Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

I created this thread to see which teams people think will be powerhouses/already are, and are relatively new. The criteria is that their first competition must be in 2013 or later. Here is my list (In no particular order).

4488, They made incredible 2014 and 2016 robots, and the other two years have been great as well.
4613, Their rookie year they went to champs and were rank 9 in their division, and they went to semifinals. They also did great in 2016.
5172, in 2016 they were one of the best robots, if not the best, at champs, and in 2015 and 2014, they were amazing.
5254, Their 2014 robot was creative and effective, in 2015 they were ranked 1 at FLR, and did well at IRI and Champs. In 2016 they were ranked 2 and 1 at Tech Valley and FLR (Respectively), and went to the finals of their division.

I can't wait to see all of the new teams grow up to be better!

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

I wouldn't call 5254 a new, up-and-coming team. I'd call them already one of the best teams in their region. The data proves that.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

4 teams I would put in this category:

4967 has been a powerhouse from day 1 in my opinion, so I can't put them as up and coming, but they fit the thread.

5050 had a rough first two years but this year they were finalists 2x, MSC 11th alliance captain, and subdivision winners. I can definitely see them having good success in the future. Also some really nice people having met them myself.

5114: MSC SF in 2016, I'm pretty sure they have qualified for MSC all 3 years of their existence (2014 they declined IIRC)

5460 was MSC finalists this year, and you wouldn't be able to tell they are a sophomore team from looking at their robot. They look like a seasoned veteran on the field.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

From Chesapeake:

5279 (Bionic Eagles from Lynchburg): #1 seed at SWVA and CVA with one event win (CVA), and top-25 finishes at CHS CMP and Curie, all after missing the playoffs in their previous two seasons

5546 (A.R.T. from Petersburg): After a RAS in 2015, they had two top-8 finishes (HR and CVA) and a event win (HR) during the regular season, and top 25 finishes at both of their postseason events (CHS CMP & Hopper)

5804 (TORCH from Richmond): Had 2 event wins (HR and CHS CMP) in their rookie season.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

For up and coming teams in Colorado, I'd definitely say 4499. They're only four years old, yet they already have 2 RAS Awards, 2 EI Awards, 2 RCAs, and 1 WFFA. (Quite the resume for a relatively new team!) They also have built some great robots, ones that I've enjoyed watching. Their robot this year is by far their best, even better than last year's. They've been finalists at the Colorado Regional twice in a row now, and I've enjoyed watching them get better. They are certainly a rising star in Colorado, and have gotten pretty good over the last few years. (Earlier this year, in Arizona North, they actually seeded above us and invited us to their alliance.) Not to mention, they seeded 15th on Galileo this year and won GP. They have definitely entered the top tier of Colorado teams, and I look forward to seeing what they build next year!

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

I would say 4818, The Herd. They build effective and aesthetically pleasing robots. They are a fourth year team and they won their first regional last year (along with an Imagery and Industrial Design Award)with a robot that had swerve drive and then went on to rank 19th and be quarter finalist on Carson. This year they built a rocker-bogie drive train, became alliance captains for the first time, and went to be semifinalists at the Iowa Regional. Every year they seem to get better and better and can't wait to see their robot next year!

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

5406 Celt-X for sure. Finalists as Rookies against 1114/2056 at Waterloo 2015 and RAS, following that up in 2016 with a Regional win as the #1 overall selection at Pittsburgh, #5 seed captains and semifinalists on Curie.

Ontario is already a stacked region, and Celt-X is showing they can play with the best of them.

Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Definitely agree. Fantastic robot this year, it was an honor to be in Curie with you guys.

Also, my second up-and-coming pick would be 5803 Apex Robotics. Absolutely incredible performance as a rookie team. District event winner, highest rookie seed at every event they attended except 1, #4 alliance captain on Curie and Curie RAS. That doesn't happen by accident, especially for a rookie team. I truly expect to see great things come out of Apex in the future.

Edit: of course, how could I forget 5924 The Cat Machine! A fantastic team, both on the field and off. Fielded a excellent robot this year and was extremely helpful and kind to everyone around them.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Thanks! I was just coming here to plug 5803 Apex. You guys built a really professional looking robot this year, and racked up a ton of hardware, including a blue banner in your first year. More importantly, you had some of the most engaged, ambitious students I've ever seen on a rookie team. I expect big things from you! :)

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

For 2013-on rookies in South Carolina (and even big parts of the South at large), the discussion ends here.

TBA missed the story where I emailed them the Monday before SCRIW 2014 asking if they had a chassis they could slap bumpers on so we'd have 24 teams in the bracket. I saw a picture of the finished robot 24 hours later. It seeded #1.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

5895 Peddie School Robotics
- RAS, Highest Rookie Seed, #5 pick and Quarterfinalist at their first district
- Highest Rookie Seed, Industrial Design Award, #5 Captain and Winner at their second district
- Highest Rookie Seed, #4 Captain and Semifinalist at the MAR Championship
- Highest Rookie Seed, Judges' Award, #3 Captain and Finalist in the Carson divison

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

I think anyone who watched 5895 play can agree with this.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

5895, best rookie of the season.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Agreed.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Agreed. As one of the strongest teams in Upstate New York for two years now, they're up, but it's not coming at this point.

