Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

Thank you to 1086, 4481 and 540 for the run of a lifetime!

Also it feels good to know no matter what the result of the final match would have been all teams on the field would be given championships births!

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

Our regional was an extreme roller coaster ride. From the time we coalesced on our game strategy, we said that if all our mechanisms worked right, we'd do great, but if anything broke, it would be a total disaster. We gambled on the high risk, high reward strategy, and for most of the qualification matches it looked like we had lost the gamble. A mistake in an early match left our "Doc Ock arm" somewhat crippled. After swapping in a spare arm and chasing feedback sensor problems all day, we ended Friday with a drive team unified by adversity, and a pit crew exhausted from rebuilding the competition arm while simultaneously keeping the robot running. The morning was better, and we finally restored the arm to full functionality right after the last qualification match. We were pretty dejected going into alliance selections. We were hoping we would be a second pick, but figured that was a stretch because we had not proven ourselves on the field, and were ranked 32nd. After the #1 seed picked the #2 seed, we were absolutely amazed when 384, the new captain of the #2 alliance, chose us for their first pick. That was a huge gamble on their part, and we are immensely grateful we were able to fit into their strategy and come through for them. After it was all over, we were still reeling, not quite able to believe what had just happened. Friday was one of those days when nothing seems to go right, and Saturday swung completely the other way. So, thanks to our alliance partners 384 and 1610 for one wild ride. And congratulations to 540, 4481, and 1086 as well. Talking it through at dinner, we realized that because of the way the awards had worked out, no matter who won in the finals all six of us would have ended up with spots in the World Championships. What an amazing end to the last (maybe) Virginia Regional.

Here is video of the finals matches. Sorry, but it's mostly of the Red side of the field. Our multimedia team has already started posting wider view video of the matches. You can find those on our youtube channel.

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

I would love to say that I am honored to have played with two amazing teams, 4481 and 1086. Although we had first contacted each other far before the actual competition, our relationship with team 4481 truly solidified itself in Qualification Match 77, where we played exceptionally well together. As we came into alliance selections as the fourth seed, we could only hope that they would be available by the time we chose. They were amazing partners both on and off the field. It's sometimes hard to remember that they are just a third-year team, but the professionalism and skill they showed was that of many years more. They were an integral part of our alliance. A well-deserved finals appearance and EI award.

As the serpentine came back around, 1086 was our dream pick. Once it became clear they would be available, we were head over heels. They played fantastic during every round, as were extremely critical in developing our quality alliance. Our team's relationship with them makes our run to the finals even more special. I cannot wait to see what they can do in Chesapeake and in St. Louis!

Congrats to 384, 2363, and 1610! 384 built a great alliance, and we knew as soon as Sparky got going in competition on Friday they would be a contender. They built a quality alliance with strong partners, and we cannot wait to continue to collaborate with them in the future. To 2363 and 1610, we cannot wait to see you guys again down the road.

This was a Virginia Regional I will never forget. I wish every team who competed there with us good luck in everything they do.

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

Hearty congratulations also to Rookie All-Star team 5546. I've expected great things from this group of talented students since meeting them in October at the Rumble in the Roads, and I'm delighted that the judges recognized their strengths, too. See you in St. Louis!

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

Triple Helix would like to thank our friends from Sparky 384 and 1610 Builders of Tomorrow for an amazing run through the playoffs and finals. As Todd indicated in a previous post, to say that our performance in the qualification matches was mediocre would be a stretch. Despite that, Sparky was able to see something in us that made them want to take a chance, and for that we are extremely grateful. Congratulations to Talon 540, 4481 Team Rembrandts, and 1086 Blue Cheese for a great showing throughout the competition, playoffs, and finals. It was extraordinarily gratifying to see Team Rembrandts win the EI, and for all of the teams in the finals to receive a berth at the Championship. Congratulations, too, to 5546 A.R.T for the RAS and Paul Elkovich from 346 for the WFFA, and to all of the other award winners.

With the move to the district model next year, we will miss our annual attendance at the Virginia Regional. I am hopeful that we will somehow find a way to continue to see all of our various friends from Virginia and other places around the world, as we have for the last 8 years at the Virginia Regional. It's been a marvelous run at the Siegel Center, despite the awful bag checks and restrictive food policies, and I, for one, will miss the trip to Richmond each March.

One final thanks to all of the team mentors, coaches, competition judges, volunteers, and VirginiaFIRST for a job well done!

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

And so another VARI comes to a close. We overshot on our robot design this year, but I'm really proud of our students and the way they handled adversity (they're a lot better at it than me). Thanks to 5412 for giving us an award for the most unique robot at the event, I think that held true. Maybe next year we can get a game where we can replicate field elements a little better in our shop :)

We're all really thrilled that 4481 came to VA and were the most enthusiastic organization I have ever seen in FRC. Chillest team ever. It's great to see 1086 and 540 got Dean's List Finalists, even if that means we couldn't get our Dean's List 3-peat. On the same note, I don't know anyone who wasn't excited to see ART get the RAS. What an incredible team that will certainly only continue to shoot upward over time.

Speaking of adversity, I want to give a shout out to how 540, 4481, and 1086 handled the adversity of their alliance facing 5 different disables in eliminations, including 3 in the finals. I would have been a wreck. Putting up a fight in 3 2v3 matches is something that deserves recognition, and it's great to see all 3 of these teams going to Worlds.

