Michigan State Championship 2009

[robostangs548]

I am so psyched for this, it's like an IRI at a state level and hosted by FIRST with a FIRST planning committee... Anyone in the past that thought Eastern Michigan Regional was going to have some amazing teams, re-think that... This is gonna be one of the most amazing regional competitions ever.... I think that it will definitely go down in the record books as one of the most amazing competitions ever in the state of Michigan. Can anyone say POWER HOUSES? Just look at the team list, it is absolutely incredible.... I have never been so excited for a competition... This is what I see it as.... Michigan State Championship "Where Michigan egos come to play" Is anyone else as excited?

I have been involved with FIRST all my life. Along with my family I grew up with Team 67 and within the last four years, transformed into a Robostang with Team 548 only to bring everything with me including all of the excitement, dedication, and late night work ethics that I learned from my dad, other students, and mentors since I was a child from HOT.

Now, I get the chance to play against and with HOT and all of the other great teams in my area that I have looked up too all my life, such as 503, 862, 65, 33, 66, 68, 70, 47, 217 and all of the other Michigan teams that I may have forgot.... I mean, I have been to over 20 competitions, but never have I been so excited to compete with and against all of my favorite teams. To me, this will most likely be my favorite competition of my FIRST career. I can't wait to see every one there...

The reason I made this thread is to ask everyone in Michigan if they think this is going to be an amazing regional, and what they are looking most forward to?

I think this is a pretty cool picture:
Me When I was 10 Years old.... Me Now.....
http://robostangs.tonch.com/random2/Untitled-2.jpg http://robostangs.tonch.com/random2/Untitled-3.jpg

[dragonrulr288]

This is just going to be amazing! My first year with FIRST [lol] and I already have freinds across the state, and I hope one day across the US and world!

whether or not 216 is going, I myself am going just to see this, and cheer on my friends!!!

[roboraven15]

getting a crack at beating 217 and 67 again, that first win we had was most epic event of the year lol....

[robostangs548]

I am glad that others are as excited as me.... I think I am most excited to see like 8 "Super Alliances"

[Herodotus]

This is going to be one of the most competitive and intense competitions this year. Looking at the Michigan States is like getting a glimpse at Atlanta or IRI. I can't wait to see some of these matches, and I am quite certain 910 is going to be even better and stronger so I'm looking forward to seeing my team in action again, along with all of those powerhouse teams coming.

[JHay]

I bet it will be a pretty awesome event. Hopefully we can get on 67's alliance...:D . But, I don't think it will happen :( . I am looking forward to having a chance to upset 67 and make them lose once. Hope to see 216 there. Great job by the way during WMD. We sure showed BOB (retribution for losing to them at Traverse). Anyway, I also hope all the other teams from WMD could make it to this possibly epic event!

[robostangs548]

Yeah, I had a great time at WMD, BTW I wanted to comment on the pictures... BETH SWEET just told me that she was the one behind the camera of the picture on the left.... That is pretty cool, never would of thought..... She must have an amazing memory, because I barely remember this picture period..... Also, the picture was taken at EMU as well....

[Alex Dinsmoor]

I cannot express how awesome this event will be! So many good teams will be attending, and the matches here will for sure be some of the best matches of the year.

When FIRST puts some of the best teams in the nation into one competition and forces them to compete for 16 spots to Atlanta you get this competition.

Also after going to 40-team events for the past 5 weeks, going to this 64 team event will truly be like Atlanta to me (although with colder temperatures :p ).

[Luckyfish05]

Well well, I have to say I'm excited. I was at West MI this weekend working with four of my college friends (three of which have never seen a competition before) and after we left for dinner the "what happens next" question came up. Well, long story short, we've all changed our plans and are heading to watch the Championships next weekend.

I think they've caught the addiction :D. Best of luck to all teams competing!

[drhall]

JHay

216 wants to thank you guys!!!!

What a great TEAM 216-1918-1254:)

I hope we can get to state and put this TEAM back in first place one more time!!!!

Dan

[robostangs548]

Great job guys, I would love to see you all there!

[drhall]

getting a crack at beating 217 and 67 again, that first win we had was most epic event of the year lol....

I would like to see 1918 -216-1254 have a chance at 217 & 67

[Adam Freeman]

I would like to see 1918 -216-1254 have a chance at 217 & 67

Do we have to play 2 v. 3... or can we have a third partner? Doesn't seem fair to me the way it is proposed in the quote. :p

[GODUX123]

Team 85 would be glad to help you guys! Thanks team 503 and 2188!

[Alex Dinsmoor]

Do we have to play 2 v. 3... or can we have a third partner? Doesn't seem fair to me the way it is proposed in the quote. :p

Well after watching you and 217 play together, you could probably take them :D

I wonder if we will be able to see just you and 217 play in a practice match on thursday against three good teams (910, 201, and 1918 maybe :) ). I'm interested to see how you would fare...

[drhall]

Do we have to play 2 v. 3... or can we have a third partner? Doesn't seem fair to me the way it is proposed in the quote. :p

You both are so good I think we would need that advantage:)

[Adam Freeman]

I have seen both 910 and 1918 play (both are extremely dangerous). I have not seen 201....but you guys are usually very good.

We might have a chance with no defense and if we removed the third trailer. Otherwise, I don't think we would have a chance.

But, you never know! :yikes:

I am looking forward to seeing three scoring robots on each alliance and the strategies that will be played out in the eliminations.

[chinckley]

Team 85 would be glad to help you guys! Thanks team 503 and 2188!

Is BOB signed up for State Championship? We did not see you on the list yet.

[Alex Dinsmoor]

Well I gathered up some videos of us at Detroit from our website.

Match 49 (http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh156/feds201/Videos/2009%20WSU%20Videos/?action=view&current=WSUQualMatch49.flv)
Match 31 (http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh156/feds201/Videos/2009%20WSU%20Videos/?action=view&current=WSUQualMatch31.flv)

And from Traverse

Match 59 (http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh156/feds201/Videos/2009%20Traverse%20City%20Videos/?action=view&current=TCQualMatch59.flv)
Match 55 (http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh156/feds201/Videos/2009%20Traverse%20City%20Videos/?action=view&current=TCQualMatch55.flv)

And we are improving our shooting for states :)

[chinckley]

When will teams know who else moves up to the 64?
I think the first 64 had until noon to say yes or no. What
happens to those spots after noon?

[Enigma's puzzle]

I have seen both 910 and 1918 play (both are extremely dangerous). I have not seen 201....but you guys are usually very good.

We might have a chance with no defense and if we removed the third trailer. Otherwise, I don't think we would have a chance.

But, you never know! :yikes:

I am looking forward to seeing three scoring robots on each alliance and the strategies that will be played out in the eliminations.

Ive got to agree, they would be taken down if they have a helpless trailer out on the field, but without that trailer, it would be one incredible match, no moon rocks left on the floor.

[Goblue94]

Which teams aren't going cause when will the standings be updated.

[johnr]

Looks like they are moving down list. 65th team is in. only 52 listed

[chinckley]

Our team is having a terrible time finding a hotel for the state championship.
Can any offer suggestions to try? I loved the way Traverse City did it
with many choices and all the information located for us. Is there anything like that for State.

We are looking for about 8 - 10 rooms.

Thanks in advance.

[robostangs548]

Our team is having a terrible time finding a hotel for the state championship.
Can any offer suggestions to try? I loved the way Traverse City did it
with many choices and all the information located for us. Is there anything like that for State.

We are looking for about 8 - 10 rooms.

Thanks in advance.

It is not in a major city, but from what I remember, there were many small hotels around... Sorry I couldn't be more help, but I am not super familiar with the area...

[Lisa Perez]

There are a few hotels located about 5 minutes off in Ann Arbor that I know would have space. A few of them are:

Holiday Inn
http://www.hiannarbor.com/

Microtel Suites
http://www.microtelannarbor.com/reservations.php/

Hampton Inn
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/photo_gallery.jhtml?ctyhocn=ARBGRHX

Hope this helps! If any other teams are wondering about things around the area, please feel free to contact me at lisaperez [at] gmail [dot] com.

[chinckley]

Thank you so very much for the help.
We have been struggling to find one.
I will call in the morning when the school office is here to help.

Thanks.

[chinckley]

Looks like they are moving down list. 65th team is in. only 52 listed

Now they are up to 54 but still only 65th is in...

[thefro526]

Hmmm, I'm not from MI but I'll be watching the State Championship Closely. I think it could be the most competitive First event, EVER and even if it's not, It'll be a good sneak peak to what The Championship will be like.

Hope you guys have fun.

[nikeairmancurry]

Do we have to play 2 v. 3... or can we have a third partner? Doesn't seem fair to me the way it is proposed in the quote. :p

Of course not Adam... We would be happy to join you.. Plus didnt' you say you wer ejoniing us after the DQ innocent..

[Wayne TenBrink]

Enough of this idle, speculative chit-chat! How about a for-real match??

Let's do the 1st annual East vs. West Shootout.

The top three teams from the East (67, 217, 248) vs. the top three from the West (85, 1918, 904).

Perhaps we could do this during an open practice match on Thursday (or at the end of the day on Friday?).

One round - for bragging rights.

(And I hope we don't have to drag those dang Martians into this. If we beat up on them, one of their mentors is likely to go crying to his mother and she'll give me a time out!)

[johnr]

I'm not good with team numbers,could you tell me who is 248,or is that the invisible team they get so the west might have a chance.:)

[JABot67]

I was about to post the same thing, but then I realized he might be talking about 245... (don't know for sure)

[Adam Freeman]

I am assuming he meant 245...based on the Overall Rankings.

