Welcome back to the FIM Event Previews, there are 5 Michigan Districts this week and I’ll be doing a preview for all the FIM events, every week this season. Next up is the second new district for week 1.
Berrien Springs District
Favorites:
The two favorites for Berrien Springs both made it to Einstein last year, and let’s start with the Johnson division alliance captain, 2075-Enigma Robotics. Enigma finally made it to Einstein last year after 17 seasons, and to finish as rank 1 in their division was definitely impressive. The only worry about them is the accelerated build season, as last season they didn’t compete till week 3. Let’s hope they can repeat their success back in week 1 of the 2022 season, even if they can’t be with their favorite partner 3357. The other Einstein team from last season is 302-The Dragons. The Dragons went 33-2-1 last season in district play, along with two alliance 1 winning blue banners, near perfection. While I was definitely let down at their week 0 performance, I have hopes that they have the strength to go for three in a row.
Challengers:
A late addition to the Berrien Springs district and for the first time ever competing in a week 1 event, we have 7769-The CREW. 7769 is probably the best 7000 series team in Michigan, with more blue banners than full seasons played, including two MSC division victories, 2022 APTIV and 2019 DTE. But like I said previously, having never been to a week 1 event, this season will be one of their biggest challenges yet, even if they will get two more chances at Wayne State and Troy 2. The last challenger is 573-Mech Warriors. 573 had a solid season in 2023 that never saw them make the finals, but they had their best stretch at the World Championship, ranking 6th in Hopper. Mech Warriors haven’t won a district since 2017, but having qualified for Worlds in three of the last 4 seasons, 2024 could be the year for them to break that streak.
Contenders:
5462 - 2PawR (2Paw Robotics)
7174 - Charger Robotics
Dark Horse:
1741 - Red Alert - All the way from Indiana
201 - The FEDS
Outside Looking In:
5314 - Ice Bots
3875 - Red Storm Robotics
4325 - RoboRangers
4237 - Team Lance-A-Bot
Cinderella Stories:
9208 - Eddies Circuit
5086 - Cadillac Connectors
Berrien Springs looks to be a very interesting event, with a non-Michigan team in the mix and 2075 who I am sure will be a top 5 robot competing this week. Berrien Springs looks to be off to a nice start at its inaugural district.
Next is the Jackson Event Preview, releasing soon.