NEforecast: Week 5 Hartford

[NEforecast]

Webcast: https://www.twitch.tv/nefirst_red
Team List: http://www.thebluealliance.com/event/2016cthar

Please forgive us but there will be no detailed writeup on the event this week. A few unfortunate circumstances put us behind this week and with us going into Friday we wanted to get what we had online asap. We will be prepared next week for Week 6.

Hartford will be an excellent event and a good placeholder for the DCMP taking place in two weeks. Best of luck to all teams this weekend!

TOP TEAMS

195 After an great debut at Week 3, the CyberKnights constant high goals and quick defense breaches make this team unstoppable. Their high goal autonomous gives them an advantage by starting the match off with points and a weakened tower. Even after encountering some communication problems during UMass Dartmouth, this powerhouse team still brought home the win. After 2 weeks of practicing and improving, they are even stronger than before and ready to put on a great performance at Hartford.

558 After winning the Waterbury Event week 1, this team landed themselves high in the rankings. Their 8 wheel pneumatic drive train makes it easy for them to cross defenses quickly and bring balls to the other side for quick scoring. With a four week break since their last event, they’ve been able to practice and improve for this upcoming event. Setting the second highest point totals for New England with 73 points at Waterbury, the Robosquad should make a big leap from their current spot at 26 when the weekend is over.

177 Their high release catapult, wide intake, and rugged drivebase are the same ingredients of success that brought them a strong season in 2014. While they focused more on low goal during their successful elimination run with 558 & 5686 the four weeks off are more than enough time for them to iterate and practice to bring a much stronger Bobcat robot to Hartford this weekend.

176 A brutal shooter into the high goal, Aces High took UMD by storm launching enough boulders up high to take down towers on their own. After seeding 5th and joining the #1 alliance they entered a deep elimination bracket and were eliminated in the semi-finals suffering from strong defense in their favorite shooting spot. With a Quality Award and a Creativity Award already under their belt they will be gunning for a trip to the finals.

155 As one of the few shooter scaler combos at the event, the Technonuts ranked 15th before accepting an invitation from 195 to join their alliance. Together with 3461 they scored an impressive number of balls from the base of the batter and their scaler set the bar even higher compared to most machines. After their first two events they are ranked 16th in the region with 85 points.

839 Came out of no where at the WPI District event as one of the top teams in the region for dominating the low goal with quick cycles. They seeded 7th and captained the 6th alliance through a tough set of elimination rounds to their first victory at a regional or district. Rosie will look to capitalize this weekend to again seed high and build another solid alliance. Even with their win, Rosie is currently ranked 42nd with 59 district points.

175 A darkhorse from WPI, they rounded off the #6 alliance and played well in all categories with defense crossings, boulder scoring, and their climb to give their alliance the extra push in the closing seconds. With a few weeks off their time spent refining and tuning will show itself on the field this weekend. Ranked 62 in New England with 46 points they seeding in the top 8 could solidify a spot for them at the district championship.

2067 Had a very strong showing last weekend at RIDE where they joined the 20 point auto club and could launch 4-6 boulders into the high goal. Their shooter was very consistent and can be very dangerous when left alone in a courtyard with plenty of boulders to score. Ranked 32nd in New England with 66 points, Apple Pi is competing at their third district event.


Honorable Mentions in no particular order:

2168 Is looking for a strong weekend to move up from their current rank of 103.
237 Looking to shake off some bad luck from UNH.
1099 Efficient low goaler over a variety of defenses.
4055 Strong machine rounding out many alliances that play deep.
1124 Uberbots with Ubershots. #teamtall is getting focused for this weekend.
3461 Master of defenses and driver of the sallport train through UMD elims.
5686 Steal of the draft at Waterbury they specialize in storming through defenses.
181 High seed and a deep run at UMD B.O.P. is ready for more action.
236 Hoping to maximize their time after tuning from Waterbury.

CHAIRMAN’S AWARD

Locks
195: With an EI World Championship Award in 2015, a District Championship Chairman’s Award in 2015, and with 195’s leadership, outreach, and outstanding community service, it will be no surprise to see 195 receive the Chairman’s Award.


558: A two year District Chairman’s award streak, and a District Championship Chairman’s Award in 2015, 558’s ship building (Leadership, Partnership, Fellowship, and Citizenship) could help them to take home the Chairman’s Award this weekend.

Darkhorses
2067: With a District Championship EI in 2015, and a District Championship Chairman’s Award in 2014, this team is not to be overlooked.

Previous Recipients
175 Buzz: Chairmans at the 2002 FIRST Championship
236 Techno Ticks: Chairmans at the 2009 FIRST Championship
839 Rosie Robotics: Chairmans at the Boston Regional in 2008 and Chairmans at the 2012 WPI Regional.
1124 The Uberbots: Chairmans at the WPI Regional in 2010.

[Nathan Streeter]

Should be a highly competitive set of elimination matches to watch!

[Rosiebotboss]

So, I did a little investigation myself:
40 teams registered
38 are CT teams (out of a possible 48 total in the state)
839 and 4987 are MA teams, and some say that Rosie is part of CT because we see them so much!
34 are UTC affiliated (the next most prevalent sponsor is Millstone Power)


There are A LOT of past and present blue banner winners in this group! This event is shaping up to be arguably one for the ages.

[jwfoss]

Originally Posted by NEforecast

558 After winning the Waterbury Event week 1, this team landed themselves high in the rankings. Their 8 wheel pneumatic drive train makes it easy for them to cross defenses quickly and bring balls to the other side for quick scoring. With a four week break since their last event, they’ve been able to practice and improve for this upcoming event. Setting the second highest point totals for New England with 73 points at Waterbury, the Robosquad should make a big leap from their current spot at 26 when the weekend is over.

The team appreciates the mention. We are looking forward to completing once we get the robot back together tonight, the four week break... not much of a break. Stop by late tonight or tomorrow morning to see what I mean.