67, 217, 245 v. 1918, 85, 904...

I cannot comment on 85 or 904, but from what I have been told I would expect an incredible challenge.

If it can be arranged in a practice match this Thursday, I know 67 would be ready. :ahh:

[Wayne TenBrink]

Yeah, OK. I'm a doofus. I meant 245. And no, they're not the invisible team that the west needs in order to win...

[drhall]

Enough of this idle, speculative chit-chat! How about a for-real match??

Let's do the 1st annual East vs. West Shootout.

The top three teams from the East (67, 217, 248) vs. the top three from the West (85, 1918, 904).

Perhaps we could do this during an open practice match on Thursday (or at the end of the day on Friday?).

One round - for bragging rights.

(And I hope we don't have to drag those dang Martians into this. If we beat up on them, one of their mentors is likely to go crying to his mother and she'll give me a time out!)

Wayne--Looks like we will be there based on the number of open spaces--keep us in that top group--would like to see West Michigan winners go againts Troy winners

Dan

[chinckley]

Wayne--Looks like we will be there based on the number of open spaces--keep us in that top group--would like to see West Michigan winners go againts Troy winners

Dan

Does anyone know why it seems to take so long to get the top list final?
I see one team in but what about the rest of the spots?

[drhall]

Does anyone know why it seems to take so long to get the top list final?
I see one team in but what about the rest of the spots?

We will know tomorrow

They will be opening up the remaining spaces tomorrow so we should know who is all in by tomorrow night.

Hope to be at state--

Lets set up a match on Thursday- West Michigan vs Troy winners

Dan

[wo-bot 141]

141 is not going to be going to state. :( we are short some money to go. but we will be going to the championship event. good luck all you Michigan teams. cant wait to see who comes out on top.

[GaryVoshol]

More hotel options (I hope these links work, they're huge):

http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/QuickSearch?optional=false&sid=7vFaM.akWdSghpW.9&type=&chain=A&brand_segment=&areaid=11148&areatype=30&latitude=42.2816&longitude=-83.7483&radius=40.231734792404254&map=n&placetype=city&placename=Ann+Arbor&state_country=MIUS&country=US&month=4&day=2&depart_month=4&depart_day=4&srp=RACK&nroom=1&nadult1=4&nchild1=0&nadult2=1&nchild2=0&nadult3=1&nchild3=0&nadult4=1&nchild4=0&nadult5=1&nchild5=0&find.x=17&find.y=9

https://wr.wyndhamrewards.com/WyndhamRewards/control/Booking/search_results?variant=&brandCode=DI%2CMQ%2CHJ%2CKG%2CRA%2CSE%2CTL%2CWG%2C BU%2CWY%2CBH&searchWithinMiles=25&resetSession=true&areaType=1&destination=ann+arbor&stateName=Michigan&state=MI&countryName=United+States&country=US&checkInDate=4%2F2%2F09&checkOutDate=4%2F4%2F09&numberAdults=4&numberChildren=0&numberRooms=1&numberBigChildren=0&rateName=Best+Avail&rate=000&x=22&y=9

[Wayne TenBrink]

I could go for WMD vs Troy, too. Especially this year. The only problem with that as an annual "tradition" is that it wouldn't always be east vs west teams. I think that if this thing included only the southeast MI counties as the "east" and the remainder of the state as the "west" (the "rest"?), then the east would still have a lot more teams to draw from. We can't forget the other regional winners either.

I don't know if they even have unscheduled field time. I hope there is so we can get something like this going. It could be a great "warm up" for the event.

[drhall]

I could go for WMD vs Troy, too. Especially this year. The only problem with that as an annual "tradition" is that it wouldn't always be east vs west teams. I think that if this thing included only the southeast MI counties as the "east" and the remainder of the state as the "west" (the "rest"?), then the east would still have a lot more teams to draw from. We can't forget the other regional winners either.

I don't know if they even have unscheduled field time. I hope there is so we can get something like this going. It could be a great "warm up" for the event.

How about

TC vs Detroit
WM vs Troy

These would be a great warm ups

I was sorry to hear 141 is not coming to state

[roboraven15]

what im lokoing foreward too is having all 8 alliances being scoring robots! like, all 8 will be heavy contenders i think, any one of them will be the potential winners, unlike other tourneys were the best 2 robots were on one team and all others only had maybe 2 that scored to compete against. should be really exciting.

[robostangs548]

I think that this regional is gonna be about some serious d, and I am pretty pumped to deliver that, along with dumping on some people...

[Alex Dinsmoor]

How about

TC vs Detroit
WM vs Troy

These would be a great warm ups

Lets do it!!!

It would be like North vs South, and East vs West. Although I wonder if it's possible to arrange that... (can we get a FiM official to read this and make this possible :) )

Plus how would you choose what teams would play? Top seeded teams from those events, or the teams who attended those events with the highest rankings?

I think that this regional is gonna be about some serious d, and I am pretty pumped to deliver that, along with dumping on some people...

And did you say d? I know quite a few teams who would love to play that! *cough*201*cough*

[robotlover]

I'm hoping I can watch this on webcast! It seems like it will be an amazing state championship! Good Luck to all teams participating ;)

[mark johnson]

I am assuming he meant 245...based on the Overall Rankings.

67, 217, 245 v. 1918, 85, 904...

I cannot comment on 85 or 904, but from what I have been told I would expect an incredible challenge.

If it can be arranged in a practice match this Thursday, I know 67 would be ready. :ahh:

If 245 had a problem and could not make it, 910 would love to fill in for you!!!! It would be our pleasure to join 67 ,and 217 to form the team THE FREEZER BURN CHICKENS!!!!!!!!!!

[HighLife]

Enough of this idle, speculative chit-chat! How about a for-real match??

Let's do the 1st annual East vs. West Shootout.

The top three teams from the East (67, 217, 248) vs. the top three from the West (85, 1918, 904).

Perhaps we could do this during an open practice match on Thursday (or at the end of the day on Friday?).

One round - for bragging rights.


245 will be there.

[rogerlsmith]

Enough of this idle, speculative chit-chat! How about a for-real match??

Let's do the 1st annual East vs. West Shootout.

The top three teams from the East (67, 217, 248) vs. the top three from the West (85, 1918, 904).

Perhaps we could do this during an open practice match on Thursday (or at the end of the day on Friday?).

One round - for bragging rights.

(And I hope we don't have to drag those dang Martians into this. If we beat up on them, one of their mentors is likely to go crying to his mother and she'll give me a time out!)

East wouldn't stand a chance! lol about the Martians!

[Jack Jones]

http://www.rubmybellytoo.com/i/MAIN%20FOLDER/CHEW_MORE_T-SHIRT.jpg

http://images8.cafepress.com/product/37161778v2_350x350_Front_Color-Black.jpg

[FoleyEngineer]

This past weekend at Troy, when 910 played with 217 we gave 67 their first defeat in like 38 matches. The following match we played WITH 67 and our partner was disabled. We then proceeded to get the high score of the event. :yikes:

I think 67, 217 and 910 would be insane. Three robots that can dump 20+ balls in 5 seconds - two of us turreted. We've all had 35+ ball matches, and all three of us can load up balls or handle empty cells during autonomous. Oooh. Gives me chills just thinkin of it! :D

[Mr.G]

This past weekend at Troy, when 910 played with 217 we gave 67 their first defeat in like 38 matches.

I must agree the 67, 217 alliance is a great pairing and will be extremely hard to beat at States. How they compliment each other and work together is awesome to watch. I wish them luck at Nationals, but hope they leave us alone at EMU.:ahh:

I would also like to thank 1188 and 1250 for the great team, we had a blast. We have a lot to be proud of being the only team to beat the 67, 217 super alliance in semi final round one (74 to 76) and we only needed a couple more balls to take them in round 3 (96 to 86). Hopefully it will play out different at states.

Good luck to all.

[MishraArtificer]

Members of local teams in the Monroe area whose teams ARE NOT going: I can probably drive some people up there and stay for the day(s) if you're interested in chipping in for gas. Being out of a job gives me the day off, I guess. Shoot me a PM or leave a reply here, either is good.

Members of local teams in the Monroe area whose teams ARE going: Hope to see you there, and here's to hoping it's as exciting as GLR (cough, cough) States should be!

[drhall]

I cannot believe some people think that the West Side does not have a chance against the East Side

85-141(not going to state)-216-904-1918

We will see what happens at State:)

[Jack Jones]

I cannot believe some people think that the West Side does not have a chance against the East Side

85-141(not going to state)-216-904-1918

We will see what happens at State:)

There's always a chance.
I would sure like to see that 85-1918-904 vs. 67-217-245 matchup.
From what I've seen in person at TC, Kettering, Cass Tech, WSU, and GVSU, I'd give the west siders two chances - slim and none.

[Don Wright]

At a normal District/Regional, the first thing I always do when I get the qualification schedule is go thru the rounds and highlight the toughies... You know...you see yourself against a robot, two, or three on the other side that are going to be tough...

Usually, there are one or two rounds where you are "Holy moly that's going to be a tough round"

Then a few of "Well...we have a good chance at that round, but if we screw up, it's going to be close"

And then, there are always those "OK...we are paired with 217/67/910/70/27....etc... and the other side barely moves so we pack up if we lose that one..."

I look through this team list and I can't even imagine what the qualification rounds are going to look like, let alone the elimination rounds. There are going to be some MAJOR good teams that typically play Saturday afternoon (at Regionals or in Atlanta) that won't be playing here.

