Team 422 (Mech Tech Dragons) Blog

Virginia Regional Wrap-Up and Off-season Ideas

2010-03-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

After two long, non-stop days at the Virginia Regional, Team 422 ended the season with a 21-10-4 record, a finalist berth at the SunCenter in New Jersey and a semifinalist berth at the Siegel Center in New Jersey. Who would have thought that a team could build a top-tier robot in 12 days? We had a difficult time believing our own success in New Jersey, but finishing 7-1-1 after qualifying in VCU and losing in the semifinals after playing an intense 5 matches, we proved that our success was not a fluke and we were one of the best 120 robots we competed against.

"Ahab" (I guess we're calling the robot Ahab now) was a testament to the experience and determination the team earned over last season, and will hopefully grow into a regional-winning robot for the 2011 competition season. Nothing would be cooler for a team that went from zeros to heroes in such a short time than to book our trip to St. Louis a year early.

Thanks to everyone that came out to watch one of the longest and most grueling regionals in years, and congrats to the Engin3rds, Lambda Corps, Robohawks, Pascack, Blue Cheese, and Vae Victus on a great finals series. 697, 346 and 1895 definitely had the sauce to give the #1 alliance a run for their money, but it was clear 1676 brought the best bot back from Trenton. (we're a close second, right?)

Now team, we need to hit the ground running in the offseason. Wil T. and I (Wil P.) will try to make a conscientious effort to building a great online home at Team422.com while we intermittently post here. We also need to push for more sponsors. As much as we appreciate the generosity form New Market Corporation, the team needs to take on more sponsors, from Johnson & Johnson and BAE Systems, to Verizon and Motorola, to the tech store in your neighborhood. I believe the team could transcend the success experienced over the last two years to fit a mold more like 1676, if we only added a little more initiative. It looks like the lab will finally be cleaned and organized to, as we dismantle Phoenix Rising, Phoenix Pi, and Phoenix Phenomenon/Quattro. We're also thinking of ways to "immortalize" Dante and rebuild Redemption/Mephistopheles to 100% usage and keep Ahab intact for Duel in October.

Roy will likely be sending out some emails in the coming days and weeks, and with the school winding down after a hectic few weeks, it will be great if we could have substantial attendance at meetings.

New Jersey Wrap-Up and Virginia Regional Prep Work

2010-03-11T14:47:00.000-08:00

The New Market Corporation and Maggie L. Walker Governor's School Team #422 (Mech Tech Dragons) reached the finals at the New Jersey Regional, losing 2 out of three matches played. We would like to congratulate Team 25, Team 1676, and Team 3059 on a great series of finals matches and thank Team 2016 and 816 for being our alliance partners. We did very well at the New Jersey Regional for the second year in a row, taking home a trophy and a medal again. (Semifinalists and 2009 Motorola Quality Award Winners at the 2009 NJR) However, this year we are also followed down to Richmond by three teams: Team 293, Team 75, and Team 1676

THE A-TEAM (It's the only one we have)

While these four robots make the trip down to the Siegel Center, it is time to prepare for the competition itself. The team will meet next week to plot out our ideas for the competition, the code of conduct, and the pre-excused absence policy for any member who wishes to attend on Thursday and Friday during school hours. Remember to wash your t-shirts (or pick them up from Mrs. Furman whenever possible) dig out your old dragon hats, and prepare for the Mecca in the Verizon Wireless Arena. Good luck to all teams attending the Virginia Regional and Go Dragons!

FINALS!!!!!

2010-03-07T13:53:00.000-08:00

WE MADE IT TO FINALS AND THAT'S AWESOME!!!!! 2 to 3 more matches..... Go team!!!

Win?

2010-03-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

WHOA. We are in the semifinals. Wow. We've even won our first semifinal match. Good luck team! If you are in the Trenton, NJ area, be sure to stop by the event and check things out. Information about the regional here.

Success?

2010-03-07T11:41:00.000-08:00

Well, after a long and arduous build season, the competition is finally here! We are currently at the FRC Regional Competition in Trenton, NJ, and are doing well, despite a series of persistent problems. We've had Jaguars blow, the cRIO not be plugged in, a kicker that takes 12 seconds to load (and that's an improvement), sharp edges, and a circuit breaker that apparently needs to be on the outside, among other things. That's really only the beginning of the list. Still, somehow, we are currently seeded as 2nd out of 61 going into the elimination rounds. How, I have no idea. But, our strategy of defense is working, we've even managed to score a bit, and we'll see how the rest of the tournament goes.

Weekly Update

2009-11-12T18:30:00.000-08:00

At this week's meeting, we looked at photos, video, and statistics from the 2008 FIRST competition. We then analyzed the event to find out what worked, what didn't, and what we might be able to take from the event to help us build a better robot. The newer team members got a chance to try their hand at challenge analysis and robot design, and everybody gained some valuable insights into the process of making a 'bot. Not only this, but while the seminar was going on, some veteran team members cleaned up the room some more, moving things around and getting organized. All in all a very productive week.

Sorry for the gap, but now we're back!

2009-11-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, we have obviously not been posting weekly thus far. This will be changing. We have been very busy in the past few weeks, meeting as usual every Wednesday to plan, learn, and prepare. We went to Duel on the Delaware and did nicely, regrettably not winning but having our dedication to the event recognized with an award for being the only team in attendance every year since Duel's inception. We also ran a booth at MW's fall festival, selling bumper stickers and decals to raise money for the team, as well as displaying both Dante and Redemption, and educating those in attendance both about the inner workings of the robots and about what we are as a club and what we do. In weekly meetings, we have cleaned our room, helped bring new members in, written letters of thanks to our sponsors (thank you again!), and begun learning about various aspects of robotics. Most recently, we have started preparations for our annual FLL tournament, making sure we have supplies and volunteers, and setting things up. If anyone happens to be in the area this Saturday, November 7 2009, feel free to stop by!

And a new season begins...

2009-10-06T18:47:00.001-07:00

Things are just getting started at the beginning of the 2009-2010 season. Already, in the offseason, we are busy with meetings and preparations for Duel on the Delaware and the FLL tournament. Soon, we will also begin meetings to start training new members, as well as veteran members who may have forgotten some things. Keep checking back, as we will be trying for new posts at least weekly as we get closer and closer to this year's FRC challenge!