[Andy Grady]

My first competition was the New England Tournament at Memorial High School in Manchester, 1995.

After a year of getting used to the whole FIRST experience on Gael Force (Where I didn't really put that much effort in) I treked up on the Clinton bus to go see the action. The competition was amazing, yet primitive...nothing at all like it is today. Two fields layed out in the gymnasium, big television screens for seeing the score and time, and the man in the middle of the field as emcee who "I thought I recognized from somewhere on TV" (Woodie Flowers).

Back then at that competition...there was no music...however schools brought bands to keep things plenty loud. There was no play by play announcing...you pretty much had to figure out what was going on in a match on your own. The gym was packed and very energetic. There were cheers comming from every corner of the gymnasium.

I watched the whole day as the Gael Force robot struggled to even pick up a ball, let lone score up a mile...yet for some reason...this was the coolest thing I had ever experienced.

I remember having to leave right after our last match (I believe it was the only one we would end up winning) and thinking to myself..."yeah, I want to do this next year...and next year I want to be down on that field!"

Of course, the next year, I was.

Walking into that gym last year for River Rage sent chills up my spine. I didn't know back then how much of an effect that day would have on the rest of my life..and seeing it all again brought back alot of amazing memories.