It's going to be amazing....

[Jack Murphy]

As far as I know, there is no video of Dave V's epic "Perfect Storm" speech from last year. Please don't let that happen again. Dave? How can you top that?

[Andrew Schreiber]

Please tell me this event will be webcast. I can tell you that I will have one full monitor dedicated to it if so.

Also, if this East v West thing goes down, someone BETTER get video. My money would be on the East. Gotta represent my home right?

[Alex Golec]

One thing to keep in mind is the size of the event: 64 teams means that only 7 qualification matches are going to be played, instead of the usual 12.

What that means, in an approximated ideal world, is that only 21~ teams will play against each of the supposed powerhouse teams. It is now likely that a team can get through the entire qualification schedule without a serious challenge.

I suppose what all this translates to is a cautionary statement: in order for an ideal alliance to occur, the standings be in a certain order...

[prettycolors91]

As far as I know, there is no video of Dave V's epic "Perfect Storm" speech from last year. Please don't let that happen again. Dave? How can you top that?


That was the most epic Dave V speech I've ever heard (Including the ones at meetings lol). I'm not sure if 67 has the footage stashed somewhere, but I'm thinking that we don't since he suprised everybody (including us) with the amazing-ness.

But Dave always has something up his sleeve. You never know what he'll do next! :p

[Pat McCarthy]

That was the most epic Dave V speech I've ever heard (Including the ones at meetings lol). I'm not sure if 67 has the footage stashed somewhere, but I'm thinking that we don't since he suprised everybody (including us) with the amazing-ness.

But Dave always has something up his sleeve. You never know what he'll do next! :p

I missed it and inquired about a video copy from the team. Tom Nader said he hadn't started the VCR at that point. Too bad...

[robostangs548]

I missed it and inquired about a video copy from the team. Tom Nader said he hadn't started the VCR at that point. Too bad...

Nader should of been on the ball, what is with these shenanigans...

[Legator91]

Enough of this idle, speculative chit-chat! How about a for-real match??

Let's do the 1st annual East vs. West Shootout.

The top three teams from the East (67, 217, 248) vs. the top three from the West (85, 1918, 904).

Perhaps we could do this during an open practice match on Thursday (or at the end of the day on Friday?).

One round - for bragging rights.

(And I hope we don't have to drag those dang Martians into this. If we beat up on them, one of their mentors is likely to go crying to his mother and she'll give me a time out!)

This would be awsome. Like Adam said if it gets planed 67 will be there. :D

[ATannahill]

With 1188 now registered, there is now 64 teams.

[Alex Dinsmoor]

I wonder how far down the list they had to go...

Lets check! (https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index.lasso?page=teamlist&event_type=FRC&event=GL&year=2009&sort=teamnum)

[Goblue94]

Well My team the Gearheads are in and are very pumped, but we were ranked 73rd

[drhall]

216 is in!!

Let the West vs East begin!!!

[excel2474]

Which teams aren't going cause when will the standings be updated.

2474 was ranked like 45th. But we wont be going.

[shadow1083]

Not only will we beat the east side, though it is my home town, for the state title, we will also be taking home that spiffy spirit award...

[David Doerr]

I think 67, 217 and 910 would be insane. Three robots that can dump 20+ balls in 5 seconds - two of us turreted. We've all had 35+ ball matches, and all three of us can load up balls or handle empty cells during autonomous. Oooh. Gives me chills just thinkin of it! :D

How about after the East-West matchup we do a mentor East-West match? ...or can't we do that in FIRST? We might have to wait for MARC. (Adam's gonna kill me for this suggestion.) :cool:

[GaryVoshol]

Well My team the Gearheads are in and are very pumped, but we were ranked 73rdAnd last - welcome and may the good luck you've already received follow you. For that matter, good luck to all the teams.

How about after the East-West matchup we do a mentor East-West match? ...or can't we do that in FIRST? We might have to wait for MARC. (Adam's gonna kill me for this suggestion.) :cool:Can Walt drive?

[Wayne TenBrink]

It sounds like there is a lot of interest in an East-West Shootout.

So, then, (on a more serious logistical note) what would it take to make this really happen? Is there any unscheduled practice time on Thursday or is everything structured? Who would be the person(s) to approach about setting this up if the current structure doesn't currently have room for it? Is is unreasonable to ask the field control staff to set up a special match? Is there some administrative/contractual restriction against it (insurance, scedule, etc.)? I don't want to just presume that we are going to do it and then have some poor volunteer look like a stick-in-the-mud for pointing out some legitimate reason why it can't happen.

Perhaps it could be worked in at the end of the day on Friday, before the awards ceremony. We could even get a perpetual trophy for the top seed to keep until next year...

Is there someone out there who could shed some informed light on the subject?

[Alex Golec]

So, then, (on a more serious logistical note) what would it take to make this really happen? Is there any unscheduled practice time on Thursday or is everything structured? Who would be the person(s) to approach about setting this up if the current structure doesn't currently have room for it? Is is unreasonable to ask the field control staff to set up a special match? Is there some administrative/contractual restriction against it (insurance, scedule, etc.)? I don't want to just presume that we are going to do it and then have some poor volunteer look like a stick-in-the-mud for pointing out some legitimate reason why it can't happen.

As far as I can recall, there was no scheduled practice time - teams just showed up and got put onto the field, 6 at a time. Of course, you're going to have to convince the lead queuer (Edith, I believe) to let you wait along the sideline until all 6 teams show up.

[Tyler Hicks]

I think that it would be awesome. It shouldn't count for anything other than a gracious & professional rivalry match.

[Nick Orlando]

I think it would be an excellent idea to do an east v west match. I think Friday after the last qualifying match would really end the day in excitement. Besides, Friday more people will be there and I dont think the webcast is running on thursday, and I'm sure there are plenty of people who would want to watch the webcast of a match like that.

we could do two matches as well. First the students drive, then the next match the mentors drive and they pick a student to coach :D, roflmao

[Wayne TenBrink]

Mentors DRIVING?? I wasn't too scared of this idea when it was our cool-under-fire student team. I'd just choke. Besides, Frodo can't see over the drivers station wall.

[Btower]

As far as I can recall, there was no scheduled practice time - teams just showed up and got put onto the field, 6 at a time. Of course, you're going to have to convince the lead queuer (Edith, I believe) to let you wait along the sideline until all 6 teams show up.

This has been the structure under the First of MI program, for MI Championships, I think we are going back to scheduled practice times.

That's not to say we couldn't find some room in the schedule, especially since all the robots have been out for 20+ matches so far and the fields have been running well.

E v. W might also be used if we have an off schedule "Media Match" usually done for a live TV spot after the normal schedule. I'll know more about the schedule tomorrow night.

As far as scheduling it, I'd probably be the guy to talk to to get the ball rolling as far as getting it into the schedule as I'd have to coordinate it through the event team (AV, FIRST in MI, Queing team, Field Reset, Media Relations etc...) I think the mentor match would be a perfect "teaser" on Thursday, with perhaps the E. v. W. student post scheduled matches on Friday (prime TV News Spot Time).

I'll look into it and if there is enough interest (and little complaining) perhaps we can make this happen.

[EricH]

Mentors DRIVING?? I wasn't too scared of this idea when it was our cool-under-fire student team. I'd just choke. Besides, Frodo can't see over the drivers station wall.You know, IRI used to have a mentor round that counted in your points for each team. Some other events do something similar.

Or are you scared that you didn't help engineer the robot strong enough?

[GaryVoshol]

As far as I can recall, there was no scheduled practice time - teams just showed up and got put onto the field, 6 at a time. Of course, you're going to have to convince the lead queuer (Edith, I believe) to let you wait along the sideline until all 6 teams show up.The Championship is run under Regional rules, not District. There should be a set practice schedule.

Beside asking field personnel - queuing, scoring, field supervisor, FTA, etc - you probably need the permission of Show Ready (the professional event staff).

[Btower]

... you probably need the permission of Show Ready (the professional event staff).
She's easy, you can get just about anything on the schedule for a Starbucks

[HighLife]

I really like the idea of having a traveling trophy. I also like the idea of having this match on Friday.

The larger the audience the better.

[Alex Dinsmoor]

Mentors DRIVING?? I wasn't too scared of this idea when it was our cool-under-fire student team. I'd just choke. Besides, Frodo can't see over the drivers station wall.

Don't forget, you're playing with 5 other teams who also have their mentors driving :)

[drhall]

Mentors DRIVING?? I wasn't too scared of this idea when it was our cool-under-fire student team. I'd just choke. Besides, Frodo can't see over the drivers station wall.

I will be interested how about Thursday night right after the regular schedule practices?

Dan 216

[Wayne TenBrink]

We're game for a mentor mashup on Thursday. Gotta find a step stool for "Frodo" Brown though. Maybe he can just stand up in the outpost.:D

[Alex Golec]

So, who's making the trophy? If the machine shop isn't being used since everyone's robot has already been broken in through 24+ matches, it would keep them busy... and amused!

[Wayne TenBrink]

We could play for the "VerBrugge Cup" or some such thing. The "trophy" needs to be something loud (like his shirt) and lighthearted.

[Jack Jones]

This is supposed to be the State Championship event. Please don't let it degenerate into something else. It's supposed to be about the best FRC teams in the state going at it, not about a bunch of oldies trying to make themselves the center of attention.

[Adam Freeman]

If this is going to happen, we need to have a plan in place so that the teams can have the correct personnel in place.

