[Boltman]

RAS is optional at each event and often replaced by Highest Rookie seed.

The way we won it was we ranked #21 out of 60 our first year and when they interviewed our pit they were pretty amazed at our business plan and the story of how we came into being literally from scratch..that seemingly resonated with the judges.

Come end of event there were "better" performing rookies than us and those with "more spirit" so when we got chosen we all were very surprised, all of us . In fact I left already.

So don't underestimate the value of the pit visit have a story to tell and documentation to back it up, let the students present/introduce the team to FRC. Don't leave at end of event even if not selected for elims. It may be you.

As a side note the trip to the worlds that year spurred us to do better. We saw what it took and here we are the selection or the chooser...so far.