Waterloo has definitely established itself as one of the most entertaining and best run events in FIRST. As competitors, I can't name a regional I more enjoy competing in than Waterloo. With a massive number of plays, a volunteer support crew that makes the event hum like no other, and arguably some of the best reffing in all of FIRST, Waterloo has perfected the process of the "small regional." If you are a team looking for the best bang for your buck, Waterloo IS the place to be.
This quality has come to be expected, which is a shame because few will mention what an amazing event Waterloo has evolved into.
Shout outs:
Congratulations to
1114 on more counts than should be legally allowable: Website, Industrial Design, Woodie Flowers, Champs, and most importantly Chairman's. You guys are like family to 188, but make no mistake... one of these years we will beat you
. Another chapter has been written to "the great Canadian rivalry..."
2056, you didn't surprise anyone with your offering this year. It is just as clean, efficient and effective as your robot last year. Finals 1, we tried twice to pull a fast one on you while hurdling... twice you slipped right by and probably didn't even notice. Very slick, we were sure we could at least slow you down, but not even close.
68, you guys carried our alliance. Thanks for trusting in us. I know the finals probably weren't the prettiest matches, but we needed you guys to carry the offensive load, and you did with
exceptional skill. We'll forever be left wondering if we'd been able to use our original finals strategy with 2013, or even if 188 had done our "job" more than twice in Finals 2. It took a lot of trust to try something strategically VERY different, and that sounded plain stupid. But I'm forever grateful to you for buying in. It looks like Simbotics noticed it, even though the scores were still lopsided.
2013, our alliance's still-secret weapon. You guys put up with us insisting on a brand new hybrid routine. In 10 minutes of testing and programming on the practice field right before elims, you pulled it off. We were ALL sure you could successfully change the tide of the finals, but we couldn't quite get you there. Your drive team was a pleasure to work with. Don't forget a word of what we talked about in our strategy sessions. You guys have an ace up your sleeve with your robot, and hopefully we'll get to see some of that at the GTR.
1535, you guys stepped up and filled right in when we needed you. We are eternally grateful! It was a pleasure having such a well-run team, with all their ducks in a row, be able to step in seamlessly and perform. It was an honour to have you guys a part of our finalist alliance, regardless of the circumstances.