Re: 2010 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional
 

After sifting through 800+ photos I took at the competition, I've picked out my favorite 200 and uploaded them to Flickr. Most are centered around Team Beta, but there are plenty of other shots too.

With so many excellent teams, and so many awesome robots, I knew long before this weekend the Connecticut Regional was going to be one for the ages. When all was said and done, the level of competition had gone far beyond anything I could have hoped for. Every team gave it their all in every match. There were no 0-0 matches all weekend. It was really an incredible experience, and one that convinced me of how good of a game Breakaway really is.

The first quarterfinal match (383, 1124, 102 vs. 238, 1071, 533) was 16-10, in an exciting match that went back and forth until the last 20 seconds, when Red broke away, with the Überbots cleaning up their near zone while 383 rolled up the tower for an extra 2 points.



2836 had a nail biting set of exciting elimination matches as well, thanks to partners 1073 and 228. The scores stayed close until the end, with hanging points deciding most of the matches, despite some technical difficulties with 1073. Going head to head with such legendary teams as 126, 40, and 839 was an experience we'll never forget, as myself and Mike Mullinax (from 126) watched and talked about it from the side of the field. In the end the stronger alliance prevailed, but not before putting on a heck of a show.

This was overall one of the best times I've had at a regional in the 11 years I've been involved with FIRST. 383 had such a fantastic machine with incredibly skilled drivers, and it's amazing how much difference a short length of bike tire tubing makes wrapped around the climbing roller. Without it in Boston, the climbing arm didn't work. With it in Hartford, it worked every single match. 1124's drivers really made it look like the robot was an extension of themselves. It responded quickly, moved so fast defenders couldn't keep up, and managed to control balls like they were part of the robot. And with 102's smothering defense, keeping balls out of their far zone, holding opposing robots at bay, it's a wonder you lasted long enough in the draft to be a 2nd pick by the first seeded alliance. Congrats also to 694 on winning the Regional Chairmans Award, and Mr. Pease of 176 on a well deserved Woodie Flowers Finalist award.

Re: 2010 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional
 

I must agree with the general sentiment that this was one of the best regionals that I have ever attended... it was very exciting and competitive until the very end.

It was especially exciting to spend time working with Team 383, the Brazilian Machine. It is so great that the FIRST community is international allowing teams to meet and work with others from around the world... what a great experience. Although we were unable to work together in the eliminations and ended up losing to their alliance in the finals, I was very happy to see them get their blue banner... they were truly deserving. What an amazing team and what an amazing bot! We hope to see you back in CT again very soon.

I am also curious if anyone has video of the amazing shot that our team made in a qualification match on Friday (I think it was match 33) where we shot a ball diagonally across the field across both bumps and into the goal! It was a truly epic shot and I would love to be able to see it again. Thanks.

Re: 2010 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional
 

Heh.

One of my friends is a Buzz alum and he kept telling me for about a month before the regional how great and competitive CT is, and I didn't believe him. Whoops! Turns out CT is one of the most intense, stacked regionals in the country, in case you couldn't tell by the team list. When you see the #8 alliance putting up 10 points as a losing score versus the #1 alliance (outside of Michigan) you know that it's an intense event.

Congrats to 1124, 383, and 102! Glad to see 1124's continuous improvement throughout the season, clearly they've got plenty of practice since WPI (and they weren't bad there, either). Thanks for all the support and we're all glad to see you guys walk away yet again with a blue banner in hand. 383 was the real deal, and thanks for setting the qualification high score with us! That was so much fun. 102 really turned it up a notch as time went on.

Thursday was "fun" for 2791 once again, as the new student designed (read: not my fault :P) arm was too heavy to even dream of putting on the robot. We were ready to go fairly early in the day and got some good practice going, getting into the groove of being a frontbot rather than the feeder bot we'd designed around. Thursday night, we made a key decision to add another impeller to the robot. After buying the cheapest shop vac I could find out of my own pocket, we took it apart and planned to use a 3 hour break between our third and fourth qual match.

Luckily, though, we didn't have to do too much complex work, thanks to 571's insane generosity and gracious professionalism. Their team gave us their assembled spare vacuum, then helped us add a 90 degree bend to it to fit in our frame. After that, we were rushing to get it all done and ready for a match when 571 wired the new FP up for us, allowing us to make a match. They definitely earned the Gracious Professionalism award at this event! Thanks guys for all your help and inspiration. We've all studied your awesome Anderson based electronics board and hopefully we'll be doing something like that in the future.

Thanks to some skillful driving and awesome luck, we made it all the way to the 7th seed and 5th alliance captain, again. Thanks 177 and 173 for being a great alliance. RAGE's last second hangs and successful back autonomous mode made them a steal at the 12th pick of the draft. Right off the bat my team and I were very impressed with 177 as a whole. Between their coach and strategy captain, it was pretty obvious why these guys ended up on Einstein every year for four years running. You guys were some of the smartest people I've ever worked with, and we always seemed to be on the same page even before we talked about the next match. I'm glad we had the same strategy plans over and over again, including the key strategy that got a few inches and a possibly broken goal counter away from a one match upset (We needed both, so no harm done). 177's willingness to sub themselves out for 236 was commendable, even though we ended up sticking with you guys. Maybe if the entire alliance didn't have the worst luck regarding durability I've ever heard of we'd have a blue banner to our names, but either way it was an amazing, fun experience. (RAGE got hung up on a ball, then their ratchet failed, then 177's drivetrain blew apart, then their hook got twisted, all of this as 2791's suction wasn't quite up to snuff) Thanks for inspiring my students.

