Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

What are the best teams that failed to punch their ticket to champs this year?

48-Good cycles, floor pickup.

• FLR finalists

188

624-7 disk auto, just plain good.

• 2x Innovation in Control awards

1662-5 disk auto, fast cycles.

• 2x Industrial Design awards

2791-One of the best robots week two, but they did week 1 and 2 events. 4-5 cycles, 10 point hang, 18 point auto.

• WPI Finalists
• Quality Award
• Engineering Excellence Award

Who would you add?

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

177 and 971 are not going. Both world champions.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

176, 229, 2791and 1153 were all amazing, powerful teams at their regional events but fell short in the semis and finals. I was really hoping to see these guys squeak through the waitlist.

All of them are highly accurate in the top goal in autonomous, complete 4-5+ runs to the feeder station before quick 10 point hangs and know how to power through defenders.

Really sad these guys couldn't take home a win, their robots are amazing and fun to watch!

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

While not at all an offensive bot, I'd like to recognize 869 from MAR. They were probably the best defensive bot in the Mid-Atlantic Region. 4460 was also a great defender as well.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I know its a bit of a west coast bias here, but the fact that 1662 and 971 aren't there is a shame. Both are definitely in the top 10 of best California bots if not top 5.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I'll second 1153, they really improved a lot as the season went on and barely missed qualifying. Also, I know this shows a little bit of bias but 1507 deserves a mention here. At Buckeye, they didn't lose a single match until finals match 1, during which something went wrong with their shooter. They weren't able to find the problem in time, were replaced, and their alliance lost the next match. Floor pick up, 4+ disc auto, quick cycles, 10 point hang, Buckeye finalist and quality award, FLR quarterfinalist and creativity award.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

From the Connecticut Regional at least, 177 and 228 aren't going. Both had incredible bots- 177 could full-court shooter and when cycling had near perfect accuracy from the back of the pyramid, 228 had an extremely accurate, fast, and maneuverable cycler that- when on their game- could pull off 5-6 cycles.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

294 and 330 are not going, both were world champs. Also 696 is not going.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I don't want to sound biased towards my team, but I am frustrated that we are not attending this year. Here are some stats on our robot:

216:
-3 disk auton.
-On average 3 to 4 cycles per match
-Less than 1 second 10 point hang

We struggled early on in the season, but after we lowered to under 30 inches, it showed with an OPR of 44.2 in our last event. We made the eliminations in all of our events, and were a 2 time finalist in both of our Canadian trips.

I actually can't figure out why we aren't going to St. Louis this year..

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

3928- Team Neutrino

• 7 Disk Autonomous, Fast Cycle
• Finalist #2 At Greater Kansas City
• Seeded 1st at North Star, and were finalists.
• Innovation in control at North Star

I was incredibly disappointed when I heard they lost at North Star. After watching their performance first hand at GKC, I figured they would absolutely rock the competition at their 2nd regional.

I'll add that I felt absolutely terrible standing 10 feet from their robot while the sub was put on the field for Finals 1-2 at GKC, but kudos to them for handling that situation so well.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Really appreciate the mention! Have to make a correction, we only ever ran a 5 disc auto. Although we function very similar to 1986, our programming isn't nearly as refined or advanced enough to hit 7.

I am very sad 971 will not be there. There are few teams in the world that know sheet metal as well as 971 and their machine this year is a work of art. Would have loved to snag those two SVR wildcard spots with them :rolleyes:

-Mike

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

From the Pacific Northwest we had several teams that would do great at CMP.
Notably 360-2557-3789 finalists from Central Washington
1318 also from the Central Washington Regional
4061 from the Spokane Regional

I am probably missing some... but the teams above were great opponents.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Add to the fact that they're a second year team that builds drivetrains that make many veteran teams jealous...

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I know I've said it before, but 612 had an excellent cycling machine at the DC regional, and together with 2642, are the only teams in our scouting report's top 8 to not make it to the big show in St. Louis. From the Virginia Regional, the team I'll be noticing the absence of most at Championship is 2363.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I definitely think 2451 (Pwnage) and 1625 (Winnovation) had great showings this year at Midwest. 2451 had very fast cycles and 1625 had a dangerous ground collector.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I would have liked to have seen 340.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

We were the ones to beat them at North Star, and although we were happy that we won, we were disappointed that such a great team was being deprived of a trip to Championships because they clearly deserved to go. They are some great people and when our cRIO broke during semis they tried to call a time out for us because we had already used ours. They weren't in that match or anything, they just wanted us to have a fair chance at going on. Also, their alliance partners, 2574, are pretty good as well. Team 2574 did amazing at North Star and they were a great alliance. Both teams were great and their teams are full of some really awesome people. Nationals would be better if both of them were there.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Absolutely second 1507. I could definitely see them captaining an alliance in Divisional elims.

