Best Teams Not at Champs-2013

[NotaJoke]

2767, the Stryke Force out of Kalamazoo Michigan, had an unbelievably great bot, and a fantastic drive team. In their best match, they made more than 25 disks in the 3 point goal during teleop alone. A fantastic robot with a slow start, and an early end to what should have been an equally fantastic season.

I can't wait to see what they bring to the FiM scene in the next few years.

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by sgreco

I definitely agree about 2791, and it wasn't just this year, but last year too. The past two years combined they may very well be the best team in the country without a regional victory.

As much as I agree, they had an incredible robot this year and absolutely deserve to be a champs, there are some other deserving teams from the past two years. For example: Team 177, Bobcat Robotics.
Do I need to say more? After 6 years on Einstein in a row, they don't go to champs in 2012 after being an alliance captain at two events, then again in 2013 with another great robot.

That being said, Shaker's robot was pretty fantastic this year.

[Aidan S.]

I'll add a few more to the list (since I came up with the first 4, right Gregor ). I'll speak about some underrated great Canadian robots from this season, all of whom could be an asset to any alliance at champs:

772 - Speedy cycler (4 to 5 per match) with a 10 point hang and 3 in auto. They ran into some really bad luck in elims at all their events, never making it past the quarters.

2013 - quick 30 point climber (25-30 seconds), who is also good for 3 cycles a match and 3 in auto. They attended three events, played really strong in the qualifying matches, but was unable to connect and make it out of the semis in elims.

2702 - Great cycler (4 to 5 per match), quick 10 point hang, 3 in auto. They took the 610-1310-3756 alliance to three close matches.

2852 - They were 2702's partner in Waterloo. Their capabilities are very similar to 2702's (and they made a great combo together).

3683 - Team Dave has produced top-notch robots every season they have played, this year was no exception. Their robot had a great floor pickup, good for 5 in auto, as well as cleaning their side of the field of missed discs.

4343 - The breakout star of GTR East. Easily the third best robot there, they captained the second seed to the finals, where they fell to 1114 and 2056.

(and of course there's 188, but unfortunately they're not attending for a whole different set of reasons. I really want to see them back and be able to compete at the level they did before this season. 188-A is competing at Vex champs this week, and I wish them the best of luck there)

[Woolly]

3928- Team Neutrino

• 7 Disk Autonomous, Fast Cycle
• Finalist #2 At Greater Kansas City
• Seeded 1st at North Star, and were finalists.
• Innovation in control at North Star

I was incredibly disappointed when I heard they lost at North Star. After watching their performance first hand at GKC, I figured they would absolutely rock the competition at their 2nd regional.

I'll add that I felt absolutely terrible standing 10 feet from their robot while the sub was put on the field for Finals 1-2 at GKC, but kudos to them for handling that situation so well.

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by Woolly

3928- Team Neutrino

• 7 Disk Autonomous, Fast Cycle
• Finalist #2 At Greater Kansas City
• Seeded 1st at North Star, and were finalists.
• Innovation in control at North Star

I was incredibly disappointed when I heard they lost at North Star. After watching their performance first hand at GKC, I figured they would absolutely rock the competition at their 2nd regional.

I'll add that I felt absolutely terrible standing 10 feet from their robot while the sub was put on the field for Finals 1-2 at GKC, but kudos to them for handling that situation so well.

Add to the fact that they're a second year team that builds drivetrains that make many veteran teams jealous...

[stoutman777]

Originally Posted by Woolly

3928- Team Neutrino

• 7 Disk Autonomous, Fast Cycle
• Finalist #2 At Greater Kansas City
• Seeded 1st at North Star, and were finalists.
• Innovation in control at North Star

I was incredibly disappointed when I heard they lost at North Star. After watching their performance first hand at GKC, I figured they would absolutely rock the competition at their 2nd regional.

I'll add that I felt absolutely terrible standing 10 feet from their robot while the sub was put on the field for Finals 1-2 at GKC, but kudos to them for handling that situation so well.

