Troy Finals and Thank You's

[BJC]

For those who didn't know the outcome of Troy, it was a great event and a great time but 469, 217, and 1188 took home the gold like predicted by many.

First, We (team 33) wanted to say thank you to our alliance partners 910 and 288 for a great run in eliminations.

910- you guys were awesome, you scored everything we could shoot your way without fail, your driving and ball control is at an exceptional level and we hope we never have to try to play defense on you at states.

288- You guys were a terrific third partner, your ability to hinder teams and control the flow of balls from the middle zone was terrific. In addition, your anti-469 auto was superb and you were an overall joy to have as partners.

Finals- It should be said that we had a bit of bad luck in the finals. In the first round we would have won 10-8 if we (33) hadn't been penalized for unluckly getting rammed up over a ball. Then in the later two matches two of 910s bumpers fell off resulting in penalties, and we (33) bent our back axel resulting in the chain coming off in the last two final matches severly limiting our ability to manuver, play defense, and kick balls down to you. However, had these things not happened, I believe we would have put up a MUCH better fight in the second two rounds and there was a decent chance that we would have gone home with the gold.

Opservations from playing 469:

They can be beaten when they are locked in the tower. In fact we did better the time they were, then when they weren't (Of course, this result was also swayed by our (33s) chain coming off in the other two.) However, it should be said that although the 469 / 217 combo is very good, it was proved they could be beaten. I believe that if they are an alliance again at states, all hope is not lost and they very well may be upset by one of the many good teams playing there.

Overall, a super exciting competition, congrats again to 469, 217, and 1188, and thanks again to 910 and 288.

[Mike Schreiber]

I enjoyed watching it, excellent observations about the teams to beat alliance, that's exactly what I thought when watching. It was good to see all the Bee alums again too...See you guys at state.

Nice work to everyone who competed at Troy I think that's the first regional in 5 years of FIRST that I watched every match of the eliminations.

[Jim Zondag]

What an awesome weekend, what a great event! FIRST Rocks in Michigan!
The level of competition was definitely up a notch in week 4.
We played all weekend with only 3 losses (all 3 to 469, way to go Dan!)

Big thanks to 910 and 288 for taking us to the end....
Foley...You guys play the best short game in around, Nobody has the ball handling and agility as you do in the home zone. Lets do it again at States next week! It was great to finally be playing with you instead of against you.
RoboDawgs, you guys were awesome in the middle! Way to shut down the offense all the way to the end. Match 1 of the finals proved that anything is possible if you have the right partners and a good strategy.

Thanks to everyone who imade the Chairmans Award possible. That is huge!
Second year in a row.

The Michigan State Championship is going to be Epic!

[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 !!!

[Mike Copioli]

I must say that Troy was the most fun I have had all season. Friday started out rocky for us but things came together on Saturday (usual 217 luck). The competition was heavy and strategies became very dynamic.

Congrats to all the teams at the event. Teams 33, 910, 288, you guys were incredible. That first match in finals was a nail biter. I know I was nervous going into the second and third. You guys are definitely going to be seeded very high at MSC. I am very excited to see our teams compete again and I hope that we all have fully functional robots this time. Also congrats to team 33 on chairmans I am sure we will see this happen at least one more time in little less than a week.

Team 469 thank you for making us your first pick. As far as your robot....well... I do not think I should even talk about it since so much has already been said on about every other post on CD. I will sum it up in one word, AMAZING. I think you guys are ready to give back that bulls eye, if so...we graciously decline. It was great to see you guys play the middle zone so well. I am glad we finally got a chance to play together that way.

Team 1188 how you guys were available to the number one seed in the second round I do not understand. You guys proved to be an effective third offensive and defensive robot. I am glad we got to play together again, only this time WITH team 469. I am excited to see what you guys can do when you get those mechanums working. I am looking forward to seeing you at MSC.

Team 226 thank you for hosting yet another awesome event. The event was well organized and every thing went very smooth. The volunteers did a great job as well.

Gary great job as head ref. Sorry about the question mark box, we will buy you a new one if we wore that one out.

[johnr]

I would like to thank team 2048, The Pink Panthers. They gave me that, i don't know exactly what to call it. That shot in the arm. That smile on my face. That's what it is about feeling. Yes, they had a good bot and they captained an alliance but i don't know how they did it. I would walk by their pit and it was always apart to some degree. Yes, i know that is how most teams are but there seemed to be a vibe of some kind that drew me to them. I stopped to chat. Nice people. Then i saw one of their matches. They landed on their back against the bump and couldn't get up. Oh, to bad. Wait. It looks like they are still playing defence, rolling back and forth on two wheels and their back sliding along the bump. Cool. Too bad they ran into the tower in the last 20 seconds. Maybe they were just trying to get up but it looked like defence to me and i'm sticking with that story. Thanks 2048 for adding that little something extra to my experience.
On a different subject, could those pit screens be moved to the lower level next year?

[Orlovic]

Thank you for those comments johnr!
It is refreshing to hear that we are having such an impact. And I agree that the young ladies (Pink Panthers, team 2048) gave it their all and were very inspiring.
The Troy competition was awesome and pure COMPETITION! It was great to be there. And congratulations to 217, 469, 1188, and to 33, 910, and 288. You all very impressive and inspiring. Can't wait for a probable even more awesome experience at State.

[lakstick]

Originally Posted by BJC

For those who didn't know the outcome of Troy, it was a great event and a great time but 469, 217, and 1188 took home the gold like predicted by many.

First, We (team 33) wanted to say thank you to our alliance partners 910 and 288 for a great run in eliminations.

910- you guys were awesome, you scored everything we could shoot your way without fail, your driving and ball control is at an exceptional level and we hope we never have to try to play defense on you at states.

288- You guys were a terrific third partner, your ability to hinder teams and control the flow of balls from the middle zone was terrific. In addition, your anti-469 auto was superb and you were an overall joy to have as partners.

Finals- It should be said that we had a bit of bad luck in the finals. In the first round we would have won 10-8 if we (33) hadn't been penalized for unluckly getting rammed up over a ball. Then in the later two matches two of 910s bumpers fell off resulting in penalties, and we (33) bent our back axel resulting in the chain coming off in the last two final matches severly limiting our ability to manuver, play defense, and kick balls down to you. However, had these things not happened, I believe we would have put up a MUCH better fight in the second two rounds and there was a decent chance that we would have gone home with the gold.

Opservations from playing 469:

They can be beaten when they are locked in the tower. In fact we did better the time they were, then when they weren't (Of course, this result was also swayed by our (33s) chain coming off in the other two.) However, it should be said that although the 469 / 217 combo is very good, it was proved they could be beaten. I believe that if they are an alliance again at states, all hope is not lost and they very well may be upset by one of the many good teams playing there.

Overall, a super exciting competition, congrats again to 469, 217, and 1188, and thanks again to 910 and 288.

BJC,

I (as a member of Team 216 and 288 (The Robodawgs)) Would like to thank you once more for choosing us as an alliance in the Troy Regional Competition Tournament. I would like to take this oppurtunity to put forth an open suggestion that in future years, our teams (288 as well as 216) would graciously accept any offer of comradery set upon us. We are also happy to report that we feel strong ties to both Team 33 (The Killer Bees) and Team 910 (The Foley Freeze) and look forward to working with you in future competitions!

~Mak Popa, on behalf of Team 216 and 288 (The Robodawgs)