Dave, Bill, and Paul,
Thank you for the very kind words, they are very much appreciated. I'm sure the team is happy to get some recognition, especially from other teams. As much as I hate to rain on this Cheesy Poofs lovefest, let me clarify a couple of facts: (I haven't posted in some time, so I'm making up for it here - sorry about the length).
Thanks for the comments about strategy, but I can't take credit for what is truly a team effort. In my opinion, strategy is really a process involving much more than just the game. While I do enjoy the challenge of helping figure out strategy (after all, as an English teacher, I had to bring something to the table - and being a sports nut seemed to be about all I could offer), Steve Kyramarios is just as good, if not better, at figuring out the game and a match. (which is good, as he is now the coach at the competitions). The entire 254 team decides & votes on the "robot" strategy/design, which is where the strategy really starts. The scouting subteam is crucial and provides the coaches and drivers with the information to figure out a strategy for each match. Before & during each match the student drivers and the coaches plan & decide the match strategy.
In terms of the streak of success at the regionals & nationals the last 3 years, it's important to realize a few things.
** While the Cheesy Poofs were certainly "one of" the teams deserving to win each of those regionals, they were not the only one. We have beaten better robots then ours, and have been beaten by worse robots - as I'm sure everyone has. Sooo many things have to happen to win an event, some of which you can't control: you need a good design, good strategy, good driving, good alliance partner, consistant/robust/reliable robots, good communication & teamwork, and good luck. In three years, 8 events, and about 50 playoff matches - only twice has our robot or our partners malfunctioned in the playoffs - that is partly luck, no doubt about it. Plus we have had a great group of alliance partners at every event.
** About the "never lost a regional" stuff. We could all name more than 10 teams who have had great robots each of the past three years but just didn't have things go their way in the playoffs - 254 has just had a good run. 5 out of 5 (6 if you count the National Division) is a great run, no doubt - but it will come to an end. After all, the little I learned in "Probability & Statistics", plus the law of averages, aren't really in the Cheesy Poofs corner this year

- and I know the team understands that. Team 254 has had the same goal every year (since 99 that is) - to make the playoffs and let the chips fall where they may, so to speak. Once the playoffs, or especially finals, come around - all the teams are deserving and capable of winning. I was sure the Cheesy Poofs regional streak would end last year, and have no doubt it will end this year. If they are lucky enough to accomplish their goal of making the playoffs, I hope they will realize that they were very successful and are proud.
** About the 2nd robot issue. Last year was the first time 254 was able to build a practice robot. Does it help, certainly. Can teams do well, be competitive, and win without one - of course, most do. In 99 & 2000, the Cheesy Poofs had no pracitce robot and didn't even have working robots until the Friday of the 1st regional. Bill explained the special circumstances leading to the 2 robot story of 99 well, but let me add this. We HATED having two robots in the same event. Was way too stressful, no time between matches, and really wasn't fun. The ONLY positive 254 felt going into the 1999 Regional was that one of the robots couldn't come in last place.

To this day the engineers hold agreeing to mentor/take on a 2nd team (while we were rookies ourselves) against me and still won't have anything to do with a 2nd robot - they don't want one and 254 only had one last year because the students canabalized the 2000 robot and did it themselves. Actually - 254 had no aspirations or hopes of even making the playoffs in 1999, they were just happy to see the robots move. It really was a story book year - smallest team in the country that year (7 students - all kicked out of other high schools - and 3 adults), no budget, no sleep, no tools (the kids cut EVERYTHING with a hacksaw in my English classroom), they got to compete against the top schools/teams in California - and they held their own. It was truly a life changing experience for our students.
** Last year was the first time 254 felt somewhat organized and confident in their design. And they had a great year - especially getting to be in alliances with some of the top teams in the country like Kingman, the Beachbots, Wildstang, Killer Bees, etc... It was a great experience and a thrill to go up against Beatty in the National Final - and the result was as it should have been. A few other teams were amazing, and close, but Beatty had the best bot in the country last year.
** Even with "the streak", 254 still looks up to a number of other programs/teams in the country and realizes there is still a lot they can do to improve. A good robot is only a part of the FIRST experience - there is much more to having a great program. Teams like 22, 45, 47, 64, 65, 67, 111, 192 and many others have figured this out, do it well, and set a good example for others to strive for.
OK, that's it. I've procrastinated long enough. I hope everyone is doing well and keeping their sanity. Three weeks down and three to go till shipping. I can't wait to get to the competitions and see what everyone has built. Have a great week four!
JM