2009 New Jersey Regional

[waialua359]

Great regional guys! Your all like family which is why our students, majority freshmen then, want to come back in '10, their senior year.

Exciting as ever to spend a weekend watching NJ on my large LCD screen!
Our drive team (HP included) practiced with our proto bot in between matches and sat down to rest while watching elimination matches on the webcast.

[EricH]

To: Team 2753

Ditch the "rookie" title. That wasn't a rookie team playing, it was a veteran team. If you guys were rookies at the beginning of the event, you aren't now. I watched the finals via the web, and I was quite impressed.

[Akash Rastogi]

2753, 1923, and 2344. It was a great time working with and against you guys this weekend. Wayne it was great to get to talk to you and I see the cause of the drastic change on 1923. You clearly merit that WFFA.

I'm so glad that so many of these NJ teams are going to Philly. ^_^.

It wasn't so much of a surprise to us for being picked up, but we wanted to drift into the second round of selections and make it back up to join our rookie friends 2753. All in all this regional has been bittersweet in many ways.

and Lol, anyone know how EWCP translates into Team Spirit Award? Idk who explained the program to the judges but they kinda gave us the wrong award haha. No complaints though ^_^.

1403, 1089, 816, 1923, 11 and many more.

I can picture our alliance now...1923, 816, 11. Oh man.

[nahstobor]

First off congratulations to teams 2753, 1923, 2344 for taking home the gold in New Jersey and team 1089 for winning the Chairmans Award.

On behalf of team 612 we would like to thank our amazing alliance partners, team 25 and team 834. We made a great run until the finals when our robot decided not to work anymore. In the first match the potentiometer on our steering system wasn't properly tightened after the semifinals and messed up our drive train in the first match of the finals. Then in the second our competition cable fell out, leaving us disabled before it decided to turn back on. But things like this happens without our control, we will continue to improve on our robot and learn from this. It was a privilege working with Shaun McNulty from 25 during the playoffs, as a coach I learned a lot from his vast experience and our sophomore drivers did as well.

Note: to teams 2753, 1923, and 2344. We want a rematch in Atlanta, this time we will make sure everything is plugged in.

Also we would like to thank all of our amazing alliance partners during the qualification rounds, our 7-0 record was due to your hard work and perfect execution of our match strategies.

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by nahstobor

Note: to teams 2753, 1923, and 2344. We want a rematch in Atlanta, this time we will make sure everything is plugged in.

You're on.

612, 25, 834: Y'all did a fantastic job- You are well respected veterans, and I have always looked up to you guys (since I was a little kid). You played well. Good luck wherever your season takes you.

A special note to team 25: You guys supported us all the way back, when nobody believed in us. We seemed to be a "lost cause". Without your RINOS program, we wouldn't have gotten as far as we did back then. When the team started to come apart last year, your team helped ground us and keep us calm. This year, when we needed parts, you helped us out. We owe a lot of our success to you. It was truly an honor to play you guys at this regional. You are, and have always been a top-notch team. Good luck in Florida and at the Championship- we'll see you there!

[Mr MOE]

Originally Posted by galewind

On behalf of 1089, I want to express a huge thank you for all of your congratulations and well-wishes for the RCA. I am so proud of and thankful for the students and mentors that we have on the team. The students worked (and played hard, we've got some good laser tag players) all year, and in preparing for the presentation, it was clear that they really knew their stuff. I was so nervous for our presenters, but they did an outstanding job. I'm sure that many of you probably even saw them practicing for it in the concourse.

Congratulations to 2753, 1923, and 2344 (I really liked you guys at NY last year!) on your regional win!!!! You guys did a heck of a job!

Chris and 1089 gang - WAY TO GO!!! A very deserving Chairman's Award. Your team inspires all of us! Best of luck in Atlanta!

[BandChick]

Thank you to all our friends! We wouldn't be where we are without all of your help and support!

A HUGE thank you for 25, for once again going above and beyond for us. You have proved time and again that FIRST doesn't just build friendships, it builds family.

To 1403 - I am so proud of your team too! For all the hard work you put in, through all the frustrations on the field with your bot this weekend, you did a GREAT job! I can't wait to see where you go and what you do next!

[rdlevy1215]

Originally Posted by smurfgirl

The sound quality on the webcast, however, was another story.

The sound quality was admittedly AWFUL on Thursday, when we were testing "UStream". However, once we got the NASA Windows Media Server access (Late Thursday night), we pumped it out at "CD Quality." Any problems from then on were from the production company where the feed came from.

[George A.]

Originally Posted by thefro526

Also I'd like to give two quick recognitions to two people,

First is Pete K. the FTA for helping us with our Comm issues throughout the weekend. He really made it so that we and quite a few other teams could compete.

Second is George A., the Announcer. Major Props for proposing in front of like 5,000 people. Seriously, I wouldn't have had the courage to do it.

Thanks man, little nerve wracking, but it all worked out in the end.

Thanks everyone who offered their congratulations and well wishes.


As far as the event goes, it was far from perfect, but we did the best we could with what we had.

Field resets were smooth, and our systems picked up as we went. Teams were very understanding (thank you for that), and the volunteers were awesome.


Congrats to 2753, by far one of my favorite bots at the competition.

