What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

As we move into week 4, the stories are starting to accumulate. There are probably many moments that have been fun, inspiring, humbling, or just plain special.

Have you got one to share?

Jane

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

We won the Creativity Award because of our "turtle back"
The "turtle back" flips up so that our pneumatics are on it and the electronics are under and easily accessible when the "turtle back" is flipped up. Our one and only senior explained it to the judges who came back a second time to hear more about it. It was awesome.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Hands down: Winning WPI Chairman's. It was the first time our team ever won Chairman's. Everyone worked so hard for that. I will admit I started crying a little bit. I was just so overwhelmed with pride.

Thank you, 1124, that moment will live forever with me :)

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

I second this...

I've seen the team over many seasons, and I've watched so many individuals grow during their time on the team. More than that, the mentality of the team has changed significantly since it was first founded. You guys really live for what FIRST stands for now, and it's incredible to see it in action and compare it to what our team one was. I mentioned this at the team meeting Friday night, because I really am proud of what our team stands for and the way you carry yourselves, and that's all I ever could have asked for. I was thrilled even before the award came along. FIRST Robotics is a truly amazing program. I'm glad I've been able to take part in it, and to watch so many people grow and benefit from it.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

My moment would definitely be being finalists at Detroit. No one on our team has had the experience of being past the semi-finals, and for us as a team to get to the finals for the first time since 2006 was amazing!

During our finals run, the moment that made my season so far was definitely beating the Hot Wing Express (67, 51, 1023) alliance 14-13 during that first match. Everyone on our team was so excited that we won, and for the first time in many years we actually felt that we could win it.

I am so proud of my team for accomplishing this :)

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

1189 won the Team Spirit award this season - twice.

We were seeded relatively low at Traverse City, and ended up 38th out of 38th at Detroit this weekend. I'm so unbelievelably proud of my team for still sticking in there and being enthusiastic about the competition - especially since a majority of our team is comprised of rookie members who have never been to a competition before. We were just as loud as or louder than many of the teams at Detroit this weekend, and we were the ones who were always in the pit with broken welds, bent frames, lost treads, and lost matches. I've been told multiple times after both events that the Gearheads were clearly heard and seen on the webcasts and at the venue, and that we really deserve it, and I can't seem to grasp my mind around the idea of being as spirited as 67, or 27, or 51, or 2771 - all teams that I respect for their energy, enthusiasm, and unity.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

This season, our wins were definitely the greatest moments this season. Our undefeated record one regional was truly amazing as well. We also won a match when it was 1v3, which was amazing. Meh, every year holds a spectacular memory which will be in the memory of the team for years. :)

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Western Michigan District in general for me. Our team has always been at competitions where there truly were powerhouse teams to look up to. At West Mich this year we were the ones being looked up to... it is the weirdest feeling in the world and something I have never felt before. That feeling was enough for me, but then we won chairman's for the first time and everything just stood still for about ten mins... now that is a weird feeling.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

In the first round of the quarter finals our alliance lost and as I looked at the stands our teams looked kinda down. Then Lenny, the coach of 1018, walked right up to the stands in front of them and got them pumped up by shouting "Come on you guys! We're not done, we still have 2 more rounds to play!!" The enthusiasm from Lenny in such a time was absolutely amazing.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Winning GSR after being told by one of the top 8 teams (we were in second to last at the time)(and i'm not going to say the team #) that they shouldn't take advice from us, as we're were "clearly not a qualified team to be giving advice". Many teams let the leaderboard go to their head. It felt very good to beat them in the finals, and become a regional winner!

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

There is a student on our team, Becca, who poured her heart into our website. She overhauled it completely, she spent countless hours at meetings, afterschool, and at home to get the website "perfect"( I say perfect cause she will tell you it will never be perfect). We have won the website award in the past, but this year, knowing how much work she put into it and to see it pay off was awesome.

She was telling me how the trophy is sitting in her room at home. For her to be able to see it everyday must be an awesome feeling, we are very proud of her.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

climbing kilroy :D

the whole experience was awesome though, and I know my team will come back for a second year next year and hopefully we'll do at least as well ;)

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

:cool: That always feels good doesn't it? You guys played a spectacular defense, I loved watching your team in the final matches.

