2013 MAR Championship

[DELurker]

SO ...

What did everyone think of the MAR Championships this year? How did you like the venue? What was your favorite moment?

[Wren Hensgen]

As controller for team 225, I can say that my favorite match was match 97 where we were allied with Metal Moose (1391). Our robot started to tilt, and balanced on a 30 degree angle on our right set of wheels and our bumpers. With 11 seconds left in the match, Moose uprighted us, and we both managed a hang. A big thank you to 1391!

Edit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sen1yGGQsZQ&list=PLPUJJPXRAlET5xnnaPZnDHMP IGiPdj0jp

[MisterJ]

Originally Posted by Wren Hensgen

As controller for team 225, I can say that my favorite match was match 97 where we were allied with Metal Moose (1391). Our robot started to tilt, and balanced on a 30 degree angle on our right set of wheels and our bumpers. With 11 seconds left in the match, Moose uprighted us, and we both managed a hang. A big thank you to 1391!

That was really exciting. A favorite of mine as well. Other exciting portions...?

75's fall from the pyramid was scary, but it was awesome to see the standing ovation they got when they were right back out on the field in time for their next match.

As for my own team, 3974, even though we had some major mechanical issues with our shooter, we were able to get them fixed and team up with 2729 and 1218 for a qualification match-best 187 points. It was hilarious to see the look on my human loader's face when we drove back for another load of discs and he was completely out - they were all in the goal!

One of the funniest moments was 433's makeshift net falling apart on-field as they tried to defend 225's FCS. Every shot they blocked, another piece would fall off. However, they ended up winning by 1 point, which goes to show you that every little bit of effort you put into working on your robot counts!

The finals were AWESOME! 1640 was the strongest last-overall pick I can ever remember seeing. Scores up in the 190-point range were not surprising as 2590, 2729, and 1640 were the class of the field at the MAR districts I attended. Congrats also to 222, 11, and 1403. When alliances were picked, I immediately knew you three would be putting up a huge fight.

Congratulations to MORT Beta, 193, for putting together an incredible weekend so early in their existence. Your mentors are amazing - one of my favorite teams in MAR - but it must put sneaky little smiles on your faces to be able to rank above them.

Rookie All-Stars 4637! HUGE AWARD! GREAT JOB! HAVE FUN IN ST. LOUIS!

Complaints about the venue? Not too many. Seating was ample (even off to the sides), pit area was fairly spacious. Quality of the speaker system was GREAT! We could hear every announcement perfectly. Our hotel nearby, that we shared with 316 and 869, was very nice. My only complaint was that the arena needs more food service areas and better quality food. I went off campus both days for lunch because of the lines, prices, and lack of variety. (And unlike Temple, this was a pain in the butt because there are no places that are walkable.)

Finally, most importantly, I'd like to give some respect to the Chairman's winners... 433 and 1218. These two teams have helped us tremendously over the past two years. 433 allowed us in their shop to build a robot when we were pre-rookies and bent the rules to allow our two male team members to drive at their GirlPOWER event. (Our team was only 2 weeks old and we only had two members!) We're worked with them during their outreach events (and vice versa). I'm sure the reason that they won, however, is that I make an appearance in their Chairman's video.

As for 1218, they literally GAVE us a robot at our first offseason event (the above-named GirlPOWER) when ours wouldn't sync with the field. They shared their pyramid this year and let us practice since our shop wasn't big enough to build one.

I can't think of two more deserving Chairman's teams than 433 and 1218! I hope you can bring home a big win in St. Louis!

(Geez, you can tell you've spent too much time at FRC competitions when Cupid Shuffle and Cotton-Eyed Joe are stuck in your head all Sunday!)

[Clem1640]

Originally Posted by MisterJ

The finals were AWESOME! 1640 was the strongest last-overall pick I can ever remember seeing. Scores up in the 190-point range were not surprising as 2590, 2729, and 1640 were the class of the field at the MAR districts I attended. Congrats also to 222, 11, and 1403. When alliances were picked, I immediately knew you three would be putting up a huge fight.

Thank you for the kind endorsement, MisterJ.