Greater Pittsburgh Regional 2016 Discussion Thread

[jreneew2]

Amazing robots and driving from 5406, 1126, and 1559! You deserve the win! We had a great time playing with you guys in semi-finals.

Congrats to everyone else who won awards as well!

[Debbie]

This was an amazing event. BX really enjoyed meeting many new friends. The venue is very nice, and a huge thank you to all of the volunteers and event planners! This was our first Regional since Michigan went to districts. It was exciting and fun! Great competitors!

To our alliance, 3015, and 4050, you guys were great! Two record scores for this event. We are so sorry that our drivetrain went out in finals. Two events, Two completely different gear boxes blown. Sorry we didn't realize we would be pretty much completely dead the last match soon enough to get a back up in. You did a great job, and we couldn't have picked a better alliance. Thanks for working so well together so we made it to finals! We really enjoyed working with you!

Congrats to 1126, 5406 and 1559! You all had great robots!

To 3138, 5811, and 340, your losing score in sf was higher than any winning score in finals. You were a great alliance!

To 144, 4467, and 128, you made us nervous! You really did a nice job working together!

CONGRATS to our new friends, 3015, on winning Chairman's! We are very happy for you!

Girls of Steel - 3504 - It was great to finally meet you all! One of these days we will get to webchat with you and Panteras together.

6054 - Congrats on Rookie Inspiration, and 5811, congrats on Rookie all star. You both had amazing rookie robots and are off to such a great start. Continued success to you both!

Thanks to everyone who played with us, and against us. We enjoyed MOST of our time in PA (the 2nd broken drivetrain was a def. bummer though)!

We arrived home safely around 1:00 AM. Hopefully we will get back to PA one day! and Hopefully we will see some of you at Championships, if we make it!

One of my team members mentioned that a lot of you did not get varsity letters for your participation. If this is true, and you are interested in this, please feel free to contact me, and I will send you some information to help you! You all certainly deserve that recognition!

[stramat8]

The venue, Teams, and people really made it such an amazing event! Thank you to everyone who made it all possible! I wish everyone luck in their next competitions! I would defiantly love to come back next year!

[rpappa]

This was a super fun event. Our rookie drive team (340) did pretty well and it was definitely super hyped in semis vs. 3015.

[KrazyCarl92]

Wow. What a debut event for BONDS 5811! The teams, volunteers, and venue served as a fantastic introduction for the team to FRC. We cannot thank everyone enough for the welcoming atmosphere, even through the heat of competition. We worked hard this season, hoping to figure into a playoff alliance at Regionals and were thrilled to find ourselves in a position to lead our own alliance come Saturday afternoon. To top Saturday off with a Rookie Allstar Award and a ticket to St. Louis was simply amazing.

Congrats to teams 1126, 5406, and 1559 on the Regional Win. 1126 had the most consistent performance all weekend, and from playing a match with them it was clear this resulted from well crafted strategy and a robust machine to execute the plan. 5406 had a phenomenal robot and were a class act. As allies in our very first qualification match, when their robot didn't move their drive coach was right there to help calm our drivers nerves and execute the breach on our way to a victory. That moment really set the tone for our weekend out on the field and gave us confidence moving forward. 5406 also gave us a chain master link when one of our partners needed it during the playoffs, an exemplary act of gracious professionalism! It's clear this a second year team we can look up to as a rookie ourselves. And 1559, you were the extra cog the alliance needed for that edge to get the victory.

To teams 1023, 3015, and 4050, those were some incredible playoff matches. Wishing we could've pushed it to a third match, even if only for a chance to play another match with our two alliances! I found 1023's robot to just be a very elegant solution to this year's game. And congratulations to 3015 on their Regional Chairman's Award! This comes as no surprise after they discussed ways to mitigate our connection issues even from opposite sides of the glass. Everything from your team's branding to its robot and gracious professionalism serves as a great role model.

Our team really enjoyed getting to know others at the event, especially learning from Team 2614 about their outreach efforts and ways to take our own to the next level. Countless others were offering advice, encouragement, and help throughout the event and it is all very much appreciated!

