Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Lawrence
When I saw this team, and this robot, I found it hard to believe that they were rookies. They reminded me of Team Overdrive of last year.
|
They should remind you of Overdrive - FRC 3138 was the former FTC 3311. Yet another successful FTC team making the jump to FRC. Sounds more and more like this is a sound progression from FIRST n00b to a top notch program.
3138 was about as prepared a rookie team as you can get. They showed great initiative in lining up resources and learning about all aspects of FRC well ahead of the January kickoff. They eagerly pursued an intense summer/fall training and preparation regimen. They didn't remain on an island - instead, they sought advice and assistance from several veteran Ohio teams from opposite sides of the state, including their primary mentor 1038, as well as
48 and
379. They learned of the rigors of the FRC build and competition seasons, and, once given access to one, they learned how to manipulate the FRC control system better than many veteran teams by the time their prep phase ended.
After observing them in person at both their regionals this season, watching the Innovators compete as part of the awesome 1625, 2056, 3138 alliance up close throughout the Galileo and Einstein eliminations was one of the highlights of my season. For the third event in a row, I've watched them deal with a combination of great success and quirky adversity (loose PWM cable, troubleshooting and repairing a dead motor in their drivetrain, getting stuck in a goal). They've experienced great highs as well as unexpected lows at the brink of ultimate victory, and they've handled the resultant spectrum of emotions with poise and professionalism.
After they lost on Einstein, I was guardedly confident I'd hear their name called one more time, and I was not disappointed. Nothing erases the frustration of a tough loss more than winning the Championship Rookie All-Star Award.
It was a completely new and exciting experience this year for local NEOFRA teams in Northeast Ohio to work with 1038 to help out a rookie team on the other side of the state. Many teams across Ohio are working to organize an "OhioFIRST" statewide partnership, and knowing that a great young VETERAN team like 3138 (I think they've graduated
) will have an active role in that process only makes me more optimistic that this partnership will succeed.