My story is hearing another FIRST alum (from team 78?) mention my teams 2001 robot, from my freshman year as her favorite robot ever. It was one of my favorite robots too, he could scoop up 20 soccer balls in 3 or 4 seconds.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Something that I will always remember is Dean Kamen and the President of BAE Systems checking out our robot right after we hung during a match on Saturday of the BAE Regional.


this has to be one of the most ironic things I've ever read

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

The most personally memorable event was a screw-up that happened at FLR. During the elimination matches I was beside the arena helping reset the robot after each match. During the finals, our team was part of the blue alliance, but I had lost my team jersey and was wearing a red t-shirt. One judge asked if I was on a team, and when I said yes, told me to go join my team members.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

I strive for maximum irony. Though now that I am reminded what your robot looks like I am pretty sure she was NOT from 78.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

My jaw-dropped when I saw that happen. You could hear the excitement within the crowd. =]

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

lotta memorable things for me...both good and bad...since i like the good better than the bad ill share those:
-my first year as the scouting coordinator for my team (most stressful job ever)
-made back-up driver (only non senior on my team's drive team :D)
-got to drive twice so far this year (i still need some practice)
-got to go on field for my team for alliance selection (note to self: use bathroom before going on field, always)
-my team made the semi-finals during a week 2 event (for the second year in a row AND second time in TEAM HISTORY we've made the semi's :D)
-i proved myself that i CAN survive a competition without mtn dew

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Well FRC was a very fun experience made of epic win for everyone involved in team 3411.
- We won Rookie All-Star and obtained Highest Rookie Seed in the Bayou Regional.
- We were told by the MC, judges, and other teams that we don't act like a rookie team (this probably makes me the happiest)
- Had some of the awesomest alliance-mates in team 57 (good luck in Lone Star!) and 3039 (one of the best defensive robots I've seen)
- Getting one of the most strenuous workouts ever
- Knowing that as a senior, the team will be left in good hands for next year and other years to come.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

The coolest moment for me was walking out of the GSR stadium with all the awards we won. (4-5 depending on how you count) The awards weren't the cool part though. The cool part was knowing that the lives of my team mates would never be the same. One of them now hopes to become an engineer--before he wanted to be a docotor--and another has changed the coureses she is taking at school to include science.

More rode on our team then just that robotics comeptition at this year's GSR. The fate of Australia was resting on our shoulders to a certain extent. We will now attend the Championship not only representing Australia, but also my home region, New England. There is a certain sense of irony there, but it is good irony.

Our team met and exceeded all our goals. At the begging of the season we said our main goal was to have a driving robot that did SOMTHING by the competition. We had many hurdles to overcome being the firrst FIRST team in Australia, but with each challange we rose to meet it, and in the process became a family. I have never seen a FIRST team come together as much as we did. We really miss each other, and e-mail or Facebook every night!!!

On the plane ride home, we would all gather at the back of the plane and talk about how great GSR was. Luckily, the plane wasn't that full, so we didn't bother anyone. I think most of the time was spent talking about fundraising to get back to the USA for Atlanta. We can't wait to see you there!!!

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

One of my favorite moments of the season was our sixth or seventh match at the Traverse City district. This was our first year attempting to use a swerve drive, and it was having some serious issues. The first several matches we ended up being more or less a doorstoo. So anywho, we all hurry back up to the stands praying that our bot will finally work this time and, lo and behold, tele-op starts and our bot rockets forward. We promptly become stuck on two balls earning us a penalty and a loss for our alliance. We didn't care though, to see our bot actually moving around meant way more than a match result. It was priceless =)

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Brendan, that win was epic!

