[Shankar M]

I am always quick to laud the out-of-town regionals that Team 188 attends, but something must be said for the special feeling of competing at home. It is a great feeling to run into old friends, have the opportunity to make new ones, witness some perennial powerhouses at work, and see new contenders vying for a shot at ultimate prize. GTR this year was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the event and I must say that the way those finals played out (particularly with that fabulous storytelling - amazing job, Karthik) really put things over the top.


Seeing some newer teams shining this weekend was a welcome sight. Teams 2809 and 2625 impressed me greatly all weekend long with their consistent performances. Their focus on carrying out their chosen task as well as they is a testament to the premise that focusing on one thing, and doing it well, truly can pay great dividends.

It was also great to see 1305 back on its game. The team seems like it had been through a couple of leaner years, but their performances both at Waterloo and GTR prove that they are back on.

I must echo the congratulations that everyone has offered to Team 1334. I was a floored that you left Waterloo with neither the Chairman's Award nor the Engineering Inspiration Award. Your team got its just rewards this weekend for all of the amazing things you're doing for FIRST. Well done.


To the winning alliance, you were remarkable, unstoppable almost, but definitely a blast to play against.

Team 1114 is simply amazing, dominance epitomised; nothing more needs to be said here.

While everyone is catching their breath from watching 2056 take their 8th straight blue banner home, hopefully people are taking the time to start to realise that this team is about more than just an amazing robot each year. Not only was a member of their ream recognised for the Woodie Flowers Award (congratulations Tyler!) and as a Dean's List Finalist (congratulations Zac!) this weekend, but they also put together a stellar Chairman's Award submission. Needless to say, keep watching for this team both on and off the field.

Congratulations to Team 1547 on winning your first regional. Each year it seems like you girls put together a solid robot and this year, you happened to be around at 24 to be scooped and be part of an alliance that hung three robots (that was most definitely a highlight this weekend). Not only did you keep the arena alive with your excitement and energy, you proved that you could get it done on the field as well.


To our partners: thank you. It was a lot of fun to put together the GTR alliance circa 2008 (with much better robots from everyone this time around) and give it another shot. It did not quite work out, but it is only a matter of time before we pull it all together and make it happen.

1310 has really stepped it up of late and it is only a matter of time before you become a mainstay amongst the upper echelon of Canadian teams. Shawn (or Mr. Lim), it was a pleasure working with you and your team these past two weekends. We definitely miss you at 188, but we see the great job you are doing over at 1310 and wish you the very best.

It was equally fun working with 2505 (and the 4 188 alumni involved there). Your masterful strategy and shut-down defense are always a threat on any alliance, which made it a pleasant surprise to scoop you up at 23. Thanks for your help in making the eliminations awesome.


I prefer not to address my own team on this forum, but this is a special case. To the students involved with 188's Chairman's submission: congratulations! In years past we have had a dedicated team of mentors to help with the submission, but this year you pulled through on your own and did an incredible job.

Finally, thanks to everyone else in attendance who helped to make this past weekend a blast! I hope to see a ton of you down in Atlanta in a few days time!