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Re: 2009 Rookies With Regional Wins??
We didn't win a regional, Dwayne - it was District - State was regional and we only managed 55th out of 64. We had a lot of wonderful help hanging on to come in for that spot, but it's not really cash that kept us from going to Atlanta - we simply did not have the standing to get there.
Gail Alpert was truly a wonderful assist in not only getting us started, but in helping us find Ike. Our initial sponsor, and Ik'e employer, BAE Systems, has a buttload of experience with US First - and we'd never have gotten off the ground without them, either. I cannot tell anyone how much I admire Gail and Ike for their commitment to US First.
DTE came in later and also has plenty of experience with US First - they do sponsor other teams with dollar funding - they gave us a great pair of engineers in Nick and Anita.
We lived with luck this season - both good and bad - bad because let's face it, three JAG units burning up in a season is bad - but also makes me wonder if we somehow contributed to those failures with poor housekeeping and lack of testing and maintenance as we came off the field between rounds.
Good luck because we didn't make it in the pick for Troy - and were blessed enough to be chosen to help out with an alliance that was going to take it home with or without us. We carried our weight, that's for sure, but nothing was going to hold back the Thunderchickens and Hot - nothing in the world. So despite not being chosen for the finals, we did get a chance to ride that train and claim the banner and gold - and we have nothing to be ashamed off in our hard-working and kick butt assistance to our alliance.
Some of our failures, as with any team, did not have anything to do with luck, but I am sure 3119 will do its best to deal with the various problems it faces as a team.
I can't begin to name all the teams that helped us and I don't want to leave anyone out - from the Killer Bees to the Foley Freeze, to the Thunderchickens, Gearheads, the Hot, Hammerheads, anyone and everyone connected to Nick Sai (sigh?) - what an amazing bunch of people - and they make Felix (our programmer) and me want to continue to help a team somewhere and some time in the future. US First and its gracious professionalism taught us, even as adults, much.
I think the team has much to learn, as do all rookie teams - and I wish 3119 all the best in moving forward next year. It will almost be rookie year all over again, without that kick butt pair of drivers and with the other issues that must be faced.
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Team #3119 The Rockets
2009 Newbies
Detroit Regional- District Semifinalists
Troy Regional- District Champions
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