2009 Rookies With Regional Wins??

[Jared Russell]

There was once a time (not that long ago) when almost all rookie teams were cannon fodder for the vets. That is no longer the case.

Between the number of FIRST alumni who go onto start or mentor new teams, the way the KoP and tailor made COTS components have improved over the years (thanks AndyMark!), and the increasing quantity and quality of team-produced rookie mentoring material, you simply can no longer judge a robot by its number.

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by Jared341

... you simply can no longer judge a robot by its number.

Until you get to Einstein in Atlanta.

(heh, I'm prepared to eat my words later... ...if I have to...but it's highly improbable )

[Stephen Kowski]

Originally Posted by JesseK

I'm prepared to eat my words later

do you prefer a fork or spoon?

[dwaynetrip3119]

i think a spoon would hold more

[EricH]

Yeah, but I don't think it'll hold wiggly words nearly as well as a fork.

And 1902 made it to Einstein in their second year. Almost did it their rookie year, but some blown drive components foiled that plan.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by JesseK

Until you get to Einstein in Atlanta.

(heh, I'm prepared to eat my words later... ...if I have to...but it's highly improbable )

Would you like any condiments? Ill bring a bib for you too. I should get one made just for this occasion.

Im rooting for the rookies, it is always good to see a team excel their first year out. Just as long as they sustain the momentum.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by JesseK

Until you get to Einstein in Atlanta.

(heh, I'm prepared to eat my words later... ...if I have to...but it's highly improbable )

If ever there was a year that a rookie team could win on Einstien then this would be the year ***Cough *** Overdrive *** Cough ***

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

If ever there was a year that a rookie team could win on Einstien then this would be the year ***Cough *** Overdrive *** Cough ***

Already happened twice. Once was in 1992. Once was when Woodside HS (now team 100) won in a 1v1v1 year, I want to say 1995 or so, but am not sure.

Both were before the alliance era...

[AlexD744]

Originally Posted by EricH

Already happened twice. Once was in 1992. Once was when Woodside HS (now team 100) won in a 1v1v1 year, I want to say 1995 or so, but am not sure.

Both were before the alliance era...

Although I beleive in 1992 everyone was a rookie and doesn't count as much as other years.

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

If ever there was a year that a rookie team could win on Einstien then this would be the year ***Cough *** Overdrive *** Cough ***

Originally Posted by EricH

Already happened twice. Once was in 1992. Once was when Woodside HS (now team 100) won in a 1v1v1 year, I want to say 1995 or so, but am not sure.

Both were before the alliance era...

There was no Einstein field (or divisions) in 92 or 95 so Daniel is technically correct (The best kind of correct according to Futurama)

EDIT: The interesting thing about Overdrive is that they already have Championship Elimination experience (albeit on Di Vinci not Einstein)

[EricH]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

There was no Einstein field (or divisions) in 92 or 95 so Daniel is technically correct (The best kind of correct according to Futurama)

Technically correct, but when you consider "winning on Einstein" as equivalent to "winning the event", technicality becomes trivial...

And yes, 1992 doesn't really count. You could pick any rookie there and you'd get a rookie winner--because they were all rookies.

[BurtGummer]

What I've always thought about some rookie teams is, well, they really aren't rookie teams at all. As mentioned earlier, some of them have mentors with FRC experience, maybe even being on past teams, or team members have decided to start their own team. So the experience is there, but just under a larger, new number.

Take a look at our team. We don't have a single mentor. The two teachers we have are more of supervisors....they open the door and do their grading while we build a robot. None of us have prior FRC experience( or anything FIRST related, for that matter). We didn't have a machine shop to use, or complex power tools. For power tools we had a jigsaw and a power drill, that's it. No welders, lathes, drill presses, table saws, chop saws, or other helpful power tools. We had to spend as little as possible on non-KoP parts, because we didn't have any sponsors willing to sponsor those charges. We spent $750 total on non-KoP parts/supplies/metal. We had 5 dedicated students working on the robot. I was the only member who had mechanical experience and experience in building things, including electrical and programming. We had 13 days to design and build it.

Now, you can take a look at other rookie teams, some of which have at least one dedicated mentor, at least 1 dedicated sponsor for extra parts/supplies, a machine shop in their school, and members with previous FRC experience.

