[PayneTrain]

I'm not trying to take anything away from any of the other teams, especially MORT, who got shut out of semifinals in both of their regionals because of the field and its rules. That has to really drag your team down.

I can only hope now that my team can grow out its operations, compete well in offseason competitions (maybe we'll go to IRI and see some great teams!), and hope FIRST cuts down on the red tape for next year's game. I think everyone would rather see the teams play the games out, with less possibilities for red cards, yellow cards, and other penalties.

Good luck to the teams going to nationals: 25, 1086, 1522, 1885, especially 1676. In two years, I think their team is going to be holding up the Chairman's Award in St. Louis. Model team, very well run.

422 is going to nationals next year, but we hope to take up a spot or two with some blue banners.