2011 Arizona Regional

[GilaMonsterAlex]

Originally Posted by Donut

3785 is sponsored by the GM proving grounds, the largest sponsor of team 64. The grounds moved down to Yuma, AZ and since the teams which split from 64 after it folded don't use the gila monster theme most of it went with the sponsor it appears. Anyone at competition or that sees their logo will notice the gila monster now has a prison cap since Yuma is home to the state prison.

Lots of good matches today, I'm excited to see what the eliminations look like tomorrow when some of the top teams get together. We have a few teams with minibot deployments (330, 60, 1492, 1726, I think 842 or one other as well) and a few that have been trying or are working on it (I know we got our deployment on at the end of the day, get to test it in the morning).

Good luck tomorrow everyone!

Yup, you're right about 3785. I'm the lead mentor for the team, but we're all rookie team, mentors and students. The only connection we had was GM DPG sponsored the team.

We had a great time, and everyone was super helpful. Super happy to have made the quarterfinals. Way to go 1011 and 1212!! We're all excited about returning next year.

[falconmaster]

Here is a synopsis of our participation at the AZ Regional.

The MC was great!
Don Knight was fabulous!
The Pits were small and hot, drank many bottles of water!
The field was great!
Pits for the finals in the hallway were extremely cramped, and hot!

Synopsis on this year's 2011 event


4 Falcon Robotics team members recieved W.W. Graingers scholarships, Gerardo Rodriguez, Ramon Balerama, Glenda Maldanado, Mike Kanaly
1 Falcon got Made Dean's List Edwardo Fernandez, now he competes at the championships for the National Title for a scholarship and a person letter of recommendation from Dean Kamen
1 Mentor got the Woody Flowers Award,me, I feel extremely honored
The team won the Innovation in Control Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation for the control and design of their robotic arm.
The team won the robotics competition with their robot Dulce's DREAM with their allaince partners the Beach Bots, from California and RoboKrew from Tolleson HS, in Tolleson, AZ.


Highlights

Team was in 3rd after prelims on Fri
Team had only two practice matches due to redesign issues
Team had to redisign minibot deployment structure due to design error, on Thursday
Team finished 1st at the end of prelims on Sat.
Team had to replace the gripper gearbox with only minutes before the match and was finishing it at the robot was being placed on the field during the last qualifying match.
Team had to replace gripper arm that was broken with only a few minutes during the quarter finals after a robot rammed into its arm.
Team used scouting data to pick the best alliance, had three robots that could hang a tube in autonomous
Team had to go to three matches in semi to move on to final to win.
Team had CNN covering their participation in the event for a documentary about Extracurricular STEM to be aired May 15th!

all in all it was a great event for us! Now on to the Championships!

THIS IS OUR 1ST ROBOTICS WIN EVER!

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

This comes as a HUGE surprise! I thought Fredi had garnered this prestigious award eons ago. Well done, judges! Can't wait to read his WFFA essay and learn even more of his adventures and contributions.

Congratulations, Fredi!

Jane

The judges in the blue shirts don't judge the WFA. Not sure who it is done by, maybe past WFA winners?

I second Fredi getting WFA, couldn't have picked a better mentor, especially after watching him in action this week.

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by purpleandplasma

congrats to all that won awards! (u may remember me as the girl from plasma that ran around yelling "GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON/EVENING"! this being my first year, i was super pleased! 2403 Plasma will be attending vegas! hope to see some of you there!

How could we miss you Kelly, you're energy, and your whole teams energy was contagious! Loved it!

[Josh Fox]

Originally Posted by rsisk

The judges in the blue shirts don't judge the WFA. Not sure who it is done by, maybe past WFA winners?

I second Fredi getting WFA, couldn't have picked a better mentor, especially after watching him in action this week.

The WFFA and WFA are indeed judged by past winners.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by rsisk

The judges in the blue shirts don't judge the WFA.

True but - those who do are still filling the roles of judges, yes?

