[Brandon Holley]

I think everyone can see that scouting is what will get you picked and not ranked...but here is a little tale from the 2004 season that proves this even more...and how "schmoozing" can help your team out:

At the 2004 Chesepeake regional, our team was doing really well. We had been doing so well after Friday that it looked like we were going to make the top 8, and we did in fact make the top 8. Come saturday morning, team 122 came over, attempting to "schmooze" us, and they had perfect timing, and perfect execution. They told us their story of why they had finished near the bottom of the rankings. They said we really are a great robot, come watch us on the practice field.

We checked our scouting notes and saw that some scouts thought this team was capable of being fantastic. We watched them on the practice field and were amazed at what they could do and how they finished near the bottom.

We all talked and finally agreed we would take this team near the bottom of the rankings as our 1st pick!! We went into the quarterfinals, and WON. We did unfortunately lose in the semifinals...but this is not where the story ends.


We went to another regional after Chesepeake that year, the inaugural Palmetto Regional. We played FANTASTICALLY here and finished number 3, and were picked by the number 2 seed. We go through the whole picking process, and now its time to pick our 3rd partner....who to choose?? Well our good friends from Chesepeake team 122 were also competing at the Palmetto Regional, and they once again finished poorly in the rankings. We convinced our partners to pick team 122 as our 3rd partner, telling them they would not be disappointed...and they were not because we won the whole regional, and we have team 122 to thank. The 3rd team, 9 times out of 10 is what wins you the regional, especially when the matches are 2 v. 2. So thanks again 122, and we hope you had a great 2004 season because I know we did.

This is just another example of how scouting, schmoozing, and most importantly a good head on your shoulders will help your team get into eliminations..even if you did not place well in qualifiers.