Team Spotlight: FRC Team 457 Grease Monkeys
Team 457 Grease Monkeys is the oldest team in San Antonio and the fifth oldest active team in Texas! Now celebrating their 25th season, the Grease Monkeys are marking the milestone during a year that feels especially fitting. A season of rebuilding, rebranding, and redefining who they are.
After a pause in the late 2000s, the team has undergone a complete transformation since 2022. From a full rebrand to strengthening every part of their internal structure, the process has been challenging and extensive. But the result is a team that has bounced back stronger than ever. As part of South San Antonio High School’s CTE Engineering Pathway, Team 457 has access to the machines and tools needed to build competitive robots. More importantly, they have built something even stronger than machinery. They have built a family. The Grease Monkeys are deeply grateful for the constant support of their school, mentors, and parents who have helped make this transformation possible.
This season began in a historic way as Team 457 hosted the San Antonio Kickoff at their school. For many members, it was their first time experiencing kickoff as part of a competition season. It was also the team’s first time hosting an event at that scale. Welcoming teams from across the San Antonio area was both an honor and a learning opportunity. The Grease Monkeys collaborated with Team 3481 BroncBotz and Team 9658 Camber to host a programming session, giving teams the chance to exchange ideas and perspectives. They also invited their principal and superintendent to speak, showcasing how robotics and STEM are thriving in South San Antonio ISD. Through the stress and chaos of hosting, the biggest takeaway was connection. Seeing kickoff through the eyes of rookies while directing teams and running demonstrations gave Team 457 a renewed appreciation for the FIRST experience.
Their first reaction to the new game was mixed in the best way: surprised, intrigued, and excited. The alternating active hubs immediately sparked strategic conversations, while the storage and climber components pushed the team to think carefully about design constraints, especially height and width requirements. While strategy began quickly, the team also reminded themselves to pause and appreciate the game itself. That balance of competitiveness and gratitude reflects who they are.
This year, Team 457 is aiming to go above and beyond anything they have done before. They are building both an Everybot and a competition robot. They are constructing a practice field for drive matches and making sure human player gets throw practice in. Rookies are being trained on the differences between offseason and in season events, while veterans build on lessons learned from events like STEM Gals and NTX. Preparation goes beyond the robot. The team is emphasizing safety, organization, and documentation, ensuring their Technical Binder and Engineering Notebook capture their journey from kickoff to competition. Their goal is to practice 1 to 2 weeks before competition, train a backup drive team, and simulate matches as realistically as possible. After their most successful season in 2025, the Grease Monkeys are not chasing a one time win. They are working to make that level of success the standard.
Team 457 recently received a grant to expand robotics throughout the South San Antonio community. Their plans include summer camps and launching FTC or FLL teams in local elementary and middle schools. Their vision is to build a sustainable pipeline that allows students to grow through FIRST programs and eventually return as mentors.They are also working with district leadership to secure a full size practice space that could benefit all teams in the San Antonio area. Their goal is clear. Raise the level of competition locally and help San Antonio compete alongside DFW and Houston programs.
As 2026 FIRSTLikeAGirl ambassadors, Team 457 is proud to represent their community while celebrating 25 years of competition. Competing during a season centered on rebuilding feels symbolic for a team that has reinvented itself from the ground up. For the Grease Monkeys, this season is more than just another year. It is a celebration of resilience, growth, and the future they are building together!
