2012 LF Top 25

[Looking Forward]

As is becoming a bi-annual LF tradition, a panel of FRC veterans and experts were polled to help create a Top 25 list after the regional season. Fifteen ballots were collected from some of FIRST's most respected minds, including Woodie Flowers winners and finalists, former FRC champions, and mentors of Hall of Fame teams.

A quick word about formatting to help you understand and interpret the rankings. The first number, which follows the #, is the ranking. A "#T-" indicates a tied ranking. The second number, in bold, is the team number. If a number in parenthesis follows, it's indicating the amount of first place votes the team received. If there's no parenthesized number, the team received zero first place votes. The number in brackets is the total number of points the team received from all fifteen ballots.

#1. 67 (8) [360] - Dominated Michigan this season, winning all four events they attended including the state championship. Arguably the best balancing bot in FRC.
#2. 341 (3) [343] - Seeded #1 at four events, winning them all. 24-0 in elimination matches. Added triple balancing to their resume as part of a dominating run at the MAR Championship.
#3. 469 (3) [337] - A mind blowing 69-3 record in Michigan helped them secure the most points in FiM. Perfect 18-0-0 in Troy, never lost more than 1 match at any of their four events this season.
#4. 1717 (1) [321] - Dominant shooter from both the fender and the key. Had one of the best events of the season at CVR, where their only loss came after an alliance partner racked up 62 penalty points (and they still only lost by 9).
#5. 1114 [319] - Lost in Canada for the first time since 2005, but still picked up two regional victories. Terrific key shooting bot that has already shown ability to compete against the best of the best.
#6. 2056 [317] - Beat the Simbots at GTR-West to preserve their streak of perfection at regionals. Arguably the best fender scoring machine.
#7. 16 [249] - Only lost one match at their final two events combined, capping off a 3 for 3 season. Their catapult has made them one of the most accurate key shooters around.
#8. 987 [242] - The only undefeated team left in Rebound Rumble, with a 32-0 record. Mobile, well driven, and accurate from the key.
#9. 118 [207] - First selection at three regionals, but were unable to escape the semi-finals until Lone Star in week 6.
#10. 1986 [166] - Highly effective from both the fender and the key. Have a slew of features to help with triple balancing, though they have yet to pull it off.
#11. 254 [148] - Has yet to deliver a Poof-caliber performance in Rebound Rumble, but has clearly demonstrated the potential is there. Even with the hiccups, still reached the finals at both events (winning SVR).
#12. 548 [147] - Third most points in FiM this season, and for good reason. Improved drastically after GTR-East and added key shooting to their arsenal for MSC.
#13. 359 [127] - Great when they've needed to be, winning both of their events as members of the #1 alliance.
#T-14. 48 [115] - Efficient driving has helped them deliver every ounce of potential from their machine, and pick up two golds and a silver along the way.
#T-14. 1218 [115] - Two dominant early season wins followed by two silvers later in the year. Terrific key shooting machine, but has failed their numerous attempts at triple balancing in competition.
#16. 148 [110] - The first to triple balance this season. Their stinger has augmented their 2 point scoring well enough to make them a very attractive alliance partner.
#17. 971 [109] - Quick and effective fender scoring machine. Won both of their events this season.
#18. 2826 [107] - Dominant performance in route to gold in Wisconsin to back up their silver from Lake Superior.
#T-19. 111 [96] - Effective key shooter with lightning fast ball acquisition. Undefeated at North Star after a finalist finish in Chicago.
#T-19. 25 [96] - Rough start to their season, being bounced in the quarters in Orlando and Lenape. Finished strong with victories at Mount Olive and Philadelphia. Mechanical brakes helped them triple balance with ease in Philadelphia.
#21. 1507 [89] - Smart play and great driving helped them win both of their events, including an undefeated run at Buckeye. Impressive 33-2 record on the season.
#22. 1983 [83] - After a pair of second place finishes, they did whatever they had to do (including playing tough defense) to win at Spokane. Consistent key shooter with a full court game.
#23. 330 [82] - Eclipsed by 1717 at CVR, they've quietly played an effective scoring game both on and off of the fender. Demonstrated a high level backcourt game while feeding 1717 as well.
#24. 1023 [77] - Regressed at MSC after two outstanding district wins at Livonia and Detroit. Accurate shooter and frontcourt specialist.
#25. 1477 [76] - Outlasted several bigger names to win Alamo, went undefeated at Bayou, and fought hard in the finals at Lone Star. Terrific fender scoring machine.
Others receiving votes: 233 (53), 624 (52), 2168 (42), 33 (41), 1592 (36), 842 (36), 2169 (25), 180 (25), 610 (19), 829 (14), 2415 (13), 1718 (13), 103 (10), 340 (9), 2481 (8), 234 (7), 973 (6), 195 (5), 3322 (5), 801 (4), 1918 (4), 177 (3), 744 (3), 1056 (2), 1323 (1), 1730 (1)

[JV2073]

Amazing bots! Best of luck to all the teams. Good job to Spartans, Cheesy Poofs, Bomb Squad, and all others for a great 2012 season.
-JV(2073)

[Grim Tuesday]

Another great ranking. I can't wait for the divisional postings! If 8 of the robots on Einstein aren't from this list I would be surprised a great deal.

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

#7. 16 [249] - Only lost one match at their final two events combined, capping off a 3 for 3 season. Their catapult has made them one of the most accurate key shooters around.

#10. 1986 [166] - Highly effective from both the fender and the key. Have a slew of features to help with triple balancing, though they have yet to pull it off.