I cannot imagine the work cut out for people who decide the CA or the WFFA at regional/district level much less Championship level. Or any of the awards for that matter. There's nothing better than an excellent, sometimes animated, discussion among the judges as decisions have to be whittled down to - just one. And there's nothing better than to see the joy/disbelief on the winner's/winners' face(s) and the pleasure/joy/emotion on the judges. It is magnificent and one of the things that FIRST gets right in all of the programs.

Jane

[BornaE]

I would like to thank and congratulate everyone at the event.

Here are some videos of the very last match.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7HYQgn6wOc - From the side of the field
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-puPjye-6E - From the Stands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nVcidly1Nk - From the side of the field

[El Geffe]

I'd like to congratulate 842, 330, and 2662 for winning the Arizona regional.
I'd also like to thank 2449 and 1165 for being outstanding alliance partners and for helping us take second place.

To clear things up regarding the last match of the regional; yes, we had a battery issue due to team members picking up batteries from the wire. The wire was hardly connected to the battery and wasn't able to give the Dlink enough juice to send a signal. We're not disappointed about losing, you guys fought hard for your place, we're disappointed for going out without a fight.

All in all, we learned alot form this regional and hope to see everyone in Las Vegas or in St. Louis

[Dr Fritz]

Originally Posted by LazyNameMaker

But even in the matches prior, they should have been able to FLOOR everyone in front of them and I just didn't see it. Ah, well, it was a great matchup and both alliances definitely deserved to be there.

Also, noticed the Amon Amarth fan-ness in your signature.

yup i am i huge fan of them

[falconmaster]

Originally Posted by El Geffe

I'd like to congratulate 842, 330, and 2662 for winning the Arizona regional.
I'd also like to thank 2449 and 1165 for being outstanding alliance partners and for helping us take second place.

To clear things up regarding the last match of the regional; yes, we had a battery issue due to team members picking up batteries from the wire. The wire was hardly connected to the battery and wasn't able to give the Dlink enough juice to send a signal. We're not disappointed about losing, you guys fought hard for your place, we're disappointed for going out without a fight.

All in all, we learned alot form this regional and hope to see everyone in Las Vegas or in St. Louis

Congratulations to you and your alliance partners! You guys were tough!

[Dr Fritz]

Originally Posted by El Geffe

I'd like to congratulate 842, 330, and 2662 for winning the Arizona regional.
I'd also like to thank 2449 and 1165 for being outstanding alliance partners and for helping us take second place.

To clear things up regarding the last match of the regional; yes, we had a battery issue due to team members picking up batteries from the wire. The wire was hardly connected to the battery and wasn't able to give the Dlink enough juice to send a signal. We're not disappointed about losing, you guys fought hard for your place, we're disappointed for going out without a fight.

All in all, we learned alot form this regional and hope to see everyone in Las Vegas or in St. Louis

see you guys in St. louis and it was a pleasure being your partner in our finest matches

[falconmaster]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you team 330 the beach Bots and thank you team 2662 the Robokrew! You guys were the best alliance partners!
Hope to see you both in St. Louis! Maybe we can pair up again! Take care and good luck the rest of the season! The Tollison team 2662 RoboKrew did not expect to find themselves in the finals much less win, and not they are facing a catastrophic success! They need to raise the fund to attend the championships! If anyone can help please do! Contact me through CD and I will pass on the info to them. Thanks again everyone!

[purpleandplasma]

Originally Posted by rsisk

How could we miss you Kelly, you're energy, and your whole teams energy was contagious! Loved it!

thanks! i am planing on being just as loud and energetic at Vegas! (well once my voice comes back!) this was an absolutely amazing experience!!!

[Dr Fritz]

Originally Posted by purpleandplasma

thanks! i am planing on being just as loud and energetic at Vegas! (well once my voice comes back!) this was an absolutely amazing experience!!!

have fun in Nevada

[ShaneP]

Team 330 had a great time at the Arizona regional. Aside from the overly cramped halls during eliminations, Hamilton high school served as an excellent venue for the regional. Thanks to all the volunteers.

We'd like to thank 842 and 2662 for being fantastic alliance partners. It was a pleasure working with you. Looking forward to LA and St. Louis!