Predictions Week 2: Scaling Up the Competition

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

FiM District- St. Joseph
Quickly becoming one of the best in Michigan- 4967
Solid young team looking to break out- 5069
Contenders aiming to rack up points towards MSC- 2474, 2767, 2959, 3452, 3620

LF missed a few good robots here, most notably 858 Demons, 3546 Buc'n'Gears, and 3688 Norsemen.

However, LF's mystical oracular powers are clearly evident: when 2767 and 3620 looked at our scouting data to make the 16th pick, there were the Iron Giants, right where we needed them, to validate LF's breakout prediction.

Also, LF had no way of knowing that rookie 6097 would build a solid robot, play smart, pick smart (141), and captain a #5 alliance into the semis. Great job, Botcats -- and heads up for next time, LF.

[Bill Klein]

Originally Posted by Richard Wallace

LF missed a few good robots here, most notably 858 Demons, 3546 Buc'n'Gears, and 3688 Norsemen.

However, LF's mystical oracular powers are clearly evident: when 2767 and 3620 looked at our scouting data to make the 16th pick, there were the Iron Giants, right where we needed them, to validate LF's breakout prediction.

Also, LF had no way of knowing that rookie 6097 would build a solid robot, play smart, pick smart (141), and captain a #5 alliance into the semis. Great job, Botcats -- and heads up for next time, LF.

Richard - Thanks for the callout to the Norsemen 3688. You ran a stellar event.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Bill Klein

Richard - Thanks for the callout to the Norsemen 3688. You ran a stellar event.

Thank you for the kind words. I certainly agree St. Joe was a stellar event; however, I did not run it. That credit goes to our ridiculously overworked event coordinator Brett and volunteer coordinator Carrie, to Judge Advisor Tim, to FTAs Oliver and Ellen, to field supervisor Eddie, to Head Referee Greg, and to LRI Tearesa. And to a large number of folks in white Stronghold shirts, and quite a number (N) of Average Joes. [N is getting larger all the time.]

[lynca]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

Alamo
All eyes in San Antonio will be on a pair of Texas' top powerhouses in 148 and 624. The Robowranglers struggled (relative to their standards) the last time they attended Alamo, with some early season tweaks necessary to another catapulted machine in 2014. Even if it takes a bit for 148 to dial in their launching, their excellently packaged scaling device and plenty of driver practice should give them a distinct edge over most of the field. CRyptonite will be their foremost competitor, and quite possibly their most likely partner (despite the fact that 148 and 624 have never paired up in their history). The team formerly known as the Cinco Ranch Engineering Wizards have a history of working some impressive autonomous magic, and hopefully 624 can carry that over into Stronghold with their wheeled shooter. Beyond those two, a pair of recent world champions in 1477 and 2848 will be hoping to end droughts at the regional level since 2013 and 2011 respectively. Even if the pair doesn't come out of the gate firing, they will almost certainly be adept breachers at the very least and it should position themselves well in the standings as a result. 2468 may not be quite as fast over the barriers as the top few, but they have a shooting machine with plenty of potential. While Alamo doesn't quite have the proven depth of some of the other top tier events this weekend, there are still quite a few of Texas' more hidden gems in the field. 3735 has been earning the respect of fellow competitors in recent years, but have yet to win an official award of any kind in team history. Conversely, 1817 has a well stocked award cabinet (especially if you consider individual awards, where they have 2 WFFAs and a 4 DLFAs), highlighted by a pair of regional victories. 3999 and 4063 are both bringing simple, and hopefully effective, machines that should be capable breachers and low goal scorers (with TriKzR4Kidz also featuring the potential for high goal shots). 3481 has seemingly stepped up their game this year, with a very attractive and ambitious design (albeit "low bar challenged"). 1255 will be an interesting test case for the value of opening category C defenses solo from the neutral zone, as that rare skillset may make them an attractive later selection for an alliance looking to increase their max potential score without dedicating multiple robot efforts. It may also be worth keeping an eye on 231 and 3005. Ultimately, this regional may be decided in qualifications, as if the top powerhouses are able to pair up, it might be very difficult to stop them (barring tortugas or electrical failures).

Great predictions !
148 & 624 continued the streak of facing off in the finals !

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

Predictions Week 2: Scaling Up the Competition

Greater Kansas City
Since 2009, at least one defending regional champion has repeated their victory at GKC.

Whelp. This trend died this weekend.