[hrench]

This year I attended my first Mountain regional at Denver and I think that allows me the right to enter some favorites.

First off, I think your week four assessment missed some amazing teams that aren't talked about much instead you focused on some old-standbys that were chosen for finals, but in truth didn't perform that well and ended ranked low in the pack. I think a mention of some of the less famous high-ranked teams is in order.

I'm of course biased because we partnered with them in elims, but team 4593 "Rapid Acceleration" from Rapid City SD finished 15th and really looked good. In my list, I'll give them 4th.

1157 The Land Sharks from Boulder was a great group of people and performed exceptionally (that picked us), ending ranked 6th. Also only robot I saw with a human femur. Not a material I teach about in our classes. Hope that guy's not missing it. Very creative. My ranking, 3rd.

We (1108) pitted next to the very-orange Crush team 1011 and for a low-goal only robot, I had no idea that that many goals could be made. Also really great group and not used to being in the spotlight, so I've heard. They were Sooo happy. My 2nd.

Finally, in the first match I watched them, I told the person sitting next to me that I wouldn't be surprised to see them winning the regional. They abandoned track-drive the first year that half the rest of the world tried them, but they made such a great high-goal shooter. Of course I'm talking about 1619, Up a Creek, from Longmont. These guys come to KC for off-season CTTD every year and they're a welcome site. My first pick for a mountain team.

So that's what it looks like from the flat ground just east of your mountains.