TKO has always been a very special team to me.
My junior year(99) I was fortunate enough to be one of the drivers for our robot, WildStang. During the Motorola MidWest Regional, we were seeded high enough to chose another team. We shocked the room by choosing, Team 45, TechnoKats. They were I believe something like second to last seed, and didn't believe they would be chosen. But we saw the potential they had, and even more importantly saw that we would be a great combination with them. We proved ourselves right and had some great matches.
Them came Nationals. We tried our best, but due to some mechanical difficulties we were not seeded high enough to continue unless picked as an alliance.
TKO returned the favor, and also remembered what a wonderful alliance the two of us created. So again, TKO and WildStang(along with The Buzz) continued into the semi finals...and then the finals. We finished the day in second place.
Our blossomed friendship continued to Rumble at the Rocks, where I recall a scrolling sign that continuously cheered WildStang on.
Years later I still keep in contact with some members of that team. Every competition I go to I pay special attention to any matches with TKO(along with 112, 108, 16, and of course, 111).
TKO displays not only a wonderfully designed robot year and after year, and a sometimes unbeatable strategy, but they also bring back each year a highly spirited team.
I have many fine memories of TKO, and will forever be cheering them on
