FIRST Robotics 2025 - End of Season

As I've mentioned, our robotics season has had some challenges.  The kids probably bit off more than they could chew regards mechanical and software complexity, resulting in a 3-6 record at our first event.  On the positive side of the ledger, the sheer audacity of what they were attempting was recognized with a special Judge's Award.

In the following weeks the team worked very hard, even over spring break, and basically solved all the technical issues.  We went into the second event feeling quite a bit more confident.

Snazzy lookin' robot and custom designed and fabricated control board.  

And the robot delivered.

That's us lined up in the far position.  This was before our last match.  We'd made it through the qualification rounds with a 7-2 record, best in team history.  As the number 4 alliance captain we picked two other robots that complimented our abilities.  We won our first match, but went up against the number 1 alliance in the second round.  The better team won.  In a double elimination format it is two and out.  Alas.......for this all important match one of our alliance partners broke down with no time to repair.  A fill in from the available robots was hastily thrown out there.......and also broke.  Yep.  The robot in the foreground stayed in that spot the entire match.  At this level of competition you can't win with 2 vs 3.  

I had a perfect seat for the whole show.  Field reset is a fun gig.  Kick back, watch the action, then go our and replace those pipes and dodge balls where they belong.  I was working with fun people.

Yes, a few of the game pieces got clobbered by high speed interactions with robots.....

There are lots of fun matches to go back and watch.  Maybe we liked this one the most.  The second year in a row where we defeated the number one ranked robot.  Perhaps we enjoyed doing this just a little too much?  And for the second year in a row?  Nah, we also won the Gracious Professionalism award....for the second year in a row.  Grace in adversity and class in victory....

In watching the video you don't really have to understand the rules.  Suffice to say we are in blue bumpers with number 5826, and are variously referred to a Avis or Avis Automata.