While I'm disappointed our seniors don't get to go back to Champs this year, we're excited to work on making a better team over the next year. Our juniors are very determined.

Great to see that the last ever Virginia Regional was by far the most Virginia Regional ever. It was great being next to Blue Cheese's pit all weekend; they are truly a role model team. Everyone on 422 is rooting for 1086 to win the RCA and the event in Chesapeake.

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

Team 1629 GaCo, would like to congratulate 2363 Triple Helix on their Virginia Regional win, we cannot wait until Chesapeake!!!

Congrats to all teams who attended the event and had a wonderful competition!!!

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

Congrats to 2363, 1610, and 384 on a fantastic final and winning VARI. It was great to see everybody again and bring our Dutch friends to VARI with us. It saddens us that we cannot bring them along with us any longer. They will be remarkable at St. Louis like they always have been. I want to thank everybody on behalf of 122 for all the kind words thought this weekend and over the past several weeks for Ben Poole. He was there with us and spirit (black bar on our robot and the dutch guys naming there robot after Ben). We finished 15th overall (better than we have in the last couple years), with a remarkable machine that works both flawlessly and looks beautiful. If you haven't seen it yet, I will post a picture soon, or just come by the pit if you are in DC.

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

This was the first Virginia Regional I’ve viewed from the field and I’m really glad I got to meet all of the teams and see all of the fantastic robots at this event.

I’d like to give a S/O to…
- 122 for their stunning LEDs and all around gorgeous robot
- 346 for their beautiful electronics
- 384 for leading the winning alliance
- 388 for their constant enthusiasm, I don’t think they ever had fewer than two drive team members dancing while they stood in queuing
- 401 for their sick ramp
- 540 for their impeccable strategy throughout the competition
- 1033 for their strongest showing in five years
- 1086 for being a role model team in every aspect
- 1156 for outperforming every other team during qualifications
- 1262 for being a successful member of #TeamLeadScrew
- 1287 for their vast improvement since Palmetto
- 1541 for their ambitious autonomous
- 1599 for their more than robust robot
- 1610 for their third Virginia win in a row
- 1719 for their gorgeous anodized and intricately assembled frame
- 1731 for their creative design and being on the field more than any other team on Thursday IIRC
- 2053 for their in-queue chairs and for being a great addition to our region for the past few years (seriously guys, I wasn’t kidding when I said you should just get an address down here for next year. Virginia won't be the same without you.)
- 2363 for their incredibly prompt recovery from a gut-wrenching fall and for their formidable robot
- 3361 for being the first team on the field Thursday
- 3373 for their great swerve drive and programming
- 3489 for never complaining once when they had to abandon their lunch outside the arena during lunch to come play a match because we were running behind
- 3939 for their super friendly drive team and powerful double-stacking robot
- 4481 for being the most excited team I’ve ever seen for every second of the competition, and a very deserving Engineering Inspiration winner
- 5279 for their huge strides made since last season
- 5412 for traveling thousands of miles as a rookie team and for their rookie inspiration award
- 5425 for their impressive canburglar and for their strong performance in qualification rounds
- 5546 for reviving FRC at their high school after 9 years and for their well-deserved Rookie All Star Award

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

Oh, you mean these??? Critical to keep the drivers in top condition for matches.

If a PO box will suffice we will be back. Unfortunately, we've been considering options for next year, maybe Cleveland, Pittsburgh, NYC/LI, or Toronto.

Congratulations to all the elimination alliances, there were a lot of up and down moments for everyone.

We've learned a lot in VA and become a better team because of our time here...Thank You from Team 2053, TigerTronics!!!

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

This statement right here is 100% truth. From top to bottom this team is an absolute inspiration. Great team, great robot, and all around great people. I am looking forward to seeing this team again at the Championship.

Congrats to Sparky 384 on their deserved Chairman's win, it was truly a joy to compete with you guys yet again. It was nice to finally team up with you instead of competing against you like we have many times in the past.

Thank you to 1610 for filling out our alliance. the 12 points we were able to generate each match in auto and capping the extra stacks with step cans is what put this alliance over the top. Congrats on the three-peat!

To the finalists, Talon 540 built the definition of an alliance that performed like they had been built to compete together. With 4481 building stacks of 4 from the HP station and 1086 building stacks of 4 from the landfill and 540 capping the stacks with often more than 4 cans this was a top notch alliance that showed how the game was meant to be played. I am very glad that all 3 were able to get berths to the Championship as all 3 were deserving.

Everybody keep your eyes on 5546 A.R.T. This is a team that just gets it, and I expect them to rise very quickly. I know they already have plans in the works to improve their robot for the Championship and look forward to seeing them continue to grow through their first year.

I know this was a very tough engineering challenge for many teams, but walking around the pits it is obvious that the teams in Virginia are improving each year. Keep up the hard work.

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

We are always astounded by the amount of talent and amazing teams that we get to see at the Virginia Regional. It was such an honor to have four international teams, and we hope to see all of them again (If it doesn't switch to districts, that is!) Congratulations to 384, 2363, and 1610! It was an honor to work with Kilroy and DOTM in Quarterfinals. Great way to end one of our team's personal best seasons yet. Hope to see you all next year!

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

You guys made a such a cool robot and I can't wait to see it in action again at the Rumble in the Roads!

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

It's too bad I'm a senior this year; Rumble is going to be a premier offseason event. There is too much robot talent for it NOT to be :)

Re: 2015 Virginia Regional
 

Absolutely. I hope 540 can make it this year.