340 would have been nice to see as well, not just because their climber is so cool but because they are an incredibly deserving team to win Chairman's or EI. It was definitely some bad luck that at both events they submitted/competed at they were up against some really stiff competition for those awards.


OH and how can we forget 3173! Excellent full court shooter, the original laser beams.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I definitely agree about 2791, and it wasn't just this year, but last year too. The past two years combined they may very well be the best team in the country without a regional victory.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Two fellow Canadian 2nd year teams I think deserved to go would be 4343 and 4089 who both did quite well in their regionals. Another team I would recommend would be 3663 who was a great full court I saw in Seattle.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I'm sad to see 3928 not make it.... really great bot! Also sad to see 1625 not make it... for obvious reasons.... haha

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

2767, the Stryke Force out of Kalamazoo Michigan, had an unbelievably great bot, and a fantastic drive team. In their best match, they made more than 25 disks in the 3 point goal during teleop alone. A fantastic robot with a slow start, and an early end to what should have been an equally fantastic season.

I can't wait to see what they bring to the FiM scene in the next few years.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

As much as I agree, they had an incredible robot this year and absolutely deserve to be a champs, there are some other deserving teams from the past two years. For example: Team 177, Bobcat Robotics.
Do I need to say more? After 6 years on Einstein in a row, they don't go to champs in 2012 after being an alliance captain at two events, then again in 2013 with another great robot.

That being said, Shaker's robot was pretty fantastic this year.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I agree with this 100% 3928 was amazing at north star seeded first, were finalists. And were one of the most fun robots to watch compete with there 7 disk auton. They are for sure a great young team to watch in future years, and i hope they decide to attend north star in the future as well :D . I also thought i heard they were working on a 20 climb but i never saw it or know what became of it.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Another vote for 612. Definitely their best robot yet. Were scoring 4-5 cycles with ease at DC, but ultimately fell victim to some rotten luck in SF2-3 when their partner's battery came unplugged.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

One of the better teams that I've had the fortune of meeting this year and am very disappointed that is not going to nationals this year would have to be 3015, they had a solid robot, a great drivetrain, were one of the best cyclers at the Virginia regional, and were one of the nicest and helpful people at the regional, it's truly a shame that they're not attending nationals and I look forward to seeing their further endeavors in FIRST.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I'll add a few more to the list (since I came up with the first 4, right Gregor :p). I'll speak about some underrated great Canadian robots from this season, all of whom could be an asset to any alliance at champs:

772 - Speedy cycler (4 to 5 per match) with a 10 point hang and 3 in auto. They ran into some really bad luck in elims at all their events, never making it past the quarters.

2013 - quick 30 point climber (25-30 seconds), who is also good for 3 cycles a match and 3 in auto. They attended three events, played really strong in the qualifying matches, but was unable to connect and make it out of the semis in elims.

2702 - Great cycler (4 to 5 per match), quick 10 point hang, 3 in auto. They took the 610-1310-3756 alliance to three close matches.

2852 - They were 2702's partner in Waterloo. Their capabilities are very similar to 2702's (and they made a great combo together).

3683 - Team Dave has produced top-notch robots every season they have played, this year was no exception. Their robot had a great floor pickup, good for 5 in auto, as well as cleaning their side of the field of missed discs.

4343 - The breakout star of GTR East. Easily the third best robot there, they captained the second seed to the finals, where they fell to 1114 and 2056.

(and of course there's 188, but unfortunately they're not attending for a whole different set of reasons. I really want to see them back and be able to compete at the level they did before this season. 188-A is competing at Vex champs this week, and I wish them the best of luck there)

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

100% agree Both teams were top notch and and I really wish we could play with them at worlds since they both had such high quality robots.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Yeah, I was sad to hear Shan and 612 weren't going to DC.

I'll jump on the 2791 bandwagon. But I've been a huge fan of theirs for years...

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

There are 12 Virginia robots going to Champs this year, and the best one, 612, is not one of those teams. I don't know if they can get off the waitlist at this point.

As a state that has an uphill battle in developing top-notch teams, not being able to send your best robot really stinks.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

They aren't on the wait list.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

If folks could post good match videos of each bot mentioned, that would be nice. :] Or even pictures of each.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

The more I think about it, the number of powerful Fingerlakes teams that usually attend that are not this year is truly shocking:

1507, 340, 3173, 3015, 1126, etc... Lots of machines that ran into bad luck at their second events (I think the bad luck for most of these teams was the lack of wildcards available - There were none in the Buckeye finals for 1507, none for 3015 in the Virginia finals and none for 3173 in the Boston finals. The downfall for 340 was making a play for EI at a regional attended by 1629, the CMP EI winner in 2011 and 2012. Though, if there's any team who could win it over GaCo, I'd say that team is GRR)

Of course, we'll have 1405 and 3003 to keep us company this year, I don't think either has been to Championships in a long long time.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

This is the first trip ever to Champs for 3003, and the first trip since 2004 for 1405 (their rookie year).