We were thrilled to have Team 340 join our alliance. Your high goal auto spy shot, ability to complement our obstacle crossing abilities, and challenge the tower allowed for a tremendous degree of strategic flexibility. This was exactly what we were looking for in a partner. Hoping you can get the bot firing on all cylinders for FLR; a working scaler could really set you up for playoff run there as well.

And last but not least, a HUGE thank you to Team 3138. It is your mentorship that got our team going in the right direction from the start. From our weekly meetings, to coming downtown to help us with programming issues, giving us much needed parts, and scouting together our team has learned so much about what it means to be a FIRST team from you. We were appalled to see you still on the board for our selection at #7. It was a slow start on Friday, but as of Saturday morning it was clear you were the best low goal scorer at the event. Depositing 12 boulders in the tower one match, then posting the event (unpenalized) high score together at 146 points was a blast. We could not have asked for better partners. Pulling that upset was no mistake, and I really think our alliance had what it took to go all the way. Just had some untimely connection issues and bounces go the other way. Things are looking up for Cincinnati and hopefully we can find each other on the same side of the field again!

[Justin Montois]

For Team 3015, it was our second year at the Pittsburgh Regional and we had a great time. Most of the volunteers were very respectful and all of the local teams were very helpful and fun to work with.

For the larger Rochester contingent at the event, it really gave Pittsburgh an FLR feel. It was great to compete with and against so many hometown teams. Good luck to everyone in your future events.

1023, you guys were a class act. You guys have been a team I've respected and followed since I attended the 2011 Michigan State Championship to do some work for FRC Top 25 and saw you guys go toe to toe with 67 and 33 pushing them to the brink in the finals. To get a chance to play with you guys was awesome. Your team was prepared and focused throughout the elimination rounds and your robot was just awesome. Two finalists trophies to start the year is great, I hope you guys can break through in Livonia and I know you'll find success at MSC. Best of luck!

4050, I can't believe you guys were there for us to pick. You had a robot that should have gone in the first round. Your breaching ability was insane and consistent. My drive team spoke very highly of the students on yours and we wish you the best of luck at Smoky Mountains.

1126, 5406, and 1559; Congratulations on an impressive Regional Win. I could show you a few text messages that proves we knew you guys would be tough competitors and you didn't disappoint us. I wish all robots on both alliances were functional for all 3 finals matches but they were intense and exciting either way. I look forward to seeing 1126 and 1559 at FLR in a couple weeks and 5406 at the Waterloo Regional. Good Luck!

Can't wait for FLR!

[kmodos]

Our second year at Pittsburgh was a blast for sure. Everything was run smooth and all of the volunteers were excellent. Thank you for all that you did for the event.

To 1023, 3015, and 4050: You guys had a great alliance and played out of this world. It is a shame that we couldn't play all 3 matches with everyone's bots at 100%, but finals were still a blast. Best of luck at your future events.

To 3015: Great job on the Chairman's. See you guys in two weeks at FLR and in a month at champs!

To 3260: Nice job on the EI, See you at champs!

To 5811: You guys were a blast to work with. That Rookie All Star award is well deserved. Best of luck at Queen City and Champs!

To 5406: You guys are straight up awesome. Awesome to work with, awesome bot, great people, you guys have it all. We loved working with you guys as we stormed the castle, but we still haven't gotten our poutine recipe . I am hoping to see great things out of you guys in the years to come. Best of luck at Waterloo and see ya at champs! (P.S. Thanks for trusting in my crappy old laptop F2+F3. Get a new Driver Station!)

To 1559: We couldn't believe you guys were still around for our second pick. You guys played lights out defense throughout elims. Hands down amazing bot, drives team, and drive train. See you at FLR and Champs!

Happy to report we made it back to Webster at around 1am on Sunday.

On to FLR!

[MentorOfSteel]

I want to give a special shout out to 3260 SHARP Robotics for winning the Engineering Inspiration award. In addition to consistently fielding a fantastic robot, SHARP has been a tireless leader in building a strong FRC community here in Pittsburgh. They have organized events that benefit all of us ranging from an FRC booth at Pittsburgh's first Maker Faire, the informative and fun FRC Community Day, and the Pittsburgh-area FRC scrimmage that has taken place every April for the past few years. It is so nice to see them get recognized for all of that hard work! Congratulations SHARP, well deserved, and good luck at Champs!