I know many of our mentors were not planning on attending Thursday, since we have had almost 60 matches under our belts. They feel that the time is better spent at work for another day.

We will also be running our backup drive team all of Thursday to get them some additional practice while our A team is busy. I have full confidence that we will be able to compete with them, but I'd like to know if I need to drill them in the practice matches leading up to this Ev.W shootout....

Not to mention, we have not heard anything from 217....they have 60+ matches and may not even be attending on Thursday...you never know.

We are still good for a student run match if it can get set up.

- Adam

[johnr]

Some of these teams did have 60 matches already. Why would you want to take the chance of something happening to your bot ....oh, forget what i was saying,go right ahead, maybe just before finals start.:rolleyes: :)

[HighLife]

Some of these teams did have 60 matches already. Why would you want to take the chance of something happening to your bot ....oh, forget what i was saying,go right ahead, maybe just before finals start.:rolleyes: :)
Because we build our robots to a high qaulity standard and trust that it won't fail.:)

38 Matchs
Hours of practice
And 0 failures

[Wayne TenBrink]

The "Verbrugge Cup" was a proposed name/trophy for the student contest.

I am neutral on a mentor event. I agree that whatever happens, the focus belongs on the students.

[NC GEARS]

This is supposed to be the State Championship event. Please don't let it degenerate into something else. It's supposed to be about the best FRC teams in the state going at it, not about a bunch of oldies trying to make themselves the center of attention.
Hey dude everyone just wants to have a little fun. It won't degenerat anything. Just a friendly competition between a few competitive teams. :)

[Jack Jones]

Hey dude everyone just wants to have a little fun. It won't degenerat anything. Just a friendly competition between a few competitive teams. :)

Right - only there's 64 teams that qualified, not just 6 -- dude!

[Adam Freeman]

Right - only there's 64 teams that qualified, not just 6 -- dude!

I agree. If this is going to happen it should be done tomorrow or not at all. I would think all the teams would be ok with this type of exibition if done some time during practice in the afternoon.

But, I do not want my drive team focusing on this Friday morning or afternoon. We will be busy concentrating on our strategy for our next match. We owe that to ourselves and out alliance partners.

Its for fun and hopefully does not offend any of the other teams that have qualified to attend.

- Adam

[scoutmasterlord]

great match would be (67,217,248) vs (1,201,245) i think the final scores be close and ether side could win.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Right - only there's 64 teams that qualified, not just 6 -- dude!

How is this a bad thing? If nothing else it will show some of the newer students that FRC isnt about winning or loosing but about learning from each other. Add into that, my team didnt qualify for states, does it bother me that the top 3 East teams and the top 3 West teams want to have a friendly competition? Not at all. It gives me something to shoot for next year. You know, working with a small team in inner city Flint means that we have very little hope of ever playing on Einstein, to our kids (most of whom have never even been Championship) this could be their Einstein, this could be their goal. And you know, if giving the kids who can't afford to go all over the country to compete a goal is a bad thing, then that is just too bad.

As for the mentor match, it is just plain fun. Remember, all fun and no play stinks. Plus, this gives the coaches a chance to put their money where their mouth is, realize that the students have a hard job. Yes the focus needs to be on students, but I would rather see the students cheering on mentors than listening to some boring old politician (or school rep) babble on about something that they have ZERO interest in. (FIRST is important blah blah blah you are the future blah blah blah - Politician [school name] has a wonderful engineering program blah blah blah we support FIRST because we believe it is the future blah blah blah -School Rep These are in case you ever wondered what students hear during opening ceremonies) Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the support of these groups but talking for like 10 minutes is just plain irritating. Especially when they say the same thing time after time. But I digress.

Yes 64 teams qualified but the top 6 are the top 6. Nothing you say can or will change that, nor should it. Having seen many of these teams over the years I can tell you that the teams talking about this are not doing it for their egos. They are doing it because it could be fun to watch and to be in.

[Jack Jones]

[QUOTE=Andrew Schreiber;844367]...

Yes 64 teams qualified but the top 6 are the top 6. Nothing you say can or will change that, nor should it. ...[QUOTE]

Right again, but two of the teams in the proposed E v W are not even in the top 6. What makes them so special?

[prettycolors91]

I think that this thread has strayed far from it's original purpose. I don't understand the need to bicker and fight when we have a monumental and ground-breaking event coming up this weekend. I, for one, am very excited to see how it plays out!

[Andrew Schreiber]

Right again, but two of the teams in the proposed E v W are not even in the top 6. What makes them so special?

I misspoke, the 3 teams from Eastern Michigan with the best ranking and the 3 teams from Western Michigan with the top ranking. I apologize.

[Jack Jones]

So now maybe you see what I mean. It's the State Championship, not east vs west, or the UP vs the trolls. Having the top 64 go at it should be good enough - awesome in fact. Anything else is just a distraction.

[Kellen Hill]

It sounds like they are interested in having a just for fun match on the side that obviously people wouldn't have to watch. Of course it's still the State Championship. This match would have nothing to do with the actual event besides being in the same place. They are not trying to steal attention from anyone else. This would be like planning a match with your 5 other favorite teams. They wouldn't have to be the top teams. Just teams that you would like to play with in a match just for fun. I don't understand why this can't just be viewed as a fun thing on the side.

[Don Wright]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but I concur with Jack.

We in Michigan are already under scrutiny for how we are doing things different and how we are already making our events less "formal" and our own way. The Michigan State Championship event is being run in a traditional FIRST regional format and adding "fun" things like this just might be seen as another thing making us different from other events.

While I would actually love to see this dream match (or even be a part of it), I think we have enough off season events in MI where we can do whatever we want at and would rather we left the MSC to FIRST...

Plus, if they really wanted to see this, they would have carried the rankings into the event and used the rankings to set up the qualification rounds...

Just my humble opinion...

[Ryan Caldwell]

haven't we learned anything from Biggy and Tupac this east coast, west coast stuff has to end.....only in Michigan

[Alex Dinsmoor]

great match would be (67,217,248) vs (1,201,245) i think the final scores be close and ether side could win.

That would be epic! Rochester Hills teams (1 has a lot of RHS members) veurses the best :) does anyone else want to see a Rochester United alliance? Can you say AWESOME!!!

[Mike Copioli]

Do we have to play 2 v. 3... or can we have a third partner? Doesn't seem fair to me the way it is proposed in the quote. :p

Team 217 and Team 67 requests the assistance of team 1114.

[Herodotus]

Team 217 and Team 67 requests the assistance of team 1114.

217, 67, and 1114?

Pssh, we can take 'em. :p

[Mike Copioli]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but I concur with Jack.

We in Michigan are already under scrutiny for how we are doing things different and how we are already making our events less "formal" and our own way. The Michigan State Championship event is being run in a traditional FIRST regional format and adding "fun" things like this just might be seen as another thing making us different from other events.

While I would actually love to see this dream match (or even be a part of it), I think we have enough off season events in MI where we can do whatever we want at and would rather we left the MSC to FIRST...

Plus, if they really wanted to see this, they would have carried the rankings into the event and used the rankings to set up the qualification rounds...

Just my humble opinion...


Maybe Don is Wright Ha ha ha. I actually like the idea of a mentor match. This will give the drive team the opportunity to brutalize Paul for a change. I hear he can do push-ups with the best of them. Although I love this idea maybe we should wait until IRI. I know the one match that Paul and I operated in 2006 was alot of fun. Andy if you are listening I am making a request.

[lhoppe]

I would love to see an east-west match and a mentor match. It would be lots of fun! I'm on the WRMI planning committee and possible could arrange for that to happen at our event on Friday October 9 with WMRI being played on October 10th? Just thinking...

[Enigma's puzzle]

I also would love to see a East West match but i think that the mentor match is probably better saved for the off season, we would hate for a team to have a destroyed robot to work with at state championships because a mentor cant drive.

[NC GEARS]

[QUOTE=Andrew Schreiber;844367]...

Yes 64 teams qualified but the top 6 are the top 6. Nothing you say can or will change that, nor should it. ...[QUOTE]

Right again, but two of the teams in the proposed E v W are not even in the top 6. What makes them so special?

Right you are. But then again, the other teams are not necessarily from the West. If you think about it, it is basically teams from the Detroit area, versus teams from the rest of the state. These teams are so "special" because we have all competed with one another in at least ONE of the tournaments this year, and by our scout reports, we feel that these are the top. If you have a problem you can ignore this whole thing. it is NOT overpowering the whole competition, just 6 teams agreeing to have fun. If you don't feel this is right you can ignore it, but I have to say you are being outnumbered by the people who want to do it, versus those who dont (you). I do not mean anything mean or negative by this but please dont try to ruin the fun of others just because of an opinion.

[JackN]

Anyone looking to trade shirts at State Champs?

[meaubry]

Good Luck to all of teh competitors that attend.
I hope reasonable cooler heads prevail and there is NO extra matches - mentors, top 6, local rivals, east, west or in between.
I hope the event is run like a FIRST event - as it should.
Just because we in MIchigan were given an opportunity to try out a new possible method for running a FIRST event, doesn't mean we should wander too far from what the other teams at other FIRST events were run like.
All the extra "fun" type matches should be reserved to after season events, in my opinion.
After all - who has the right to say which teams particpate and which don't?
Maybe some of the others attending might want to do a match - then another, and another ...
What is fair for one must be fair for all, or no one should do it.

Just have fun at the FIRST 1st Michigan Championship - and don't forget to thank FIRST and the Michigan FIRST organizing committee on a really well done inaugural event.