There are few teams that not only dominate their region but also their division. 5895 did so in their first year. 5895 had a fast, deadly accurate batter shot that led them to being an alliance captain three times and a first round selection once. Look out for them, they'll be making serious waves in the next few years.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Agreed. It was awesome to see a rookie team captain an alliance to the division finals, even if they beat my team to get there. It's hard to think of a more dominant rookie team other than 2753.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Would also like to agree with 5895 being the best rookie team of the 2016 season.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Other teams that come to mind:

5803 (the other rookie success)
5172
5137 (even though they didn't make champs, but made two regional finals too early in the year to get a wildcard)
4967

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Came here to say this.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Going to nominate 3 California rookies:

5817 - RAS at CVR, and Orange County; finalists at CVR, QF at OC
5924 - RAS at Sac; SF at Sac and SVR, QF on Carver
5940 - RAS at SVR; QF at SVR, QF on Curie


I also want to echo what has been said about 5406 and 5803. Being in Curie and getting to play with/against you guys was awesome.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

I'd also like to add 5805 to this list. First of all, it was no coincidence that their design lent itself to doing well at a week one; they built a consistent machine that netted them top seed with a record of 8-1 at San Diego, scoring consistently within the same 30 point range for every single qualification match they played.

On top of that, after sitting in the stands next to them and getting an opportunity to interact, I can conclude that they are the ideal rookies when it comes to becoming a future great: eager to learn and very GP.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Agreed a 100 times over. We had a qualification match with 5895 in the Carson division and I was surprised when we were coming up with a strategy for our match that 5895 gave off that "veteran" vibe when interacting with their drive team. Overall their performance in Carson sums it up, 5895 is stellar.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

I would like to say that not only is 5803 an amazing rookie team, but they are some of the nicest people. I had the pleasure to get to know them over the course of this season and was able to learn a lot from them. Rookie all-star is well deserved. Can wait to see what they bring to the table next.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Much agreed! Got to see 5817 in action at CVR.

Also, 4587 on Hopper really impressed me. Two regional wins this year and a strong performance on a deep field. Obviously, it takes more than one year to make a powerhouse, but I hope they keep it up.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

5586- Rookie Allstar in 2015 and Creativity Award in 2016
5976- Rookie Allstar in 2016
6166- Rookie Allstar 2016 and Highest Seeded Rookie in 2016
5826- Rookie Inspiration 2016 and Highest rookie Seed 2016
5855- Regional Winner 2016
5903- Regional Finalists 2016 and Highest Rookie Seed 2016
5148- Regional Finalists 2015 and Rookie Allstar Award 2014

I just did Wisconsin Teams :P

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Holy Crap yes they are the best, I can't believe how well there season went.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Ignoring all mentioned teams, 5818 also had a stellar bot this year. They had a one ball auto, could make around 4 high goals a match, and had a good climber.

Their finals appearance at the Ventura regional reminded me of another black and white team from last year.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Are they indeed the "successor" team of 1717?

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Probably not officially, but their site indicates that they have previous mentors from 1717 and students from Dos Pueblos High.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

4522 Team SCREAM has consistently had one of the best robots in Missouri since their inception.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

5813 Morpheus had an incredible rookie season taking home the trifecta of Rookie awards at their first two events and were the #5 alliance captain on Galileo. They made a Poofs clone during the off-season and were one of New England's best shooting robots in Week 2.

4909 Bionics have been doing very well for themselves over the past three seasons and these two are some of the stronger young teams in New England on the northern half.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

4678 has had a super strong season this year; Ranked 6th at Waterloo, 5th at GLR & finalists. Newton division champions this year. Winners of the North bay Regional last year as well as being the #1 pick of the 5th seeded alliance at champs.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Thank you very much :)! Also, I will second your thoughts on 5813. We picked them for eliminations at UNH and together we almost managed to take down the number 1 seeded (and eventual champion) alliance of 319, 1519, and 1512 in the semifinals (we lost by only 3 points in the tie-breaking match). I was very impressed with their robot and team as a whole.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

No one from Indiana has chimed in yet - I'll give it a go. Indiana is improving on a massive scale (the majority of teams are getting better each season) but the few teams that catch my eye in particular are:

4103: This year they really broke out into the spotlight, captaining the winning Indiana alliance and captaining an alliance in Archimedes too.

1720: Last year they had arguably the best landfill robot in Indiana, and won their first banner this past season. Their robot wasn't quite as impressive as last year's but I imagine they'll hit the mark several times in the future.

