Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Oh man, im still coming down off the adrenaline high. Im so happy that our alliance won, and it really was the alliance and specifically our team work that won us this competition. This regional was tough, and I think we had a good 4 or 5 alliances, tat easily could have won almost any other regional. ill post more later once I sleep and collect my thought but I want to do my thanks now.

Thanks to 233, with out your defense we could not have pulled out that last match. Weird huh, we picked you guys for defense its usually the other way around. anyways Im glad i got to win with you guys, I wouldn't want it any other way.

But I think we can all agree that the real thanks goes to team 1649. You guys built a really impressive bot, I love that thing. You played so well, and executed perfectly on our strategies. It was amazing watching you guys ninja around the field and just pop out of no where with 10-20 balls and just spit them all out into the trailer. Frankly I'm amazed you guys were still around when you got to us. Hopefully we can get to work again at nationals. I know if I get the chance to I would love it.

Also I love that this year the finals was all native teams, we showed those out of state teams that you cant just show up to Fl and expect to walk out with gold on your neck, it's just not going to happen.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Yup. We were the potted plant hiding in the corner trying not to get noticed.

Thanks for the kind comments.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

There really was a synergy in the alliance and while we appreciate your praise, it is we that want to thank Swamp Thing for seeing our potential and placing your trust in us.

We also want to congratulate 79 Krunch 744 Shark Attack and 1251 Tech Tigers. Your robots were outstanding and you played with class and smarts. It was our honor to share the field with such worthy opponents

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Congratulations to the Fla. Regional winning alliance: Teams 179, 233 & 1649.

179: You finally broke that 2nd place curse! Fantastic robot, strategizing & play. You are a force every year & a determined competitor.

233: When I saw all those parts on Thurs. I foolishly doubted you. Absolutely amazing persistence & hard work. I couldn't stop admiring your bot's appearance & ultimate manuverability (your CD teaser was very appropriate).

1649: An outstanding team since your strong rookie year. Even when your dumper was still under development, your robot stood out at Robot Ruckus preship scrimmage. You were invaluable to the alliance.

Every team who competed have much to be proud of. It was an honor meeting so many out of state teams who kept the competition intense & enjoyed some Fla. sunshine.

The volunteers, refs, safety inspectors, judges and arena personel were wonderful. Thank-you to all for making this competition such a well run, wonderful event.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Yes, the finals were AMAZING! (Reminded me a little of TNT, though ;))

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Major congrats to team 1557, 12 Volt Bolt, for winning the Chairman's Award. It was their 1st year submitting a Chairman's Essay. In addition to winning the Chairman's Award, MARS awarded them the Best Button Award for their button defining FIRST as "Fostering Insanity & Restlessness in Students and Teachers." 12 Volt Bolt is Mega Awesome.

Congrats to Swamp 179 for being seeded 7th, winning, and picking great partners.

Congrats to 233, Pink Team, for winning the Regional and Engineering Inspiration, just like last year.

The final matches between 79, 744, 1144 and 179, 1649, and 233 were amazing in that the first two matches were extremely lopsided victories, but the last match was so close.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

No, MARS is mega awsome for letting us steal Pat and Arron;)

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

They are great mentors, perhaps future Woodie Flowers candidates?

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Gah, I got 10 hours of sleep and I still feel tired.

Thanks are in order:

Mike Walker and Sarah Plemmons for being the best VC's a girl could ask for.

To our head ref, Jennifer, even though I didn't get to work with you as a ref I saw how you interacted with the other refs and students, you did a truly amazing job.

To our FTA who's name always escapes me, you did a great job and good luck following the field to the next regional and the championships.

To all the field reset volunteers - ya'll did an awesome job of keeping us on time. :) Thanks for talking to me during matches and stuff. Kept my job a little more interesting.

To Dennis - Thanks for keeping the field under control, and trying to keep us on schedule it is much appreciated, an hour and a half drive home everyday is easier when we're not getting out of there at 8m.

To the Sync Light Dancers - AKA The Game Announcers + MC + Some people at the scoring table, that was awesome. Sorry I wouldn't do it with you when the web cast was pointed at you guys :)

Thanks to everyone at 1902 for letting me crash the 1902 party it was tons of fun!

I'm sure I'm forgetting some people but I'm still beat. So thanks to everyone I may have missed.

I hope to get the pictures uploaded processed and posted before next weekend. I'll post links when they are all available for viewing.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

maybe.........next year:confused: ....


lol..... one of your mentors came over to our pit and was like "show me this amazing Arron Arnold creation"

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Congrats to 179, 1649 and 233!!
You guys did amazing.
Those last matches were intense.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

We wish to thank Swamp for picking us. We were very fortunate to "ride the coat tails" of 179 and 1649 to the victory. This was a different position than we usually have on an alliance, but hey, it still counts as a victory. To be honest, we didn't demonstrate much to gain the confidence you guys had to invite us onto your alliance. Swamp and EMS, you both have great robots and great teams. We hope to have more of a "scoring machine" by Denver and Atlanta, but for now, we're glad we were able to provide enough "defensive driving" and skillful ball throwing to help the alliance win.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

This was a great regional like always, I enjoyed seeing the great teams and great robots you always can expect here. Congratulations to all award winners including 179, 233, and 1649. I hope you all rest up today. Good luck in Atlanta.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

This regional was really amazing! Congrats to 179, 1649, and 233. Thank You to 79 KRUNCH and 1251 Tech Tigers. You were such amazing parters and we worked so well together. The tenative score was so close I thought it would be a tie (because it always is when we're in the finals) i was seriously wondering why the robots were being taken off of the field.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

While I'm sitting here in the airport waiting for my flight home I just want to take the time to thank the Austin family for inviting me into their home and allowing me to spend a week being a part of the family.
It was a wonderful experience hanging out with Exploding Bacon and made me appreciate them all the more. They are truly a gracious and awesome team.
The regional itself was terrific and has done the n=best job so far of mastering the new system and keeping on schedule that I have seen so far this year.
Good work guys!
Hopefully I will be able to return next year....if you'll have me...:D