2013 Peachtree Regional

[mandrews281]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

1648 reporting in after the event.

Now for our thank yous:
- 281: You guys are an awesome defensive machine. Unfortunately we couldn't overcome our inconsistencies and power past semis, but let's not dwell on what could have been.

Originally Posted by Wing

Great event. Despite finishing a bit short of what we intended, the team had a lot of fun and learned a lot. Congratulations to the winning alliance (4026, 4080, 3489). This alliance was clearly the most dominant. Consistent autonomous, full court shots, and consistent teleop scores allowed this alliance to power themselves to the winner's circle.


@281: Thank you for picking us. I know at first we were hesitant, but our alliance did extremely well and it was amazing to work with a defensive robot as strong as yours. Your team also worked very well in all of the strategies we came up with as an alliance.

@3581: Consistency was your nickname. Your team guaranteed a 4 point autonomous and 20 point climb every single match of eliminations. 281's scouts did a good job in finding you guys.

Now that I'm awake, I'll add a few shout outs of my own. I'm not going to speak for Floppsy, so take these comments as mine.

First: THANK YOU alliance partners.

@1648 you guys were amazing at both Palmetto and Peachtree. We had to have a good shooter if we were going to compete in eliminations, and you guys really were our first choice. You didn't have to say yes; but we were really glad you did.

@3581 you guys reminded me our us. What you did on the field wasn't glamorous; but you did it consistently and you deserved to be playing in the eliminations. We turned off our autonomous because we recognized that yours was more consistent.

We gave ourselves a chance to win (especially in that second semi-final) and that's really the best we can do. We can at least say we lost (close) to the winning alliance (congrats 3489 4026 4080). Thanks again.

Second: Props to all the folks at Peachtree (organizers, volunteers, judges, refs, ....). It had been a couple of years since we could come to Peachtree because of conflicts with Palmetto; but I'm glad we could make it this year. It was an great event.

Finally, a bit of a public shout-out to our kids. You guys should be proud of yourselves this year. OK things didn't work out the way we wanted on the robot; but the work you put into staying positive, making the most of what we could do, helping other teams (stay at it @4730), and having fun made it a successful season. It isn't glamorous -- it's HARD FUN and that's the true spirit of FIRST.

[120to40]

In the last game of the finals match do you know what went wrong with 832's robot? Also a thanks to 1002 for picking us.

[Andrew1261]

1261 reporting in.

I just want to thank everyone at the regional for making my last Peachtree as a student memorable. The competition was fierce as always, and the attitude put forth by everyone was an incredible example of what FIRST truly embodies. A humbling experience to say the least.

Now for some shoutouts.
2415- I couldn't have asked for a better alliance partner. You guys are truly a top tier team and it was a shame we couldn't go farther into elims with you. You always manage to build amazing machines and perform just as well. Don't worry about the little things, you worked out your kinks and I'll be watching you in week 5!

1414- You guys were another good team to work with. Your students impressed me with their attitudes and mentality. The willingness of you all to completely scrap your entire shooter and turn defense for us was a very kind gesture, not something many teams would have done. Thanks for putting up a great fight with us.

624- Another amazing team at PTR. Your machine was something to behold and I hope you will be returning to Peachtree in the future to keep us on our toes! Congratulations on a great robot and and even better showing.

4452- Absolutely fantastic for a rookie teams. Between your consistency, excellence, and attitude, I can see you all going big places in the coming years.

1648- Yet another robot that impressed me. The simplicity and elegance of your design paired with the consistency and effectiveness of your robot was great. From talking with your students, I can tell you all have a winning attitude and I expect you all to do even better next year. It was an honor to play with you at Palmetto and Peachtree.

4509- Like Sunny said, an ebodiment of what 1771 was. Your shooter was amazing once it got working and was simple and effective. I wish you all the best as well.

4566- Our rookie team. Working with you guys this season was a blast and you all have a great team dynamic. Don't be strangers next year and get in touch with me or the team if you need anything!

To all the other teams at the regional who impacted myself and my team, thank you for making this THE best regional to attend in FIRST. Thanks again and I hope to see you all in the future.

[FrankJ]

My understanding is 832 had a mechanical that cause them to lose power.

[ghostmachine360]

Thank you, everyone, for competiting the 2013 Peachtree Regional. Second year of refereeing, and there was no better place to do it than right at home; two days of the most fierce competition I've seen in a while. You made it hard for me to leave, honestly. Hopefully the trend continues, and Peachtree WILL become the regional to be at within the FIRST Robotics Competition.

Second, to Jan & the rest of the referee team. Being under one of the best head referees in FRC & with one of the strictest referee teams gives you a bit of motivation to be the best you can be on the field.

Third, to GeorgiaFIRST. Not only for giving the opportunity to ref, to speak in the Closing Ceremonies, but to allow me to be part of GeorgiaFIRST as a member. Amazing happened there every time we stepped into the Gwinnett Center.

Fourth, the field crew & Matt, our FTA. Turnaround time was fantastic, setup and breakdown were speedy; that was the best we've ever had.

Congrats to 2974 for Chairman's & their first DL finalist, Alyx (bringing the titles back to Marietta)! Also to Kristin Weiss (our second DL Finalist), 2415 (EI), 4080/3489/4026 (regional winners), and Ray Spurlin (VOY & field supervisor)!

