I want to extend a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to all of the teams that competed in New England this year, especially those at NECMP! It's really a humbling feeling to have seen so many of you through this hard-fought season, as a Defense Coordinator at North Shore, and Lead Queuer at Waterbury, UMass Dartmouth, UNH Durham, and at the District Champs this weekend at the XL Center in Hartford.
It was amazing to see 558, 177, and 5686 team up for the win at CTWAT, because I knew that was only the beginning of the incredibly competitive season we were going to see in New England. I was so proud to be field-side at North Shore where I got to see my close friends from 319 (and Ty from GameSense), as well as 1058 and 6161 all pull in their first regular season event wins. Playoffs at Dartmouth were electric, where 195 kicked off another dominating season with 155 and 3461, who got their first win as well! I had another front-row seat when 1519 hit the ground running at UNH Durham, as the first pick of the first seed 319, and 1512 (with their first blue banner!). I even got to catch the playoffs at the Hartford district, where 195, 558, and 3461 teamed up in an incredibly heated finals against 177, 155, and 2168, with the final score being 195-193, and a precursor of the high level of play we would see at the New England District Championship.
I'm immensely proud of my team, 190, who made it to quarters at WPI, were finalists at RIDE and at the Montgomery District in MAR, won EI at RIDE, and of our student Avital who was named a Dean's List Finalist this weekend. I also have to recognize my old rookie team, 1735, who made it to semi-finals at RIDE, and took home two awards this season in recognition of the new resource they've developed for teams,
www.findrobotparts.com. I know I already mentioned them, but I need to congratulate 319 again on a stellar season in New England, taking home not only their first but also their second winner's banner this season, and in general kicking butt and taking names.
NECMP was insanely competitive, with 125, 195, and 2168 (our District Champions!) setting the world high score of 225 in the playoffs, followed a few matches later with yet another record set by 1519, 230, and 176! There are so many other teams I want to shout out, but I don't have enough characters to fit it into one post.
Lastly, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the teams from this weekend. It's always a pleasure to queue you all, and I'm constantly impressed with how cool you are under pressure. I love getting to hear how you're doing in the competition, hearing about your season, and just chatting in general when you're on deck. I don't have words for how proud I am of all of you this season.
You have all of my love and adoration, New England! I can't wait to see you compete in person at the World Championship in a couple weeks.
xoxo,
Ruth