[Brian Maher]

Originally Posted by Ben Martin

My picks for MAR:

5) 1257 won two competitions and was a finalist and #1 seed at a third this year, through low goals and defense. They have the fire and passion to do well.

Originally Posted by Jscout11

My picks for MAR over the past couple years:
A couple years back these teams were all pretty solid but over the last couple of years have certainly grown to become a part of the top tier of FIRST

For 2016 specifically:

• 1257

Originally Posted by bobby5150

2. 2791 - Perhaps the most beautiful robot in New York, Shaker reached the top level of play this season, sinking 7-8 high goals in tele plus a 20 point auto multiple times between FLR and TVR. Though this isn't their first powerful robot (2013, 2014), this is probably their first time breaking into the true "Top Tier" of FIRST.

Thank you for your kind words. While 1257 and 2791 are different in many ways, they share a strong drive to field the best robot possible and build on their previous successes.

I am not yet well enough acquainted with upstate New York to comment, but a number of New Jersey teams have really impressed me with their recent improvement (in no particular):

1) 5895: it's rare to see a rookie captain a winning alliance, but Peddie School Robotics pulled it off, and was a captain and first pick at their two other events. They've done a truly impressive job leveraging their resources to build an elegant machine with a killer batter shot. With a 20 point auto, they can score as many as seven boulder in the high goal. Do not let their rookie status fool you; they know what they're doing.

2) 5624: twice-bannered this season, Tiger Tech has won two events as the first pick of the seventh alliance. As a second-year team, they are in MAR's top tier of low-goalers. Few can damage the tower like 5624; in fact, no one else in Archimedes can, as they lead the subdivision in tower damage (based on component OPR). Despite their low-goal prowess, they went unpicked at MAR Champs due to overvaluation of shooters and climbers. If you want a strong low goal robot to secure the capture, 5624 is the way to go.

3) 3314: although they haven't earned a banner this season, the Mechanical Mustangs came awfully close at MAR Champs, captaining the finalist #3 alliance. With their 20 point auto, they can sink as many as seven high goals from nearly anywhere in the courtyard. This year, they've built a fine machine, and will be a force to be reckoned with at Champs.

4) 869: with their accurate batter shot and scale, Powercord has had an impressive showing this year. They were either a captain or first pick at all four of their events so far. They have built a powerful robot this year, and I was surprised to see them not make finals this year. They also have developed quite the outreach program, especially considering how small their team is, taking home their first Chairman's Award in Bridgewater.

5) 1989: as a quarterfinalist alliance captain at both their district events, Viking Robotics has had one of their best years yet. Although they narrowly qualified for MAR Champs, once they got there, they killed it. They earned the #7 alliance captain spot by scoring up to seven high goals a match. While they were not able to make it out of quarters, they accrued enough district points to earn their first invite to Champs since 2008.

After I wrote this list, it immediately occurred to me that I missed 1923, who certainly deserve a mention. Last year the MidKnight Inventors took home District Chairman's and Regional Engineering Inspiration Awards, giving them a chance to win Curie with 1114 and 148 and reach Einstein. Winning one of this year's MAR District Championship Chairman's Award, they are one of the most gracious teams I've had the pleasure of working with in FIRST. Their robot this year is a solid low goal cycler that was the first pick of the second alliance at Mount Olive. They have an inspiring drive for excellence on and off the field.

Every year, I'm impressed by the level of play in MAR, and am excited to see these teams and others continue to up the ante in years to come.