More years than not, Waterloo is written off as a lower-calibre regional.
Looking at the teams, the numbers, and all quantitative evidence considered, it's hard to argue otherwise.
The bizarre thing is, Waterloo always ends up being one of the most dynamic events in FIRST. Every year I go, I see teams try and play the game in ways I'd never before imagined. Sometimes, they're even quite successful
. I've maintained from day one that as far as the competition experience is concerned for FRC teams, Waterloo can't be beat.
March break scheduling has really hit the number of teams this year, but in a twisted way, it makes it a better deal for the teams going. It'll be a huge number of guaranteed matches - and an unparalleled tune-up session for the GTR. There are 20 teams going to Waterloo who will also be making an appearance at the GTR next week. Expect teams to be heavily scouting this regional - I know I will be.
Despite being a small regional, LF's tipsters have kept him/her up to speed on information - almost a quarter of the entire field was mentioned! But even after such a comprehensive LF overview, I have a few questions before the event:
What does 1565 have cooking this year? They've been awfully quiet for a traditionally active team on CD. After last year's uniquely effectively linkage drive, will they do the same this year, or does this year's game call for a different setup?
Will 854 return to 2007 form where they produced one of the elite robots in all of FIRST? For a team that runs hot and cold from year to year, when they are on they are ON! Are they due for another run this year?