Steven Greco from 2079 is the coolest kid EVER. Thanks so much for coming up and doing some hardcore scouting with us; you're an awesome friend and I hope we'll work with you in the future. Enjoy the Shaker shirt. I can say similar nice things about Eric from 3125, Kelsey from 1124, the list goes on. I hope I got the chance to personally thank all of you guys for everything.

This event here ends 2791's regular season, so I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this year's robot and team so successful. I think these kids get it. Continuous improvement and hard work got them to the Top 8 at one of the country's hardest events. The drive, effort, and dedication of these students to all of their jobs was amazing, and everyone from Shaker should be proud of this season. Only for a minute, though, because if we really want to continuously improve, we're going to need to fundraise, demonstrate, and find sponsors. Let's get to it.

Re: 2010 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional
 

Alright, time for the UberPost :P

Wow. Just wow. I really am having a hard time finding another word that could explain the feelings I experienced at CT this year. I knew from past experience that it was an intense competition. However, and maybe it was just due to my role this year and how it was more involved than in previous years, but it seemed to be a lot crazier and action-packed than the past two years. Thanks to everyone for their congratulations. It really feels amazing, and I’m glad we were a part of it.

Thank you so much to 102 and 383! It was so much fun working with you guys. Whether it was talking to your mentors in the hall on Thursday about high school sports, to learning new phrases in Portuguese, to posing for the fifty million cameras which made figuring out where to look difficult, every memory I have about either of your teams were fun and enjoyable. Even if some involved races against the clock to fix some last minute errors, they were still fun in the end. Both robots performed amazingly, awesome job guys. (And to 383, I really hope we helped make your American experience a great one)

2682 and 3014, I’m not sure if any students from either team are on CD, but my heart goes out to both of you. I’m not sure which school I’d be at if I still lived in Stamford, but seeing you guys at these events is always up there in the top three things I look forward to. I really do miss Stamford so much, and love how FIRST has spread there. Adam and Hayley, I hope you two can stay at my house again next year (you can’t deny that 1124 bus rides are just too fun), and I’m looking forward to the other 483023 times I know I’ll see you guys again. As for you David, I need a time to stop by AITE. True story. Let me know when that can get worked out. I loved your robot and would love to help your team in the future. Which, speaking of, other teams should too. Both Stamford teams are having some issues and could really use all the support they can get. PM me for details (SHAMELESS PLUG)

Next, 195. What can I say here? We’ve worked well with your team so many times in the past, and no doubt so many times in the future. Everyone on your team is always nice, fun, and ready to help out. I’m sad we didn’t get a chance to have a playdate on your field, but consider this my one year RSVP for next year. Maybe even a little get together before Wolcott if you go?

2791. We worked with you guys in WPI, and I talked some more with a few of your members this time. You guys are just so chill, it’s great. Talking to your team was great help even during my most stressed times. Although we were against each other towards the end, you didn’t make it awkward to talk even after. I was glad that, though it all, your team was really able to embrace what it means to be a gracious professional. Your grandmothers would have be proud. Lizzy, I hope you enjoy the hat, you looked awesome in it. And Chris, I know I’ve told you this before, but I’m still amazed by your abilities as a strategist; especially in our semi final matches against your alliance. Your ideas were brilliant, and certainly not what we expected. Then again, after talking strategy with you at WPI, I can’t really say that I was totally blown over. I should’ve known you’d have a few tricks up your sleeve.

176. As always, you guys make every event something to remember. The friendships I’ve made with your members are some of my closest, and that’s no exaggeration. No matter what aggravations the day presented, I knew I could turn to you guys for a laugh (the fact that James and Eric painted 11 and 24 on their chests made my week, no lie). Also, a huge congratulations to Mr. Pease. I’ve only talked to him for a short period of time, but even from that I could tell it was well deserved. He’s a great man, you guys are lucky to have him.

Last, but not least, 1501. I can only imagine what your team went through to compete here with such short notice. All the way from Indiana! I hope it wasn’t too too much trouble, because I would love to see you all again here next year. Not only was your robot extremely innovative and successful, but your team has some of the nicest people. Every time I stopped by your pit to scout or just talk, I left with a smile. My only regret is that I missed the chance to grab a wing pin. Maybe if I go to IRI.

Congratulations to any and all teams/people I didn’t mention. I hope to see you all in Atlanta. If not, thanks for making this year’s regional my favorite ever. Although, now’s the real time to stay alert and sharp. This next week is what it’s all about. Let’s give it our all, FIRST won’t want any less. :)

Re: 2010 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional
 

To be completely fair, the game plan for SF1-1 (mainly the emphasis on starving 383 and ignoring 1124, with 177 pushing balls away and hanging) was a joint effort by the entire alliance. 177's strategist and I basically had the exact same idea at the exact same time for that.

I certainly enjoyed just bumping into you and talking about your next matchups. Let's do that some more, eh? :)

Re: 2010 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional
 

If you attended the social event and went to see the CT Science Center, you might want to take a look at the pictures I just posted to flickr and the CTFirst group. here You'll have to do a bit of navigation to see the rest of the group though. ;) If you recognize people in the pictures, do not comment with full names - I'll have to remove them. PM me if you need higher resolution copies. Notice will eventually be made on ctfirst's facebook, if I remember my password. :D

Re: 2010 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional
 

Bit of a bump, I know, but does anyone have any CT footage of 2791?

Some students are trying to make some videos to promote the team at Shaker High School. Unfortunately, most of our footage looks like this.