[Dick Linn]

I can appreciate your wanting to keep a low profile and wait until you feel the time is right. I hope you have all the opportunities to drive that you want in the next few years.

I think the choice of driver depends on skill and maturity, not age per se. The ability to work as a team under stress and compensate for the unexpected is needed. Last year, my older son was a senior and was one of our two drivers. He did well, partly because he knew the drivetrain and partly because he is a veteran gamer, so he's very good with the controls. Maturity certainly helped, and that was his second year.

My younger son is an eighth grader, and is one of several people nominated by the team tonight for one of the two driving positions this year. He also is a second year veteran and has helped on several aspects of the design and construction. In fact, our robot layout closely follows the Lego model that he designed. However, I'm not sure just how ready he is to perform during those two minute periods of total pandemonium on the field. If his teammates vote him in, I'm all behind him and them. However, I think he would have a better chance at success (or gracefully handling failure) if he waited a bit longer.

As for those who are afraid to be seen with a middleschooler on the field, think again. I've worked briefly with some of the kids on the Lego League teams and there are some amazingly competent young people out there. Give them a chance and don't worry about appearances.