Now that we’ve all had some time to recover from that exhausting but wonderful weekend, it’s time for a few reflections. 
First of all, gigantic thanks to our two host teams, 2485 W.A.R. Lords and 1538 The Holy Cows. Each year Code Orange eagerly looks forward to this competition, which is always run with the professionalism and energy of any regional or district during the official season, and this year did not disappoint. 8 qualification matches per team, a full 8-alliance elimination bracket. Quite a feat for a single-day event!
Secondly, HUGE thanks to our friends on teams 696 Circuit Breakers and 3255 Super NURDS. It was totally awesome to be able to collaborate on scouting with both of your teams and our new members had a great time learning the ins and outs of scouting and statistics. And of course, to 696 for driving BOTH of our robots and ALL of our things in their trailer both to and from the event (and for IRI too, for that matter). You guys truly exemplify gracious professionalism on and off the field, and are role models that 3476 always strives to emulate.
Thirdly…on to the competition! Thanks to team 2984, the Vikings, for extending an invitation to our “B” robot (9476) and to team 1572, the Hammer Heads, for joining our alliance. Amazing teamwork put us through three nail-biting quarterfinal matches before giving it our all against the #1 seeded alliance in the semi-finals. For driving a robot that experienced carping issues at the beginning of the day and weighed in at probably 30 pounds lighter than our competition robot (:ahh:) I was extremely proud of how our rookie drive team stepped up to the challenge.
At last, big thanks to team 2485, the W.A.R. Lords, for inviting our invitation to the #2 alliance to join our “A” robot (3476) and for team 399’s “B” robot (9399) for finishing up our alliance. 399 - you guys proved that with smart strategy and amazing driving, you can put up some of the best defense that I have ever seen, keeping any and all blockers away from 2485’s commanding full-court shots. 2485 - it’s hard to describe how amazing it is to be able, for the second year in a row, to extend an invitation from the #2 position to your #3 position and form an alliance that goes on to win the event. We had an awesome time being on your alliance!
To our semi-final opponents: 8973, 696 and 4322: I have been in FIRST for three years and I’ve never seen three more tightly-contested matches. Nail-biting until the last robot was hanging, what an awesome matchup. And to our finals opponents, 9973, 1538 and 4470, in some of the most strategically-intense matches I’ve ever watched.
3476 would like to extend our thanks to all those who coordinated, volunteered in, and participated in this wonderful event. We are already looking forward to next year.
Burbank, here we come for the Fall Classic!
