[Mike Copioli]

I would like to congratulate teams 245, 469 and 2832 on a job well done. The first finals match made me very nervous and I know the outcome would have been very different if your alliance was 100%. Also congratulations to the Juggies on a well deserved Chairmans award. It about time you guys get the 'Big One'.

245 - excellent machine, excellent team, and excellent performance, Qual # 10 and QF 3.3 is proof of that. Great job and I can't wait to see you at the Championship.

2832 - The defense that you played was a game changer. We would see a tube only to have it quickly eclipsed by blue bumpers reading 2832. Effective defense would be an understatement.

469 - Another awesome and impressive machine. These posts about you are getting old. Could you please build a mediocre machine one year so I can use some new words to describe you guys. Xerox creativity award, well deserved again. Where do you guys come up with these ideas? Creative is an understatement.

On a side note, I think it is important for other teams out there to be aware of the level of sportsmanship an GP that team 469 operates at. After their robot was inspected on Thursday, a team had pointed out that their mini-bot deployment could be ruled as contributing to the upward momentum of the minibot. This deployment was very effective and the minibot was fast. The team agreed that it needed to be changed and quickly, without any hesitation, made the decision to remove it. They operated without a minibot for most if not all of Friday. They eventually got the new deployment in place. I applaud them for making a difficult decision so easily.

Thank you to team 51 and 3096. You guys were awesome.

3096 - You guys are a rising star. Cooperative and effective. You guys performed above my expectations and we could not have done this with out you.

51 - What can I say?..... Oh I know. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! Fast, and efficient an unstoppable force who I hope we never have to face in the elims. Your performance on the field is mirrored behind the glass and behind the scenes. Chris and Ken, your insight and strategies were the pinnacle of our success.

One last person I must thank is my brother, Paul Copioli. Your dedication to this team goes without question. The time and money you have put into this team flying back and forth to Texas is worthy of a place on our team shirts and robot. But I know that is not why you do this. Your strategies are brilliant and are the key to the success of team 217 on the field. Thank you....Dork.