General Info
General Info
Thank you for your interest in fourth annual Gateway to the West Signature Event hosted by OCS Robotics in Wheeling, WV. Come explore the northern panhandle of West Virginia! The event will be hosted at the Highlands Sports Complex located at The Highlands. The Highlands is a retail park which features a number of hotels, restaurants, and shopping all within 2 miles of the event venue. The sports complex also features an arcade and multiple rock climbing walls.
Information will be updated periodically. As the event date nears, information will be provided via email and this page.
- Venue
- Highlands Sports Complex
- Address
- 225 McCormick Way, Triadelphia, West Virginia 26059, United States
- Dates
- January 27 – 28, 2027
- Grade Level
- Middle School
- Skills Challenge
- Yes
- Judging Format
- All In-Person Judging
Registration & Logistics
- Event Type
- Open Tournament
- Event Format
- In-Person
- Field Control
- VEXNet Field Control
- Capacity
- 80
- Spots Open
- 80
- Event Region
- West Virginia
- Max Registrations per Org
- 6
- Priority Registration Opens
- 14-Oct-2026 12:00 EDT
- Standard Registration Opens
- 28-Oct-2026 12:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 15-Dec-2026 12:00 EST
- Payment Deadline
- 16-Dec-2026 12:00 EST
- Price
- $300.00
Agenda
Subject to Change
Tuesday 1/26 OPTIONAL FOR TEAMS ARRVING ON TUESDAY 6:00 PM Inspection Open, Pit/Practice Fields are open, Skills available after inspection 8:00 PM Venue Closes Wednesday 1/27 8:00 AM Venue, Pits Open, Inspection Opens 9:30 AM Opening Ceremonies (Key Volunteer Recognition, Wheeling History, and Driver's Meeting) 10:00 AM Skills Open/Qualification Matches Begin/Judging Begins 12:00 PM Lunch Break (Skills Closed) 1:00 PM Qualifications Resume/Skills Reopens 6:00 PMQualification Matches End/Skills Close/Juding Ends
NOTE: First round of judging must be completed by the end of the first day!!!
6:00 - 8:00PMGateway Climbing Club (please enjoy the arcade and climbing wall!)
More information will be sent in e-mails leading up to the event
Thursday 1/288 AM Venue Opens 9 AM Qualification Matches Resume, Skills Open Noon Lunch Break 1 PM Qualification Matches Resume 2 PM Qualification Matches End/Alliance Selection 2:30 PM Elimination Bracket Begins 4:00 PM AwardsStream
Webcast The event will be live streamed on Youtube!
Travel Info
Date: 27-Jan-2027 - 28-Jan-2027 Highlands Sports Complex 225 McCormick Way Triadelphia, West Virginia 26059 United States Travel Info The Highlands Sports Complex and nearby hotels are located on I-70 corridor roughly 45 minutes from the Pittsburgh International Airport in the northern panhandle of WV. Please note: Ride Shares are normally available from Pittsburgh to Wheeling, but getting a Ride Share from Wheeling to Pittsburgh is not as likely. It is recommended that particpants that are flying in should look at car rentals as an option. Directions from Pittsburgh Airport : • Leaving airport take I-376E • Merge onto I-79 S • Merge onto I-70 W at Washington, PA for about 22 miles Parking : There is a large parking lot at the venue. The lot can accommodate buses and trailers. Local Travel and Hotel Information! Additional hotel blocks may be added periodically. Information about the local area : The Highlands Wheeling, WV The Highlands Sports Complex EVENT INFORMATION Local Food - Restaurants
Judging Format
Judging Format Engineering Notebooks: Notebooks will be submitted and reviewed digitally. Notebooks are due by January 13, 2027. Interviews: Judges will be staged in the competition area in pairs. Teams will go to their initial interview at their leisure. Initial interviews must be completed on the first day of the competition. Secondary interviews will occur late during the first day and in the morning of the second day at the team's pit area.
Volunteer
Volunteer Event success depends on many volunteers. If you have any questions please contact Luke Shepherd at lucas.shepherd@k12.wv.us A link to signup to volunteer will be posted here soon!
Emergency/Bad-Weather Policy
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy In the event of bad weather, updates will be made via email.