[MasterChief 573]

WOW, where to start. First, thank you to all the teams, you guys all made this an outstanding regional and I really can't overstate that. Team 573 was honored to be picked by our good friends The CIA and compete with them and Team Lighting (we fought valiently and our team really loved working with you guys) I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that just getting into the elimination tournament at this regional is an huge honor because the competition is just so incredible. Congradulations to the finalist team of The ThunderChicken, The Flyers and Foley Freeze. You guys were an outstanding alliance impressed everybody. Now I'd like to individually congradulate the winning alliance teams. First of Team 67 (HOT!), you guys shocked everybody and utterly shook the very core of the eliminations and prooved to be the biggest x-factor of the competition. Your team built an incredible robot and prooved that it was truly a force to be reckoned with. Next Team 326 (Xtreme Eagles), we got to know you guys really well at the Pittsburgh Regional and from the moment I saw that launcher on friday I knew you guys were gunning for the top (along with the other side of the field!). Your robot performed great and I feel just as thrilled as you guys must be for your first GLR victory, I hope you continue to do what you do and keep going strong as a team. Last, and certainly not least, our good friends on Team 503 (Frog Force), We have a pretty outstanding history together and the victory we shared last year was one of the proudest of our teams history. I think you know that we really love what you do, after all you did get our favorite team award (did you like the design). Overall our team never ceases to be amazed at how great a job you do not only as a competitor but a first team, along with 67, I'd that your team best encompasses (based on what I see, hear and experience) the spirit of a true first team. Our team looks to continue to learn from you and stay good friends with you (also, congradulations on the EI award). Finally, congrats to team 68 for winning the chairmans award, we hope that you team continues to grow in the spirit of FIRST and act as model for other first teams to follow.

Now on a side note I'd like to talk about Team 2576 (Chillean Hearts). Over the last three days our team has gotten to know and become good friends with this amazing team, we have been inspired by them and we strived to inspire them througout the competition by helping them in any way possible and offering them our encouragement. We have become more than friends with you, we have become family and we will never let that die. There is something unbelievable special and inspiring about your team, it might be your first year and you might still be learning but you get what this competition is about, what its really about. You understand that this is about becoming not just competitors, but learners and inspirers and people who strive to go the distance to become something great. I look forward to seeing your team return next year, hopefully as a mentor, and I hope you continue to grow and mature in the competition. You guys are more than just a team to us, you are what makes this program so awe-inspiring and life changing. We've had an amazing three days with you and we look forward to seeing you again.

Once again amazing regional guys, good luck to all the teams heading Atlanta, we look forward to seeing you there.