[Doug G]

I guess this is one reason why Atlanta is not one of my favorite competitions to go to. I see the opportunity and experience as a phenomenal one, but the odds of getting very far are stacked against most of us. For the past 5 years our team has fielded a very competitive robot, maybe not a hands down winner but good enough to finish in the top 8 most of the time. Then when we go to Atlanta, we seem to do well, but not well enough to break into the top 8. When alliance selections begin, we don't get picked and are surprised by some picks that are made (one pick last year in Arch was an inoperable robot). I know some of the alliances have made their picks by Friday and some simply go with who they are comfortable playing with (maybe from other regionals and such). The alliance selection at Championships is sketchy for most teams (lack of scouts and the shear number of teams are major contributing factors). I don't think it is wrong and don't know of any way it could change - it is what it is, but it is one reason why our experiences from Regionals are often more exciting at least in a robot performance way. However, no Regional can compete with the wrap-up party, VIPs, and Einstein matches in Atlanta. Short of a Blue Banner, our team only tries to attend Atlanta every 2-3 years and instead tries to visit out of state Regionals in the other years.