2009 Rookies With Regional Wins??

[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)

[Akash Rastogi]

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 ***

I found 2826 more capable of doing so.

Actually, for me, success is only measured in sustained excellence such as how 1902 and past great rookies have done.

[Lowfategg]

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 ***

Ha, thanks,

I do think this has been a strong year for rookie teams. We are working hard to be the best team we can be, while trying to fit into this new FIRST atmosphere and helping with other project like our MIT Inventeam. Many other rookie teams have shown great strength so hopefully we will see the first rookie win since 95 (or whatever it is).

Its going to be great no matter what happens.

[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.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I found 2826 more capable of doing so.

Actually, for me, success is only measured in sustained excellence such as how 1902 and past great rookies have done.

I did not mean to disparage any other rookie teams (and there are a lot of really good ones this year) ... just post my opinion

Oh, and for me, success has nothing to do with what happends on the field and everything to do with how many lives we change for the better.

[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.

[Tyler Olds]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I found 2826 more capable of doing so.

Actually, for me, success is only measured in sustained excellence such as how 1902 and past great rookies have done.

Thanks for the compliment.

Hopefully since us and overdrive are in the same division, that we will get to play with each other and dominate!

[Lowfategg]

Originally Posted by Tyler Olds

Thanks for the compliment.

Hopefully since us and overdrive are in the same division, that we will get to play with each other and dominate!

Hopefully, that would be awesome. We will have to see how it plays out.

[dwaynetrip3119]

Im sorry I forgot that all the competitions in michigan were districts and nor regionals. LOL