It’s hard to top inventing calculus, discovering the laws of motion, and writing the law of universal gravitation. Newton’s Principia Mathematica is often accredited with being the most important book of science ever created. The division to his name shares this remarkable success. The 2007 Champs came from Newton, and the division hasn’t been stopped before the Einstein finals since 2004.
This division is loaded with top notch hurdlers, and has an astounding amount of depth beyond that. 20, 39, 233, 440, 1806, and 2056 each won two regionals. 111, 341, 968, 1086, 1574, 1625, 1806, 2056, 2122, and 2483 were each the captain of a regional winning alliance. This will be a very intense field, and plenty of great scoring machines and regional winners will be left out of the eliminations. It’s entirely possible that no team goes undefeated in this division, but the #1 seed will have to work their butt off and have a fair bit of luck to reach the top.
PREDICTIONS:
TIPS:
Chief Delphi struggled a bit the last couple years, but seems to have regained their stride in 2008. 47 was on the #2 alliance in both Detroit and GLR, making the finals in Detroit. They have a solid hurdling machine and should be able to contend with just about anyone. They’ll end up on the 5-8th alliance.
1625 won Colorado after falling during the semis at each of the earlier regionals due to technical malfunctions. When fully operational they are very dangerous and can make just about any match interesting. If they can keep the mechanical gremlins away they’ll be a top 6 pick, but how long they’re playing after lunch will be hinged greatly on their partners. They’ve been very good during the qualification matches this year too, and they stand a strong chance of being in a picking position to grab themselves a potent alliance.
Florida is sending it’s finest to compete on Newton. 79, 179, and 1251 are all in the same division. All three have a strong chance to find their way into the eliminations (one could even be a captain), but no more than one will advance past the quarters.
Wildstang is easily the most storied team in Newton. This former champ will be a first-round selection, and will likely guide their alliance into the semi-finals. 111 is always a threat, and given that they improved in between Chicago and Purdue, they could be quite scary in Atlanta.
2056 has yet to lose a regional competition, but they lost in the semi-finals on Galileo last year. They paired with 1114 in Waterloo and Toronto this year to take gold, and have produced another machine capable of putting up big numbers when they have a partner that can shift defense away from them. They’ll be a significant scoring presence if they can find a partner to take the pressure away in the elimination rounds, and will be a definite factor.
20 picked up victories in Rochester and Boston this year. Boston was a cake-walk after they paired up with their biggest competitor, 40, but they had to top 67, 365, 1126 and others to win at FLR. They have a smooth pick-up and are proficient hurdlers. They’ll likely either be a captain or a first-round selection.
DARK HORSE:
They went to Einstein three years in a row, but it’s been two years since they graced the big stage. 175 won Connecticut with 1124, and have a terrific hurdling machine. It’s quick roller-based acquisition make them very difficult to defend, and they are more than capable of putting up massive scores. Buzz was a hair away from being a lock, and if they align with another massive threat they could very well return to Einstein. They likely don’t have what it takes to carry an alliance past a pair of dominant hurdlers though.
SLEEPER:
440 was the 16th pick at both of their events (Detroit and Bayou). They then went on to win both events. Their bot can put up some serious laps, and will be one of the best racecars in the division. If they are selected by another pair of excellent hurdlers, they might be the tipping point for their alliance to go very deep.
LOCKS:
39 won both of their events in convincing fashion. They have a 28-3 record on the season, with one of those losses coming against 987. They’ve hurdles seven times in a match. They were the only hurdling machine on their alliance in Arizona that ripped through the eliminations. The only way they’ll go down before the finals is either a massive technical failure or if they meet a combination of 233, 968, and/or 175.
RAWC has quickly established themselves as a West Coast and FIRST powerhouse. 968 won Newton last time they went to Championship two years ago. Their quick and deadly elevator/shooter combo machine will be a top contender again, and will at least be invited into one of the top three alliances. If they can pair with 233, 39, or 175 they’ll be a massive force to be reckoned with, and if the top few are kept apart they could take the division anyway.
233 came within a breath of winning their first championship last year, and they might be even better this year. Already with two regional championships under their belt, they look more impressive than they have since 2005 (last time they won two regionals), but their regional success hasn’t always translated into Championship success. In 2005 they were stopped in the SFs, in 2006 (1 regional victory) they made the div finals, and in 2007 (no regional victories) they made the Einstein finals. Regardless, 233 is very dangerous and will only get better. They are consistent and dominating, and will be a top 4 seed in the division. If they can pair with 968 or 38 they will not only win the division, but have another great chance at taking Einstein. If the big teams are kept apart their consistency should help them reach the divisional finals at least.
