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

As Dr. Joe said in this thread, across many districts, new teams are entering FIRST's top tier. I'd like to showcase those teams in this thread. I don't know much about other districts, but here are my picks for NE's best up-and coming teams:

1. 4564
2. 133
3. 1768
4. 4909
5. 5687

What are your favorite new members to the FRC Top Tier for other states/districts/regions? The teams you pick should be making it to elims or making it farther in elims than ever before.

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

5172 is the top tier in MN. Everyone else is trying to catch up.

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

My picks for MAR:

1) 3314 has played in 5 competitions so far this season, being the first overall selection at Montgomery and the 3rd seeded alliance captain and finalist at MAR Champs. Their robot has improved steadily with each event, and look for them to be a strong force at the world championships.

2) 5895 won their first win at Montgomery this year, then they were the 4th seeded alliance captain and semifinalists at MAR champs. They have great leadership, and look for a strong showing from them in years to come.

3) 708 had the best season they have every had, being a top pick or seed at three districts and selected late in the first round at the MAR Championship, making it to the semifinals. They have still not won an in-season competition yet, but that goal is much closer.

4) 5404 had a great season, with a first-round selection at two districts and a second-round selection at MAR Champs. They are constantly improving their robot too, adding a scaler that was used at MAR Champs.

5) 1257 won two competitions and was a finalist and #1 seed at a third this year, through low goals and defense. They have the fire and passion to do well.

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

That is so true. They were crazy good in Iowa. If you haven't seen them yet you need to.

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

My top five new members for MN would be:

1. 5172 (Already a complete powerhouse)
2. 2883
3. 5434
4. 4778
5. 4536

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

Overall a lot of our top tier in Arizona has improved greatly or continues to do as well as they always do. As far as entering/surpassing our top tier, I have to give it to two teams teams:

1) 1011
2) 498

Crush is by far the best low goal robot in Arizona and 498 has shown a high level of consistency and improvement all throughout this season. I expect Crush in particular to make it pretty far in their division. Sorry if I missed anyone else from Arizona but I only went with those that have improved dramatically this year compared to their last 4 seasons.

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

We have had a couple of teams take a massive step up in quality in CHS in 2016:

122: Won their first event (Hampton Roads) since 2005, and made it to at least the semis as a high first pick in all of their other events (Central VA and DCMP)

686: Had a strong season, with two finals finishes at Greater DC and Central MD. They also had the highest OPR at DCMP and are making their first trip to Champs since 2006.

5279: After not making the playoffs in either of the team's first two seasons, this team broke through with #1-seeded finishes in both of their qualifying events (SW VA and Central VA), with a win at Central VA and were the 4th overall pick at DCMP.

5546: After a promising rookie season where they won RAS at Virginia, ART had an impressive sophomore season, winning at Hampton Roads, and a semifinal finish at Central VA, and will be headed to champs for the second straight season.

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

5805 and 5817 both hit the ground running as rookie teams. Congrats to both of them for their RAS awards.

1197 looks to be having a defining year that could set them up for more successes in the future. Same goes for 3021.

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

My picks for MAR over the past couple years:

• 225
• 303
• 1218
• 1640
• 2590

A couple years back these teams were all pretty solid but over the last couple of years have certainly grown to become a part of the top tier of FIRST

For 2016 specifically:

• 5895
• 3314
• 708
• 4573
• 1257

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

If 4587 wasn't already in the top tier of Texas before this year, they sure are now. Two regional wins with a quick-release catapult and swift robot will make them a fierce competitor in St. Louis.

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

A few teams entering the GA top tier, not ranked, just listed:

1. 4468 - Their record speaks for themselves. With 3 Dean's List Finalists in 4 years, an EI and Finalist at Peachtree in 2015, and an event winner, DCMP EI, and two #1 seeds, this team has not only broken into the top tier, they've taken it by storm.

2. 1648 - Success is starting to come on the field, after a long time. After winning RAS in 2005 and making quarterfinals in Galileo that year, this team returned to CMP last year for only the second time in team history by winning the only Georgia Southern Classic Regional. This year, they've been the #1 pick in both their district events, won a DCA at Columbus, and were finalists at Albany. If they can match or even improve on their DCMP quarterfinals performance, they could be a significant player on the world level.

3. 4188 - They've followed up their first regional victory (2015 Peachtree) with a complete performance at every event they've attended this year. Winner at Columbus. Finalist, #1 seed, and EI at Albany. Finalist at Rocket City. Woodie Flowers Award and Semi-finalist at DCMP. This team has exploded onto the scene this year, but the signs have been there for a few years.

4. 1746 - After going to CMP for the first time since 2009 last year on an Engineering Inspiration Award, OTTO fielded one of the most beautiful and effective robots in GA this year, with a new sheet metal design. Hammering the low goal and adding a climber at DCMP, they have reached semi-finals at all their events, seeded second or better at all of them, and won the KSU district as alliance captains. This team could go the furthest of any GA team at Championship.

