MAR Regional Champs

[Hallry]

Congrats to the champions and award winners, as well as all of the teams who have qualified for World Champs. I know that 1676 is honored to be representing MAR again in St. Louis next week.

We have uploaded our HD full-field footage of every qualification and elimination match, opening ceremonies, and alliance selections to this playlist (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUJJPXRAlERH8I7EPtJBmX6HLqZrdv2D) on our YouTube Channel, and have submitted them to The Blue Alliance as well. The only video that is currently missing from the playlist is the Award Ceremonies, which will hopefully be posted either today or tomorrow. Enjoy!

[jgerstein]

Originally Posted by Hoover

Being in 67th place we didn't think we could qualify so we had already resigned ourselves that we wouldn't be going so most had gone on with their plans for the week.

I can't help but notice that only 53 teams are there. Might have anyone with a ranking lower then ours wanted to go?

I am wondering how it might have gone if teams that knew they were not going could have pre-declined? Each team notified had to have been given enough time to get resources, notify team members, etc.

This is an interesting thought. Mobilizing a team on short notice is tough, and any extra time teams could be given to make preparations is likely to help.

[scottandme]

Congrats to all moving on to St. Louis.

In case anyone is interested - I consolidated the MAR standings that I maintained over the last few seasons. Now that FIRST is maintaining the district points in real time (finally!) - I'll stick to the archival data. Made some aggregate data as well, might add some more stats eventually.

MAR Standings 2012-2015

[Jscout11]

So far, only teams 272 and 3974 have not registered for CMP. Does anybody know if they are planning on attending?

Team 4285, who was the next team to qualify on points, is now registered for CMP.

[BandChick]

I have heard that 272 will be declining (due to funds), but I don't have any concrete proof yet.

[Hallry]

I wanted to give two quick shout-outs before I forget:

1. The entire MAR media crew for greatly improving the districts' webcast quality this past season, with special thanks to Kevin Dieterle for making the MAR AV system. What a huge improvement from it was from this in 2014 to this in 2015.

2. Rookie FRC Team 5438, the Technological Terrors. They receieved the email at 8:48 AM on Thursday morning inviting them to MAR Champs - when other teams were already busy in the pits at Lehigh University. Luckily, they were able to rush together and made it to the competition, with just 25 minutes left to spare from load in to when they had to be on the field. Awesome job to them.

[Ben Martin]

Some shout-outs---

Thanks to the event staff and field crew for another awesome event. You guys put a ton of work into it, and it shows in the quality of the experience the teams receive. Everyone on our team had a great time.

Thanks to 316 for having confidence in us, even with our inconsistencies in the qualification rounds. They were one of the most consistent stackers throughout the entire event.

Major props to 203, who by the finals was putting up identical points to 316. It speaks to the depth of the stackers at the event that we were able to pick up a double 6 stack robot as robot #24. After the first quarters, they put up 5's or 6's every time.

The politicking was very interesting right before the playoffs. I know at different times I had conversations with 11, 25, 1640, 1403, 2590, 193, 1218, 303, and 2607, not quite sure how everything was going to fall. All are great robots.

Big congratulations to 321 and 708 for your Chairman's awards--both have great programs doing great things in the Philadelphia area.

[KitsuneKeira]

I'd like to say thanks to our alliance partners 1640 and 303, it was a great experience working with you. I was so shocked that we were picked, and was so happy that we were able to get to the finals! Congrats to the District Winners, those matches were fun, and we're excited to join you at St. Louis. This will be our team's first trip since our team began, and I'm certainly happy.

[John Retkowski]

MAR was truly spectacular this year. There are always so many great teams, you guys truly are like one big family.

It was one of the best experiences of my life, our alliance being able to pull out the win. You guys on 225 proved in eliminations that you've lost none of your skill nor ability. It was amazing to play with such a versatile powerbot.
Just as much credit also go's to 203 you guys rocked those 6 stacks like nobody's business. Your bot was without question one of the best 6 stackers at the event. (I'm amazed we were able to get you as a second pick!) We couldn't have won without you.

The eliminations were definitely nail biters. It felt like I was dreaming when we managed to recover from our first quarterfinal match. There were some really strong alliances, and it was an honor to compete. Congratulations to 1640, 303, and 4653 You guys put up some amazing matches, and I hope our district will dominate at worlds.

I apologize I don't have enough time to name every team at MAR. You all deserve a mention for your great robots and fantastic programs!

[Carol]

Here is a link to the canburglar showdown between MOE 365 and Vulcan 1218 in the quarterfinals (with Mercury 1089 going for the other 2 in the background.) This was taken by a MOE student from the field - it's a better view than the overhead shot on the webcam, which cut off the first second or two.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8AFomW8avs

[MisterJ]

I'm biased, since my team is involved... but I enjoyed this three-robot can battle in the quarterfinals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DTE9TjwIVA

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by BandChick

I have heard that 272 will be declining (due to funds), but I don't have any concrete proof yet.

316 will unfortunately not be going due to a lack of funds as well.

[EricDrost]

Originally Posted by Mike Marandola

316 will unfortunately not be going due to a lack of funds as well.

Does this slot get blackholed? It's a winner slot, not a points slot.

[dubiousSwain]

I was absolutely astounded by the depth of the field this year. When I pulled 203 out of the stack of papers Friday night, I thought for sure that they would be gone by the time it was our turn to pick again.

Shoutout to 225 for pulling it out in the playoffs. When I was scouting you guys I was worried about your performance, but you showed that my doubts were unfounded. Robots aside, you guys are always friendly and I love playing with you

Along with my first comment, the politics of this competition made scouting really interesting this year. Ive seen so many selections end up with the first rounds going 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8... As soon as 1640 denied our pick, I knew they had a plan. The fact that there were still 6 stackers available for picking in the 2nd round shows how many good teams there were there.

1640, 303, and 4653: you were formidable opponents and had me on the edge of my seat every time we played against you

Congratulations to all the teams that qualified for St. Louis. Im sure you will represent MAR well

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by EricDrost

Does this slot get blackholed? It's a winner slot, not a points slot.

I would assume that it would become a point slot, as 203's winner slot became a point slot since they were already registered for World Champs via waitlist.