Others receiving votes: 1730 (1)

It's crazy to think about how, week 1, I had interactions with all three of these teams, and that now they're all within ~top 50 teams of FIRST...I wish I had spent more time talking to them about what they've done right and what they've done wrong. Team Titanium especially; since they're a local team, I usually get a pretty good look at their robot and it is crazy to be able to say "I've gotten to watch some of their rise to elite status." is just amazing. And I have their tshirt too!

[Travis Hoffman]

We'd like to thank the Academy....our team - especially the drive team - will appreciate the positive feedback!

Also...

2826
2826
2826
2826
2826
2826
2826

:-)

[jwfoss]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

Others receiving votes: 233 (53), 624 (52), 2168 (42), 33 (41), 1592 (36), 842 (36), 2169 (25), 180 (25), 610 (19), 829 (14), 2415 (13), 1718 (13), 103 (10), 340 (9), 2481 (8), 234 (7), 973 (6), 195 (5), 3322 (5), 801 (4), 1918 (4), 177 (3), 744 (3), 1056 (2), 1323 (1), 1730 (1)

It is an honor to be voted for among this crowd. Thank you.

[trilogy2826]

A big thanks from 2826 to all the voters. This is a big honor. We are looking forward to living up to the expectations this week!

[DampRobot]

Is this LF's championship post? Or will we get LF-quality coverage of the divisions too?

EDIT: Sorry, just saw the other thread.

[BigJ]

Glad to see 2826 finally got on a top 25 Good luck Wave! (Oh, and to that team Kevin is coaching this weekend too. )

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by BigJ

(Oh, and to that team Kevin is coaching this weekend too. )

Shhh. Kevin is one of our secret weapons

For a regional that often gets overlooked, its prett cool to see 4 of the top 40 teams played in the Wisconsin Regional Finals.

[Alpha Beta]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

#2. 341 (3) [343] - Seeded #1 at four events, winning them all. 24-0 in elimination matches. Added triple balancing to their resume as part of a dominating run at the MAR Championship.
#8. 987 [242] - The only undefeated team left in Rebound Rumble, with a 32-0 record. Mobile, well driven, and accurate from the key.
#10. 1986 [166] - Highly effective from both the fender and the key. Have a slew of features to help with triple balancing, though they have yet to pull it off.
#11. 254 [148] - Has yet to deliver a Poof-caliber performance in Rebound Rumble, but has clearly demonstrated the potential is there. Even with the hiccups, still reached the finals at both events (winning SVR).
#17. 971 [109] - Quick and effective fender scoring machine. Won both of their events this season.
#21. 1507 [89] - Smart play and great driving helped them win both of their events, including an undefeated run at Buckeye. Impressive 33-2 record on the season.
#25. 1477 [76] - Outlasted several bigger names to win Alamo, went undefeated at Bayou, and fought hard in the finals at Lone Star. Terrific fender scoring machine.
Others receiving votes: 233 (53), 624 (52)

Curie seems like it is well represented here overall. We are honored to be a part of this list and have every intention of backing it up on the field. We've been blessed to work with some outstanding alliance partners this year and are looking forward to using the copious amount of time between matches to strategise with our new alliance and coopertition partners.

And while we have "yet to" triple... We have also never failed a triple attempt. We are certainly trained in the arts of the triple, and have equipment and dimensions that make us the perfect first robot on, middle robot on, and or last robot the bridge. We are hoping that this flexibility opens up more possibilities for our elimination alliance's other pick and also makes it harder to defend as we switch up which side of the bridge we balance from on the fly.

Originally Posted by CalTran

It's crazy to think about how, week 1, I had interactions with all three of these teams, and that now they're all within ~top 50 teams of FIRST...I wish I had spent more time talking to them about what they've done right and what they've done wrong. Team Titanium especially; since they're a local team, I usually get a pretty good look at their robot and it is crazy to be able to say "I've gotten to watch some of their rise to elite status." is just amazing. And I have their tshirt too!

Ask away. Great teams often collaborate in ways that are benneficial to both parties. We look forward to developing more of those relationships with great teams like yours.

[dodar]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

#1. 67 (8) [360] - Dominated Michigan this season, winning all four events they attended including the state championship. Arguably the best balancing bot in FRC.

#5. 1114 [319] - Lost in Canada for the first time since 2005, but still picked up two regional victories. Terrific key shooting bot that has already shown ability to compete against the best of the best.
#6. 2056 [317] - Beat the Simbots at GTR-West to preserve their streak of perfection at regionals. Arguably the best fender scoring machine.
#13. 359 [127] - Great when they've needed to be, winning both of their events as members of the #1 alliance.
#T-14. 1218 [115] - Two dominant early season wins followed by two silvers later in the year. Terrific key shooting machine, but has failed their numerous attempts at triple balancing in competition.
#18. 2826 [107] - Dominant performance in route to gold in Wisconsin to back up their silver from Lake Superior.

Others receiving votes: 1592 (36), 2415 (13), 234 (7), 973 (6), 195 (5)

I would say Archimedes is WELL represented on LF's Top 25.

[Gary Dillard]

Originally Posted by dodar

I would say Archimedes is WELL represented on LF's Top 25.

Actually I would say Archimedes is PROPORTIONALLY represented in the top 25 (25/4 = 6.25)

[dodar]

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard

Actually I would say Archimedes is PROPORTIONALLY represented in the top 25 (25/4 = 6.25)

Yes but the placement of those 6 teams and the records behind them.

[smistthegreat]

Every time someone compliments my driving it makes me wonder what matches they were watching, because I certainly have room for improvement. Either way, it's always an honor to be mentioned by LF, and it's awesome to see Curie so well-represented in the top 25. Looking forward (ha ha ha...) to getting out on the field with you all in a few days!