[CHS] Northern Virginia

[CHS Platter]

CHS Platter - Northern Virginia

CHS Platter is an anonymous group of FIRST mentors and alumni with the goal of shining the spotlight on the new FIRST Chesapeake District. Thanks to Looking Forward for their insights, and to NE Forecast for the idea to focus on our own district.

The FIRST Chesapeake District is currently comprised of 136 teams from Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. Week 1 of the 2016 competition season brings us the inaugural FIRST Chesapeake event: Northern Virginia.

Number of Registered Teams: 39
Event page: http://www.firstchesapeake.org/event...ts/northern-va
Event stream: http://livestream.com/LeeHartman/FirstHaymarket
TBA page: http://www.thebluealliance.com/event/2016vahay

Week 1 brings uncertainty to Northern Virginia. Not only is the weather in question, the move to districts happened quickly and none of the teams in attendance have ever had to compete at an event this small. The change in strategy and the need for scouting will leave some unprepared teams with big changes to make (both robot and team related) before their second event.

The Favorites:

1629 - One of the few Maryland teams to make the trip, 1629 is a Chesapeake powerhouse. With two regional wins and two regional Chairman’s Awards in the past two years, GaCo looks to keep their successful streak alive.

2363 - Coming off a double regional winning year, and a regional win (with 1629) and an Einstein appearance in 2014, Triple Helix is one of the few teams in attendance to reveal their robot, including a hanging mechanism, and mounting points for a shooter. Look for them to lead the charge and be on the first alliance to capture a Tower in the district.

1418 - With an average ranking of 3.67 across three regionals in the past two years, Vae Victus will easily seed high again. Their multiple autonomous modes will be the top of the class in NOVA. With Autonomous Points being the second sort order in the rankings, this will play to their advantage.

1731 - Fresta Valley Robotics Club should not disappoint. With an average rank of 4.25 across four regional events in the past two years, look for 1731 to seed near the top again.

5549 - This Rookie All-Star from 2015 should out-perform most of the veterans. Look for Gryphons.exe to continue their successful career.

Others to watch for:

116 - With their compact design, Epsilon Delta is a favorite for Controls awards.
1111 - The Power Hawks have their eyes on the high goal.

[JesseK]

Here's to hoping the weather plays along nicely...

There are 6 teams which aren't mentioned here or in LF, probably becomes they haven't posted pictures of their robots. These teams have won multiple events over the last 4 years. It should also be mentioned that 116 figured out something non-obvious and yet insanely useful for 5-stackers to do last year, nearly winning them the DC regional. There are very creative people on that team...

I'll see you guys in my Black and White on Saturday.

[JesseK]

By the way - Saturday night dance is up to 150 kids...

Will post results of the dance-off once they're known.

[annzabelle]

2186 is pleased to announce that for the first time since stop build day 2013 our robot can both drive and manipulate the game piece. (Sidenote - do not use 80/20 for your chassis...)

We can bring a wooden low bar and a low goal to add to the practice area, if there's space. Also, I noticed that PW county is closed for snow tomorrow, including activities, but the fine print says that exceptions may be granted. Is an exception looking likely?

[kjohnson]

Originally Posted by Statement from FIRST Chesapeake

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTIFICATION
Prince William County Schools have closed for Friday, March 4.
We are waiting for confirmation from the school on venue availability regarding the FIRST Chesapeake Northern Virginia Event.
Please check back later for additional information.

Updates will be posted to http://www.firstchesapeake.org/

[kjohnson]

Originally Posted by Statement from FIRST Chesapeake

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTIFICATION
Prince William County Public Schools have closed for Friday, March 4.
Update, 10:00am March 4: The FIRST Chesapeake Northern Virginia Event is continuing as scheduled.

Event is a go.

[1629GaCo]

Weather, what weather!!! 1629 is pumped to be attending this district event with so many of our friends there, as we are excited to make new friends as well! It's almost go time!! Kick the tires and light the fires!!

[engunneer]

Crazy final matches! Glad the refs took the time to make the scores right.

Watching the F2, you can see a robot radio on the low bar platform, as it promptly gets run over!

Can't wait to see F3!

[notmattlythgoe]

I want to start of by saying that 1885 ILITE Robotics ran a fantastic event. The facility was very nice and logistically I have no complaints about the event at all. Thank you Gail for all of the hard work you and your team put into making the event run smooth.

Congrats to team 116 Epsilon Delta on their Chairman's win. There was some stiff competition at the event so this was a huge win.

Congrats to 1629 GaCo on the EI win. You guys deserve every bit of it. Fantastic team and one of my favorites in FRC.

Thank you to 1731 Fresta Valley, 1629 GaCo, and 5338 RoboLoco(fantastic 2nd pick btw) on some great finals matches. I'm sick about all of the scoring issues that happened through the final 2 matches. I never like to see alliances think they won just to find out they lost because the live scoring was so poor. Nobody feels good when those situations happen, including the field volunteers. You are some fantastic teams and we will most likely see all three of you on week 6 at the DCMP.

I for one very much enjoyed the first district event of the CHS district. I hope everyone is already seeing the benefits of the change from the Regional model. I know the switch can be difficult with the lack of Thursday practice day and the quick match turnaround, but it is well worth it in the end. Good luck to all of the teams at their second event.

[wjordan]

I watched primarily through the stream, and FMS issues aside, it seemed like a really well-done event. Major props to 1885 for putting the whole thing together.

[JesseK]

Does anyone have footage of elims - in particular the full field? The 'field' issue in F2 stemmed from a bad design detail or improperly-assembled ramp for the high goal boulders. This caused them to jam up, and apparently 5 of them did so in F2.

[wjordan]

Originally Posted by JesseK

Does anyone have footage of elims - in particular the full field? The 'field' issue in F2 stemmed from a bad design detail or improperly-assembled ramp for the high goal boulders. This caused them to jam up, and apparently 5 of them did so in F2.

2363 has a playlist of all of the elims here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...dA19_1d_C20itm

[fnsnet]

Originally Posted by JesseK

The 'field' issue in F2 stemmed from a bad design detail or improperly-assembled ramp for the high goal boulders. This caused them to jam up, and apparently 5 of them did so in F2.

The tower ball counter was assembled as designed. The jam was the starting point of the issue, but it was caught and was handled properly post match. The issue would have ended there, except for some confusion over the FMS UI on the part of the scorekeeper. The UI has been adjusted to avoid this confusion in the future.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

I for one very much enjoyed the first district event of the CHS district. I hope everyone is already seeing the benefits of the change from the Regional model. I know the switch can be difficult with the lack of Thursday practice day and the quick match turnaround, but it is well worth it in the end. Good luck to all of the teams at their second event.

Can you comment on stuff like inspection process, how many teams were ready or not ready, any difficulties or ease in getting all 6 teams on the field, etc.? Did y'all have any connection issues? When was the driver meeting; Friday night or Saturday morning?

Glad to see y'all won!

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

Can you comment on stuff like inspection process, how many teams were ready or not ready, any difficulties or ease in getting all 6 teams on the field, etc.? Did y'all have any connection issues? When was the driver meeting; Friday night or Saturday morning?

Glad to see y'all won!

I can, yes.