Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

1114 consistently has not only great machines, but also brilliant scouting, outstanding strategy, and excellent alliance partners in eliminations that help them go a very long way at Championship; however, as some have said before me, there is a small amount of luck involved: the divisional assignments have the power to separate or put together teams that might have/might have not had the opportunity to join together otherwise. That, alone, is enough to make or break some legitimate chances at a championship.

Schedules, as well, play some part in the way Championship pans out: seeding at the end of qualifications matches can sometimes be skewed because of schedules and/or the Ranking Points system; for example: team 469, Las Guerrillas, despite having one of the best robots in the world last season, most certainly did not always seed first (I would say only once or twice in at least four competitions, but I'm reluctant to say that because I'm not exactly sure), and powerhouse teams that don't seed first are at the mercy of other highly-seeded teams for their alliance during eliminations. Because of the rules restricting acceptance/denial of alliance invitations, it is possible for a team that shoots to the top of the standings to "interfere" with certain teams allying.

So, while a great team can win the FIRST Robotics Championship, so many factors play into the ability of a team to do so that one must admit that there is quite a bit of fortune involved; regardless, the alliances that make it to Einstein are almost always extremely competitive, and rarely does one see lopsided match-ups there.

In the end, the alliance that had not only excellent design and consistency, but also luck on their side wins the Championship.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

But When you look at the season record of 39-14-5, it doesn't compare to what is being discussed in this thread.

It's certainly impressive to have that record at champs, but 1114 maintains these records for an entire season, season after season... It's just an entirely different level.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

its funny that 1114 and my own team 1089 both had our rookie seasons in 2003. interesting to see how two teams that started the same year have had totally different histories. while 1089 is by no means a powerhouse, we're on our way! sometimes i wish i was a member of a powerhouse team like 1114 or 365, or even 25 (theyre a powerhouse to me) but then i snap back to reality, and it makes me want to try my hardest to watch my own team get to that level, and be considered a great FRC team.

congrats to 1114 for all your continued success, and i wish nothing but good fortune in the years ahead. i cant wait to watch you guys compete against the best at CMP's this year, and maybe IRI (if y'all are goin and i can convince my parents to let me make a road trip :P)

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

If they won 3 RCAs in 3 years, it might be the regional judges trying to send the national judges a message. This might be the year 1114 finally gets their spot in the Hall of Fame, a place that is well deserved.

It's incredibly far-fetched, but their team should be the standard for FIRST, and is the standard for my team. I'd kill for one blue banner in four years, while they have four in one... it's envious, sure, but anyone can put in the hours to make it happen, and I want that to be my team.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

Luck is produced when preparation collides energetically with opportunity. You may not be able to predict the opportunity, but you can certainly control the preparation.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

By the looks, 1114 has already figured out both #1 and #2. They're still behind 71, who is just about done with their robot for the 2012 season, is getting driver practice for 2011, and is working on their robot designs for the 2013 water game. You're still way behind. - EricH

Taken from spotlight quotes.

Although i'm beginning to disagree with the latter, they had driver practice for this game since 09 at least!

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

both are scary, its been my goal for the last 3 years to match performance of any of 1114, 148, 2056, 217 exct.

- Bochek

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

Nothing has impressed me more about 1114 than the quality and accuracy of their scouting. Over the years, both as a fellow student and as a mentor, I've struggled to find ways to motivate an entire team to scout. I've worked with individuals or small groups of dedicated students who made great "lead scouts," but never had a whole team want to scout and deliver me information that I could trust as comprehensive and close to 100% accurate. Somehow 1114 has managed to instill such a culture where scouting is a priority and they can gather efficient, accurate, and organized data. I wish I knew how to replicate that. It's simply amazing.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

You're right- 1114's record is simply ridiculous.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

John, I'm interested in why this is the case. You guys are a strong, role-model team that seems like they would definitely be in the running to win the RCA.

The reason why I ask is that I am leading a Champs Conference (along with Renee Becker and Libby Kamen) on the Spirit of the Chairman's Award and why a large percentage of teams do not submit for it. We'll also be concentrating on why submitting a RCA is beneficial to teams, even if you feel that you have no chance of winning. (It's going to be Thursday at 1:00 if anyone is interested in attending).

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

I couldn't agree more, both 1114 and 2056 are stellar teams. They should serve as an inspiration to the rest of us. My only complaint would be that Canada needs at least one more superpower to make things interesting. Every Canadian tournament in recent history has been won by 1114 and 2056. It's getting tiresome. With only two superpowers, that's the way it will always be. So who's going to step up and be a third contender to mix things up? We tried (harder then ever this year) but it seems like they have raised the bar far beyond our reach.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

On top of 1114's record, Karthik keeps giving a presentation at the Championships that's an eye-opener for young/inexperienced students. Even veteran mentors can get something out of it. All it takes is to pay attention to this team (really any powerhouse team...) when they talk, really listen to what they say, and ask intelligent questions about how you can improve your team rather than trying to become them. When it comes full circle (a year later) it's quite exhiliarating.

Fun anecdote:
Me: "blah blah blah, some question about 8th seed picks?"
Karthik: "High Standard Deviation"
Me: "Ok"
Audience: Laughter
Karthik: <further explanation>
Really, 3 words is all I needed to garner an incredible insight into smart alliance selection. We almost became 8th seed in DC and I definitely felt well-prepared.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

They've won 5 RCAs in 6 years.

2011 Toronto East
2010 Waterloo
2009 Toronto
2008 Waterloo
2006 Waterloo

My mistake. I thought they won one in 2007. Looks like I misread the results, since 503 won it at GLR, 1305 won it at Waterloo, and 771 won it at GTR that year.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

610, 188, 1075, 1241, 781, 1310, 1305, and more all stepped up their game big time this year, and it still wasn't even close to enough to unseat the ridiculously powerful powerhouse that is the NiagaraFIRST alliance. These teams doing so much better is likely an artifact of these teams all having been around in 2007, to learn from their own mistakes, as well as to play off of winning designs from 2007.

EDIT: Elims would have been alot more interesting with all the teams from East and West playing together. Top tier consisted of 1114/2056/1503, then 610 in a mid tier, then 188, 1075, 907, 3117, 1241, 1310, 1305, 781, 772, among others at the 2nd tier, and then all the low-OPR robots.

Re: 1114: Absolutely stunning record over the last few years
 

I disagree that the regional judges would be sending a message to natioanl judges. At GTR (where they hoave won them) the judges are difrent every year and they are selected randomly from local companies (sponsors too).
Also 1114 has done all of this incredible work over many years ....not one year.