[Rick TYler]

I'm falling asleep as I type, but I think I can cover a couple of things:

1. The state of the robots on Thursday is not as good as it was last year. This was a tough technical challenge year.

2. Scoring the center goal is a lot easier in the lab than on the field. Center scoring was not common.

3. Good human players are scoring 5-10 points each doing full-court throws.

4. The Cheesy Poofs looked human! They were struggling to get their robot ready just like the rest of us!

5. Team 492 still has the sweetest-driving robot in the northwest. Smooth as silk.

6. Team 1294 scored a center goal in autonomous!!! Send congratulations cards to...

7. I have the feeling that things are going to get a lot more competitive tomorrow. Lots of teams are still improving.

8. Huge props to three students from Issaquah Robotics Society (1318) who took time out to help me install our bumpers. I stayed late in the pits to do this (the team was at dinner) and Eric, Kyle and Elise helped me with holding, drilling, and bolting. Finest FIRST tradition!

9. It is hard to tell which period is which from the stands. The instant scoring is cool, even if one alliance did have a reported score of about 425 in one round. I think Thursday is practice day for the Regional team, too.

10. Quite a number of balls hit the chains in the center goals and bounce back out.

11. Most robots can get onto the ramp, even though a lot are top heavy. At least four robots turned over today, including ours.

12. Good ball sweepers are unusual.

13. This early, the best robots scored in the corner goals.

14. THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD! A lot of folks are using ear plugs in the stands.

More news as it develops...