I’ll be expecting the ice cream cone in the mail 
My dad has just stolen the family copy of the new Harry Potter so I guess I am going to post about IRI now.
I never thought there could be a better competition than last year’s IRI, but I was wrong. The elimination rounds were so good, I think they were better than last year.
There are so many things and people I would like to thank
I would like to thank the judges (Copioli, JVN and Karthik) for participating in our little talent show act, it made it a legendary talent show act. And don’t worry, your lives were never in any danger (except Karthik’s, we wanted to get him back for his “singing” last year).
Thanks to 111, 1114 and 2056, you guys are some of the best teams I have ever been able to talk to or work with. Karthik, Raul, Tyler and the rest of the strategists that we got to work with, you guys knew your stuff.
I also want to congratulate teams 47, 33, 68, and 93 for playing some of the best finals matches I have ever seen. We were heartbroken that 47 and 33 passed on us, but it worked out well for all of us in the end
Thanks go out to Mr. Fultz, Mr. Baker and the rest of those involved in making IRI such a special and awesome event. Thanks to Mr. Leon for getting IRI on NASA TV and for being a great MC. Thanks to Copioli, Dan Green and Collin Fultz for announcing and MCing. Thanks to all the teams that traveled to make IRI the best competition it could be.
We weren’t running the drivers from the regular season. Myself, and 3 other drivers had been flipping in and out through the quals, doing our best. We had a rough start with 3 losses, and our auton wasn’t quite on target. We pulled out of the quals with no more losses, and were almost freaking out in the balcony during the draft. We did our best during the quarter and semi finals, but just couldn’t pull out the second win in our tie against the other alliance.
I loved IRI, and got a great impression of FIRST, seeing as this was my first competition to attend. (Woohoo for pre-rookies). I definitely intend to return this coming year, and the years ahead.
Congrats to 1114, 2056, 494, and 111.
Did anyone happen to get the final standings after all the qualification matches?
When I saw that first match between alliances 4 and 5, my thoughts were, “holy crap, we’re going to be in for a rough time against the winner of that QF if we make it past alliance 8.” I was right.
Congrats to 111, 1114, 2056, and 494. Also, thanks again for the organizers of IRI for putting on the best FIRST-related event going.
Everyone has images that stand out/stay with them from special times and events. IRI 2007 has many.
Images:
Brandon, the DJ
Paul Copioli, a man of grace
Michelle Celio skipping across the field after lining up the tubes for the zillionth time
Andy Baker stopping the tears in his sleeve as he made his AndyMark announcement
Team 71 in the stands - wow
Amy Prib riding the rack carousel, smiling quietly
the Blood Mobile
people who tried to donate blood but for whatever reason couldn’t - they tried and received a tee shirt - how cool is that…
the way our hosts continued to keep the backpacks in our view, celebrating the community generosity and the good start that the supplies promise: out in the refreshments area, then under the silent auction tables, then finally as the back drop for the judges and awards ceremony.
the IRI banners
mrs. p talking about robots that paint, creating art
the blue lit cell phones gently waving to beautiful music in the Talent Show
The 6 keepers and the moment they created that was totally understood by everyone present
Chris Fultz’s hugs
…and many many more
Parker,
You definitely impressed more than a few people this weekend at IRI. By Saturday afternoon, you drove that 148 robot as if you’d been doing it for years. I’m quite positive that you will have a very bright future in FIRST. I look forward to seeing what you and 148 come up with in 2008.
My team had to leave early, what was the AndyMark announcement?
Before I forget, I want to thank everyone that volunteered at IRI for their exceptional performance in the Best event ever. My team can not afford to attend multiple regionals or the Nationals and I wanted to give my seniors that started the team a chance to compete with the best teams out there and they got to do that at IRI. This was our nationals and I wanted to personally thank all of you for your great job on the way you have performed for this event. Also would like to give congrats to every team that was here for making this IRI one of the best experiences that my team has received. Without every team performing at there best, this event would not have been such a huge success.
We did some math.
Just for qualification matches…
I ran about 5 miles, making sure that every tube wasn’t under inflated.
Andy will be quitting his job at Delphi and working AndyMark full time. As part of that, he will be reducing his involvement with 45, which led to the emotions.
Correct.
Also, most importantly, it was a heartfelt thank you to all of my friends, teammates and AndyMark customers who have supported Mark and me in this effort to build up our company to the point where I can make this move.
I will craft a formal announcement on this website soon, along with a lengthy IRI thank you post.
Andy B.
I have been scouring the internet high and low. I am looking for an official list of team rankings at IRI, and those that competed in finals and the finalist lists. Is there somewhere that I can locate this?
IRI Elimination Round Alliances (Post #379 Girard Robocats edition):
1 def. 8
2 def. 7
6 def. 3
4 def. 5
2 def. 6
4 def. 1
4 def. 2
I don’t think there’s a complete list of rankings yet but I believe Mark Koors is going to download that information from the field scoring computers.
Don’t you remember, we’re all winners…
177 wasn’t actually on the field, 910 was
I am just floored by all of the reports from IRI. It is obvious that there is a great mix of spirited teams and careful planning that goes into this event. I only hope that we can attend someday.Congratulations to all of the participating teams.
I also wanted to wish Andy well as he moves forward with his new venture. We our loyal A-M customers and will support AndyMark in every way possible.
I had been looking forward all year to go to IRI, and I’m so sad that I couldn’t make it. 
Sounds like it went really well; I wish I could have been there!
I would like to thank the champions and all the other teams we played with and against for the best competition I’ve ever had the privilege of driving in, it was a complete blast! Theres a few i would like to say something more specifically to…
Mark (blue haired announcer in eliminators) - for pushing us onto the stage and inspiring us to go for it, and for just about all other amazing tidbits of advice this season.
111 - Thank you SO MUCH for the use of your equipment for the talent show and the encouragement you gave the other two and I to get up on stage and embarass ourselves! We had the most fun ever playing on that stage.
71 & 1902 - It was so awesome to play with both of you, and i hope it will happen again in the future.