2016 Minnesota State Champs

[ehochstein]

Originally Posted by Chief Hedgehog

It changes a lot for those 8 teams (you knew that was coming).

Yes, but overall it doesn't change that much. Most teams that submit for Chairman's at a competitive level also have a competitive robot. So most of the teams that will qualify based off of robot performance will also qualify even if we don't include points for Chairman's. There will always be a few teams around the cutoff point that would change the ranking order no matter if we included Chairman's points or not.

FIRST is more than robots, that much is clear in the Vision and Mission Statement of FIRST. The extra points given to teams that submit for the award shows that we, as a State, support this Vision and Mission. If we want solely a robot competition, why don't we take away all points from non-technical awards and not auto-advance when a team wins Chairman's?

One other personal note about Chairman's being apart of the qualification for the MSHSL State Championship. The FTC State Championship was hosted in Bloomington this past year for a charge of $800 in custodial overtime fees. At the end of the year, the FRC team was contacted and told that they would need to pay $7000+ if they ever ran the FTC State Championship in the school again because the FRC team didn't participate. The FRC team was told that fundraising was not a valid way of participating, nor was volunteering. They were required to compete as a FRC team and host the event (which doesn't make any sense but I digress) I sent multiple emails on behalf of the team to support them in their outreach. I've quoted a portion of one of my emails below;

Typically with a sports team you participate in your events in order to advance to the next level/improve your record for a better position in playoffs. The end goal being qualifying for the MSHSL state tournament to represent your school and hopefully bring home a trophy, much like the Kennedy robotics team did back in 2012.

With robotics, there are a lot of similarities but also some differences. I'd like to bring to your attention the MSHSL ranking criteria for the 2016 FIRST robotics season, specifically the information regarding the Chairman's Award. Both the MN FIRST and MSHSL committees have elected to make the Chairman's award part of the qualification process for the MSHSL state championship (both (Coach A) and (Coach B) can attest to this) and an important part of the Chairman's award are the events we hosted this year and in years past. I'd like to explain a little more about the Chairman's award at this point, I've taken the paragraph below directly out of Section 6 of the 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition Admin Manual.

"The Chairman’s Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. It was created to keep the central focus of FIRST Robotics Competition on the ultimate goal of transforming the culture in ways that will inspire greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology, as well as encouraging more of today’s youth to become scientists, engineers, and technologists."

That is just a general overview of the award, however the criteria for the award state that you need to expand your efforts to include FIRST Lego League Junior, FIRST Lego League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams in order to create a full K-12 program. The events we hosted in Bloomington this year included over 10 teams with Bloomington students participating from K-12. In fact, over the past 3 years we have increased the number of FIRST Lego League teams in Bloomington from 1 to 9 teams this year at the direction of (Superintendent). Without a Bloomington event, the teams from the district would need to travel to other districts in order to compete, creating transportation issues for families who's students cannot afford it. One of the objective's (Superintendent) gave us was to increase the diversity of students participating and well as get more females involved in STEM activities.

Back to the topic at hand, why do I bring up the MSHSL state championship and the Chairman's Award? The events hosted in Bloomington go a long way to winning the Chairman's award, which is in addition to the fundraising it provides. The students on each team have to write an essay about their outreach efforts in their area as well as give a presentation at the regional competitions on the topic. In turn, this shows that the students on each team participate in the events in order to advance to the MSHSL State Championship, just like any sports team. Just because the team doesn't compete with their robot, doesn't mean they don't participate, which is different from the standard sports model. However, I am more than happy to provide examples or further clarifications at request.

The response I received from the District on this wasn't what I had been hoping for, but this goes to show that providing points for the Chairman's Award can go beyond just getting a team into the MSHSL State Championship.

[Ginger Power]

Now that champs are over (and I'm on a 14 hour drive back to Fargo) let's start talking about states! We have some world champion quality teams in attendance in 2052, 5172, 2502, and 2512.

2052: Nearly unblockable outerworks shooter that has been playing at a very high level of late. Just watch their Einstein film... oh yeah they made Einstein.

