2013 Smokey Mountains Regional

[Ed Sparks]

Just wanted to congratulate all of the teams at the Smokey Mountains Regional for another great event. Thank you all for getting through inspection in time for the Friday morning matches and I'm sorry for the pit opening/closing confusion ........ we'll get that all worked out by next year.

[MelodyPond]

Ed! We can't thank you and the rest of the staff/volunteers running the Smoky Mountains Regional enough! You guys worked tirelessly to pull off a very successful regional and should be proud. My team had the time of our lives at SMR and are defintely returning next year. There's a reason the slots for this regional are filled so quickly!

[MCRT Jeff S.]

Thank You Ed and LJ and everyone who put together the Smokey Mountains Regional event. As always the event was a class act. I always ask around to seasoned teams to get an idea how the event compares and I hear nothing but praise about the SMR event. Location, space, access everything is solid.

For us we had our first real breakout season. Finishing 10th and becoming the 8th seated team during alliance selections was and honor. That kind of finish might not be enough for some teams but for us a milestone. The MCRT Robo Racers have never scored a point in an FRC match until this season. Our alliance selections were solid and in our opening match against the #1 seated alliance we almost pulled off a win loosing only by one point.

The #1 seated alliance should have won the event as they did. They clearly will represent the Smokey Mountains Regional well in St. Louis at the worlds.

Thank you Ed for your encouragement, help and advice over the past three seasons. My students have recognized you as the inspector who helps us. keep it up. Jeff Slaton Coach of the MCRT Robo Racers.

[Dan 1038]

Ed - My latest band of rookies had a blast at Smoky! LJ and her team have done a great job with making that an awesome regional. Your inspection team was great, I appreciate all that they did to get us through inspection quickly on Thursday afternoon so we could get fill in spots during practice. Thanks for doing what you do to support FIRST!

[WeJohnFriedIt]

Even though Team 1466 (sadly) did not attend our hometown regional this year, several other team members and I were glad to attend and spectate a fantastic competition this year! Seeing an alliance of all-local teams take the banner made Knoxville proud. I'm sure that the regional will only get more exciting in the years to come, and Team 1466 hopes to see everyone there!