I will agree with Brendan, winning GSR was amazing, but because our team was on the winning alliance was not the reason why. Back in 2003 my older brother founded team 1058 and I was hooked on FIRST after watching them compete at GSR that year. I got involved with FLL that fall and was a 1058 fan ever since 2003. I went to every GSR since, traveled to the Greater Toronto Regional in 2005 with them, along with several off-season tournaments. In the fall of 2007 after graduating from FLL I decided to join team 1519 as they were a homeschooled team and I was close friends with several members. Since then, I have gained so many new and awesome friends on team 1058 at tournaments (BEEKMAN included ;) ). So just being on the same alliance with them was amazing, but winning the regional with them was just so much more than that. My brother never/rarely smiles and is not one for emotion, but I have never seen him smile as big as he did or dare i say hug me like he did after the finals. So for me, awesome was after winning the regional and congratulating your teammates to go over to team 1058 and realize you won, and you won together. I only wish my grandmother was still here to see it. She hoped it would happen in previous years which it never did, but 6 months later it did. :(

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Definitely something awesome that happened was when we won our 3 vs 1 match (Especially since it was our first match in the competition).

This has been a really exciting year, and I'm looking forward to what other awesome things will happen at our next competition.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

So there I was at the Washington DC regional, a penalty was called on my team for having the kicker outside of our frame for more than 2 seconds. Our kicker cannot physically exit the robot frame perimeter so I walked up to the question box and waited on the head referee. I glance over to my right, and who just so happens to be sitting there? Dean Kamen, John Abele, and Harry Reed. I had a wonderful conversation with the three of them until Dean had to leave. Amazing people all three of them, they then signed my safety goggles.

Not to mention I got the penalty removed!

Your team impressed me from the start - watching your autonomous score from the far goal on practice Thursday just blew my mind.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Karibou, it's pretty easy for those teams to have spirit. I usually only get to know the drive teams but I have enjoyed being around 1189's drive team for 2years now. Your team has a lot to be proud of! Being good people is as important as being the winners of some robotics competition!

Fuzzy, haven't seen the PI this year yet but I did celebrate 3/14! That feeling you described is the one that turns competitors into consistent champions. See you at States and looking forward to a big PI future.

Alex, I was there and you could have won it. Glad you guys got to enjoy that feeling. That's why the good teams win in every sport and competition.....they know they can win it so they do. Now you know.

and finally Wildcat, my orange neighbor, imagine this. You are a 3rd year team and it is your first time picking as one of the top 8. Not only that but you are the top seed, have to pick first and I am telling you that you should pick 217 Thunder Chickens even though they are not at the competition! She didn't want to but she had the nerve to do it at Ann Arbor this year, Grant (former 217 driver) was the MC, and in on it, so after the dead silence it was fun! And hopefully that is what the whole 862 team feels....it is all fun!

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Being part of the excitement............it is awesome!

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

During boilermaker this year, after we had just lost semis i was feeling really down. one of the seniors came up to me and said " Lenny, thanks for making this the most fun year Ive ever had." ( this coming from kid had been on the team since 7th grade.) that's when i realized why people like Andy baker, Joe Reel and Chris Elston do this its not about winning or losing, it's about the memories and experience you give the kids that will last them a life time.

this was my first year mentoring and i cant wait for the years to come.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

When my team got be on team 1676 alliance for one match and all the scouting and plain for match was completed by 1676 the only team in the whole regional that had all the scouting and plain for match before I did. I like to thank them for this I found this to be awesome just in to see a good team be good

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Probably winning the Traverse City District for the second year in a row. That was awesome. :]

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

For me, it was the last "breakfast club" of the build season.

Merging two teams can be a tough thing to do. Merging two teams with a lot of history and a lot of pride has potential for disaster. When we first realized that merging was all but certain, there was a fair amount of animosity about the situation and a lot of unanswered questions: what is the team name/number going to be? who's history are we keeping? how are we going to integrate the process and culture of each team? blah blah blah. I always hoped for the best, but I could see that there were going to be landmines to dodge.

Of course there were some growing pains, but for the most part the integration has gone well. I was really starting to notice that the team was coming together. Then at the last "breakfast club" of the year (which was an AMAZING pot luck, btw), Mr. Martus gave a great speech about how the team has come together and how we need to celebrate the unity and the birth of the new team, and how the merger has made us a much better team than just the sum of the parts. Afterward I overheard many comments saying how the merger may be the best thing that could ever have happened.

