Last year was my first with 1370, but I started the day after the NJ Regional (which they did not attend). I've got to say that the energy in the venue was just as high if not a little higher than the two regionals 1370 did last year. This was my first full year with the team and I have to salute not only our team but every team that was at Rutgers this past weekend. I did not see a single team in the pits or the stands that was anything less than great. Even when teams lost, their fans were absolutely phenomenal.
303 - Your fans impressed me to no end. During the elimination rounds, I was sitting among your fans, the unwashed heathen in a sea of 303. Even when our alliance was head-to-head with yours, everybody was cool about it. When we were all trying to track down that phantom penalty that cost you the last match, watching the replay on my camera with you all, trying to find the flag-wave ... I have nothing but respect for you all. (Supposedly it was an inbounder penalty)
75 - You guys already know how we feel, but we cannot say enough about how you helped us out. Not only do we have brothers on both teams, but the teams were brothers (and pit buddies) throughout the event. Thank you so much for hosting us at your shop Saturday night and helping us build that bridge arm when we all would have preferred to be home in bed. The unwavering help that you gave us throughout the event (never did use those #10-32x2" bolts
), whether with parts, materials, advice, scouting, or just general pointers, was the sole reason that we were able to get to the elimination rounds. If you guys ever need anything or if we can ever have an event in Delawhere, you know that you only need to ask.
1676 & 56 - You guys were as much a perfect compliment to our team in the eliminations as we were to you. In the however-many years with the current staff at 1370 has been around, we have never made it that far into a tournament. Thank you for picking us and we hope to see you at Temple in a few weeks. By my figuring, the lead team in the district has 156 points. I am confident that both of you can beat that from your current starting points of 88 & 72, respectively.
869 - In a lot of ways, your robot gave us the ideas that we were able to implement on Sunday, both strategically and mechanically. Your bot is an awesomely robust machine and we should be seeing you at Temple.
1089, 1626, 223, 203, 4128, & 136 - We will see you at Lenape. If you guys need anything at all, whether before or during the event, please let us know.
Well, that's about all I can stand to type right now. Everyone take good care of yourselves and stay healthier than me.