[Chi Meson]

It's been emotional!

I want to immediately acknowledge Mechanical Mayhem as perhaps the finest collection of students and mentors I know of. 1519: I have never heard an unkind word from them nor about them. I am happy that you guys leave with not just a Chairman's but the world-high-score record. Congratulations to Mayhem, Aces, and Gaelhawks--and I hope that score lasts!

And wishes do come true! After years of being against the Cyberknights in eliminations, we finally get to play with them! The results are as expected! High fives to Gino (195) and to Brando (125), and your ability to see us way down in the rankings. Always a pleasure battling with you. So much better than battling against you!

So many thanks and good wishes to all the teams and all of the volunteers and all of the staff of FIRST in New England. It was an intense field of competition in Hartford. Any of the 8 alliances formed would have been winners at most regional competitions. That statement is not scientifically verified, but feels truthy enough!

I must publicly praise our young drive team who stepped up in the clutch of the final match. When 195 was stuck on a ball for half a minute, we thought it was all over. But instead of folding under pressure, they decided to hit perfect high shots, over and over. Austin and Eva, you were absolutely fantastic!