Troy Finals and Thank You's

[FoleyEngineer]

Thanks Jim for the compliments! We were THRILLED to be your #1 pick and knew that our alliance had a darned good chance to take it all the way. That first match in the finals when we finished 10-8 before that darned penalty was EPIC! Like I said after the match -- "Best match we've played all year!" A huge thrill for us was when with less than a minute left, we hopped over the bump, kicked two in from the mid zone, kicked three more into our home zone, hopped (tumbled?) back into the home zone and put them in as the buzzer went off. It was so exciting because that was the first time we did that all year! No more starving for balls! My kids felt this huge load come off their shoulders when we finally got that working.

Bummer about the chains and other problems. Those bumpers didn't really change anything. They came off in the last match but we were already toast by the time that happened. Who cares though, it was awesome entertainment for everyone there! Seeing the balls just flying in with both sides just going crazy makes this such a fun sport for spectators and the competitors alike. I can see what the GDC was thinking when they designed this one -- it can be a total blast! I also really like how it's so important to work together as a team to really do well, and how there are so many ways to play the game. Great fun!

I'd also like to say that we had a TON of first-time visitors come and watch the matches today who had never been to a robotics tournament and without fail, they all said, "I had NO idea that it was this amazing!" They were just blown away at the excitement level and tension that can be created in a two minute match. They all walked away with a whole new appreciation of how incredible FIRST robotics is. The buzz was palpable!

Bees, you guys are the best and we'll play with you anytime, anywhere! Thanks so much to our great partners 288 - you are so easy to work with and so enthusiastic and did so well - GREAT job! I can't believe that 16 to 2 match where you held our opponents so low. Wow.

Finally, congratulations to 469, 217, and 1188. You guys were the kings and deserved every win you got. You had to play a couple of those matches not loaded into the tower and you proved to all that you don't need the looper bot technique to play an awesome game of break away! I can't wait for States and then Championships to see how far you all go!

Oh, almost forgot... to 226 the Hammerheads for hosting the event, to the volunteers, to our fantastic referees headed up by Gary Vorshol, the judges (thanks for the Rockwell award!) and everyone who did so much to put on the event. T H A N K Y O U !!!