Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

It is never fun loosing, BUT we sure appreciate being picked and able to play. It is a lot less fun not being in the finals. Glad it was our robot build partners 1251 that took out 2nd place alliance.

BTW team 25 you were good competitors, good talking to you.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

I just got an email from Bubbalous where we held the party. They had a photographer there and have posted a slide show on utube. Here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLvzQ5BRo80

Thanks to everyone who came out for the party. It was an experiment this year that we will refine and improve and hold again next year.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

WOW! Once again the Florida regional proved to be one of the best there is. This is going to be a long post because there is so much to say, and if I leave anyone out I apologize in advance, I am still recovering :)

Congratulations to 179, 1649, and 233 on the win, and 744, 79, and 1251 for coming in second. Those were some of the most intense set of matches I have seen in 9 years in FIRST.

Thank You...

to 945 and 1557. Although we couldn't make a longer run at it, it was a fun couple of matches. Good Luck in Seattle 945, and congrats on Chairman's 1557!

to all the people/teams that traveled from out of state for coming and adding to the awesomeness. Hope to see you guys back again next year.

to Barry, Dan, and George for their outstanding job mc'ing/game announcing.

to all the 1902 alumni, family, and friends that came out to support the team and/or volunteer. It was great seeing to see you all.

to Dave, Kevin, Drew, John, Mr. Ellich, and all the members of teams 1251 and 408 for all the hard working you guys have put in to making the collaboration an already great success. Even though you guys won't be competing anymore this season you are all members of team 1902 as we compete in CT and ATL.

to Sarah Plemmons and Mike Walker for their hundreds of hours of work they put in over the past months as volunteer coordinators. Seeing up close how much work it takes really made me appreciate how special our regional is.

to the Coleman family for hosting a party at their home after the event. Also to team 86 and other friends of bacon for coming out and making it a lot of fun.

I could not end this post without giving the biggest thank you of them all to the entire Austin family. Since I joined 1902 before the 2007 season they have taken me and the other college mentors in as members of their family. I can honestly say our team would not have had the success we have enjoyed if they were not around. So to Wendy, Kelly, Caroline, James, and Katie I am eternally grateful.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Bubbalous was really fun! I want to thank you for inviting Team 79. All of us had a blast!
:)

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

That was us. The bottom three rollers are chained to one motor and it slipped off during the last two matches of the finals.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Alex this is where you are wrong. It got loose in the second match of the finals, but we fixed it, or at least we thought we did. In the final match, the chain broke with about 30 seconds to go, just as we were about to pick up the winning moon rocks.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Mark told me that the chain came off the sproket and he placed it back on, I didn't hear anything about it being replaced.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Warning; :ahh: This is long

I called the time out between the 2nd to last match and the final match. I thought it had completely broken, but I could be mistaken due to the fact that I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off while trying to alert everyone of the time left. Regardless, this regional was so much fun, so thank you to everyone who was a part of it.

Specifically:
To all members of the winning alliance: Awesome Job! I had so much fun playing against you all. As a member of the drive team, let me just say, the intensity on the "crater" was unbelievable. I can honestly say, those were the funnest matches I've ever driven. If we had to go out, losing to you all was the way to go. All the drivers on that alliance were very skilled. It was really different but interesting and fun to play against our great friends of 233 at such a high level, instead of with, like we have often done in off season.

To our alliance partners 79 and 1251: As an alliance, we rocked. Our strategy was so simple and efficient. I had a blast getting to know the members of 79 better (Harrison, Alex, Jonell, energy drink kid who I don't know his name...)

All other attending teams: In every match played, 744 had to put a strong effort in, in order to win. Therefore, every team gave us a run for our money. This shows just how high of standards the Florida Regional has. Florida is full of talent!

To the volunteers: THANK YOU! All the judges were so friendly. The crater reset team was so efficient. The announcers were enthusiastic. Head ref Jennifer was so understanding and extremely nice to work with. I'm sure I am missing people. Overall, it was a very smoothly run regional.

Lastly, it was great to see Barry Bonzack again... my team is now in love with you. I think they are really going to make a "We Love Barry Bonzack" group on Facebook. :D You didn't completely jinx my team this year which is greatly appreciated. Also, my parents were watching the webcast and saw your speech about going to the moon. They said it was really good and you made it very interesting. LOL Just thought I'd let you know.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Well, from what I got out of it and I saw. The chain was loose. They put it back on, and we thought it was okay. It could be any story since I was running around as well!

