Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

I'm feeling a little ignored here. We were (a well deserved) dead last at AZ East in 2013, and first at AZ West this year! Yup, the teams that scouted correctly picked us, and we got the "Golden Slot", #24 in the picks. And proceeded to play some defense. Nobody likes a defensive robot...

Tim

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

You guys certainly did improve over the last few years! Along with other teams such as 991, 1165, and 3019. I'm pretty confident that all of you guys will be in what I believe to be the top tier of Arizona at some point. That being said, I don't think I would put you guys to be at the top just yet. That is of course just my opinion and everyone is free to disagree with me. I'm sure others would have completely different lists if asked.

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

Thank you for the kind words. 4909 has been working hard to try and keep up with the high levels of excellence in New England, by far one of the most competitive Districts in FIRST.

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

I may be biased, but anyone from FiM that doesnt mention 5460 is crazy.

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

My Top 5 for this year in this order
836
1418
1086
401
122/2363

Top up and coming in this order
5804, holy crap the rookie team that could
5546, my favorite team ever.
1262, the stags are back!
5279, they were easily the most consistent robot in the entire district this year
686, they just keep getting better and better every year.

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

My top 5 new members for MN:

1) 5172
2) 5434
3) 4009
4) 4536
5) 2823

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

I guess I'll take a stab at upstate New York...

1. 5254 - The 5 poofs have been phenomenal from their inception in 2014. We on 20 have had the awesome experience of working and practicing with them as they've generated some serious HYPE with world class COTS robots these past two years.

2. 2791 - Perhaps the most beautiful robot in New York, Shaker reached the top level of play this season, sinking 7-8 high goals in tele plus a 20 point auto multiple times between FLR and TVR. Though this isn't their first powerful robot (2013, 2014), this is probably their first time breaking into the true "Top Tier" of FIRST.

3. 3044 - OxBE4 has had varying degrees of success, but since their first regional win at WPI in 2013, they've been steadily improving. They had some troubles at TVR due to ambient light, but once they got past this at FLR, they were capable of 7 high goals in tele and a 20 point auto. After earning a wildcard in the finals of FLR, this may likely be their most successful champs appearance yet!

4. 5236 - Man O' War Robotics showed up in 2014 as rookies with a consistent high goal shooter, and have continued to build simple, effective robots. This year, they captained the 3 seed alliance at TVR, but fell in the semi-finals, taking it to 3 against the 2 seed alliance.

5. 4930 - After coming up short at TVR, Electric Mayhem made a strong showing at FLR, captaining the 3 seed alliance to a finals finish, and earning themselves a wildcard.

A number of these teams will be attending champs, and I know that a few will be applying for IRI as well. Keep an eye out for them!

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

Texas :

1296
4587
5431
3005
5829

All these teams will be at Champs except for 5829, i'm shocked they didn't win Rookie All star !

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

I would add 5417 to the list, finalist/wildcard at Dallas.

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

For MAR my thoughts would be

2590
225
1640
1218
303

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

You're right, we are not in the top tier, just starting to approach good. I was mostly responding to your "improved greatly" comment :) We have a lot of work to do. The win is something to build on next year.

Thanks,
Tim

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

For Indiana Teams (I am assuming that new members into top tier illicit low experience...)

1) 4982 (Olympus Robotics): Consistent high performer last year and this year. 4th seed 1st pick at Tippecanoe going to the semifinals and 3rd seed alliance captains going to the finals at Walker Warren. Performed poorly, for their standards, at state due to some minor shooting issues and poor qualification matchups but still 1st pick for 7th seed alliance.

2) 4103 (Roborioles): Poor performance last year but really came through this year becoming the 2nd seed alliance captains at Walker Warren and State championships, and finally won their first event at state, taking them to Championships.

3) 5188 (Classified Robotics): Although a somewhat poor performance this year (didn't qualify for state), they were a dominant powerhouse team last year, going to Championships due to the district system.

4) 5403 (Aluminosity): Even though they usually aren't considered a powerhouse, they have performed decently well for a 2nd year team both this year and last.

5) Tie between 5484 (Memento Vitam), 4926 (GalacTech) 5010 (Tiger Dynasty), and others

Honorable Mentions:
3947 (Last Crusaders): Not exactly up and coming as they have a few years of experience in them

3494 (Quadrangles): Again, not exactly up and coming but they were pretty good last year, not so well this year due to some drive train issues

However, overall, I would have to say that only the top 3 teams would be admitted into the top tier of the state which, as previously includes teams such as...

1024 (Kil-a-bytes)
868 (TechHounds)
1501 (THRUST)
135 (Penn Robotics)
1747 (Harrison Boiler Robotics)
71 (Hammond)
234 (Cyber Blue)
and arguably 461 (Westside Boiler Invasion)

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

Woot! Lots of Finalist and EI medals (7 of each) at our shop and we hope to bring home gold in the coming years.

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

I'd also add 4063 to this list if they aren't already there. They've got 10 awards and 2 regional wins this season alone! A HUGE jump from their already impressive previous seasons.

Re: Top 5 new members to FIRST's Top Tier in your state/region
 

In terms of rising stars in the PNW

5803: Rookie #1 seed at DCMP. can you get any better?

4488: 2014 and 2015 they were arguably the best bot in the PNW, and their robots always are well engineered and effective

4911: CYBER KNIGHTS! clap clap clap clap

3663: they have improved tremendously over the last few years, building robots at the upper echelon of the PNW for the last two years at least

4469: you can see how their designs have improved leading up to their successes this year. hoping to see more out of them