[Nick Lawrence]

My list, in no particular order is:

610
188
1507
2168
2826
829
772
1477
842
1726

610 has been building consistently better and better robots every year, especially since 2008. Their 2009 robot SHOULD have been at world championships. Their 2011 robot went way under the radar at GTR-West, should have been the first pick... after all it was a finalist three times last year.

188 year in and year out builds solid machines. They've been finalists in their division at world championships twice in the last 3 events.

1507 came out flying this year, but have always built very capable machines. They did make their way onto Einstein in 2009 as well.

2168 is arguably one of the best robots that won't compete at world championships this year. #1 seed at both their regionals this year, only to lose to "communication" problems...

2826 goes unnoticed for one huge reason. They compete in Wisconsin, which has generally been 1714's territory in years past. They're certainly making waves now-adays though, but they still sometimes go un-noticed.

829 is a super capable team, who builds solid robots every year. They're also one of the best robots to not compete at world championships this year, which is a darn shame.

772 builds decent machines as well, but this year's machine has lots of potential to do great things. They also seem to have picked up a new sheet and laser-cutting sponsor recently, which should serve them well for years to come.

1477 is underrated in my opinion because they live in 148's shadow. Whenever people think of Texas FIRST, they think of 148. 1477 has won two regionals this year and another one last year, and is certainly as deadly as their fraternal "twin" 2415.

842 and 1726 are obvious ones. Never count out a Forbes. They also build very capable robots.

Just my $0.02 CDN.

-Nick