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Unread 29-03-2015, 21:02
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Robochick1319
AKA: Catherine
FRC #1319 (Flash)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Rookie Year: 2004
Location: Greenville,SC
Posts: 207
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Re: 2015 Peachtree Regional

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anupam Goli View Post
Another year, another Peachtree Regional is done. This region is sending a grand total of 11 teams to championships, with winners of previous competitions, and Peachtree's winners, RAS, RCA, and EI award winners. That's a solid representation of southern USA teams at the championships.

Anyway, i wanted to share some thoughts and give some shoutouts for peachtree. First, some positive thoughts:

The second iteration of GameTime was even better than before, with some nice talks on strategic design, match and game strategy, and insights into gameplay. I'm hoping GameTime returns again.

The competition this year was great. This year's regional was deeper than it has been ever. Most teams that made eliminations had already played once before. Clearly, having 2 events in Georgia is making a difference in the level of play as the season goes on.

The full size practice field is one of those things that makes GA events great too. Other regionals can't provide more than a half of the field to practice on, and yet we have a full size field with most of the game pieces.

Now, let's go onto some things that I didn't particularly like:

The pit space
. Our individual pits were fine, but with a size of venue we had, why were all of the pits crammed into one corner? FIRST hosted 2 divisions + FLL and FTC pits in the size of venue we had (that's 200+teams). There was no reason to have essentially, the same overall pit space as the 42-team Southern Classic regional, and crowd 66 teams into that space when we have a venue that can handle much more. Southern Classic's venue was much smaller, yet much more comfortable. I felt crowded whenever i went from the stands to the pits.

The stands. The stands were pretty unimpressive. they were far from the field and were really low. The stands at southern classic were so much better. We need high risers for scouting and getting a good view of the action.

The pit announcer
was kind of annoying with his "robot robot" spiel, though it might have been because we were near the speaker. It got so bad that our pit mentor mandated the students to wear earplugs in the pit.

Also I realize we were wayyy of schedule thanks to Dean giving us an inspirational speech, but having only a 20 minute lunch break before we had to queue up in eliminations left us almost no time to even formulate a strategy and get a game plan in mind. Also, only 8 matches per team in quals was kind of a downer too, especially to teams who can only go to 1 event every year. Maybe our venue can handle 66 teams, but if our staff can't put 9 matches + per team, it may not be worth it to go above 60 teams.

Anyway, let's not bog down on the negatives too much. I want to give some shoutouts to:

4468: Your team has grown so much in the last 2 years, and it's great to see you guys finally make it not only to the eliminations, but to move onto the finals. I'm so glad you will be coming to worlds. I'm hoping we'll be in the same subdivision! Well deserved finalist medal and EI!

4509 We ended up on the same alliance together again, but we got knocked out in quarters again. Your teams designs are always creative and unique, and continue to inspire me. Hopefully we can figure out the voodoo preventing us from advancing in elims next year.

Anyways, we may see you again next year at Peachtree!
I completely agree! It was an extremely competitive regional and very fun! The layout of the pits and stands was spectacular last year but less convenient this year. I do appreciate there being three sets of bleachers that aren't open at the back. These bleachers provide lots of seating without having to really "compete for a seat." I really dislike the ones where belongings and trash can fall beneath. People lose things and leave a huge trash pile underneath. Plus sitting in a real seat with a back is sooo appreciated.

Despite running behind schedule, the volunteers did an amazing time catching up when they could and making things run smoothly! That's a high pressure situation especially when you're behind schedule and having connection problems with lots of teams/matches. They maintained composure and friendliness the whole way.

Also, GameTime is a great idea. I wouldn't be surprised if it catches on for other regionals!

Congrats to 4188, 343, and 108! You were a great alliance and we'll see you at Worlds.

A big thanks to 283 and 4459 for being such great partners. Things didn't run as smoothly as we planned but we gave it our all. The mentors and students on 4459 worked SO hard before eliminations to be super helpful to the alliance and should be super proud of what they accomplished under such pressure.

Congrats to everyone who competed this weekend. It was an exciting competition with some really intense matches.
__________________
17 x UL Industrial Safety Award Winner (2005 - 2015)

2015 Curie Division Industrial Safety Award sponsored by Underwriters Laboratories
2015 Georgia Southern Classic Champion
2010 Palmetto Regional Engineering Inspiration Award Winner
2008 Peachtree Regional Champion
2007 Galileo Division Champion
2007 Palmetto Regional Champion
2006 Boilermaker Regional Champion

Last edited by robochick1319 : 29-03-2015 at 21:04.