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

We ended up having some issues with winch cable fraying when trying to reload the mechanism, so we decided to scrap it and instead concentrate on improving the number of teleop runs per match. Unsurprisingly pulling back 1500 lbs 12" isn't very easy and breaks a lot of things.

Unfortunately, scrapping it led to adding the kettle bell on the back for ballast which caused many of our problems in the finals due to it shifting unexpectedly.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

1574, MisCar, the Israeli legendary powerhouse will not be attending although having one hell of a FCS. Lost in the finals to 2630,4320 and 1577 on some great matches.

Thier history includes Newton 2nd seed and finalist in 2008, and semifinals in 2007 i think.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

3266 not attending is a shame. Although they are slow at 6 fps, they are a fast loader and accurate shooter. They had some troubles with a bent shooter coming out of QCR into Buckeye and at Crossroads they replaced it and then had some feeder issues.

4028 for a second year team has been outstanding. A super fast shooter who also came out of QCR with some damage from Elims going into the Crossroads event.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

FRC teams 188 and 368. :(

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Haven't seen 612, but it's a shame that 2363 isn't going. In my mind, they are the best team in VA that isn't going to Worlds. As to the comment about top-notch teams: 12 teams for a state our size; we are doing pretty well.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I was going to say team 2000 couldn't afford to go after putting on a great showing at MSC but I'm happy to report they made it in after all. I truly hope they enjoy their first (and sadly most likely last) championship experience. If you're gonna go out go out with a bang guys. Enjoy your stay.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I am very glad 2000 made it. We were on the #2 alliance at St. Joseph District together where we lost by 1 disc in the 3rd match of the finals. They are a great team and Team RUSH loved playing with them. They did a great job at MSC and really hope they do well at Worlds.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

2067, Apple Pi. They finally got a 5-7 disc auto going, 3-4 runs or pick up, accurate shooter, very agile. It's my favorite dessert too :(

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Heh nice to see we're not the only ones disappointed we didn't earn a seat. We went on quite the mission just to get to play at GTRWest.

It really is a shame about 188. They seem to have been one of the only casualties (and certainly the highest profile casualty) of the teacher strife going on at the start of build.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

As stated above, 3928 neutrino has a good 7 disc auto, cycles quickly, good drive + drivers, fairly difficult to defend, fast human loading, fast 10 point hang.

Their partners at NorthStar (2574, RoboHuskies, from Wisconsin) were the fastest cyclers at North Star, and they'd be a great addition to championship.

I'm curious to hear which robots out of Michigan are on this list. After seeing the Michigan State Championship live stream, I'm sure there are some terrific robots that unfortunately didn't quite make the point cutoff.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

624 Team Kryptonite at Peachtree was the basically the best team there.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I'll second that one! 2067 has an awesome bot and they are also an awesome team.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Here's a spreadsheet listing the top teams not at champs according to the world rankings that Joe Ross put together using Ed Law's data. I'm using a list of 390 teams going to champs that I pulled from the US FIRST website this morning, so a few of the teams on my spreadsheet should end up going. The spreadsheet goes down to rank #408, just because that's one guess of how many teams will be going to champs.

The top team... 3928.

Attachment 14631

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Best OPR performances >50 that are not registered:

624 (82.9 at Alamo, also >50 at Peachtree)
1189 (65.3 at MSC) - Qualified via Points but not listed as attending
3683 (61.6 at GTR West)
3173 (59.8 at Boston)
4325 (59.3 at Grand Blanc)
1413 (58.9 at North Carolina)
2574 (58.8 at North Star)
2202 (58.5 at Crossroads)
1501 (58.4 at Crossroads)
3974 (56.3 at Chestnut Hill)
3812 (55.1 at Oregon)
1662 (55.0 at Sacramento, also >50 at SVR)
971 (54.9 at SVR)
494 (54.7 at MSC)
3928 (54.7 at North Star)
228 (54.3 at Connecticut)
2673 (54.1 at MSC)
4001 (53.8 at Western Canadian)
3234 (53.5 at West Michigan)
1318 (53.4 at Central Washington)
177 (53.3 at Connecticut, also >50 at WPI)
3196 (53.1 at Smoky Mountains)
2767 (52.9 at MSC)
4061 (52.8 at Spokane)
2984 (52.6 at San Diego)
3572 (52.2 at MSC)
28 (52.0 at Long Island)
573 (52.0 at Bedford and MSC)
1775 (51.6 at Kansas City)
2518 (51.1 at 10000 Lakes)
935 (50.9 at Oklahoma)
85 (50.8 at Bedford)
3604 (50.5 at Livonia)
58 (50.4 at Pine Tree)
3015 (50.4 at Finger Lakes)
907 (50.3 at GTR West)

