pic: MARS making repairs before the last match

[Pat Arnold]

MARS struggled with robot mayhem, experiencing lots of radio issues, 2 stripped gear plates, and a gripper drive pulley glitch.

Through it all, teams were tremendously patient and helpful, loaning MARS equipment, even when a team needed it back in the next round so they could play! Event staff went out of their way making it possible for MARS to remain a player, including allowing us to use an old, working radio (which created extra work for them each time we had a match). Praise to all.

Despite numerous difficulties, MARS was selected by Team 179, Children of the Swamp, to join their alliance with Team 744, Shark Attack. We made it into the finals, where we met the powerhouse alliance of Teams 233, 180 and 108. This winning alliance used one of their time-outs in the Final's match to allow competitor MARS time to replace it's stripped gear plate; these three teams are models of "gracious professionals". Thanks also to Team 168 for "waiting in the wings"; they were ready to fill in had our repair failed. Congratulations to the "Pink Spam SigmaCats" on their win.

As always, Mission Mayhem was an event MARS will not forget.