Mike Aubry
Team 47

[Collin Fultz]

Match list for qualifications is here:

http://www2.usfirst.org/2009comp/events/GL/schedulequal.html

First match: 1, 123, 67 vs. 1250, 862, 217

Match 77: 245 1718 33 vs. 910 1254 67

Those two jump out at me. There's probably more that will be fantastic matches.

//Edit//

More good matches:

Match 12: 494 1250 247 vs. 65 217 904

Match 22: 33 47 65 vs. 74 27 548

[tsiersema]

Go 1918, it should be a good match up

[roboraven15]

anybody else notice the floor troubles they had? i saw them out there fixing floor with tape twice, though durring districts i didn't see any issues with it. hope its not somethign that becomes a problem

[GGCO]

Enough of this idle, speculative chit-chat! How about a for-real match??

Let's do the 1st annual East vs. West Shootout.

The top three teams from the East (67, 217, 248) vs. the top three from the West (85, 1918, 904).

Perhaps we could do this during an open practice match on Thursday (or at the end of the day on Friday?).

One round - for bragging rights.

(And I hope we don't have to drag those dang Martians into this. If we beat up on them, one of their mentors is likely to go crying to his mother and she'll give me a time out!)

As a member of team 904, I would be proud to join forces with 85 and 1918 in order to fight the Eastern alliance!

[robostangs548]

This will be a pretty sweet match... 4:54 PM Match #66 247 548 1918 vs. 1025 67 70

[johnr]

Just went through schedule and 910 plays against nobody twice and plays with nobody twice. I think that's a first. Are all schedules like that?

[Richard Wallace]

Match list for qualifications is here:

http://www2.usfirst.org/2009comp/events/GL/schedulequal.html

...

Which four teams have surrogate matches on their schedules?

[Joe Ross]

Which four teams have surrogate matches on their schedules?

515, 904, 1596, and 2645.

[Chris Fultz]

I probably shouldn't hi-jack a Michigan Thread for the IRI, but I will anyway -

Some of these "challenge matches" might be a "fun" fundraiser at the IRI. 6 teams make a special donation, all going to charity, for the chance to play a grudge match???

i wonder what the head referee would think...

[pathew100]

anybody else notice the floor troubles they had? i saw them out there fixing floor with tape twice, though durring districts i didn't see any issues with it. hope its not somethign that becomes a problem

A robot caught the edge of the regolith with a ball scoop on the Red side of the field and tore it a bit. They had to patch it up with some tape.

[tsiersema]

I hope we kick butt at state, and I agree with Wayne Tenbrink with the Shoot out, but here are some things.

[Richard Wallace]

...
Some of these "challenge matches" might be a "fun" fundraiser at the IRI. 6 teams make a special donation, all going to charity, for the chance to play a grudge match??? ...

Given a choice is between watching a charity grudge match or watching Paul kiss another pig, I'd take the grudge match. :)

[tsiersema]

Today was the first "official" day of the state competion. It was a good match, 1918 is ranked 1st and we expect to stay that high. Congrats to Hammerheads for website.

[Richard Wallace]

This is building toward an exciting finish. I plan to drive over early Saturday, and spectate. :D

Qualifying match 85 will be key. Good luck to both alliances.

[Raumiester2010]

we where pretty happy with today, even though we are 3 and 3, our losses where against really good teams and only by a bout 8 point margin sooo...

we are still doing good and we are still ready to bring the thunder tomorrow!

Good Luck everyone!

[robostangs548]

Having the time of my live so far.... This championship was everything that I cooked it up to be in my head... I got to play against some of the teams that I was hoping to get a shot at... Though we weren't playing at the top of our game, and had a few driving code issues, everyone has been having a great time... I can't wait until tomorrow to see who comes out on top... It will be an intense last couple of matches, but we will just have to wait and see... Good luck everyone, get a good night sleep (In the process of going to bed as I write this) and we will see you all tomorrow at the competition... Come support all of your favorite teams, or if you are in need of a team to cheer for, we will adopt you with open arms... Just look for the big orange horse and 548 in the pit or stands and we will hook you up with some gear... Anyway, good luck everyone, see you tomorrow....

[RyanCesiel]

Team 245 is archiving the Michigan Championship (we also have Kettering and Lansing, not online yet).

We should have these matches up quicker because we are stopping and starting it at the start/end of matches rather than taking big files home and cutting them up. When we have them all uploaded, I will make a page on our website and post a link here on CD. I will also upload them to The Blue Alliance.

[Fe_Will]

So for those of us who are interested in the action but not close enough to see in person, is this being web cast and where is the link? Also what time zone is it in exactly?

[EricH]

So for those of us who are interested in the action but not close enough to see in person, is this being web cast and where is the link? Also what time zone is it in exactly?Might I recommend http://gameday.mttkllr.com/ ? You can see all the events this weekend and talk about them as they happen...

[RyanCesiel]

So for those of us who are interested in the action but not close enough to see in person, is this being web cast and where is the link? Also what time zone is it in exactly?
Code Red Robotics (http://www.coderedrobotics.com/) is webcasting it.

[XXShadowXX]

So for those of us who are interested in the action but not close enough to see in person, is this being web cast and where is the link? Also what time zone is it in exactly?

USA eastern standard, same as new york, new jersey, ohio, maine, florida, and georgia i think GMT -5

[Fe_Will]

Awesome, thanks guys. nothing like getting up at 5 am on your day off to watch some FRC! Good luck to all the teams!

[XXShadowXX]

Awesome, thanks guys. nothing like getting up at 5 am on your day off to watch some FRC! Good luck to all the teams!

join the club i have to drive there so worth every cent of gas

[IKE]

I only got to watch a few matches today, but I was really impressed with the quality of the action on the field. Amazing. Absolutely no duds from what I saw. To comment on that 33 lost two matches today and had scores of 84 and 89 during those matches. That is some high scoring high action competition when 84 and 89 are loosing scores.

[Kristian Calhoun]

Here are the alliances:

1. 217, 67, 65
2. 1918, 247, 904
3. 2620, 226, 66
4. 910, 469, 703
5. 1250, 280, 503
6. 201, 245, 70
7. 2188, 85, 326
8. 2834, 33, 68

[flyingcrayons]

alliance 1 is scaaaaaaaaryyyyy... :eek:

[Akash Rastogi]

Here are the alliances:

1. 217, 67, 65
2. 1918, 247, 904
3. 2620, 226, 66
4. 910, 469, 703
5. 1250, 280, 503
6. 201, 245, 70
7. 2188, 85, 326
8. 2834, 33, 68

Kristian, were there any declines?

[The Lucas]

Predictions:

1 6
\ 1 /
1-|-6
/ \
4 2

[Alex Cormier]

Here are the alliances:

1. 217, 67, 65
2. 1918, 247, 904
3. 2620, 226, 66
4. 910, 469, 703
5. 1250, 280, 503
6. 201, 245, 70
7. 2188, 85, 326
8. 2834, 33, 68

My Predictions.

1 v 8: 1 Advances

4 v 5: 4 Advances easily

2 v 7: 2 Advances 3 matches.

3 v 6: 6 advances in a tough one.

1 v 4: 1 Barely squeaks away

2 v 6: 6 in 3 matches, decided by a supercell

1 v 6: 1 Wins in 2.

[Josh Goodman]

Quarters:
8 Beats 1
4 Beats 5
2 Beats 7
6 Beats 3

Semis

4 Beats 8
6 Beats 2

Finals]
6 Beats 4


What can I say? I'm an upset kind of guy! :P

[Barry Bonzack]

Predictions:

1 6
\ 1 /
1-|-6
/ \
4 2



I just finished my bracket, and am in complete concurrence. The closest matches will be 2 vs 7


There are many good teams at this event, which do you think is the best unselected team? My vote goes to either team 1701 or team 1. I'm a 27 fan as well.

[Ian Curtis]

After that last match, I can't see 4 beating 5. Alliance #5 really played as a team, and outscored #4 prior to their double super cell score.

[Barry Bonzack]

I give a pat on the back to the 8th seed alliance. I believe they could have beaten many of the other alliances in this competition, and gave the number 1 seed a much better run for their money than any of us were expecting. Good show!

[Alex Cormier]

I just finished my bracket, and am in complete concurrence. The closest matches will be 2 vs 7


There are many good teams at this event, which do you think is the best unselected team? My vote goes to either team 1701 or team 1. I'm a 27 fan as well.

How about team 27?

[flippy147852]

just as at almost every michigan regional, 1 vs. 2

not surprising

[Meredith Novak]

Well that was fun to watch. Congratulations to 217, 67, 65 - what a spectacularly frightening alliance. To all the other teams: Great job on a very exciting competition.

[JaneYoung]

I'm going to put my popcorn in a spill-proof container in Atlanta. All my jumping up and down, watching the teams compete, threw popcorn everywhere like confetti. It made my dogs very happy but I lost out on the popcorn end of things. I did manage to control the diet coke sloshing which is a good thing.

[Akash Rastogi]

Congrats to 217 67 and 65, those were some awesome matches. Also congrats to a few others: 1918, 247, 469, and 1250, you were all awesome.

[robotlover]

This championship was amazing to watch thanks Code Red for streaming it! Congrats to Team 65, 67, and 217 you guys did great! Also congrats 217, 27, and 33 on winning chairmans! Can't wait to see all the qualifying teams in Atlanta!

