[Patrick Wang]

If you look at the way FIRST games are structured, you will notice that they tend to emphasize the values of FIRST even over the fairness of the competition.

For example, 3x the losers score not only makes the game unique and harder to play, but it also reinforces some of the ideals of FIRST, namely, don't obliterate your opponents.

The same idea goes with tethers this year. I am tempted to think that the reasoning for the refs to allow tethers at the first regionals, and the subsquent regionals, was that they did not want to take away any of the work that some students put their heart into.

Success, I think is measured by what you get out of the program. What you do after the program. While we get wrapped up and hyped up about the game every year, ultimately, in the big picture, who won an event doesn't matter (although it may sure make you and your team feel good). It's what you do after, things that will make an impact on the world to come. Because when it comes down to it, we are all winners when people come out of this program and strive to make the world a better place.