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

340 should definantly be on this list, they were the first team of the season to climb to the 3rd level, and they additionally were able to score colored discs and could shoot into the top and middle goals.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Here's 612 (blue alliance) in the DC semi-finals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkzV7PjhUfw

836 did it in match 1 at the Palmetto regional (also an east coast week 1 event). Did 340 climb in match 2 at FLR? What were the respective times for each match?

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

there are a number of great WA teams that unfortunately won't be at champs this year. 360, 1318 and 2557 all had stellar machines and performed great.

1318
360 and 2557

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Decent video of one of 1507's qualification matches at Buckeye.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDwBcTa-w2g
Although the camera focuses on 2252, you can get a good look at 1507's autonomous.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I expected 334 to win NYC and go to the championship, but they were out-strategized in the end. I also honestly expected 28 to beat us at SBPLI, but we came out on top to win the regional.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

1189 will not be attending, which is very disappointing because they were better than their QF exit as MSC. On the other hand, 1684, another deserving team, gets to go, so it's hard to be too upset.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I have to throw team 3847 to this list. They had a good 3 shot auton, durable drivetrain, FCS blockability, a reliable 10 pt hang, and a quick cycle time. Spectrum was a regional finalist twice and semifinalist once. Unfortunately no wild cards were ever in play for them. This team would have been the one of the great second round picks for the division elimination rounds. Spectrum's absence from championships just shows how great the Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana teams are.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Seconding 869. Craaaaaaazy defense.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

It is disappointing. I talked a little bit with the teacher after the decision was made not to go, and it's mainly because the team was (reasonably) entirely unprepared for qualifying. At the beginning of the season there was no reason to even expect to qualify, so no preparations of any kind (money, human capital, logistical support) were made. So they decided to plan for next year.

In the meantime, the team is focusing on the positives: how well they performed this year (especially at States) and finally winning an award for the robot :)

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Yeah I agree. They were shutting anyone they defended down, including us.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I also wanted to see 334 in the championship. I thought they had a great bot.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Thanks, guys!
Joe, I wish we had a 7 disc auto, but during CT, we only managed to get 4 discs.
But that doesn't mean we won't improve, so look out for an actual 5-7 disc autonomous during the state championship. ;)

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Wow that's unfortunate :/ According to their website they elected not to attend.
They were sitting to the left of our team on Saturday of MSC. Not only did they have a strong performance at each event they went to, but their team was so enthusiastic and fun to be around.

Here's a video of them at MSC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvMzvTh9OWU

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I am gonna miss my favorite team 772 and 48 both had great robots this year...also wish 340, 330, 624, 2451 and 1625 they were all crazy good. I hope to see them rebound next year and go to worlds

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I hate to see 330 not make it, considering they have been at champs every year in the last 10 years except 2009. It's also a shame for 177 to not qualify again after being on Einstein so many times, and for 188 to not be able to participate this year.

As far as local teams go, I agree that 1318 and 2557 were very capable robots that unfortunately didn't qualify due to confusion at Central Washington. Both of them had the circuits mastered by the end of the regional and would be highly competitive in St. Louis.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

I second that. I wish they were both coming... :(

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Ed, why is it their last year?

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

According to the previous spreadsheet, nearly half of the top 400 teams don't go to champs. wow.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

It could be their last year. They may manage to still survive.
But talking to one of their mentors who's son is on the team and who's other son will be joining 2054 next year it was the usual suspect: lack of funds. I do see an awful large amount of sponsors listed but that doesn't always equate to a large sum of money to survive on.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

Second this. 624 started slow at LSR but got better by Saturday and definitely was one of the best bots at both Peachtree and Alamo.

Re: Best Teams Not at Champs-2013
 

At the Suffield Shakedown, 2067 Apple Pi clearly had the most effective Robot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN9IUKN0PBs
You can also see 177 Bobcats briefly in this video too.
It is interesting to see some hints of game issues, such as effective loading from the feeder station.
Even more fun is the frisbee blizzard that was proscribed after week 0 events.

2067 Apple Pi, and 228 GUS at Connecticut together in a match.
Match 57, they won 118 - 72
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U0_VraKR-8

I'm going to miss all three of these teams being at the CMP, but this is the new era of growth for FIRST, and EPCOT Center, is a distant memory.