[robostangs548]

To sum this event up for team 548... One word... AMAZING! Though we did not get picked in the elimination rounds, we were luckily called into play for the final match of the competition.... We felt bad that we did not have to compete in the matches prior to be in the finalist alliance, but we did feel that we were doing our part in helping them to compete in that last match... Thank you to the entire alliance, 247, 1918, and 904. I thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to help out. I wish that we could have came out victorious, but some things happen that none of us expect. Thanks. Congratulations to teams 67, 217, and 65 on winning the Championship. Here at team 548 we are always trying to improve, and we will definitively be working hard to do so over this next week and a half. Great job to everyone, and we are excited to see you all at the Championship in Atlanta.

[tsiersema]

You are Welcome 548, if it wasn't for you we would have been humiliated with the fact that we didn't have a working robot and the score would have been outrageously beat. Your team was a good team to be called in. We had an excellent alliance selection. Team 1918 is going to Atlanta, Georgia to the Georgia Dome and competing their. Congrats to the other MI Champ. that qualified for nationals. Well I will see you all there. :ahh:

[Beth Sweet]

Team 1504 had a great time this weekend, thanks to all who enjoyed the weekend with us!

On a side note, my parents were running pit admin, and while we turned in the "non-identifyable items" to FIRST, Team 453, we have one of your jumpsuits at our house. If someone from that team can PM me a snail mail address, my dad will mail it to you.

I guess FiM has completed an entire season, now time to evaluate the pilot (in a separate thread).

[Richard Wallace]

This was my first time at a Michigan FRC event. I'd heard the field is strong here, and now I know that it's true!

Congratulation to FTA Kate on a well-run event -- the volunteer team is every bit as deep and talented as the competing teams, and it showed in their ability to keep the competition moving on schedule in spite of some technical struggles. (Aside: my own experiences at Midwest and St. Louis earlier this season, along with what I saw of the MI Champs today, make me believe that the robot control system and FMS changes for 2009 have been a very positive step for FRC.)

Congrats also to the winning alliance 217, 67, 65. As others have said, they are a scary-strong combination -- but the field sure made 'em earn it today!

BTW, I noticed two out-of-state mercenaries wearing Thunderchicken regalia, lurking near the 217 pit. Can anyone identify these characters? ;)

[JackN]

Wow what an amazing event. There were so many great matches and amazing moments this weekend I can't even put them all down. First of, congrats to 217, 67, and 65 for winning the whole event, that was one of the most hard fought victories I have ever seen. I would like to apologize to 1918, 247 and 904 (and 548). When I heard the two teams that 1918 picked I laughed and figured they would get knocked out in the first round. MAN I WAS WRONG. Their alliance played the game and worked together as well as any three teams I have ever seen. Your alliance really impressed me and I will never ever doubt you three again. Team 1918, you have gotten better at every single event and I am scared to see what you do at Atlanta. I know at more the one moment I yelled during elims (which was a bad idea because I have had a terrible cold that prevented me from coaching) that the event could not get any better, but I was wrong. Also congrats to 27, 217 and 33. All three of you have great programs and really deserve your Chairman's Awards. One more congrats to 2771, you guys are my favorite ROOKIE team this year, I am continually impressed by how you guys get FIRST. What an awesome event, I can't wait until next year.

[IKE]

What a cool event. I was not able to attend in person, but watched from afar, and it was extremely entertaining to watch. I really liked the way the elims played out (wait didn't 33 loose in the first round???). Yep, I liked it because almost every single match was close. At this size of an event, the serpentine works well for evening up the field without the number 1 alliance getting a dud. In my book there were a ton of great teams still sitting on the sidelines. The only thing that could have been better would have been a couple more qualifying rounds.
Oh and a more accurate way to do real time scoring. I understand how tough it is, and I am not knocking the crew doing it, it was just tough as a spectator to have to wait several minutes (for almost every match) to know who won.

All in all very cool event and congratulations to all who participated in it.

[LWakefield]

Team 1504, Who won the jelly bean count and how many were there?

[JackN]

Team 1504, Who won the jelly bean count and how many were there?

Unfortunately, we were not able to continue our jelly bean competition because of some people having problems with the beans being out of their original packaging. I don't know how many there were actually in there, but apparently it was a lot.

[MishraArtificer]

I'm saddened about this competetion for only 2 reasons...

One: The stands still had room left in them. This worries me.

And, Two: They wouldn't announce my gag parts request. I'm still looking for that box of self-sealing stembolts.

EDIT: Who won the best button contest?

[JHay]

Whew! Just got back from MSC and man am I pumped for nationals. Congrats to teams 65, 67, and 217 for placing 1st. You really turned our trailer into a "snow-cone". Thank you teams 904 and 247 for being in our alliance. Most importantly, thank you team 548 for taking over for 904 while they tried to figure out what (loose plug...LOL! :p ) was wrong with their bot.

To any other teams that noticed, our ball collector did not work during the last half of the final match due to a certain KEY that fell out of a sprocket...Oops!

Hope to see all that qualified or registered for Atlanta.

[Chris Hibner]

In my 13 years in FIRST, I have never seen a competition as good as this one. That includes all of the nationals, Championships, and even IRIs. The quality of robots and teams in this event was absolutely amazing. I swear that you could have taken three teams that didn't even make it to the eliminations and they could have won a number of regionals this year.

A HUGE thanks to 217 and 67 for picking us. We had some unusual robot problems during quals, so we thank you for watching closely and believing in us.

Another big congratulations to all of the teams, because everyone made this the BEST competition in the HISTORY of FIRST.

[Ed Law]

Thank you Team 33 and Team 68. You guys were amazing partners. We gave the number 1 alliance two great close matches.

I also want to thank Team 33, 469 and 302 for mentoring and helping us through our rookie year, Team 67 for helping us start two FLL teams in our school district, Team 217 for useful ideas on team organization and Team 1885 for helping us with our Rookie All-Star and Entrepreneurship Award Submission.

We had an amazing run so far this year. Thank you to all the teams who were our alliance partners at Traverse City, Detroit and the State Championship. We could not have done it without you. Our kids had a lot of fun this weekend.

We will be delivering empty cells all the way to Atlanta!

Ed Law

[Wayne TenBrink]

The MI state championship was certainly the high point of the season. EMU (GLR) is a great venue for something of this scale. Thanks to all the volunteers who made everything run smoothly. It was also nice to see the dignitaries from FIRST.

Congratulations to 217, 67, and 65. You are all tough alone. Together you are just about impossible! Congratulations also to 27, 33, and 217 on the Chairman's awards.

Thanks to 247 for the omnipresent defense with scoring to boot. Thanks to 904 for the potent offense with defense to boot. Thanks to 548 for stepping in on short notice. We worked well together and were bigger than the sum of the parts. Thanks also to BOB (85) and the Martians for all the material, moral, and mental support. Thanks to everybody else for all your kind words & support. This whole season has been like a dream for us.

We didn't quite get the East vs. West shootout, but we got 2 of 3 on each side in the finals (and we lost - bummer).

Otis is collecting his share of battle scars and starting to shed small parts (we need a better checklist). We added up how many matches we have played in (practice, qual, & elim) and its well over 80, thanks to the FiM district/state format. I think this has been a good development.

ON TO ATLANTA! I don't see how the competition there can come close to what we saw this weekend, but we plan to find out!

[pathew100]

Oh and a more accurate way to do real time scoring. I understand how tough it is, and I am not knocking the crew doing it, it was just tough as a spectator to have to wait several minutes (for almost every match) to know who won.

This gets back to some of the field 'issues'. We had static problems with the scoring controllers all weekend. Mostly the ones for Blue trailers (which score for the Red alliance). When they get knocked out, they reset when they reboot. This usually takes about 15-20 seconds.

That's why you would sometimes see big jumps in the final scores. The scorer is usually watching the play, so they may not notice that it resets during the match. So if they've counted 10 balls, then it resets, and they count 7 more, at the match end they'd have a count of 7 before doing the manual trailer count. Then they would count the trailer, enter the correct total and commit.

One of our FTAA's would usually go over to make sure the controller came back up at the end of the match if it hadn't rebooted yet. Rest assured, we would watch the counts on the FMS to make sure they were correct and committed before committing the final score.

[Herodotus]

In my 13 years in FIRST, I have never seen a competition as good as this one. That includes all of the nationals, Championships, and even IRIs. The quality of robots and teams in this event was absolutely amazing. I swear that you could have taken three teams that didn't even make it to the eliminations and they could have won a number of regionals this year.

A HUGE thanks to 217 and 67 for picking us. We had some unusual robot problems during quals, so we thank you for watching closely and believing in us.

Another big congratulations to all of the teams, because everyone made this the BEST competition in the HISTORY of FIRST.

I said the same thing to my team. I know it might be hard to believe that this event was better than past Atlantas or IRIs, but it is true. However, I have a feeling that means IRI and Atlanta are going to be even more intense this year as all of the awesome teams from around the country will be there too.

Big congrats to 217, 67, and 65. That was the scariest alliance I think I've ever seen, and you definitely deserve the win. Congrats to 217, 33, and 27 as well. Before the Chairman's Award was announced a couple of us on 910 predicted you three would be the winners, as you all have such fantastic programs.

A huge thanks to 469, and 703. You were both so high on our pick list and we were ecstatic to be paired with such great teams. I only wish hadn't had the control problems we did, or else we could have gone a lot farther. You guys absolutely did your job perfectly, so you can lay the blame on us for those losses (and the number 5 alliance for such awesome teamwork.)

