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Thoughts On This Week's Regionals
With today being the kickoff of yet another exciting year of FIRST competitions, I decided to post a list of things I'm going to be watching for this weekend.
1. Autonomous Chaos
With this being the first chance that most teams have to use their autonomous programs in competition, I expect there to be more than a few glitches. On Friday don't be surprised to see many teams at a dead stand still, or repeatedly running into the side of the ramp for 15 seconds. Don't fret, knowing the ingenuity and skill of the engineers and students involved with FIRST, most of these problems will end up being corrected after the first few rounds. Nevertheless, this weekend especially, expect teams with smooth running auto modes to be very successful.
2. Even Qualification
Last year the "odds" had to qualify for nats, this year it's the "evens" turn. With this being the situation, these regionals are of even greater significance for teams divisible by two. For them winning an award or a competition means more than a nice banner, it means a trip to Houston.
3. Rivalries Renewed.
Looking at the list of teams participating in the Manchester regional, there are the possibilities of many interesting matchups. Considering certain incidents at off season events this summer, other history from past competitions and a few small battles of words engaged in by team members on this very message board, any combination of teams 88 and 121 should prove quite intriguing. I don't foresee too many fireworks, this is a FIRST competition, gracious professionalism will prevail.
4. Teams 47 and 254
Watching how these two teams fair should be the highlight of my weekend. Both teams have a history of dominating regionals. Now that I think about it, I think team 254 has only ever lost one regional (with 6 championships, I think). Based on nothing more than past results, look for history to repeat itself with both teams bringing home titles.
That's all I can think of now. I'll try and post more of my thoughts over the next few days. Good luck to all teams.
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:: Karthik Kanagasabapathy :: "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" -- R.W. Emerson
My TEDx Talk - The Subtle Secrets of Success
Full disclosure: I work for IFI and VEX Robotics, and am the Chairman of the VEX Robotics and VEX IQ Game Design Committees .
Last edited by Karthik : 06-03-2003 at 10:00.
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If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.
- rourke [more] 
06-03-2003, 11:57
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