2015 Palmetto Regional

[Billfred]

I suppose it's time for me to chime in a little bit as well. Good thing I can type it!

First, because it's how I spent the bulk of my time in Myrtle Beach, I have to thank the Palmetto Regional planning committee for entrusting me with the mic as a game announcer. I first tried my hand at it during a few matches at the 2005 Capitol Clash. Then it was Cal Games in 2006, working alongside David Black under the master that is Mark Leon. After that, I'd actually done the training to announce at the 2007 Florida Regional...but a scheduling snafu derailed that, and life and teams kept me away from the role until I dusted off the Hawaiian shirt for the first SCRIW tournament in 2011. Four of those and the past two FTC state tournaments were a lot of fun, but both of them are still relatively small affairs. Announcing those two thrilling finals matches in front of a white-hot crowd was a treat I couldn't begin to describe to that rookie kid on 1293 that sat in the Colonial Center twelve seasons ago. I can't thank you all enough for the kind words.

While I'm at it, I also have to thank the rest of the crew. Mark Kruea and Crystal Costa are great dancing partners, and it was very rare for us to run over one another (always a thing that bugs the heck out of me, because I know it bugs the heck out of the audience). I also have to thank Barry Hudson for eleven years of service to the Palmetto Regional as the lead game announcer. He's indicated that he plans for this year's event to be his last, but I hope he isn't a stranger. And I hope I have anywhere near that much longevity.

With me behind the scoring table for much of the event, that meant I was also largely away from my Garnet Squadron teammates. Sandstorm II left a lot to be desired on the field, though I was thrilled to see the team get through inspection so quickly (often a challenge for us due to the desire to get that one more tweak done). Through it all, the kids kept working to improve the performance with what was available to us and making plans for a host of improvements in Orlando. That they kept the good work up could be a sign that I'm replaceable, or it could be a sign that I've helped instill the right values in our kids. I'm hoping for the latter.

It was great talking to FRC Chief Referee Dr. Aiden Browne on Saturday. Some on the game, some on the growth of the program in the area (he's based in Charlotte), and a few other topics I'm sure I've forgotten because I was running on my third Red Bull of the regional that morning.

I have to bow down to the greatness that is HVA RoHAWKtics for a minute. Only one team had ever won Palmetto back-to-back before, and that was my old team--the team then known as Los Pollos Locos did it in 2011 as the last pick of the draft, then as a backup robot in 2012. These guys have easily surpassed what we were able to stitch together--they not only won them both, they dominated. In two years, they've lost exactly one match (Semifinal 1-2 in 2014) and were in no real danger of missing the cut even during their semifinal jitters this year. You guys are an inspiration and show just what can be done in this program.

It's been no secret that I've been on the ROBOTZ Garage bandwagon since pretty much the beginning. And yes, they're a Bosch team like Garnet Squadron and we've had a fair bit of mentor overlap*. But here's the thing: they have built an incredible program in Fountain Inn. I made a run up to their facility during the last weekend of build to pick up some vinyl graphics for 4901's robot. The Bosch plant up there was full of kids grinding away on their robot, the practice robot, the things to make both better, drive practice, Chairman's video editing, the works. Mike Bryan had expressed worries to me that this was going to be a rough year for the Garage, but they clearly had one of the two or three best machines in Myrtle Beach. It's a shame he was sick during the regional--I couldn't get an answer on where he plans to hang that banner in the garage!

*Speaking of which, you guys have your ticket punched to St. Louis--can we borrow Casey back for Orlando?

I don't have a long history with the Robo Kats out of Myrtle Beach, but they definitely showed up with a gorgeous machine--easily the most dapper on the field. When I went to the blue alliance station to congratulate the drive teams, I asked their mentor if it was their first blue banner. He responded he'd been at it ten years across a few teams and only now reached the top. It took me eight to do it, so I know just what it feels like to finally have your faith rewarded. Hang that banner high, guys.

All in all, it was a thrilling Palmetto Regional and a great early specimen of how fun Recycle Rush can be. On to Orlando!