Big thanks to 27 as well, for cheering our alliance on in our matches. You guys are such an awesome team, so the cheering for the red alliance a big boost to morale. I was utterly dumbfounded that you guys didn't get picked(along with some twenty other teams that could easily have been picked as well.) I know you don't have the best offense this year but running empty cells and scoring super cells could have changed the results of a number of matches. I suppose that is just the way the wind blows though. With such a deep field of play some great teams were bound to be left out of the picking.

Huge thanks to all of the volunteers and staff who made the event possibly. I was only there Saturday but it was run pretty smoothly from what I saw, especially for a much larger event compared to the districts. A big thanks also to all of the FiM staff. This has been the best season we've had so far, and a huge part of that was the new district set up. Our team loves having so many matches and the ranking meant that the best of the best got the chance to play at States.

Unfortunately we had to decline our invitation to Atlanta due primarily to a lack of funding, but we'll definitely be cheering everyone from back home. Good luck to all of the Michigan teams attending the Championship, and we'll see you all in the off season and next year.

[Huskie65]

There are many good teams at this event, which do you think is the best unselected team? My vote goes to either team 1701 or team 1. I'm a 27 fan as well.

There were so many Good teams left out.:eek:
1 27 47 123 494 818
Those are just some I remember. It just shows how deep the event really was. Any of those three together could win elsewhere.

[Huskie65]

Congratulations to the two Michigan Rookie All Stars! You both really deserved the award.
2771- Good Robot, one of the loudest teams there cheering not just for yourselves either, and not enough can be said about the web-cast you did for every Michigan event. Thanks!
2834- One of the best Empty Cell deliverers I’ve seen, very maneuverable, and as the 8th seed at championships made two great picks (33 68) and had one of the strongest alliances there.
Also Good luck to 27, 33, and 217 in ATL with Chairmans.

:D State Champs! Thanks Again 217 and 67!

[thefro526]

I'd have to say that the MSC was the most competitive event I've ever watched. It definitely was an excellent prequel to The Championship Event. Thanks a lot to Code Red Robotics for the Webcast!

[IKE]

This gets back to some of the field 'issues'. We had static problems with the scoring controllers all weekend. Mostly the ones for Blue trailers (which score for the Red alliance). When they get knocked out, they reset when they reboot. This usually takes about 15-20 seconds.

That's why you would sometimes see big jumps in the final scores. The scorer is usually watching the play, so they may not notice that it resets during the match. So if they've counted 10 balls, then it resets, and they count 7 more, at the match end they'd have a count of 7 before doing the manual trailer count. Then they would count the trailer, enter the correct total and commit.

One of our FTAA's would usually go over to make sure the controller came back up at the end of the match if it hadn't rebooted yet. Rest assured, we would watch the counts on the FMS to make sure they were correct and committed before committing the final score.

Thanks for the explanation. That actually makes a lot of sense. It must be very difficult to devise new scoring every year. This is still much better than 2006 where you had to wait on a guy with a stick that may or may not accidentally poke one of your balls out!

[Raumiester2010]

Thank you Team 33 and Team 68. You guys were amazing partners. We gave the number 1 alliance two great close matches.

I also want to thank Team 33, 469 and 302 for mentoring and helping us through our rookie year, Team 67 for helping us start two FLL teams in our school district, Team 217 for useful ideas on team organization and Team 1885 for helping us with our Rookie All-Star and Entrepreneurship Award Submission.

We had an amazing run so far this year. Thank you to all the teams who were our alliance partners at Traverse City, Detroit and the State Championship. We could not have done it without you. Our kids had a lot of fun this weekend.

We will be delivering empty cells all the way to Atlanta!

Ed Law

No Prob, Thanks for picking us

we gave the first alliance one hell of a run for their money, loosing by 2 ball in the first quarter final and 3 balls in the other

we will be at Atlanta (just need to finish rustling up the cash):cool:

[JoeXIII'007]

Notes post-competition:
Code Red was freaking awesome... the team, not the drink I had.
Quality was of the highest degree at EMU, higher than I have seen pretty much ever.
And seeing this was the first (and last) time I will see this game in person, kudos to the Game Design Committee for a very dynamic and high speed game.Congrats:
217, 65, 67 on winning the competition. 217: you had an amazing looking machine.
904, 247, 548 and 1918 on being finalists. 548: another nice robot out there. 1918: being a 3 year old team from my dad's hometown of Newaygo (been camping up there too before), it is incredibly inspiring and just plain awesome you almost went all the way. Kudos.
27, 33, 217: Well deserving teams for the CA. Congratulations and good luck in Atlanta!!!Well... back to work and college for me. It has been fun. Good luck to everyone going to Atlanta!!!

[johnr]

People not in Michigan probably can't appreciate the depth of this field. When 65 is the last pick and they could of formed two more alliances,easily,with great teams,you knew this was something special. If they do this next year, and i hope so, it will be even better. Teams will know that the only way to be sure you will be in elims is to be in the position to pick and they will take everything up a notch.
I also enjoyed being able to see all of the chairmans displays.Seeing what it takes to be a great overall team was eye opening and if one team says,"We can do this" it was successful.Yes,on the field it was about the bots,but when the chairmans champs were announced they recieved their just rewards and maybe more sincerly then sometimes in atlanta. Maybe some ballons next year. Well done FiM.

[Andrew Schreiber]

I just have to post a "wow" story about 2771 because in the last 6 years of FRC I have never seen (well heard really) anything like it. I was sitting talking to one of the mentors on 65 (an old family friend) during the quarterfinals. When the match started I stood up to take some pictures as is my hobby. At some point during the match a couple (I want to say 2) members of Code Red came over and started cheering for the Huskies. Almost immediately the section went from excited to over the top excited. As a result of all the noise my head started pounding. Thanks for the headache Code Red :p

No seriously, Code Red do not lose that passion or the fire. I can't wait to see you guys light up the Georgia Dome. Best of luck.

I also want to say congratulations to the GM teams, now if only GM could build cars that were as dominant as those robots. (This is a joke and is not meant in any way shape or form as an insult to those teams or to GM)

Congratulations teams 217 and 33 and 27 on the Chairman's Award win, go make Michigan proud. (More than you already do)

[RyanCesiel]

Team 245 was very happy to see Mr. Hildebrandt win WWJ/Kettering University's FIRST Teacher of the Year Award for all his hard work. Check out the front page of our website (http://www.adambots.com/wiki/Main_Page)! ;)

[fuzzwaz]

I just want to give a shout out to alliance number 5. I don't think anyone thought they had the power to take down 65, 67, and 217, during that first match, and the second match could have easily had swayed either way..

Also, Alliance 8 played strong against the Chickens and the Hot team in the first round.

In the end, I congrats team 65, 67, and 217, and good luck to everyone in Atlanta!

[Akash Rastogi]

I just want to give a shout out to alliance number 5. I don't think anyone thought they had the power to take down 65, 67, and 217, during that first match, and the second match could have easily had swayed either way..

Also, Alliance 8 played strong against the Chickens and the Hot team in the first round.

In the end, I congrats team 65, 67, and 217, and good luck to everyone in Atlanta!

Not quite, if anyone was on Gameday you would have seen the debate we had going on. Many of us knew 5 would put in a tough fight and it was close.

[AudreyHealy]

Congrats all teams that participated in the competition! Though our team was not selected, I had a great time watching the last matches! I know I made many friends while scouting, and hope to meet up again in the fall. Again, excellent job teams- you did Michigan proud! :D

[Tyler Hicks]

Congrats to 67, 217, and 65 for yet another win. It was very fun, and you are a very good alliance to go against. By far, MSC was the most competitive competition i have ever been to.

I am so glad that we qualified for the National Championship. Do you guys think that Nationals might be a little easier than MSC? Some of the greatest teams are in Michigan alone, and a lot of teams going to nationals just signed up for it. Regardless, there are going to be strong teams there.

[J-Brock]

I was suprised on how most of the power house teams were placed lower in the ranks during the compitition.

[klrswift]

A big thank you also goes to 469 and 703. It was great playing with you guys. I hope we get to be paired up again sometime soon. I wish both of you the best of luck the rest of the year.

I would also like to thank 27 for adopting us during our run in the elimination matches. I couldn't believe the enthusiasm you had cheering for us. When you were going back and forth chanting "Red Alliance" while 503 was chanting "Blue Alliance" I was dumbfounded. I looked around and realized that it wasn't just us or our partners, but you guys. That was by far my favorite moment of the entire season (too bad it was ended so anticlimactically with the replacement of the countdown clock on the red alliance stations). You guys are an amazing team and I wish you the best of luck in Atlanta.

[chinckley]

Where do we see the final standings including the MSC points and the district points added together? Who are the 18 teams going to Atlanta?

Congrats to team 1918 on getting into the finals. :)

Congrats to 548 for the fastest put together I have ever seen
in the 6 minute fix window before the final match.:)

[GaryVoshol]

Where do we see the final standings including the MSC points and the district points added together? Who are the 18 teams going to Atlanta?I'm sure the standings will be placed here http://www.firstinmichigan.org/ in the Event Results tab.

Since a number of teams have pre-registered for Atlanta and some qualify directly (winners, etc), it will probably go far down the list before all the allocated slots are filled.

[chinckley]

I'm sure the standings will be placed here http://www.firstinmichigan.org/ in the Event Results tab.

Since a number of teams have pre-registered for Atlanta and some qualify directly (winners, etc), it will probably go far down the list before all the allocated slots are filled.

How do you qualify directly?

