[John Wanninger]

Rich, thank you for helping us to remember that FIRST is the people. What an amazing privilege it is to be among so many inspiring folks, both young and old. I only wish there was more time to meet and talk with them, I’m sure there is a great story from every pit, and on every field. This is our first Championship Event as an FRC team, and we are awed by all the great teams and volunteers around us.

As a second year team short on mentors (I was the only technical mentor on the trip), our robot is far from being the sturdiest or slickest out there. Through battle damage and breakdowns, with just a bit of my help, the kids on our team somehow managed to keep us playing. Because our scouts and strategists had spent many evening hours at the hotel poring over data they collected, our drive team could actually strategize with our alliance partners, and I know that paid off for us. When we played, our great alliance partners came through to help us win. Every match was struggle and every match was a story. Being able to partner with and against so many great teams is the Best Thing ever.

As the matches went on, I noticed a funny thing starting to happen. While I may be the team mentor, I became less and less significant, and though I was there and pretended to direct, in some ways I was able to remove myself and just enjoy watching, as my team and their partners did their thing. It was magic. Through preparation, diligent scouting, scrappy pit and drive teams, the fortune of great alliance partners, and a healthy dose of good luck, somehow we were able to advance to become the #1 seed in Curie. Through absolutely incredible rounds of quarter, semi, and final matches against some amazing alliances, we were able to emerge as finalists before succumbing to the great alliance of 330, 910 and 1270. As to having storied alliance partners HOT (67) and Delphi E.L.I.T.E.(48), they provided guidance, comfort and sheer horsepower - it was an absolute blast. Let’s just say it was like having a genie with a rocket powered magic carpet. It was a wild ride we’ll never forget.

Now I know there are many other teams who had tougher schedules, better robots and great drivers who fought their hardest and didn’t get the wins and didn’t get picked. That has to be painful. There were so many good teams who were not selected for the finals. There seems to be many a discussion about why so many great teams placed low and how bad the alliance algorithm was, and those discussions are totally valid. We’ve also taken flak and have been labelled ‘random’. Somehow in the midst of so many great teams and their histories, you start to question whether you belong. After all it’s a privilege just to be playing among these teams.

One thing I have learned. There is a BIG difference between winning and greatness. Greatness comes from excellence over time. Greatness comes from how you treat, inspire and do things for others. It comes from living your faith and devoting your life to others.

As to winning - did we deserve to do as well as we did? I think so. The guys on our team worked really hard, and did all the things they needed to do to win, and I’m incredibly proud of them. This tournament has been a dream come true for our team, and I hope our guys enjoy their day in the sun. I hope every team gets that day. As far as being great, let’s not kid ourselves, we are totally humbled by those around us. We have such a long way to go. (But we’re taking notes!)