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

Yeah KRUNCH's bottom roller's chain came loose in the last match (and the previous one) and it could have made the difference. However, it was 30 secinds left and KRUNCH was soooooo awesome the whole time. That is why they were the top of our list and we were really glad to have gotten them. As much as we would have loved to win it was still amazing to have the excitement of the matches.

Congrats again to 179, 1649 and 233!!!!!

O and Barry. Like Lauren said our team is now in love with you. And I have a feeling you did jyxn us right after the second match. But I won't hold you to it.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

actually speaking of barrys speech, i was standing behind him in the finals pit area and what with the speech and the music, i got goosebumps. Just made it even more awesome and effective, loved it !
xD

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

I don't think anyone has posted these media links to on-line articles about the Regional:

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/new...ance-wins.html

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/new...-the-pits.html

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-l...,3458168.story

and photos related to the last article posted here: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/broad...9.photogallery

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

I'm still exhausted, but I have a long list.

To all the field reset, score keepers, Deann (the FTA), Dennis, and refs: I can not tell you how impressed I am with how well the field was handled and how the schedule was kept. You made that field sing.

Dan and George: Game announcing and Emceeing with you two is a pleasure and an experience that never grows old.

Mike Walker and Sarah Plemmons: I am not entirely sure exactly what it is and how much of it you two do... and that means it must be an enormous amount because everyone would sure notice if you didn't.

To the amazing DJ: Excellent working with you both at the FTC Championship and the Florida FRC Regional. Thank's for making my request of "epic music" happen.

744: Amazing work this year, I still believe you had the best robot at the regional. In my opinion, the second best is a tie between 1144, 79, 665, as well as 180, 1649, 103, 25, and 238. (I liked a lot of teams)

To the out of state teams especially 25, 103, and 501: It was a blast talking to you all, and meeting some new friends. I hold each of your teams in the highest regards, and was thrilled to have you in my (figurative) back yard. I wish there could have been more time to hang out.

And of course the out of state individuals like Ed and Nica, it was great seeing you again.

To the Austins for allowing me a comfortable couch to sleep on so I didn't have to drive 30 minutes home

And most of all to Bethany for making me a VERY cool new spacey Hawaiian shirt and a 1902 umbrella hat. Mo' bacon than the pan can handle.


Okay, I have to include a video of one of my favorite memories from this years regional. It is always awe inspiring to look up and see students cheering and dancing like you would expect to see at any sporting event. This year the students joined in a UCF Tradition, jumping up and down to Zombie Nation.

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

This is our 5th year with FIRST, and this year’s Florida Regional was truly a rollercoaster ride for us. Many thanks are in order:

Team 179: Thank you so much for picking us for the elimination rounds. You guys did an outstanding job in leading this alliance to victory.

Team 233: All I can say is WOW. I have to admit I had some doubts about your bot when I first saw you guys working on it Thursday. Way to prove me wrong! Your team never ceases to amaze me with how you always rise to the occasion when it counts.

Teams 79, 1251 and 744: You guys did a fantastic job!! These were the most intense matches we have played in our 5 years competing. That last match could have easily gone either way. All 3 bots are amazing machines. Best of all though, I really admire the skill, focus and determination you demonstrated. Team 744 was sitting just behind our team in the stands, which made the final matches very interesting to watch… every match was one constant cheer, regardless of who was scoring, lol. I had a chance to talk to a few of you during and after the matches. It was a pleasure.

It was an honor to compete with all of you. We look forward to seeing again those of you going to Atlanta next month.

A special THANK YOU goes to Team 1902 for helping us with some of our software development during the build season, as well as all their support and cooperation over the past few years. Your Gracious Professionalism award was certainly well deserved and hard earned.

Thanks also to Barry, Sarah, Mike and all the other announcers, judges, refs and volunteers that made this Regional happen. Outstanding job!

Re: 2009 Florida Regional
 

I know I'm late to the party but I have to give all my shoutouts.

1557 - Thanks for being so cool, I knew we'd be playing together after we connected on the practice day and congrats on winning chairmans. 1902 - Although I did not interact with you guys much, thanks for inviting us to your lunch and thanks for all your hospitality, also congrats on winning Conneticut. It was tough losing off a questionable penalty but we put up a great fight. A HUGE thanks to the both of you and good luck in Atlanta.

Thanks to Nawaid Ladak for everything he did to help team 945.

Thanks to 21 and thier driver CJ for being so tight and congrats on winning the Palmetto Regional.

Can't leave the winners out, congrats to 179, 1649 and 233 for tearing it up. 179 - I'm still in awe about your basket and crab drive.

And thanks to everyone else I might of missed,