5172: Been the best MN robot all year. Probably top 3 robot in the world. The drive team is dissipointed when they score just 8 boulders in the high goal if that tells you anything

2502: Incredible batter shooter that averages 6-7 high goals per match. They also have an away from the wall climb which makes a triple climb feasible.

2512: Despite unfortunately not qualifying for champs, 2512 has a fantastic robot and drive team. Knowing them they've been working with their practice robot and will be just as prepared as any champs team for states.

There is also a really high quality 2nd tier of robots including: 2987, 2823, 2883, and 4009

Each of these robots was chosen to to play a key role (usually scoring) on a playoff alliance at world's. All of them are high goal efficient and will add value to a playoff alliance as a scorer.

We also have a couple of robots that were drafted at world's to play defense and do it really well: 4607 and 3042.

4607: 9th overall pick on the Einstein winning Carver field. Played defense throughout quals and racked up a total of 4 penalties through 12 matches. 54" arm that can reach 15" outside their frame perimeter with and 8-12 second climb.

3042: Cobalt was picked to play defense on the famous all Minnesota alliance. They added a large blocker and have a powerful drivetrain. They can also accurately hit high goals if called upon.

There are also a few wildcards out there that are either making some major changes or have the potential to make some changes that will make them valuable in the playoffs: 1816, 3102, 4539, and 6175

3102 and 6175 are both incredible low goal scorers with great driving. Low goals may or may not be a factor (more on that later) so these teams would do well to contribute in other ways such as feeding high goal shooters or playing defense. Both have high quality machines and drive teams.

1816 and 4539 are making major changes to their robots but that's all I'll say. They can reveal details if they want. The changes could help them find themselves in the playoffs.

Strategy Stuff: We still don't know what the tower strength will be for states (8 or 10) so that will play a large factor in teams' strategies. Although it really shouldn't affect elimination strategies. With all the high goal scorers in the field, the only way to win will be to score more high goals. There will be no preventing the capture in the finals, just slowing teams down. Low goal robots will only be able to contribute as defenders or breacher/feeders. Low goals are more or less worthless.

There is still a lot of debate between the 2 offense and 1 defense (2-1) and 3 offense 0 defense (3-0) strategies. Both were effectively used in the finals of Einstein and they literally resulted in the same score. It completely depends on the depth of the scorers in the field. In my opinion it'll work out like this: the 1st and 2nd alliance will have capture ability with no offensive help from a third partner, while the 3rd and 4th alliances will need offensive contribution from all 3 alliance members to capture. This leaves the door open for both 3-0 and 2-1 strategies in the playoffs.

Predictions:
To be added later.

I'll probably edit this post when I'm not coming off of the greatest championship in the history of FIRST.

[Whatever]

Dont forget 5434.
They earned the control award at 10k for having an incredibly consistent autonomous high goal shot and a very solid robot.

[hutchMN]

Looks like a great event, can't wait to watch it.

[abbymarie]

Team 5232 is extremely excited to get to compete in the Minnesota State Championships for a second year! We are looking forward to see many teams again from Northern Lights!

[mjc49]

Another great low goal shooter and all around excellent bot to add to the list is 4778. If not for a serious of unfortunate events for them, North Star may have had a different result.

[Ginger Power]

Originally Posted by Ginger Power

Predictions:To be added later.

Alliance 1: 2052, 5172, 3042
Alliance 2: 2502, 2512, 4607
Alliance 3: 4009, 2823, 4778
Alliance 4: 2883, 2987, 1816

1 vs. 4:
Match 1: 223-146
Match 2: 180-123

2 vs. 3:
Match 1: 167-117
Match 2: 122-131 (Alliance 2 fails to capture from fallen climber)
Match 3: 155-97

3rd Place 3 vs. 4
Match 1: 136-148

1st Place 1 vs. 2
Match 1: 156-154
Match 2: 161-185 (First triple climb of tournament)
Match 3: 155-146

The State Playoffs will become incredibly interesting if a robot other than: 2052, 5172, or 2502 seeds first.

[maxnz]

Originally Posted by Ginger Power

The State Playoffs will become incredibly interesting if a robot other than: 2052, 5172, or 2502 seeds first.

Let's consider that something for the other 27 teams to strive for!

