Re: West Michigan 2010
 

Thanks Andrew. You're alliance put up a heck of a fight and made it tough on us. It was fun competing against you - only in FIRST can you have two competing alliances next to each other joking around between matches in the elimination rounds. That's one of things I love about FIRST.

Re: West Michigan 2010
 

First, I would like to reiterate what most experienced teams already know. Scouting and Strategy is an absolute!

We seeded #12 -again, and figured that we’d either get snatched or that most teams would sequentially draft and put us as a #7 or #8 alliance captain. We ended up #7. We also picked in seq. not because 3357 was #13, but because team 3357 complimented our abilities by being a strong and flexible mid-zone player. Further, we figured that all of the hangers would probably be gone leaving the #3 robot the key. For that 2054, ranked #33 was in our opinion the "sleeper" team with designed-in excellent defense that we needed to work the far end.

So, playing to each of our strengths, as an alliance we moved the balls forward as best as we could in auton. hoped for a few points, then out-maneuvered the defender, or drew them to the opposite side for the middle robot who could keep us fed, score from to the opposite side- or jump over & help clean-up the near zone while we neutralized the defender (Awesome teamwork 3357!) This while the opposite side was tied up with an exceptionally good D. Great work 2054! (Love those Viking Hats!! :) )

Our alliance had some interesting parallels to our Win in 2004.

* 1243 Alliance Captain

* A Rookie Team #3357 – who also Won Highest Rookie Seed & Rookie Inspiration as we did at West MI in 2004.

* #3357 started build late in the season due to lack of resources & students- like we did in 2004

* #3 robot #2054 was a lower ranked but complimentary team to our alliance as 1024 was in 2004.

* #3 robot was extremely energized by their selection and played their hearts out as 1024 did in 2004.

* No fancy last-minute finals strategy- play the best of what you designed the robot to do during build.

* Facing the #1 alliance was simply approached as fun. In 2004, our alliance of 141 & 1024 was facing 67,494, 858. This year 1718, 1918, 1896 were AWESOME with intimidating machines & teams as well. After a clean 1st round Finals Win, everyone realized it was within reach and became even more energized & motivated.

As was mentioned in an earlier post, everyone stepped up their performance or stretched their capabilities making it an exciting event and a good way to have completed the 2010 regular season. Only a handful of teams from WM are yet to have their 2nd event this weekend and are sure to take a lot of positive lessons from this event! Good-Luck to all, and let’s look forward to more challenge and fun at the MI Championship!

Re: West Michigan 2010
 

I know that 3357 - The COMETS - had a blast with you guys. On Friday, we were ranked in last place on several occasions, and it was amazing on Saturday when we finished ranked in 13th. A true "Cinderella story".

It was interesting though, because we always had the same strategy as we did in the eliminations - flood our end of the field with balls, but for some reason our alliances usually didn't complement this strategy.

Since we're a rookie team, we didn't have a scouting team. So when we realized (Saturday afternoon) that we'd probably be picking, we made up a short list of who to pick. 2054 was in the top 3, because we too thought that it was the "sleeper" bot at GVSU. When our driver saw that you also had them on your short list, he was ecstatic.

What really allowed us to "steamroll" the competition in the elimination rounds (I think we only lost our initial match of the first round) was our alliance's ability to work together. We everyone understood each others' strengths/weaknesses, and made sure that we had the other guy's back. Great job guys!

Our entire team had an unforgettable time, and I know that this event/team will live in infamy among our team for years to come. Thank you once again, and we'll hopefully see you at state!

Re: West Michigan 2010
 

They're just lucky I didn't run over and tie their wheels together like I threatened to :D

Re: West Michigan 2010
 

Yup, it really is the best part. At least now you guys know that you are supposed to bring spare parts for us too. ;)

I was under the impression that IRI type pranks were frowned upon during build season ;) Maybe I should deliver the construction barrel I have to your pit after I saran wrap it to a bench. (For anyone who doesn't get this, a couple years ago 1024 built Alfred, it was a construction barrel that had a horn. It ran around beeping at people. My younger brother was involved in using the large saran wrap type stuff to secure it to a bench. I am NOT referring to the other more serious and less humorous pranks also committed, I would never intentionally damage anyone else's robot.)

Re: West Michigan 2010
 

No joke. It's a good feeling to know that in the last two events, we have 3 robots that wouldn't have been on the field without our programming and electrical team, and another 4 that were running on our spare parts.

Of course, I always yell at the programming team when one of the robots they helped with beats us, but it's a price I'll happily pay to get more teams out there having a good time. I know that any team at the competition would do the same for us...

In fact, on that note, I'd like to thank 1504 The Desparate Penguins for loaning our alliance partner their batteries for the elimination matches. Boy is FIRST cool.