Mergers always have the potential for disaster. It makes me really proud of our entire group of students, teachers, metors, parents, and team alumni to put aside some of the past rivalry to make this new team work. I'm ecstatic to be a part of it. As always, nothing is perfect - but at this stage of the game it is working better than we could have hoped.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Breakaway has been the most exciting game I've ever played or watched. Every match everyone was cheering, clapping and high-fiving. There were two things in particular that i thought were the most exciting, the first being when 1329 suspended from 1448 and the entire crowd was cheering. It was awesome to see and i was sad 1448 and 501 never got the chance to do it in the finals.

The second most exciting was "field testing" our robot in five separate, crazy matches where everything that could go wrong, did, but we still were able to come back and win 3 of them. in the first two our winch cable snapped and prevented us from hanging. in the second of those, our drivers were able to back off the tower and continue scoring an additional two balls despite the loss of the hanger. after fixing it, in the third and fourth matches, we hung from only one of two claws and amazingly came out with no damage. The final of the five exciting matches was when one of our bumpers came halfway off and when we went to hang was too low for it to count so our entire section was yelling and screaming "HIGHER" as our Game Objective operator raised and lowered the winch until the bumper popped up on to the platform causing the loudest cheer from our side of the stadium. It was amazing and the drive team got high-fives from both alliances. I don't have a picture of it but i am hoping someone else got one and would be willing to share it =)

For me, helping out 1448, 1806 and several other teams with programming issues was quite awesome as well because once i made the effort to go and help the other teams, others on my team started making the effort as well. I've notice that we haven't done much in the way of helping other teams throughout the past 4 years of competition and i'm hoping that by making the effort in st. louis the rest of my team will follow and help out some more.

Despite not winning anything at our only competition this year, St. Louis Regional, I can say it was the most fun we've had at any competition since my class were freshmen in 2007. I believe we've grown a lot as a team from going to St. Louis and most of this stems from the fact that everyone agreed that every single team that won an award deserved it. Being the oldest team there, it definitely wouldn't have been the first time anyone on our team thought otherwise. we had our whole group cheering on the teams throughout the event and were especially loud when our quarter finals alliance partner 3186 earned the Rookie Allstar Award. Myself and the rest of the seniors on our team plan on contributing more of our time to other FIRST teams throughout our time at college and hopefully further, and this is also very, very AWESOME.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

That was great. I like when teams make alliance selection fun.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

During a practice match at the DC regional, we were herding a ball toward a bump, and we fired our "snow plow" into its forward position. We wedged the ball against the bump, and the ball along with one of our bumpers went flying into the air!:eek:

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

Thanks for starting this thread, Jane.

I thinking about contributing my own moment, when I saw this:I get chills reading this kind of post.

Before I left St. Louis about a year ago, I told my team and my fellow volunteers that, while I would miss working with them, I was confident that they would succeed brilliantly. Team 931's success this year is self-evident. The St. Louis Regional volunteer corps' success is clear to those who were at the event. The success of FIRST shines, like a beacon across the miles, in the words Burmeister #279 posted above.

Re: What Is Something Awesome That Happened To You And/Or Your Team This Season?
 

I think that the best two moments that I was in was at WPI. First was when our autonomous scored three balls in one match, a lot of people spent time working on perfecting it (our first ball always hit our alliance's bump so when the third ball went in we went crazy! (considering that we still had the rest of the match to go!)
The second best moment was when we picked Team 228 GUS for our final pick. During several of the qualifying matches the GUS robot broke down a couple of times due to a mechanical failure. But, really they had a great robot that just was having problems. Before the alliance selections our scouters knew that they had fixed their problems and that no one else would pick them (they didn't even show up to a couple of matches). We took a chance (not really) and picked GUS to round off our alliance w/ Team 20 and dominated the eliminations! Their robot performed up to and surpassed any expectations we had. Go scouters and go Team GUS (and Team 20 of course)! See you in Atlanta!

Just to show that the team 27th in seeding points can still win!
Go FIRST!