[Bob Steele]

I guess its easy to say that you loved going to a regional when you did really well... so we loved the Seattle Microsoft (Tacoma) Regional.

But more importantly, we made a bunch of new friends there... and rekindled friendships that we had started last year in our rookie year and this year in the off-season.

Team 1778 had a great day and finished at the top of the heap as the #1 Qualifier. The they also won the Imagery award and the Safety award. We love you guys and since we are both SPEEA sponsored, between the two of us we really made SPEEA members proud. It was great to battle with you in the finals and your alliance score of 80 points was the second best all day!!!!

There were so many other great teams that its hard to talk about all of them

Congrats to 488 for winning a well-deserved Chairman's Award. It is about time!!! You are a team that everyone should emulate. You show great spirit and professionalism.

Thank you team 2046 .. We had never had a chance to play with you guys until the finals and the wait was worth it. We complemented each other on the field and the other alliances could not concentrate on both of us so one or the other of us scored.

Team 949 ... gosh we knew you guys had a great Hybrid..but sheesh... you guys were beasts out there during the finals.... we were astonished when you were still around to pick...

I think we made a pretty good alliance and we hope to play with you both in Atlanta.

My biggest thanks go out to the volunteers and FIRST staff at the event.
I cannot remember a regional that I have attended that ever went smoother than this one. The referees were magnificent with clear and fair calls. Fred was great as a head referee (as usual) and was great at taking the time to explain calls to team members.

Anyone that missed this regional really missed something. Hawaii will be great but it can't be any warmer or friendlier than our Microsoft Seattle Regional.

Thank you Kevin and Deb and everyone else.
Thanks especially to Microsoft for bringing FIRST back to Washington,
Now it is our job to keep it here... and make it bigger...

Lastly, to my team....
I could not be prouder of you guys. Everyone did their jobs with enthusiasm and gracious professionalism. Thank you!!!

The best quote I heard at the event came from the photographer just after the Mascot dance off... He looked at me as we were taking our Mascot off the field and getting him water after his efforts....
He said: I am paraphrasing...

"Boy, When you guys from the Skunkworks do anything you do it all the way don't you?!!"

I like to think so....
we made a BIG stink.... Now its time to breath it in....

I love you guys...



now.... get to work....