2015 Dallas Regional

[Abhishek R]

Team 624 CRyptonite had an incredible time at the Dallas regional this past weekend, even getting the chance to see some snow, an uncommon event here in Houston.

An unusual amount of robot issues plagued us throughout the qualifications. We had obviously designed around a strategy to clear the landfill, but recycling container stability issues forced us to limit our movement, preventing us from really doing much at all during a match or else risk the container falling out of our robot. When 118 The Robonauts picked us, it was with the intent that we may be able to load from the human player station, which doesn't require much movement. We were glad that they recognized the potential within us, but what really opened our eyes was how much they think ahead and really bring teams together in an alliance. With just a short amount of time on the practice field, 118 was able to get us to a competent level of human player stacking quite quickly - during the qualifications, we averaged about half a stack (3 totes), and we only ever achieved the coopertition once. After some time practicing and then working with 118 in the playoffs, we could comfortably make 2 stacks of 5 with cans and noodles on top. We are very thankful for their choice to choose us at the alliance selections.

We would also like to congratulate teams 148, 987, and 3802. Yet again, we found ourselves on the opposite end of the field from the Robowranglers (we didn't even get a qual match with them! - though I'm not sure it would have been very exciting given the state of our performance at the time). We have always looked up to the High Rollers and enjoyed working with them last year in the the Curie elims, and congratulate them on the Chairman's Award, very well deserved. Best of luck to all these teams and we'll see you at the World Championships.

[wireties]

Greetings from 1296! It was great to spend time and build robots with so many good friends this weekend. Our local FRC brothers, 3310 and 148, fielded some great machines. And it is nice to catch up with 2848, 704 and many other good people. Several 1296 alumni are serving in mentor roles on 624 and 1477 - the Dallas Regional was kind of an impromptu reunion. Bruce (our teacher sponsor) and I are very proud of you all. Congrats to 118/624/2613 on a solid win by good programs and great machines.

It was a crazy weekend - weather delays, teams sent home early by their schools, a very different game and playoff format and a little controversy here and there. We greatly admire and appreciate the grace and professionalism under pressure exhibited by the teams and the volunteers. Thank you all!

Our machine, the "Blues Brothers", started slow but finished well. We'll keep iterating and look forward to seeing you at Alamo! #TeamTether #TeamIFI

[Mike Marandola]

Does anyone happen to have any robot photos? Specifically of 987, 148, 118, 3310, 1477, and 624.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Mike Marandola

Does anyone happen to have any robot photos? Specifically of 987, 148, 118, 3310, 1477, and 624.

https://instagram.com/1stroboticsrocks/

[Koko Ed]

There also was an earthquake near the regional on Friday. I was told the epicenter was right next to the Convention Center.

[crake]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

There also was an earthquake near the regional on Friday. I was told the epicenter was right next to the Convention Center.

Sure that wasn't a stack of totes falling over?

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by crake

Sure that wasn't a stack of totes falling over?

Well 148 was staying at the hotel next to the convention center so maybe they were building a tunneling robot to pass the time til the doors opened.

[MikeZ]

624 CRyptonite appreciates the kind and humbling words from 118 Robonauts on our contribution to the winning Alliance. We did indeed have our struggles through Qualifications but we were determined to find a game play that gave us the best chance to compete. We thank 118 for seeing our potential and working with our drive team to bring out the best in their abilities. 118 is a fantastic Alliance captain, always striving to respect and get the most out of each team. We are happy that 2613 Protobot has an opportunity to advance to Championship and wish them all the best.

I can’t say enough about the first class behavior of 148, 987 and 3802 despite a disappointing Finals situation. They exhibited gracious professionalism immediately after the last match and we especially appreciate 148 reaching out to us after the last match giving recognition to our Alliance’s win as well as 987 accepting our appreciation of their fantastic robot and team. Having been involved in our share of controversial Elimination rounds, we know that it is through a solid foundation of principled behavior, integrity, and professionalism, that these teams exemplify, will the students and mentors deal with and grow from the disappointment.

We were fortunate to be next to 148 in the pits and see firsthand the wonderful machine and fantastic team they have built. We appreciate that they are always willing to answer any question teams have about their robots or their team. It was good seeing the 987 High Rollers again after having the opportunity to work with them on Curie last year. What an incredible team as exemplified by earning Dallas Region Chairman’s Award, seeing all their past Woodie Flowers recipients called to the field , and of course an incredible robot that was inspiring to watch play this game.

We loved the experience in Dallas and hope to return. The quality of the team interaction in the pits was phenomenal and the opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues, as well as make new ones was a highlight. The Dallas Region volunteer team did a great job of managing the event despite the weather situation and kept the energy in the house all the way until very late Saturday night.

Good luck to all teams and look forward to seeing how Recycle Rush plays out throughout the season.

[s1900ahon]

My deepest thanks to JVN who took some time on Thursday to provide our team with invaluable feedback and improvement suggestions for our lift system. His consulting fee? (*) One of Mrs Coach's cookies (from my personal allotment of two). *Best* *investment* *ever*.

While I don't officially speak for the team (that's the job of Coach Norm, among the many other jobs he does), I'd like to send my thanks to our incredible alliance partners: 57 (team captain) and 4063. It was a great weekend for us.