5. 4910 - East Cobb had a breakout year this year, dominating the Dalton event, winning an EI award and the event with 2974. They followed up that performance with an ID award at KSU, a DCMP EI, and a DCMP victory. They will be attending CMP for the first time in team history this year.

I would not be surprised if any of these teams continue their success at Championship, and into future years.

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

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

Based on my knowledge of which middle schools now feed into which high schools in St. Paul, and from the current respective trajectories of Highland (2823) and Central's (4536) math teams (ah, the life of a nerd), I would put 2823 here instead.

They have already risen up to have, from what I can tell off TBA, the best year in their history, with a robot that could be dominant when it was hitting shots and two semifinal appearances, whereas we had a year consistent with our last 2. I would put money on them having a better robot than us next year...

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

I like these teams in Ontario:
4678, 4039, 5406, 3683 and 1305. All of them are showing year over year excellence with clever, creative designs. This year that arm of 4678 is particularly impressive. 1305 is just strong all around and really changing the face of STEM in northern Ontario.

And how can you not like Makeshift. Very impressive and inspiring team. Looking forward to seeing where these teams will be going in the next 5 years.

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

AGREED. Great team. I think look for them to be really strong at CHAMPS!

--Michael Blake

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

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

Well obviously I didn't know the extent of your success, you guys really are top tier.

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

I think you left out 5402 somewhere in there. Even though we did not do as well this year due to losing two very good mentors. We were finalist 3 times last year(Kokomo, Purdue, and state) and only rookie team in the world to make it to champs on merit and not rookie all-star. Even if we would not have had our 10 rookie points we still would have made it to champs.

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

Sorry, I completely forgot about you guys. Definetly contender s, up there with 5403.

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

I'll give my list of top tier Colorado teams:

1619 (They take the crown without a doubt. They have dominated the Colorado Regional for two years straight and delivered consistently excellent robots for many years before that)
In my opinion the other teams listed below are all on about an equal level
4499 (My cross town buddies)
2996 (Rockin' the yellow and red)
1410 (With potentially the best name in Colorado, THE KRAKEN!)
662 (Our next door pit buddies)

Teams I expect to see on this list next year:

1339 (Who honestly deserve the imagery award every year)
159 (We're getting there) (We went to CMP *almost* every year from 1998-2011 and haven't been since :( We intend to fix that.)
4944 (Gimme a high five)
4388 (ALSO my cross town buddies)
There are plenty of other teams who deserve to be on this list (probably more than my team... I'm just trying to make myself feel good...) and so if you think my list of Colorado teams is wrong just point it out.

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

Thank you for your kind words. While 1257 and 2791 are different in many ways, they share a strong drive to field the best robot possible and build on their previous successes.

I am not yet well enough acquainted with upstate New York to comment, but a number of New Jersey teams have really impressed me with their recent improvement (in no particular):

1) 5895: it's rare to see a rookie captain a winning alliance, but Peddie School Robotics pulled it off, and was a captain and first pick at their two other events. They've done a truly impressive job leveraging their resources to build an elegant machine with a killer batter shot. With a 20 point auto, they can score as many as seven boulder in the high goal. Do not let their rookie status fool you; they know what they're doing.

2) 5624: twice-bannered this season, Tiger Tech has won two events as the first pick of the seventh alliance. As a second-year team, they are in MAR's top tier of low-goalers. Few can damage the tower like 5624; in fact, no one else in Archimedes can, as they lead the subdivision in tower damage (based on component OPR). Despite their low-goal prowess, they went unpicked at MAR Champs due to overvaluation of shooters and climbers. If you want a strong low goal robot to secure the capture, 5624 is the way to go.

3) 3314: although they haven't earned a banner this season, the Mechanical Mustangs came awfully close at MAR Champs, captaining the finalist #3 alliance. With their 20 point auto, they can sink as many as seven high goals from nearly anywhere in the courtyard. This year, they've built a fine machine, and will be a force to be reckoned with at Champs.

4) 869: with their accurate batter shot and scale, Powercord has had an impressive showing this year. They were either a captain or first pick at all four of their events so far. They have built a powerful robot this year, and I was surprised to see them not make finals this year. They also have developed quite the outreach program, especially considering how small their team is, taking home their first Chairman's Award in Bridgewater.

5) 1989: as a quarterfinalist alliance captain at both their district events, Viking Robotics has had one of their best years yet. Although they narrowly qualified for MAR Champs, once they got there, they killed it. They earned the #7 alliance captain spot by scoring up to seven high goals a match. While they were not able to make it out of quarters, they accrued enough district points to earn their first invite to Champs since 2008.

After I wrote this list, it immediately occurred to me that I missed 1923, who certainly deserve a mention. Last year the MidKnight Inventors took home District Chairman's and Regional Engineering Inspiration Awards, giving them a chance to win Curie with 1114 and 148 and reach Einstein. Winning one of this year's MAR District Championship Chairman's Award, they are one of the most gracious teams I've had the pleasure of working with in FIRST. Their robot this year is a solid low goal cycler that was the first pick of the second alliance at Mount Olive. They have an inspiring drive for excellence on and off the field.