I'm not saying that ALL rookie teams are that way, but I have seen several that are.

Just thoughts that needed to exit my mind.

[dwaynetrip3119]

Good point. At the begining of the build season, we didnt have any sponsors nor mentors with FIRST experience. Our team administratior believed that we could be one of the best of the best. She contacted Gail Albert( the coordinater of FIRST in michigan) and she helped up find a mentor that would help us out. It was Issac Rife from team 33 the killer bees. He came up to the school like almost everyday (charging us absolutely nothing) to help build the robot. We had so many mixed ideas on how to build the robot and he came and help us put our thoughts together and build a very effective bot. Out bot cant shoot balls or some of the things these other veteran teams or rookie teams with money robots could do. It was pretty much a a box shape bot with a roller on the front. And you know what? Our drivers(which are females) are just amazing. Our first competition we made it to the semis and that was a big accomplishment for us. We came back a week later and won a district and won rookie inspiration. Our build season was long and tough but we over came that and still succeeded. Teams should watch out for us at MARC or IRI becauuse since we didnt have to money to go to ATL, we are sure definatey going to work out butts off at these summer competitions.

[Enli]

We didn't win a regional, Dwayne - it was District - State was regional and we only managed 55th out of 64. We had a lot of wonderful help hanging on to come in for that spot, but it's not really cash that kept us from going to Atlanta - we simply did not have the standing to get there.

Gail Alpert was truly a wonderful assist in not only getting us started, but in helping us find Ike. Our initial sponsor, and Ik'e employer, BAE Systems, has a buttload of experience with US First - and we'd never have gotten off the ground without them, either. I cannot tell anyone how much I admire Gail and Ike for their commitment to US First.

DTE came in later and also has plenty of experience with US First - they do sponsor other teams with dollar funding - they gave us a great pair of engineers in Nick and Anita.

We lived with luck this season - both good and bad - bad because let's face it, three JAG units burning up in a season is bad - but also makes me wonder if we somehow contributed to those failures with poor housekeeping and lack of testing and maintenance as we came off the field between rounds.

Good luck because we didn't make it in the pick for Troy - and were blessed enough to be chosen to help out with an alliance that was going to take it home with or without us. We carried our weight, that's for sure, but nothing was going to hold back the Thunderchickens and Hot - nothing in the world. So despite not being chosen for the finals, we did get a chance to ride that train and claim the banner and gold - and we have nothing to be ashamed off in our hard-working and kick butt assistance to our alliance.

Some of our failures, as with any team, did not have anything to do with luck, but I am sure 3119 will do its best to deal with the various problems it faces as a team.

I can't begin to name all the teams that helped us and I don't want to leave anyone out - from the Killer Bees to the Foley Freeze, to the Thunderchickens, Gearheads, the Hot, Hammerheads, anyone and everyone connected to Nick Sai (sigh?) - what an amazing bunch of people - and they make Felix (our programmer) and me want to continue to help a team somewhere and some time in the future. US First and its gracious professionalism taught us, even as adults, much.

I think the team has much to learn, as do all rookie teams - and I wish 3119 all the best in moving forward next year. It will almost be rookie year all over again, without that kick butt pair of drivers and with the other issues that must be faced.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by BurtGummer

Take a look at our team. We don't have a single mentor. The two teachers we have are more of supervisors....they open the door and do their grading while we build a robot. None of us have prior FRC experience( or anything FIRST related, for that matter). We didn't have a machine shop to use, or complex power tools. For power tools we had a jigsaw and a power drill, that's it. No welders, lathes, drill presses, table saws, chop saws, or other helpful power tools. We had to spend as little as possible on non-KoP parts, because we didn't have any sponsors willing to sponsor those charges. We spent $750 total on non-KoP parts/supplies/metal. We had 5 dedicated students working on the robot. I was the only member who had mechanical experience and experience in building things, including electrical and programming. We had 13 days to design and build it.

And which team is it that won the L.A. Regional RAS? Ah, yes, the team described above.

Not a bad robot design, and improving the execution should help you in Atlanta. We'll see how you stack up on the competition floor in a few days, but remember: Any veteran team (and some of the "rookies") will be more than happy to help you, given that you ask.