2014 10,000 Lakes Regional

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by CLandrum3081

With 525 and 3018 unable to attend 10K due to the event being full, it does raise the question of when MN will have five regionals. From what I understand, this is due to a lack of available volunteers. I'll have to change that after I graduate.

I'm tempted to bet we'll be going to Districts before we get a fifth regional, and the Districts will be in MN in 2016 or 2017 (I haven't heard nearly enough buzz for it to happen next year).

[nfhammes]

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

I'm tempted to bet we'll be going to Districts before we get a fifth regional, and the Districts will be in MN in 2016 or 2017 (I haven't heard nearly enough buzz for it to happen next year).

Yeah, Districts in MN isn't happening next year. 2016 or 2017 would be well within reason, but I would bet we get a fifth Minnesota regional first. We may be almost at the state's current carrying capacity for teams, but we're going to get a lot of additional pressure as states around us go to districts before us, both from their teams looking for out-of-state play, and from Michigan teams having fewer nearby options.

Unless we see an Iowa regional in the very near future. But I honestly don't know how likely that is. The FRC community in the state is certainly growing close to the number of required teams.

[SteveB2977]

Originally Posted by nfhammes

Yeah, Districts in MN isn't happening next year. 2016 or 2017 would be well within reason, but I would bet we get a fifth Minnesota regional first. We may be almost at the state's current carrying capacity for teams, but we're going to get a lot of additional pressure as states around us go to districts before us, both from their teams looking for out-of-state play, and from Michigan teams having fewer nearby options.

Unless we see an Iowa regional in the very near future. But I honestly don't know how likely that is. The FRC community in the state is certainly growing close to the number of required teams.

How about a regional right on the MN / WI border - close enough that it's an easy trip for Iowa teams - and in an area that is both growing in FRC teams, yet ripe for explosive growth? Hmmmm. Wherever could that be.


Just a thought

[Caleb Sykes]

Team 4536 will be ready for some exciting matches at 10K Lakes this weekend. We are hoping that our double-sided intake will be worth the effort. Since we only have 2 minor things to do on Thursday morning, our plan is to be out practicing all day Thursday.

I challenge anyone try to score more low goals than us in a 1v1 practice match. I hope 2052* comes out so that we can crush them, since our intake is at least twice as good as theirs.

I am also very interested to see who will win Chairman's and EI. Minnesota is still young, but there are many great up and coming teams that will finally be recognized through these awards.

(*my old team)

[pntbll1313]

Originally Posted by inkling16

I challenge anyone try to score more low goals than us in a 1v1 practice match. I hope 2052* comes out so that we can crush them, since our intake is at least twice as good as theirs.
(*my old team)

We're in the process of making quite a few improvements so we hope to use all day Thursday to get everything up and running at full strength. I'm not positive we'll have time but I really would love a little 1v1 exhibition match against you guys. I have heard quite a few good things about your bot

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

I'm tempted to bet we'll be going to Districts before we get a fifth regional, and the Districts will be in MN in 2016 or 2017 (I haven't heard nearly enough buzz for it to happen next year).

Seeing as we had some real trouble fielding enough volunteers for our 4 regionals this year (it's really been a headache for some reason), I doubt we'll be looking to try to fill out 12 district events (we've done the math - that's how many we would need) any time soon!

[CLandrum3081]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Seeing as we had some real trouble fielding enough volunteers for our 4 regionals this year (it's really been a headache for some reason), I doubt we'll be looking to try to fill out 12 district events (we've done the math - that's how many we would need) any time soon!

Agreed. I think we'd see a fifth regional before districts. Plus, who wants to leave 525 out (again)?

While I'd like to see districts (more matches, more events), I don't think it's feasible. One thing areas with districts have over us is they've had area-wide participation in FRC for a while (I at least know this is true for Michigan and out East - not 100% certain on PNW). As far as I know, the oldest still-active team in MN is eight years old. Anyone care to fact-check me?

Point is, they've had years of students who've graduated, gone off to college, and come back to volunteer. Minnesota doesn't really have that. Our biggest assets as a region have been growth and sustainability - I haven't seen (looking at usfirst.org) many MN teams fold, and growth was huge in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Hopefully, as more kids graduate and come back to volunteer, we'll have enough volunteers to make more regionals or districts work.

Ideally, I'd like to see a district that includes several Midwest states (the Dakotas, Iowa, Wisconsin, for instance), even if it's temporary - just to allow for and encourage growth in the Dakotas and Iowa. I don't think we should be making districts that exclude these areas until they have their own regional, at the very least.

My $0.03 (since that was longer than intended).

Anyway, very excited for this regional. My birthday is actually tomorrow, and this regional is going to be enough celebration for me.