[team1102a]

I’ve have announced the Palmetto for 7 years, and I have to say, this was the best one yet. We have moved the Palmetto from Columbia (with the steep steps and cramped pits), to Clemson (with the smaller arena and outdoor practice field), to North Charleston. This venue was perfect for the game (though a little small for the pits), but the viewing angles were perfect. Everyone felt like they were close to the field. The energy was contagious.

The 43 Teams from 7 states brought friendship and professionalism like I have never seen. Ted Creech, the MC, and I could not believe how much fun everyone was having.

Every team had some success to take home and be proud of. I saw broken robots return to life in later matches, and some incredible strategies play out for the most exciting matches I can ever remember.

It started with the girl’s chorus wearing SPORK’s red blinking LED safety glasses while on the field singing the National Anthem (did anyone get a photo or movie of them?), and ending 31 hours later with 3-match Semi and Finals rounds with numerous scores over 100 points. We had it all: a match with 4 scoring mini-bots, 4 sets of logos on one end of the field, 4-tube autonomous scoring, and even a Coopertition minibot score during the elimination rounds. By my accounting, the alliance high score was 102 in Quals and 122 in QF3. And a high combined score of 176 in Finals3. Terrel and the refs made the right calls and there seemed to be little if any scoring or penalty controversy.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this event. You cannot believe the number of unpaid volunteers (including Ted and me) who told me they would come back anytime to help at Palmetto Regional. I’ll be back!.