Every year, I'm impressed by the level of play in MAR, and am excited to see these teams and others continue to up the ante in years to come.

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

Not sure how to play this so I will start with the perennial Powerhouses in Minnesota (prior to 2016) first:

1816 - THE team in MN.
2052 - Since 2013 they have been the most dominant force in MN
2169 - The original powerhouse from MN
2175 - Twin Power with 3130 in MN*
2220 - Their work on the field only pales in comparison with their work off the field.
3130 - Twin Power with 2175 in MN*
*Both have qualified for Champs but are not competing in the MSHSL Tourney. How?

So that leaves the next to arrive:
5172 - Gators (Greenbush Middle River)
3102 - TNT (Nevis)
3026 - Orange Crush (Delano)
4009 - DNA (Duluth Denfeld)
5690 - SubZero (Esko)

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

Both had somewhat rough starts in Iowa (especially 2175). Because the MSHSL only counts your first event, their winning from rank 1 and 2 respectively at North Star means nothing for their qualification to state champs.

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

He understands how. He was commenting on the fact that they should be at States.

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

In Michigan, I've been very impressed with 5460 and 5980. Both teams have been exceptional this year.

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

Maybe now?
:)

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

To not mention 5813 on this thread would be an injustice imo

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

I was going to respond with that as well.

They built this impressive 254 clone as a pre-season project in the fall.

This season they were a very quick cycling machine at their events. The early weeks in New England were more focused on low goals but they demolished the upper level at their first event. They took each of their opening events to three semi-final matches falling short of the finals partially due to some unfortunate communication failures. Without those there is a good chance they would have had two banners under their belts. They even went as far as captaining their own alliance at the Championship on Galileo.

Very impressive year for Morpheus. They have one event left this season and I hope they can make it to the finals. That robot deserves a trophy.

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

For Michigan, as other people have already said 5460 has definitely been impressive. For other teams now joining the top tier of Michigan:

1. 217 - Yes, Chickens used to be top of the world, but with an exodus of several key mentors, they fell on some hard times with bad robots by their standards. The past 2 years have shown they are on the up and up again. This year they knocked out the first seed at MSC, as part of the 16th alliance, as well as emerged from the most competitive field at World's knocking out 16, 5172/67, and 1241/254 as the 7th Alliance. They have definitely pulled themselves back into Michigan's top tear.

2. 2771 - With 2 district wins and a early high score record (I don't believe was broken till week 7, correct me if I'm wrong) and a chairmen's, Code Red has shown that it deserves a spot in the top tear.

3. 5460 - Strike Zone was one of the better rookies in the state in 2015, and as a sophomore, they have only grown. Finalist at both district events and at MSC, they showed that they were a highly competitive team. Not to mention they were a captain on Carver beating out the next team in my top 5...

4. 2767 - After a good showing in 2015, they managed to win a district, and seat 1st at MSC this year, something that only 6 other teams have done (217 x2, 1023, 469, 1718, 1918 and 2054), all of whom spent a number of years in Michigan's top tear.

5. 3620 - The Average Joes have had a consistent upper-mid tier robot for the past few years, after this year I believe they have moved up to join the rest of the top tier, with a wins the past two years. As the 4th overall pick in Newton, they made into semi's and put up a strong fight against the 1st alliance of 1241/254.

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

The big name in California as of recent has been 3250. Very impressive performances at Idaho and Chezy Champs. I'm sure they'll be even better at CCC next weekend.

Other teams to be mentoined are 5818, 5817, 5940, 649 and 5924. All of those teams are on the rise and I suspect will do great things in the near future.

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

I would be careful about defining who would go into FIRST's overall "Top Tier." I think that there is significant enough a gap between a group of a few teams who are consistently on Einsteins and very nearly win/have won in many recent years and teams who do exceptionally well in their own regions and in individual World's fields but don't have the same Einstein's results as that initial top tier, aka FIRST's second highest tier of teams.

I would say that in NE, only 195, 125, and 1519 would really belong to that second tier of FIRST teams, with the teams you listed being 3rd tier teams who are on the edge of jumping up to 2nd tier but require more and better consistent results before they could really make it. 3rd tier teams would be more so defined by very strong local results, but a fall off on the international level. Teams like 4564 is certainly on the come up, but I believe it will take more years at the level of their more recent results for them to truly rise up into that 2nd tier.

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

Yup I definitely think so now and think anyone who watched you guys at Arizona state would be crazy to think otherwise! Probably the most consistent robot in the State.

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

They actually knocked out a 1519/118 combo, not 16.

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

I was just about to say, where is 3250!?!? They have built some exceptional robots and are definitely on the rise. I hope to see them finally win a banner in their near future!

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

Thanks for the props! Team 4909 has now been challenged :D

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

I also think team 4061 SciBorgs should be included in this list. Every year they build a solid robot with initiative ideas.
Apex team 5803 I hope to win back that case of Pepsi with real sugar that I lost at the PNW.