5484: Solid robots the past two years. A little slow this year, but once they got the vision working they were doing pretty well. And they're building full fields and even hosted a scrimmage during build season. I expect them to do well soon.

You could arguably include 1747 in this list, but they have already been solid in the past, so they're not really "up-and-coming". This year has locked them as a powerhouse, though...

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

The rookies this year amazed me. It may be that I haven't paid attention in the past but this year's class seemed especially notable. I'm definitely missing some in this list but of the teams I'm more familiar with, in team number order:

5817- A rookie with a swerve and one of the scariest shooters I heard all year. They made playoffs at both of their regionals as well as RAS. Had a few issues on an incredibly stacked Newton but had a few good matches.

5818- Already been talked about on this thread, I know, but we had the pleasure of playing a match with them at Idaho. Excellent robot, and I definitely would not have thought they were rookies by their robot and the way they conducted themselves.

5895- Mentioned many times on this thread already and many have already said what I've wanted to. They had an amazing run on Carson and an excellent robot.

Obviously there are many more amazing teams that I missed, but these are the ones that really stood out to me this season.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

1) 5172
2) 5172
3) 5172
4) 5172
5) 5172

In the words of Karthik...

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Also another team I just thought of is Team 5434 Falcon Robotics from Minnesota. They had vision processing and auto working consistently at the 10,000 lakes regional and were very impressive as a second year team. They had an accurate shooter as well and an automated intake system. I was sad not to see them go to champs, they certainly could of performed well there.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

3538 is going to be a top 10 team in MI very soon.

Although not a "new" team, originally established in 2011, a new mentor base re-constructed the team in 2014(?) to it's current state.

- District winner @ FiM Midland - 1st event win.
- GM Industrial Design Award
- Carson Sub-Division Champion / Einstein Appearance

*probably should have played in MSC elimination. Made the decision to re-build prior, hurt MSC early performance but helped @ Champs.

Given the experienced mentor base, resources, and drive for success, I expect big things for these guys in the future.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

I agree. I hadn't heard of 3538 till I was looking through scouting data late Friday night during championships. I was very glad our alliance picked them. We couldn't of made it to Einstein without their reliable defense and high goaling. Super glad to have had the opportunity to work with the RoboJackets.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

From Oregon:

While not having been traditionally strong during most of their existence, 2990 has really stepped it up in the last two years, learning from other teams and really working to improve their program. These improvements really came out in their 2015 robot, which showed excellence in strategy, design, and execution. Their real break out year, though was 2016, when they were a supportive robot to be reckoned with at all levels of play. This culminated in being the first team to reach Einstein in the state, and first PNW team to have played a match there, and boy did they put on a show when they made it. I knew we were in for a treat when Hotwire was on the field with the beach bots (a very defendable team).

New to the scene, 5468 - already tied with 1510 for The Flaming Chickens' favorite alliance partner (yes, I actually looked through all the events) - came to their first district event and captained an alliance to the finals from the #5 seed. In 2016, they displayed a very consistent robot, and was taken as the 24th robot to win Oregon City in a steal matched only by Chezy Champs 2014. Their luck at District Championships has been unfortunate, but one of these year's they will make it to St. Louis Houston.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Yes, we had been watching Hotwire through the season which was why they were so high on our draft list. They were our dream picks along with 364.

And then there's that Shockwave team we've heard so much about....:rolleyes:

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

I'm hoping our chief strategist who's going to UCSB will end up on their doorstep next year.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

Taking into account the criteria, I'd say that for Indiana the top up and coming team has to be 4982: Olympus Robotics
I have enjoyed seeing this team perform incredibly well, year after year and they haven't stopped.
2014: They started out their rookie year as the 7th seed at the Queen City Regional and ended up being the captains of the 5th seed alliance. This got them the Highest Rookie Seed and Rookie All Star. Their captain also ended up winning Dean's List. They then moved on to Worlds ranking 55th on Galileo.
2015: In 2015, IN moved to districts and they ranked 19th at their first event. They then were picked for the 8th seed alliance in Kokomo and went to be the finalists. At State, they were picked for the 4th seed alliance, but were sadly knocked out in quarterfinals.
2016: 2016 was their real stand out year. At Tippy, they were the first pick for the 3rd seed alliance and made it to semis, ranking 12. At Walker Warren they were 3rd seed and captained that alliance to the finals. They ended up at State Championships and faced a lot of problems. They ranked 12 and were finally picked by the 6th seed alliance. They were knocked out in the quarter finals and their hopes for Worlds were diminished as they ranked 12 out of 49 teams, narrowly missing out of Worlds by 30 points.
This year, they were a low bar robot who cycled around 6 or more high goals very consistently.

Re: Best Up-And-Coming Teams
 

I'm pretty sure 5137 was a semifinalist at both of their events this year. But the #2 Alliance Captain at CVR!