[GaryVoshol]

From the Michigan rules:
5.3.1 Qualifying for Spots
18 spots have been reserved for Michigan teams at the FIRST Championship in Atlanta. These spots will be awarded based on performance and awards earned at the Michigan State Championship. The 18 spots are broken down as follows:
• 3 spots for each of the teams making up the winning alliance at the State Championship
• 3 spots for the top three State Championship Chairman’s Award winners
9
• 2 spots for the top two State Championship Rookie All-Star Award winners
• 1 spot for the State Championship Engineering Inspiration Award winner
• The remaining spots will go to the top ranked teams after points earned at the State Championship are used to re-compute the state rankings.
By directly I meant the spots specified in the bullet points.

[chinckley]

Thanks.

How are the teams able to register ahead of time? Are there certain rules for that? Seems like many Michigan teams have already signed up for Nationals.

[GaryVoshol]

It's done in the fall when registering for regionals (districts). See the "Wait List" thread.

[Koko Ed]

I am so glad that we qualified for the National Championship. Do you guys think that Nationals might be a little easier than MSC? Some of the greatest teams are in Michigan alone, and a lot of teams going to nationals just signed up for it. Regardless, there are going to be strong teams there.

I wouldn't go selling all the other teams short, dude. I've been to alot of competitions this year and they're are some good teams outside of Michigan too (in fact in my opinion the best robot I seen this year isn't from the states it's from Canada. 2056 is the last machine you want to see in the opposite alliance station across from you).
Michigan has the best quality top to bottom though. I predict at least one, if not two championship winning teams will come from Michigan.

[EricH]

I wouldn't go selling all the other teams short, dude. I've been to alot of competitions this year and they're are some good teams outside of Michigan too (in fact in my opinion the best robot I seen this year isn't from the states it's from Canada. 2056 is the last machine you want to see in the opposite alliance station across from you).
Michigan has the best quality top to bottom though. I predict at least one, if not two championship winning teams will come from Michigan.
I'm with Ed. If you want to see really tough matches, IRI is the place to be. Think the MI championship with teams from outside MI, and a few more teams.

And on the West Coast, there are some teams you REALLY don't want to see behind the opposite glass. The longest regional win streak for one regional is on the West Coast.

[Alex Dinsmoor]

Who won the best button contest?

Team 548 received the majority of the votes for their button (it was very cool, I should take a picture of it), and thus won it.

Team 1504 came in second place with their button. Our team felt it was possibly the cutest button ever (including many of the guys!)

On to the competition!

We had a great run at states, even though we were eliminated in the semi-finals by 1918, 904, and 247. You guys played some extreme defense, and scored amazingly.

Even though we wanted to take revenge for our loss to 1918 and 904 in the semis at Traverse, you guys were just too good!

I would like to thank our alliance partners 245 and 70. I still can't get over the fact that no one picked 245 earlier in the draft! You were an amazing robot, and great partners. I would also like to thank team 70, More Martians. When 247 pinned 245 in our matches, you basically held our alliance point wise. Without your scoring power we would have never made it past the QFs!

Depending on if we can find the space in our budget to go to Atlanta, we may see everyone there!

[robostangs548]

Team 548 received the majority of the votes for their button (it was very cool, I should take a picture of it), and thus won it.

Team 1504 came in second place with their button. Our team felt it was possibly the cutest button ever (including many of the guys!)

On to the competition!

We had a great run at states, even though we were eliminated in the semi-finals by 1918, 904, and 247. You guys played some extreme defense, and scored amazingly.

Even though we wanted to take revenge for our loss to 1918 and 904 in the semis at Traverse, you guys were just too good!

I would like to thank our alliance partners 245 and 70. I still can't get over the fact that no one picked 245 earlier in the draft! You were an amazing robot, and great partners. I would also like to thank team 70, More Martians. When 247 pinned 245 in our matches, you basically held our alliance point wise. Without your scoring power we would have never made it past the QFs!

Depending on if we can find the space in our budget to go to Atlanta, we may see everyone there!

We worked very hard this year on all aspects of the team, the spirit division was no exception... We are flattered that people liked our button. Everyone feel free to visit our pit during Nationals to pick one up... We will have plenty to go around if you are interested... Good luck everyone, and see you there!

[Beth Sweet]

I just realized that I never congratulated Jennifer Harvey!!! What a phenomenal choice for WFA!

I have uploaded my photos from States to my Picasa http://picasaweb.google.com/bethsweet/States2009#

They are 1504-centric, but if you were in matches with us, you may be in some of them!

[JVN]

I want to thank Paul Copioli and all the Thunderchickens for inviting me to come up to Michigan for this incredible event.

The more time I spend with Paul and team 217 the more in awe I become of their program. These guys are doing GREAT things and continue to provide a strong positive example for the rest of us. They were gracious enough to "adopt" a lonely Texan into their team and happily urged me to dive right in. I had a lot of fun, and was VERY impressed with the Thunderchicken students; what an amazing group. With a program like that, I could even get used to wearing that awful green. ;)

It was also a very special experience to be a fly-on-the-wall of their elimination alliance. There were many people involved who I greatly admire and many who are great friends. (When you're discussing strategy with Adam Freeman, Tom Nader, Karthik Kanagasabapathy, Paul Copioli, Mike Copioli, Ken Patton, and Chris Hibner... well, it is easy to be overwhelmed.) I feel very fortunate to have been even a small part of such a great group.

I hope 148 gets the opportunity to work with one of these three incredible teams. I will eagerly await the division announcements with my fingers crossed.

Also special thanks again to Paul for giving me the "Thunderchicken VIP Treatment". I hope I can return the favor some day. ;)

Kudos to everyone involved. My weekend at the MSC is one I will never forget.

Thanks,
John

[Mike Copioli]

Also special thanks again to Paul for giving me the "Thunderchicken VIP Treatment". I hope I can return the favor some day. ;)

Kudos to everyone involved. My weekend at the MSC is one I will never forget.

Thanks,
John


John,

next time we will see how you fit in the trunk of a VW.

[rogerlsmith]

Final results are now available here (http://www.firstinmichigan.org/staticpages/index.php?page=Results_Week_6_MI_Chmp).

[Karthik]

I'm with Ed. If you want to see really tough matches, IRI is the place to be. Think the MI championship with teams from outside MI, and a few more teams.

I'm not sure IRI could even top what we saw this past weekend in Ypsilanti. For the first time in my 12 year FIRST careers, I saw an event where every single robot was competent and capable of playing this game at a high level. There are many pros and cons to the Michigan district model, but if the end goal was to produce a high level, ready for TV robotics competition, then it definitely succeeded. I loved the intensity that was produced by this qualification only based on robot merit setup. All 64 teams had earned their way into this field, and they were mostly all playing for a berth in Atlanta. This event was a true "Championship", and I can only hope that the FIRST World Championship moves in this direction in the future.

Also adding to the competitive level was that every single team was attending their 3rd event of the season. The amount of "reps" that these teams had gotten in was evident. I agree completely with Chris Hibner, in terms of competitive level this was the best FIRST event in history. (Topping events such as Nationals 1998, GLR 1999 & IRI 2007)

I'd like to personally thank Paul for inviting me down and letting me be an honorary Thunderchicken for the weekend. This team is the total package both on and off the field. In my mind, they are definitely one of the favourites to bring home the Chairman's Award in Atlanta.

It was blast being a tiny part of one of the finest alliances I've ever seen, with teams 217, 67 and 65. The group of strategists that was present was awe inspiring. Seeing the interaction between this group of seasoned FIRST veterans was truly amazing. I only wish a documentary could be made featuring some of the pre-match discussions that took place. There's so much that could be learned about FIRST strategy from each person who was involved.

It was a great weekend, thanks to everyone who was a part of it.

[Paul Copioli]

I posted my thanks in the thread below:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=846645&postcount=11

[Btower]

Congrats to the Thunderchickens, The Hot Team and the Huskies you guys and girls proved you were truly the Michigan State Champions (even with a extra hurdle or two to overcome).

Also a huge thanks to 2048 and everybody else on the field reset crew you guys were fantastic. I promise we won't run out of M&M's next year.

What an awesome weekend of competition. Wow. I can't wait for Atlanta then hopefully we'll repeat the same district model next year. (With a couple of changes to keep the wrath of Captain America at bay)

Cheers and Good Luck to all,

Ben

[Enigma's puzzle]

I'm not sure IRI could even top what we saw this past weekend in Ypsilanti. For the first time in my 12 year FIRST careers, I saw an event where every single robot was competent and capable of playing this game at a high level. There are many pros and cons to the Michigan district model, but if the end goal was to produce a high level, ready for TV robotics competition, then it definitely succeeded. I loved the intensity that was produced by this qualification only based on robot merit setup. All 64 teams had earned their way into this field, and they were mostly all playing for a berth in Atlanta. This event was a true "Championship", and I can only hope that the FIRST World Championship moves in this direction in the future.


Karthik, they are awarded points based on both Awards and field play, but the actual performance of the robot is a larger factor in the determining of points than the awards. For example, an industrial design, or quality award is only worth 5 points or two wins and a tie.

I think this defiantly rivals the championships in competitiveness because you aren't getting Chairman's, Rookie all stars(who may or may not be championship caliber), and Engineering inspiration award winners, who may or may not be actual great robots. So at the least the Qualifications are rivaling of the championship qualifications.

[David Sherman]

I know I would love to see the documentary that Karthik was talking about! I can only imagine the epicness that went on in that huddle. Well I hope to meet you guys all at champs and hopefully get to know you all better and learn from each one of you. Thanks for being involved in FIRST and giving us a great end to the Regional season!