Also, if you haven't done so already, check out their parody video, it is a hoot!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a64-oBy9Tok

-George

[Debbie]

Originally Posted by Justin Montois

1023, you guys were a class act. You guys have been a team I've respected and followed since I attended the 2011 Michigan State Championship to do some work for FRC Top 25 and saw you guys go toe to toe with 67 and 33 pushing them to the brink in the finals. To get a chance to play with you guys was awesome. Your team was prepared and focused throughout the elimination rounds and your robot was just awesome. Two finalists trophies to start the year is great, I hope you guys can break through in Livonia and I know you'll find success at MSC. Best of luck!

Thanks! That means a lot! Hopefully we will get through the SF broken drivetrain curse at Livonia!!! We will be spending the next two weeks trying to find out how to break that curse. More than frustrating to go into finals with zip ties holding our gearboxes together. Glad we got a decent first match in, wish we could've played at full speed. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by kmodos

To 1023, 3015, and 4050: You guys had a great alliance and played out of this world. It is a shame that we couldn't play all 3 matches with everyone's bots at 100%, but finals were still a blast. Best of luck at your future events.

We would have loved to play you at full speed. You had a great run, and a great bot! Good luck at Worlds. Hope to see you there. Had fun cheering with you while waiting to get in the venue on Saturday. Congrats on a fantastic job!

Originally Posted by KrazyCarl92

To teams 1023, 3015, and 4050, those were some incredible playoff matches. Wishing we could've pushed it to a third match, even if only for a chance to play another match with our two alliances! I found 1023's robot to just be a very elegant solution to this year's game.

HAHA! I'm happy with the two! Our drive train wouldn't have made it to do anything in finals 1 if we had played 3! Great job though!!

[smcmahon]

George couldn't have summed up my thoughts any better. 3260 has an amazing program and their Engineering Inspiration Award was very well-deserved. 2656 has had the honor of working with them at all of the events George mentioned, along with their annual May Madness outreach day. SHARP is a class act and we wish them the best at Queen City and in St. Louis!

Speaking of George, congratulations to his team as well, 3504, on their Entrepreneurship Award! The Girls of Steel have an amazing program and their business model is one we can all learn from. Good luck to 3504 at Queen City as well!

Originally Posted by MentorOfSteel

I want to give a special shout out to 3260 SHARP Robotics for winning the Engineering Inspiration award. In addition to consistently fielding a fantastic robot, SHARP has been a tireless leader in building a strong FRC community here in Pittsburgh. They have organized events that benefit all of us ranging from an FRC booth at Pittsburgh's first Maker Faire, the informative and fun FRC Community Day, and the Pittsburgh-area FRC scrimmage that has taken place every April for the past few years. It is so nice to see them get recognized for all of that hard work! Congratulations SHARP, well deserved, and good luck at Champs!

Also, if you haven't done so already, check out their parody video, it is a hoot!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a64-oBy9Tok

-George

[17lbrannan]

Thanks to all of the volunteers and great teams at the regional! Team 128 had a great time, Pittsburgh is always such a great event! The venue is great and we really enjoyed all of the teams there.

A special shout out to teams 144 and 4467 for picking us to be a part of your alliance. It was really great to get that double scale in the second match! We couldn't have asked for a better group of teams to work with, and I hope we get the chance to be with you again!

Congrats to 1023, 3015, and 4050 for your great matches against us, you had a great alliance!

Best of luck to 1126, 5406 and 1559 at Championship! You all had amazing robots and drive teams to go with them.

I hope 128 can make it to Championship to see a lot of you again, or at least see Pittsburgh again next year!

[Twilk]

The Titanium Titans were happy to be a part of the Greater Pittsburgh Regional. Making it to the finals was an awesome experience ans thanks to the R.O.C.K. team 144 for selecting us. Teams 144 and 128 were great partners in our alliance and were proud we did well.

Thanks to all of the teams that participated and hats off to all of those who went around helping teams in need. We personally know how helpful that is when having a struggling robot. Teams like MARS (2614) and Bedford Express (1023) are something to aspire to for any FRC team.

Thanks for everything FIRST!!!