#1 Seed, undefeated and a regional victory on your first time out? What are you guys planning for an encore?

[Wayne C.]

Every year Woodie tells us "people really like succeeding in a really tough challenge". For our team this has been "the year from Hell" and we had nothing but trouble with the control system since we opened the box back in December. Some may have seen us scrambling to finish the final touches in the pits during the long delay on Thursday and we still have a few bugs to work out.

But the competition was truly the watershed event that released much of that pent up frustration. We watched hard hitting action and rapid decision making and that truly is what FIRST should be about. And today I wake up with some degree of pride and satisfaction.

Over the years I have always said that if you build the team the winning robots will follow. At NJ yesterday I was privileged to see the evolution of 3 great teams. 2753, already FTC champs, reminded me of all of the thrill of the first win and the excitement of doing great at something new. I think "that was us 10 years ago". They get it and we need more of it.
1923 simply changed. They went from a loosely knit bunch of kids who didn't even get organized for a community fair a few years ago to a real team that put in the hours, did all the weekends of work and practice and listened to their stellar mentor Wayne Penn to now experience the success they sought for so long. Just imagine where you can go from here?
1089, a team from out of my own household, FINALLY got the recognition they truly desired. I've watched them go through just about everything wrong that can happen to a team. Cobbled together might describe their organization at times in the past but they set goals and worked towards them. Goals not to "win the Chairmans award" but goals to develop a working team structure, to educate the younger kids, to include the town of Hightstown. And they do it for the right reasons. 1089 does more with less and they do it well.

Yesterday ended our string of first place wins at NJ with our friends the Cybersonics. I hope they feel as I do in appreciating the winners that succeeded us and I hope they came away from the event with some sort of pride and satisfaction that they too survived the season from Hell. Florida will only be fun for both our teams!! Look out guys ; )

Tomorrow the letter writing begins. A lot of "issues" need to be fixed from this year. But maybe FIRST is worth it and maybe they we can grow with us.


TTYL

WC

and below- a little fun from 25 about our build season
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NonsIR6qKWY

[OZ_341]

I just wanted to extend our congratulations to all of the great teams at the NJ Regional.
The NJ Regional is a traditional day of scouting for us, but it is more than that. It is also a place where we can bring our new rookies and show them what great teams look like and what great teams do at competition.

Teams like 103, 25, 1218, 1403, 1923, 1089, 826, 1676, 484 (and the list goes on...) inspire everyone that attends the regional.

Gracious, smart and tough competitors.

Good luck to all of you on the road to Atlanta!

[Bharat Nain]

Originally Posted by Libby K

A special note to team 25: You guys supported us all the way back, when nobody believed in us. We seemed to be a "lost cause". Without your RINOS program, we wouldn't have gotten as far as we did back then. When the team started to come apart last year, your team helped ground us and keep us calm. This year, when we needed parts, you helped us out. We owe a lot of our success to you. It was truly an honor to play you guys at this regional. You are, and have always been a top-notch team. Good luck in Florida and at the Championship- we'll see you there!

Thanks for the kind words Libby but your team and every other team has to go through a tough period to get to the good. I am so glad you did. It has been an amazing journey so far and I am really happy for 1923, 2753 and 2344. You are the teams who could use the regional wins to cause greater good. I am happy to see a mentor like Wayne Penn could take the time and effort to help you guys get so far.

612 and 834 - You guys were excellent. You exhibited excellent standards and it was a honor working with you guys. Do not let the control system issues let you think any less of your driving skills or your robot.

1089 - Having known you for so long, I can honestly say you guys truly deserved the Chairmans Award. For years, you went without any single piece of recognition or awards from FIRST and yet you continued to do what is right for FIRST and society and for the right reasons. I am honored and proud to be associated with you guys for so many years. This is only the beginning for great accomplishments.

As Mr. C said it, a year from hell it is. But maybe there is hope...

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Bharat Nain

As Mr. C said it, a year from hell it is. But maybe there is hope...

Not to derail this thread in any way, Bharat, but what you guys need to do is to take a wee break from the stress by fixin' yourselves some good ole evil sundaes. I will be most happy to come out and help make them for you. I could bring some secret Texas ingredients with me. mmm

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

and Lol, anyone know how EWCP translates into Team Spirit Award? Idk who explained the program to the judges but they kinda gave us the wrong award haha. No complaints though ^_^.

I didn't get the whole EWCP thing being team spirit but you should be proud none the less. I heard EWCP mentioned at least three times when we were on the field if not more. Regardless Stogi, We need to stop playing each other in so early in the finals. Those matches were far to exciting.

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I can picture our alliance now...1923, 816, 11. Oh man.

Dude, I don't think ownage like that is legal in the state of Pennsylvania.

And on another note, now that I've collected my thoughts and gotten some sleep, I'd like to thank my team (816). I'm so proud of you guys. People really stepped up for what was right when everything went downhill Friday and I was stunned. You guys are some of the best friends I've ever had and I couldn't have made it out to those Saturday matches without you guys. Thanks.

[GillSt.Bernards]

I would like to thank team 102 for helping us on Thursday finnish our robot. Thanks!

Great job to everyone who made it into the finals!