Scott
(*) BTW, John didn't ask for a cookie, we just thought it appropriate.

John-There are more where that came from (so I'm told).. come to the blue side..

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by s1900ahon

My deepest thanks to JVN who took some time on Thursday to provide our team with invaluable feedback and improvement suggestions for our lift system. His consulting fee? (*) One of Mrs Coach's cookies (from my personal allotment of two). *Best* *investment* *ever*.

While I don't officially speak for the team (that's the job of Coach Norm, among the many other jobs he does), I'd like to send my thanks to our incredible alliance partners: 57 (team captain) and 4063. It was a great weekend for us.

Scott
(*) BTW, John didn't ask for a cookie, we just thought it appropriate.

John-There are more where that came from (so I'm told).. come to the blue side..

Those cookie were really good.

[JAGarcia]

Simply put, this was the best weekend in Klein Bots history. After a 2014 season that ended with a disappointing quarterfinal exit in Dallas by a penalty and not making elims at Lone Star, going as far as we did was incredible. We had not had a winning season or regional record until 2014. Going from not picked to being an alliance captain in one year was a ridiculous change that none of us saw coming. We are so thankful that we could team up with 1296 and 932 to make it to semis at a regional with such a high level of competition.

It was sad to see 148, 987, and 3802 go down due to some controversy, but we want to congratulate our fellow Houstonians from 118 and 624 on their win as well as 2613. Coming in to week 1 and facing competition like that was a great learning experience that we will carry on to Hub City and Lone Star. Good luck to all teams as the season progresses.

[Coach Norm]

WoW is all I can say about the Dallas tournament. When registration closed for the tournament, I was so excited to see all the teams that were attending. It was an interactive display of what Gracious Professionalism, teamwork and incredible machines in action. How many times was the high score of the year posted at this tournament alone? The action was amazing to watch and participate in.

Congrats to all the finalists teams and the display of teamwork and professionalism to get through to the finals on a long day of schedules, mishaps, rulings and matches. Congrats to 118, 624 and 2623 on the victory in the end. You worked with your machines throughout the tournament to improve.

FRC 987 The High Rollers are what Chairman's is all about. Five Woodie Flowers award winner, amazing outreach, incredible mentors to work with, students who handled everything about their robot, scouting and communications with alliance partners as well as a robot that is incredible.

I would like to congratulate Keith Buchanan on his well deserved Woodie Flowers Award. As usual, Keith was doing the behind the scene things for his team and unfortunately not able to be present to receive his award.

2468 was excited to be chosen by FRC 57 Leopards and to partner with our old buddies FRC 4063. Leopard Spotted Bunny Appreciation was a fun ride for us.

The volunteers, judges and field officials battled through weather problems and teams not being present throughout the schedule on both days.

I want to echo Scott McMahon's sentiments for JVN coming by to give us advice on our lift system.

We are excited to be playing at Alamo and Hub City in the upcoming weeks. We are looking forward to seeing 457, 647, 1296, 2848, 3005, 3310 and 3735 again at these tournaments.

[JB987]

Now that all of the High Rollers have finally made their way home after our cancelled flights we would like to take the time to congratulate teams 118, 624 and 2613 for their hard fought win this weekend. We were impressed with your robots and teams before, during, and after eliminations. A huge thanks to our good friends on 148 for asking us to join their alliance along with 3208. It was such a pleasure to go into battle with both of your teams. Thanks to all of the teams we played with and to so many friendly visitors to our pit. We are proud to say we were a High Rolling Wild Wrangler!

Many thanks to all of the volunteers and the Planning Committee for your efforts to make the regional work while facing the challenging conditions Mother Nature constantly threw at us. We loved the venue and the warm Texas hospitality. Awesome emcee too! We wish all of you the best of luck and a thousand stacks and hope to see “ya’ll” at Champs or even sometime at our Las Vegas Regional!

[jfox100]

Originally Posted by billylo

148/987, 118/624 put on an amazing display of robot awesomeness for all fans. Thank you and well done. I look forward to seeing 148-Alfred.

The robots and the teams are the stars of each event. Let them shine the brightest.

Here are a few suggestions (Frank and team, I am sure you look for feedback from CD too!):

1. Instil transparency: Transparency will help the overall experience when tough calls are made. Imagine NFL refs do not announce what the penalties were. Yes, it costs a few seconds; but it informs the crowd and at the same time, hold the tournament organizer accountable. Mistakes do happen. Both organizers and teams are human. This teaches the kids accountability.

2. Recognize well run events that put the students/teams first: How about some free corndogs for the organizing committees?

3. Awesome idea to bring the Cowboys mascot into Dallas Regional. Maybe we need to invite Carlton (Toronto Maple Leafs mascot) for a visit when we play in the former Maple Leafs Garden next week at GTRC.

Can't wait for our first event next week. Go #610.

Hey Billylo,

Thank you for your input. I was the Game Announcer at Dallas (also Bayou and will be working Champs as well). I made it a point to announce the foul and explain the G-rule penalty for each and every foul all weekend during the Dallas and Bayou Regionals. Yes, there were certainly some controversial calls made at Dallas (which have been discussed at-length on other forums), however, as G.A., I did my very best to inform the audience (and the teams) which fouls were being called as well as give a brief description of the G-rule violation.

Jim