[David Brinza]

Team 980 was on the wait list in 2008 and 2009.

In 2008, we came off the list a few days before the Los Angeles Regional. We accepted the invitation, but went on to win the LA Regional (thanks 330 and 1717) anyhow.

In 2009, we were on the wait list as well. We didn't come off the list prior to our final regional (Las Vegas). We were eliminated in the QF, so we labeled our crate to return home. On the Tuesday following the Las Vegas event, we were invited from the wait list. I contacted Shepard, discovered the crate had not yet shipped from Las Vegas, and was able to have the robot shipped to Atlanta. It was a "snap decision" to go to Championship. In spite of short notice (less than two weeks), we were able to get reasonable airfare and hotel accommodations for the team. It was pretty frantic, but we had a good time in Atlanta.

This year, we elected to not go onto the wait list. We came up one victory short of qualifying in Los Angeles, so our team is not competing in Atlanta this year.

Next year, we plan to register for Championship in St. Louis early to avoid the wait list (if FIRST offers that option in 2011).