[Jared Russell]

The sting of defeat goes away when you watch your friends succeed. As soon as we saw that 118 and 1678 managed to land 1671 with their second pick (were Newton scouts napping...?), we knew that you were the favorites. What an alliance.

118, you have provided the FIRST world with immeasurable inspiration through the years, and it is fantastic to see you finally get to the top of the mountain with your incredible machine. I was having horrific flashbacks to 2012 when I saw you were having some comms issues, but you powered through and did what it took to win.

1678, what else can I say? Your team and all of its accomplishments are proof that the competition aspect of FRC holds such amazing power to change the world. Yes, you have blue banners and trophies...but anyone who has ever been on an alliance with 1678, or any of the countless teams whose robots have been improved by Citrus Circuits, or anyone who has watched you receive GP award after GP award, or anyone who has ever talked to your students, knows that your rise to dominance has dragged behind it a wake of inspiration and improvement in everything and everyone you touched along the way.

1671, what a steal you were! Your robot has more than doubled in effectiveness since CVR, and you were the key piece of the puzzle that set this alliance apart.

5012, while you may have been on the sidelines, your pragmatic approach to the game and willingness to do anything to win will pay incredible dividends for your team.