[Alpha Beta]

Originally Posted by Tim Koch

On behalf of the Regional Planning Committee...
...We knew this regional was going to be competitive when we saw the registration list. Anyone willing to share what the best match they were part of? Good communication, good strategy session, good game play? Best shot under pressure?

It took us an extra 9 hours to get home in the midst of a winter storm fittingly named Titan. A bonding experience made a bit sweeter by the weekend's successes.

We had a great time. The enormity of the venue gave the event a very grand feel. The hospitality and professionalism of the volunteers made it easy to forget this was a 1st year event.

The level of competition was top notch, full of old friends and some very impressive new ones. Thank you 525 for inviting us to join you on the run to the regional championship. Your drive team handled their machine beautifully, and adapted well to the changing circumstances. Your whole team was a pleasure to work with from the PR department making the alliance buttons down to the scouts willing to collaborate on our pick-list. We've attended many regionals together, but this was our first time aligning in elims, and it was fun. 4296 was a great compliment to the alliance, possessing an agile drive train, quick roller intake, and a drive team with a calm focus able to switch between the triple assist and the shut down defense.

Much has been made of how over worked the officials were in this game. While I agree that a dedicated pair of score keepers would enhance the field crew, I want to give my heart felt thanks for the job they did.

On the tipping in finals. Now that the videos are up I've had a chance to reflect on the robot flips. All but one of the tips were generated by bumper to bumper contact on robots that had demonstrated a CG a little higher than what their drive train depth could support. 4296 frequently popped a wheelie when changing directions, and 4134 nearly tipped over in the first final match when their partner 171 hit them right after flipping 4296. No need to vilify the drivers here, and no hard feelings. We'd gladly play with 171 in the future.

I do wish the calls for deliberate or damaging contact inside the frame perimeter would have been enforced. The one tip that wasn't bumper to bumper we thought would fit into this category. Anxious to hear what the referee's have to say at the week 2 driver's meetings regarding appendage contact inside other robots.

Extremely proud of the team. It was quite an honor to receive the Regional Chairman's Award among such a veteran group in a year when everyone can present at every event. I work with a fantastic set of mentors and students whose dedication to helping others through FIRST continues to amaze me. It is impossible to outwork this team.