[Chris is me]

I don't know too much about Minnesota this year, but if you're planning on playing heavy high goal offense at this event, watch out for 4607. They can absolutely shut down almost any high goal shooter with the right strategy. Watch QF1-3 on Carver when you get the chance; they prevent something like six high goals between blocking and pushing defense. They are a team good enough at defense that I would consider drafting them in round 1 at an event like this just to avoid playing against them.

[Ginger Power]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

I don't know too much about Minnesota this year, but if you're planning on playing heavy high goal offense at this event, watch out for 4607. They can absolutely shut down almost any high goal shooter with the right strategy. Watch QF1-3 on Carver when you get the chance; they prevent something like six high goals between blocking and pushing defense. They are a team good enough at defense that I would consider drafting them in round 1 at an event like this just to avoid playing against them.

Thanks Chris! That means a lot coming from you. It was awesome being on your alliance on Carver. At least we can say we lost to the team that lost to the team that won it all!

[jajabinx124]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

I don't know too much about Minnesota this year, but if you're planning on playing heavy high goal offense at this event, watch out for 4607. They can absolutely shut down almost any high goal shooter with the right strategy. Watch QF1-3 on Carver when you get the chance; they prevent something like six high goals between blocking and pushing defense. They are a team good enough at defense that I would consider drafting them in round 1 at an event like this just to avoid playing against them.

I was not surprised that the 8th seeded alliance picked 4607 as their third bot in Carver, they are one of the best defensive bots I've seen all season. They gave us quite a run for our money in quarters in Duluth.. definitely would not want to face off against 4607 again.. I'd much rather have them on our alliance this time around

[Mr.Paulson]

Team #4539 is excited for next week's MSHSL State Championship! We have been brainstorming like crazy over the past few months and think we have made the proper improvements to be extremely competitive. The shooter is improved as well as the climber and we worked very hard on improving the ability to cross all defenses, as that was one of our major weaknesses in Duluth. If shooting doesn't pan out, we can always implement our blocker mechanism!

We have made it to the State Championship each of the past four years we have been a part of FIRST and have just missed the cut multiple times (2013 finished quals ranked 5th and did not get selected, 2015 finished quals ranked 6th and missed the cut as well). This year we have a major goal of becoming a captain or getting selected so we can show how beneficial our team can be to an alliance.

Good luck to all teams that will be attending and we will see you in 7 days!

[Ginger Power]

Originally Posted by Mr.Paulson

Team #4539 is excited for next week's MSHSL State Championship!

Considering the awesome capabilities of 4539 I'm really excited to see what you guys have. The 6 hours of unbag time is going to make States ridiculously competitive.

I'll be flying I'm from the Kennedy Space Center (college robotics competition) for load-in day at states. I don't know what I'm more excited for, going to Florida for free, or the State Championship! Both are going to be insane.

[SoMe_DuDe904]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

I don't know too much about Minnesota this year, but if you're planning on playing heavy high goal offense at this event, watch out for 4607. They can absolutely shut down almost any high goal shooter with the right strategy. Watch QF1-3 on Carver when you get the chance; they prevent something like six high goals between blocking and pushing defense. They are a team good enough at defense that I would consider drafting them in round 1 at an event like this just to avoid playing against them.

This is why I refer to defense strategies in Minnesota as channeling your inner C.I.S. They have been solid for the last couple years.

[Chief Hedgehog]

This tournament will be a little bittersweet for me as it is the last tournament with our last team member from our rookie season - Kyle. He has seen quite a bit in the last four years on this squad and I couldn't think of a better place to end his career - at a tournament we know well in a venue we know even better.

As always, CIS will be ready for the State Tournament. We do have a few surprises to unleash.

I will say, it is humbling to read some of these posts. We know how hard we work to be a good team - but sometimes it feels as if we are in our own world out here in the potato fields of Central MN.

And yes, defense is our thing - it has been since 2013. We like to joke that we were the best defensive team of 2015.

For those that don't know - we were over 84" long and didn't move for most of our first 8 matches at North Star in 2015. We heard the groan from other teams that were allied with us. For 8 rounds our drive team would hear the FTA announce to his radio "bypass 4607". We returned 3 of the 4 members of that drive team and it is now a running joke for CIS.

Good luck to all - see you on Friday night!