I’ll concede that the strongest Midwestern field will be at one of the three Michigan events. Michigan leads the nation in total FRC teams and is second only to New Hampshire in teams per capita.
But the BEST regional of 2007 will be in St. Louis. 
And Boilermaker will be a great event, too. 
The most competition will be at GLR, in my opinion. The sleeper will be St. Louis, look for some big plays out there.
With 254, 503, 1114, and 1213 you have 3 trips to Einstein in the past 2 years (including one finalist and one championship), 6 regional championships in 2006, one FIRST Hall of Fame team, and a 2006 Chairman’s Honorable Mention at Championship. Plus, do we know who is on the GLR wait list?
I think that answers your question. Which regional did the top teams enter, and with which one are they sitting on the fence? The event in S.E. Michigan is naturally “better” than any in the rest of the mid-west/nation/world because more great teams come from here than any other place - by a bunch, not even close. I.E. count the number of Champions over the last five years that come from S.E. Michigan.
In fact, if Detroit would move from WSU to MCCC, then West Michigan would become the third “best” mid-west regional.
WMR is approaching an IRI level of competion even. I feel for any rookies going there but I’m also jealous of the show they’ll see in those elims. Some one please webcast this for those of us that will be elsewhere!
Hey, easy on the rookies! We won WMR- and Lead the Alliance- in 2004!! NEVER underestimate ANY team. “Power house” reputations are nice and all but you never really know what will happen until the teams hit the field.
I will definitely will have to go with West Michigan, my eyes just got bigger as I went down the list. I had to look twice to belive the team list and pending list. I was thinking to myself “IRI”. looking forward to this regional and it will be a blast there are many teams that are so awesome attending this event.
I think Western Michigan is now the best but mostly due to scheduling. When we had a Motorola Midwest regional on a stand alone weekend, that was about as good as it could get. Very few regionals have the teeth that one had at one time.
I wasn’t saying that these teams aren’t good. I was saying that 9 of the 13 teams you mentioned; as being a reason why you like GLR, are on the waiting list for WMR; and then adding the other teams I metioned, this might make WMR a little better.
Another reason I tend to think WMR might be a little bit better; is that its on the last weekend of regionals, where GLR is on the second weekend. Which means that most teams have competed in at least one other regional, before WMR, and have a good idea what they want to do at WMR.
Last thing, we don’t know from the First website who’s on the wait list for GLR, because right now its full. But you probably already checked yourself.
We’re going to St. Louis and Boilermaker this year.
I like boilermaker because its close to home, but its too crowded. I wish they wouldn’t use the armoury for it, instead find a different (more spacious) site that would allow more teams. IRI to me is better than the boilermaker because of the number of teams.
I’m looking forward to St. Louis (haven’t been there)
Plus you forgot 469, 93, 47 and 302 who are not at GLR.
Recently, GLR was the strongest by far until Detroit came along and diluted GLR. That also happened to Midwest when Boilermaker came along and now Wsiconsin to dilute it further.
My general point was that some of the WMR teams who are not currently signed up for GLR may be on the GLR wait list (hoping for another team to drop out). Either way though, WMR and GLR are looking like the top-two regionals for 2007 (that is, until we see the robots). Las Vegas isn’t too far behind though.
Guys lets agree to disagree on which Mi regional is better, but I think we all know the best regionals are in the Midwest .
That’s cus you Midwest teams are afraid to come back to the East.
My thoughts…
“powerhouse” team wise… I’d have to say West Michigan.
However, I’m rather partial to WI, just because we have so far 7 of 8 MN teams going… one great leap for Minnesota! (last year there were 2 MN teams).
I think WM will be a great experience for any rookie teams lucky enough to be going though… hopefully 1816 will get to go as well!
Now that 254 isn’t going to GLR does that change anyones pick?
Note: A non-Midwest rep-digit team won this regional in its rookie year (2002) and [hoped to come] back to WMR for a third time.
(Not having seen the pending list,) its either West Michigan or GLR. Hard decision. I’ll have to give it to West Michigan, though, as it has a higher concentration of stellar past performance.
Yah, totally St. Louis, just because it’s the one I"m going to, and it’s not during my midterms! (otherwise I’d drive up there) p:
I have gone to both many years. I feel that both are great regionals BUT West MI is a better/harder regional. Here are my top 5 reasons.
the cheesy poofs could not make it to GLR (maybe next year)