete any of 12 available missions; Research Project, where students come up with a solution to a trash problem; and Core Values, where students had to display their knowledge of the First Lego League Core Values.

Of the 22 teams, the top five advanced to a regional tournament to be held in early December.

“Most teams participate in a practice tournament, which our teams did not,” said Michele Krantz, Principal at La Mesa. “This is an incredible accomplishment for our first time.”