St Louis Notes

[Amy547]

I'm a driver on Team 547 and I would like to commend all the teams at the St. Louis Regionals this year. Everyone was so awesome to us! I feel that every team gets better with age, and I know that we've come a long way in our first three years. Although we were paired up with rookie teams in all the qualifying matches but one, I don't feel that it was very much to our disadvantage, we got to help many rookie teams out, and that's what matters. We've also learned a lot from you guys about scouting, strategizing, and counter-strategizing, which also comes with age. Good job on your planning, building, scouting, and all the things that got you there like fundraising and mentorships. Good luck at nationals "ya'll"!

[Clark Gilbert]

One of the best highlights I saw was when two Indianapolis rookies got together in an alliance... team 1018 was on the HDPE, and they deployed a ramp behind them. Team 1024 rode up on their ramp and both were awarded 25 points. This round is surely a strong candidate for "play of the day"... and it was by 2 rookies!

Ok, after looking on the 447 website I found a picture of this.

[Austin]

Originally posted by Jeremy_Mc

i noticed that...how much did you guys add!? looked like more than 5 feet! (i actually couldn't tell, but man that was a lot for one spot)

We actually used around 20-30 ft. of latex tubing, however this is perfectly legal. What is illegal is using more than 5ft of latex tubing to throw a tote, we were simply using it as an energy storage device to assist us in raising and lowering our wings, which is legal.

[Jeremy_Mc]

We also got a low batt. light alot the time.

We'd go over the ramp, then get to other side and get a low batt. light. It was really weird. We could still use on motor tho so we usually tried to use that to reach the top of the ramp.

*jeremy

[David Lantz]

To begin with I would like to say how happy I am that I was able to participate in the St. Louis regionals with so many fine teams. I really liked how involved many of the rookey teams were and how well some of them performed (way to go 1098)!! I'm even more happy that my team (525) was able to compete in the finals. Thank you all for a great time and the fun that we had. (especially teams 16 and 356).

However, I would like to bring up one downside that may have effected my teams performance in the quarterfinals. I do not want this to be miss-interpretated as poor sportsmanship or as a sore losser. But as most of the teams that were there know our autonomous mode was working great until someone figured out how to disrupt it. (whoever did this I congradulate, for we hadn't thought of this problem ourselves). By placing their boxes in front of us and mostly outside the scoring zone, the other alliances were able to deviate our intended path. Since I was the alliance captain I discussed this issue with the judges on it's legality. They had decided that this was fine as long as the tub was touching the scoring zone. However, if you look at the following link you will find that FIRST had ruled otherwise in a previous question:

http://jive.ilearning.com/thread.jsp...ge=3256&q=6875

I do not want anyone to think that I believe that we should be given another chance nor that I'm saying that the other teams won unfairly. But that I would like to make sure that this was reconized and inforced at Nationals.

Congradulations to all of the winning teams, you deserve what you recieved for your hard work. Thanks again for a great time. Good luck all at nationals!!

[FatHead547]

we can usually knock down the boxes in our auto mode...and we can usually get it if a team doesn't beat us to it...so that's cool...the regional was good...and had a lot of fun

[Hendrix]

Gosh, no one has even mentioned the winners of the Chairman's Award...

Anyways, it was a great Regionals, and I had a blast. I was getting scared when they had reached the 15th Seed team for final's alliances (because 538 was 16th, and we hadn't even thought about who to choose) but the 15th seed team (sorry that i forgot your number) did a really good job selecting. Congratz guys...

[Hendrix]

looking through 447's pictures, i saw this picture..



We would have won if it wasnt for our driver leaving the ramp at the last second. I thought i was going to kill him. As a lesson, don't go against your coaches wishes, and you might come out on top...

[Gope]

The 16/525/356 alliance was eliminated somewhere in the tourney, too bad, we wanted to repeat last-years undefeated streak.

Anyways, this is about 356...They are incredible. They aren't too fast, but they're incredibly strong, but here comes the cool part. In our final match(even though we lost) 525 flipped over in a pushing match. 356 came along, and using their moveable wedge they flipped 525 back up!!! Greg Mills is a 7 year Bomb Squad veteran and said he has never seen a robot right their alliance partner!!! Those drivers are great.

[Hendrix]

haha, that's funny, i was outside packing when that happened. That would have been great to see. I was shocked when i got back inside and saw yall in the pits. Ah well.

[kristinL356]

Wow. I'm from 356. Thanks for the compliment. It means even more coming from Baxter since you guys are one of the most respected teams out there. & I definately have to agree that our driver was amazing. Crazy kid kept insisting he did badly when we went to Applebees after the closing ceremonies. Right before he fell asleep at the table waiting for his food.

[baculpepper]

I just wanted to say thank you to both of 525's final team mates(16 and 356). We gave it our best and still cannot believe that 356 was able to tip us back over (awesome driver!!!).

I cannot stop thinking about this weekend because its only Sunday. We can always say what if our alliance was not on the top at the end of the match, but will not help to improve our teams. We should take this time to congradulate each other on an awesome weekend. Team 356 you were awesome!

To 16 I would just like to say it was an honor to be paired up with BBS. I personally feel disappointment that we were not able to live up to Baxter's reputation. 525 hopes you do well at your future regionals and plan to see you at nationals!!!

[tiskippy]

Yeah, I can only second my teammate's comments, since he beat me here. But 356, you guys were a great team, and seeing you guys pick us up was one of the coolest things that I've seen in 3 years of FIRST. The thing that beats it was probably that first time that 16 and us (525) went through our autonomous mode in the quarter finals...seeing them go flying up right in front of us was great.

16, I remember seeing you guys at St. Louis and being in complete awe of your robot. If someone had told me on Wednesday that we would be working with you guys in the finals, I would have laughed at them thinking we were good enough to work with you. It was an honor to work with you, and we appreciate what you did with us in the final rounds. I'm sorry that we weren't able to keep it going to the finals.

356, you were a great ally in the end, very dependable, happy to work with us on strategy. I have to admit that I didn't personally know who you were when my team decided to pick you, but when I saw your robot, I knew you were a good choice. I hope that my team has a chance to work with both of you in the future, and good luck at any further regionals.

Oh, and after looking in the rules and on the official FIRST boards, the way that our opponents were placing the boxes right behind our robots (16 and 525) was illegal. The FIRST people clearly said the boxes have to be all the way within the scoring zone...but it only results in a minor penalty, so it wouldn't have done anything to them for that match.

[kristinL356]

Wow. It's really cool to see people giving us (356) props. I called our driver & told him what you guys have been saying about us. He says thanks. Thanks for picking us to be your alliance partner. I started shaking when I heard you guys call our number. & during the elimination rounds I was so nervous I couldn't even chew gum without getting nauseous. It was definately a great experience. & I love the sign on the bottom of 525. That was pretty funny. Glad we could help you out. Kristin

[ebdot]

All I can say is, the St. Louis Regional turned out to be great. We saw a lot more robot action towards the end, which was great. I think 356 flipping 525 back up was the highlight!!! That was great...... And Nyack was great to watch, cheering all the time. Thanks to all the other teams, making it such a great experience for us rookie teams!