[Wayne TenBrink]

I would also like to extend my thanks to everyone that had a hand in making the West Michigan District possible including GVSU, the planning committee, everyone who helped set up and tear down the field, the judges, the referees, the inspectors, field staff, the volunteers, 2771 for the webcast, and anybody else I forgot to mention. This has always been a great venue.

Thanks to 27 and 3357. It was a great honor and learning experience to work with Team RUSH. The Comets defeated us in the finals here last year, so it was good to be on the same side this time. You both taught us a few things about this game that we will apply going forward.

Congratulations to 2054, 67, and 107 on your great effort. 2054 - I just checked the FiM site and realized that this was your first event. The way you handled the game I always thought it was your second. You are an excellent team with a strong machine. 67 - You obviously got the bugs worked out from Kettering. You had the best all-around machine on the field, and your team is a class act in victory or defeat. We hope to see you on the same side of the glass one of these days. 107 - You have been great friends to the NC Gears for as long as we have been around. You have one of the few machines we couldn't push around this weekend.

Congratulations to 1718 on the District Chairman's award, 27 on Engineering Inspiration, and 3452 on Rookie All-Star.

Our head scout, Felipe, pointed out that the #1 alliance has never won the WMD (since FiM). We managed to benefit from that in 2009 and 2011, but were on the losing end of the deal in 2010. Hmmmm.

Hope to see you all at State.