[Wayne TenBrink]

I want to explain the TRUE reason that the NC Gears didn't repeat as MSC Champions. It wasn't our robot, our drivers, our strategy, our opponents, or our "other" alliance partner - nothing as rational as that. It was the NC Gears/Martians Curse! Since 2009, the NC Gears have been winners or finalists at every event we attended with a few "curious" exceptions:

- 2009 TC Disrict: No Martians - Finalist
- 2009 Lansing District: With 494 Martians - Semifinalist
- 2009 WM District: No Martians - Winner
- 2009 MSC: No Martians - Finalist
- 2009 Newton: No Martians - Finalist
- 2010 TC Distric: No Martians - Winner
- 2010 WM District: No Martians - Finalist
- 2010 MSC: No Martians - Winner
- 2010 Archimedes: With 70 More Martians - Quarterfinalist
- 2011 TC District: No Martians - Winner
- 2011 WM District: No Martians - Winner
- 2011 MSC: With 494 Martians - Quarterfinalist

Not only that, but 2 of the 3 qualification matches we lost at 2011 MSC were with or against Martians. Yikes!

Oh, well. The NC Gears, Martians, and More Martians all qualified for the Championship. I just hope that we wind up in different divisions!

As you may know, my younger brother Jay is a mentor for the Goodrich Martians (494) & More Martians (70). As kids, we always played well together. As adults, apparently we don't. Maybe our Mother needs to have a few words with us.

But seriously, MSC was a great event. In the five matches we played on Saturday, there was only one where the losers (us) scored less than 100 points! Congratulations to everyone who made it there. Thanks to 494 for selecting us and 3539 for joining our alliance. Congratulations to 33, 67, and 70 on a well deserved victory. Thanks to all who make this event possible!