Thanks to teams 365 and 56 from 395

[Noah Kleinberg]

Team 395 (2TrainRobotics) would like to thank our elimination-round alliance partners from the Philadelphia regional, 365 MOE and 56 Robbe Xtreme. We were amazed that either of you were still around to be picked, and proud to work with you on Saturday. It wasn't easy, but with some great scouting data from all 3 teams, an amazing level of co-operation, and execution on the field, we managed to take it all the way.

365 - Thanks again for helping us with the bending problem on our front roller on Friday; without your help we might not have even reached the elimination rounds. It was great to finally work with you guys after facing you in the finals in Pittsburgh a few years ago, and our teams seemed to get along together great in the stands and around the field. We've known all along what a class act you guys are.

56 - Can I say again how surprised we were that a regional winner with such a great robot was still around to be picked in the second round? We were going to go with a defensive third robot, but when we realized that one of our top 5 robots for the first round was still available, we couldn't pass you up, and we're obviously very glad we didn't. An extra thanks for lending us a battery during the semi-finals when the positive terminal came off of one of ours. It was great working with you guys.

We look forward to seeing both of you down in Atlanta, and hopefully working together one more time.

Special thanks to all of the alliances we faced in the eliminations and especially the finalists, 103, 1153 and 708. Those last matches were intense and all came down to the last few seconds. Any of the 8 alliances could have come out on top and no one would have been surprised.

Congratulations to team 433 on your Chairman's award win, which many people have told me you deserved.

Thanks to all of the other teams and the volunteers at the event, it was our first time in Philly and everyone had a great time; we're definitely thinking about coming back next in 2010 and look forward to seeing everyone again.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Noah Kleinberg

Any of the 8 alliances could have come out on top and no one would have been surprised.

This is so true. Each elimination match was so hard fought. It was awesome. Def the only reason we're not mad or upset about getting bumped in the QF's.

2-Train was awesome at Philly, I had you guys pinned as a potential winner since your performance at NYC.

[Mr MOE]

Originally Posted by Noah Kleinberg

...and our teams seemed to get along together great in the stands and around the field.

Any of the 8 alliances could have come out on top and no one would have been surprised.

it was our first time in Philly and everyone had a great time.

Noah:

On behalf of all of MOE, it was a pleasure to be selected by 395. No one ever knows how alliance selection will end up. It was fantastic working with you and 56 - Robbe Xtreme.

I personally loved the way our team members (and those from a few other teams) got together at various places in the Liacouras Center to cheer our alliance on. Almost everywhere I looked I saw the red of 2Train and Robbe and the green of MOE.

I must agree that, generally, the Philly elimination alliances were pretty well balanced. A difference of a few seconds on ball dump attempts and some good/bad shots by Payload Specialists could swing the match 180 degrees in the opposite direction. That's what makes it exciting!

We are so glad you guys decided to attend the Philly Regional and hope to have you join us in 2010!

See you in Atlanta!