We were the ones to beat them at North Star, and although we were happy that we won, we were disappointed that such a great team was being deprived of a trip to Championships because they clearly deserved to go. They are some great people and when our cRIO broke during semis they tried to call a time out for us because we had already used ours. They weren't in that match or anything, they just wanted us to have a fair chance at going on. Also, their alliance partners, 2574, are pretty good as well. Team 2574 did amazing at North Star and they were a great alliance. Both teams were great and their teams are full of some really awesome people. Nationals would be better if both of them were there.

[Boe]

Originally Posted by Woolly

3928- Team Neutrino

• 7 Disk Autonomous, Fast Cycle
• Finalist #2 At Greater Kansas City
• Seeded 1st at North Star, and were finalists.
• Innovation in control at North Star

I was incredibly disappointed when I heard they lost at North Star. After watching their performance first hand at GKC, I figured they would absolutely rock the competition at their 2nd regional.

I'll add that I felt absolutely terrible standing 10 feet from their robot while the sub was put on the field for Finals 1-2 at GKC, but kudos to them for handling that situation so well.

I agree with this 100% 3928 was amazing at north star seeded first, were finalists. And were one of the most fun robots to watch compete with there 7 disk auton. They are for sure a great young team to watch in future years, and i hope they decide to attend north star in the future as well . I also thought i heard they were working on a 20 climb but i never saw it or know what became of it.

[Trent B]

Originally Posted by Boe

I agree with this 100% 3928 was amazing at north star seeded first, were finalists. And were one of the most fun robots to watch compete with there 7 disk auton. They are for sure a great young team to watch in future years, and i hope they decide to attend north star in the future as well . I also thought i heard they were working on a 20 climb but i never saw it or know what became of it.

We ended up having some issues with winch cable fraying when trying to reload the mechanism, so we decided to scrap it and instead concentrate on improving the number of teleop runs per match. Unsurprisingly pulling back 1500 lbs 12" isn't very easy and breaks a lot of things.

Unfortunately, scrapping it led to adding the kettle bell on the back for ballast which caused many of our problems in the finals due to it shifting unexpectedly.

[Tottanka]

1574, MisCar, the Israeli legendary powerhouse will not be attending although having one hell of a FCS. Lost in the finals to 2630,4320 and 1577 on some great matches.

Thier history includes Newton 2nd seed and finalist in 2008, and semifinals in 2007 i think.

[Jimmy Nichols]

3266 not attending is a shame. Although they are slow at 6 fps, they are a fast loader and accurate shooter. They had some troubles with a bent shooter coming out of QCR into Buckeye and at Crossroads they replaced it and then had some feeder issues.

4028 for a second year team has been outstanding. A super fast shooter who also came out of QCR with some damage from Elims going into the Crossroads event.

[Pjohn1959]

FRC teams 188 and 368.

[Michael Corsetto]

Originally Posted by Gregor

1662-7 disk auto, fast cycles.

• 2x Industrial Design awards

Really appreciate the mention! Have to make a correction, we only ever ran a 5 disc auto. Although we function very similar to 1986, our programming isn't nearly as refined or advanced enough to hit 7.

I am very sad 971 will not be there. There are few teams in the world that know sheet metal as well as 971 and their machine this year is a work of art. Would have loved to snag those two SVR wildcard spots with them

-Mike

[Koko Ed]

I was going to say team 2000 couldn't afford to go after putting on a great showing at MSC but I'm happy to report they made it in after all. I truly hope they enjoy their first (and sadly most likely last) championship experience. If you're gonna go out go out with a bang guys. Enjoy your stay.

[stingray27]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I was going to say team 2000 couldn't afford to go after putting on a great showing at MSC but I'm happy to report they made it in after all. I truly hope they enjoy their first (and sadly most likely last) championship experience. If you're gonna go out go out with a bang guys. Enjoy your stay.

I am very glad 2000 made it. We were on the #2 alliance at St. Joseph District together where we lost by 1 disc in the 3rd match of the finals. They are a great team and Team RUSH loved playing with them. They did a great job at MSC and really hope they do well at Worlds.

[Joe195]

2067, Apple Pi. They finally got a 5-7 disc auto going, 3-4 runs or pick up, accurate shooter, very agile. It's my favorite dessert too