[That 281 Guy]

Originally Posted by mandrews281

Finally, a bit of a public shout-out to our kids. You guys should be proud of yourselves this year. OK things didn't work out the way we wanted on the robot; but the work you put into staying positive, making the most of what we could do, helping other teams (stay at it @4730), and having fun made it a successful season. It isn't glamorous -- it's HARD FUN and that's the true spirit of FIRST.

Thanks Mandrews! While not going to championships is disappointing, we really had a great season. We went from having to completely scrap our original design to being the number 4 seed and semifinalists. We have helped and inspired our community and other FIRST teams, and while we did not win an award for our work it was still worth it.

And now for some shout outs of my own:

4730: Working with you guys was a pleasure. Heading out of this competition i can tell that you have learned a lot and I believe you will become an amazing team. I hope you guys keep it up, and some day you will be helping a rookie team of your own.

1648: You guys had an amazing robot that we've been admiring since Palmetto. We really did not expect you to say yes to us during alliance selections, but we were glad you did. We came so close to making it to the finals!!!

3489: You were another one of our favorite robots, plus we enjoyed competing with a team as spirited and enthusiastic as you. After we were knocked out of eliminations, we were rooting for your alliance. Its great to have another South Carolina team going to championships. We wish you the best in St. Louis!

4452: Congratulations on the rookie all-star award. I know you guys have been through a lot, but despite all your setbacks you still succeeded. People always love to talk about the teams that can make the most points, or do everything on the field, but it is teams like you that truly inspire me. Good luck in St. Louis!

[JohnFogarty]

Isn't 281's FTC program competing next weekend at the FTC Championship?

Though I can't officially represent 4452 since I was only their mentor for the weekend. I can say without a doubt that it was a pleasure to play with both 624 and 4071. Bad luck just seemed to strike either ourselves or 624 at the wrong times. I know the team will be gearing up for Championship and look out for them, when they are at 100% they compete just as well as team 11 does.

[120to40]

Any particular reason why 832 had to duct tape a piston open?

[JohnFogarty]

Several things I noticed about 832...
The front end of their shooter stuck out over the frame perimeter even after they taped the cylinder up.

The wall they attached to the shooter had to stay <=60" before the match started was the other problem.

They taped the cylinder because they didn't have time to reprogram it to start out the match with the cylinder fully extended...I think.

[Nuttyman54]

Originally Posted by John_1102

Several things I noticed about 832...
The front end of their shooter stuck out over the frame perimeter even after they taped the cylinder up.

The wall they attached to the shooter had to stay <=60" before the match started was the other problem.

They taped the cylinder because they didn't have time to reprogram it to start out the match with the cylinder fully extended...I think.

There is no rule that says you must start <= 60". Only that you may not be >60" if you leave your auto zone. Since every robot starts in their auto zone, robots may start up to 84".

This is kind of a new concept this year, and there's been a lot of confusion. I myself didn't realize it until I saw the discussion about it, and checked the rules myself. So just an FYI to everyone, it is not illegal to start taller than 60".

It sounds like 832 had some other infractions, which is very unfortunate.

[martin417]

Originally Posted by John_1102

Several things I noticed about 832...
The front end of their shooter stuck out over the frame perimeter even after they taped the cylinder up.

The wall they attached to the shooter had to stay <=60" before the match started was the other problem.

They taped the cylinder because they didn't have time to reprogram it to start out the match with the cylinder fully extended...I think.

Here is what I understand to be the case (if someone from 832 can comment or correct, go ahead).

They added a panel at ~60" high to play defense. It was finished as the timer went off. They had to place the bot on the field immediately. Since there was no time remaining, they were not allowed to pre-charge their pneumatic system. Without air pressure, their shooter could not be elevated. Since it was not elevated, it stuck out beyond the frame perimeter.

[120to40]

Quick question to all teams but especially the top eight teams/alliance captains. Would you have ever picked 1466 in th 3rd round? (Doesn't apply to 1002 since they actually did.) shoutout to 1002 for picking us, and I hope we can collaborate more in the future as well. Also the robolions had a fantastic mascot and robot which helped us get in the top 25

[FrankJ]

Thanks Kyle for commenting on what happen to 832 in the final match.

Thanks to the entire Peachtree crew for what overall was a very smooth regional.

[JohnFogarty]

Originally Posted by 120to40

Quick question to all teams but especially the top eight teams/alliance captains. Would you have ever picked 1466 in th 3rd round? (Doesn't apply to 1002 since they actually did.) shoutout to 1002 for picking us, and I hope we can collaborate more in the future as well. Also the robolions had a fantastic mascot and robot which helped us get in the top 25

I had 1466 written as the second pick for 4452.

[Kellen Hill]

This being my first Peachtree Regional and my first ever competition as drive coach, it was a great one. 1746 did not expect to have the only 30 point climber at the event, although we only accomplished the feat 3 times throughout the weekend. We were excited to perform at the level we did especially with a group of students fresh to FRC. Being 6th seed alliance captains and taking home the Xerox Creativity award were both major victories.

To 343 and 1311, our alliance partners for eliminations, thanks for your efforts. Consistency is key to success in FRC and was something we lacked as an alliance. I was excited by our potential, but unfortunately we didn't get to see it happen on the field. Thanks for joining our alliance and we look forward to playing with you in the future!

The elimination matches at Peachtree were phenomenal. While some robots had the ability to win qualifications matches by themselves, it took a full alliance to succeed in eliminations. The high scores and intense matches were thrilling to watch.

To 3489, a huge thank you for printing out qualification match schedules for every team. It was great to have and much appreciated.

We intend to attend GRITS. We hope to see you there.