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.
If anyone who went or performed in the talent show, we found a CD player that doesn’t belong to us. Contact me with a description if you think it’s yours.
Is there any chance that all the matches of the IRI were video taped and avialable for those who weren’t there to see what sounds like the most amazing event of the season??
piling on
Yes - I thought various people were working on chopping up and publishing IRI match videos. Any success? Many who weren’t in attendance have asked me about this.
