As Dr. Joe said in this thread, across many districts, new teams are entering FIRST’s top tier. I’d like to showcase those teams in this thread. I don’t know much about other districts, but here are my picks for NE’s best up-and coming teams:
What are your favorite new members to the FRC Top Tier for other states/districts/regions? The teams you pick should be making it to elims or making it farther in elims than ever before.
5172 is the top tier in MN. Everyone else is trying to catch up.
My picks for MAR:
3314 has played in 5 competitions so far this season, being the first overall selection at Montgomery and the 3rd seeded alliance captain and finalist at MAR Champs. Their robot has improved steadily with each event, and look for them to be a strong force at the world championships.
5895 won their first win at Montgomery this year, then they were the 4th seeded alliance captain and semifinalists at MAR champs. They have great leadership, and look for a strong showing from them in years to come.
708 had the best season they have every had, being a top pick or seed at three districts and selected late in the first round at the MAR Championship, making it to the semifinals. They have still not won an in-season competition yet, but that goal is much closer.
5404 had a great season, with a first-round selection at two districts and a second-round selection at MAR Champs. They are constantly improving their robot too, adding a scaler that was used at MAR Champs.
1257 won two competitions and was a finalist and #1 seed at a third this year, through low goals and defense. They have the fire and passion to do well.
That is so true. They were crazy good in Iowa. If you haven’t seen them yet you need to.
My top five new members for MN would be:
Overall a lot of our top tier in Arizona has improved greatly or continues to do as well as they always do. As far as entering/surpassing our top tier, I have to give it to two teams teams:
Crush is by far the best low goal robot in Arizona and 498 has shown a high level of consistency and improvement all throughout this season. I expect Crush in particular to make it pretty far in their division. Sorry if I missed anyone else from Arizona but I only went with those that have improved dramatically this year compared to their last 4 seasons.
We have had a couple of teams take a massive step up in quality in CHS in 2016:
122: Won their first event (Hampton Roads) since 2005, and made it to at least the semis as a high first pick in all of their other events (Central VA and DCMP)
686: Had a strong season, with two finals finishes at Greater DC and Central MD. They also had the highest OPR at DCMP and are making their first trip to Champs since 2006.
5279: After not making the playoffs in either of the team’s first two seasons, this team broke through with #1-seeded finishes in both of their qualifying events (SW VA and Central VA), with a win at Central VA and were the 4th overall pick at DCMP.
5546: After a promising rookie season where they won RAS at Virginia, ART had an impressive sophomore season, winning at Hampton Roads, and a semifinal finish at Central VA, and will be headed to champs for the second straight season.
5805 and 5817 both hit the ground running as rookie teams. Congrats to both of them for their RAS awards.
1197 looks to be having a defining year that could set them up for more successes in the future. Same goes for 3021.
My picks for MAR over the past couple years:
A couple years back these teams were all pretty solid but over the last couple of years have certainly grown to become a part of the top tier of FIRST
For 2016 specifically:
If 4587 wasn’t already in the top tier of Texas before this year, they sure are now. Two regional wins with a quick-release catapult and swift robot will make them a fierce competitor in St. Louis.
A few teams entering the GA top tier, not ranked, just listed:
4468 - Their record speaks for themselves. With 3 Dean’s List Finalists in 4 years, an EI and Finalist at Peachtree in 2015, and an event winner, DCMP EI, and two #1 seeds, this team has not only broken into the top tier, they’ve taken it by storm.
1648 - Success is starting to come on the field, after a long time. After winning RAS in 2005 and making quarterfinals in Galileo that year, this team returned to CMP last year for only the second time in team history by winning the only Georgia Southern Classic Regional. This year, they’ve been the #1 pick in both their district events, won a DCA at Columbus, and were finalists at Albany. If they can match or even improve on their DCMP quarterfinals performance, they could be a significant player on the world level.
4188 - They’ve followed up their first regional victory (2015 Peachtree) with a complete performance at every event they’ve attended this year. Winner at Columbus. Finalist, #1 seed, and EI at Albany. Finalist at Rocket City. Woodie Flowers Award and Semi-finalist at DCMP. This team has exploded onto the scene this year, but the signs have been there for a few years.
1746 - After going to CMP for the first time since 2009 last year on an Engineering Inspiration Award, OTTO fielded one of the most beautiful and effective robots in GA this year, with a new sheet metal design. Hammering the low goal and adding a climber at DCMP, they have reached semi-finals at all their events, seeded second or better at all of them, and won the KSU district as alliance captains. This team could go the furthest of any GA team at Championship.
4910 - East Cobb had a breakout year this year, dominating the Dalton event, winning an EI award and the event with 2974. They followed up that performance with an ID award at KSU, a DCMP EI, and a DCMP victory. They will be attending CMP for the first time in team history this year.
I would not be surprised if any of these teams continue their success at Championship, and into future years.
Based on my knowledge of which middle schools now feed into which high schools in St. Paul, and from the current respective trajectories of Highland (2823) and Central’s (4536) math teams (ah, the life of a nerd), I would put 2823 here instead.
They have already risen up to have, from what I can tell off TBA, the best year in their history, with a robot that could be dominant when it was hitting shots and two semifinal appearances, whereas we had a year consistent with our last 2. I would put money on them having a better robot than us next year…
I like these teams in Ontario:
4678, 4039, 5406, 3683 and 1305. All of them are showing year over year excellence with clever, creative designs. This year that arm of 4678 is particularly impressive. 1305 is just strong all around and really changing the face of STEM in northern Ontario.
And how can you not like Makeshift. Very impressive and inspiring team. Looking forward to seeing where these teams will be going in the next 5 years.
AGREED. Great team. I think look for them to be really strong at CHAMPS!
–Michael Blake
I’m feeling a little ignored here. We were (a well deserved) dead last at AZ East in 2013, and first at AZ West this year! Yup, the teams that scouted correctly picked us, and we got the “Golden Slot”, #24 in the picks. And proceeded to play some defense. Nobody likes a defensive robot…
Tim
You guys certainly did improve over the last few years! Along with other teams such as 991, 1165, and 3019. I’m pretty confident that all of you guys will be in what I believe to be the top tier of Arizona at some point. That being said, I don’t think I would put you guys to be at the top just yet. That is of course just my opinion and everyone is free to disagree with me. I’m sure others would have completely different lists if asked.
Thank you for the kind words. 4909 has been working hard to try and keep up with the high levels of excellence in New England, by far one of the most competitive Districts in FIRST.
I may be biased, but anyone from FiM that doesnt mention 5460 is crazy.
My Top 5 for this year in this order
836
1418
1086
401
122/2363
Top up and coming in this order
5804, holy crap the rookie team that could
5546, my favorite team ever.
1262, the stags are back!
5279, they were easily the most consistent robot in the entire district this year
686, they just keep getting better and better every year.