On Saturday (4/26), we had our game faces on and we were ready to adapt to the way the game changed. We proved that with each match we were getting better. Unfortunately, as each match went on, the competition got better as well. After our matches we had a chance to actually breathe for a while and enjoy lunch without rushing back. We even had time to celebrate a certain birthday that was in April. Lol. There are four sub-divisions in St. Louis. All four winning sub-division teams meet for the Final Four finally on the Einstein field. We had incredible seats, and the finals did not disappoint us. The 2014 best of three finals match looked like a game of chess, with each robot looking ahead to figure out what their opponents next step would be. In the end the alliance that won, had the robot that awed everyone - The Cheesy Poofs. They literally scored three balls in a matter of seconds: they deserved to win. There are no sore losers at FIRST. We celebrated until the late hours of the night.

Between, Grammy award winning performer Will-I-Am, and dozens of performers at the FIRST party we had a great time. So great that we all managed to get a lot more sleep on the way back to Rochester than on the way leaving Rochester.  And of course we ended it with great food again.

Links to the 2014 World Robotics Competition:

1) Day 1 & 2, 2) Day 3, 3) Day 4, 4) Day 5 - Finals, 5) Day 5 - Party

Mark, Mary and Peter

DaTwan and Twanda

Tarith and the drive team

X-Cats are discussing strategy with alliance

Last minute checking

We are ready

 

Lisa is in action

 

Who's there?

Relax, relax, relax ...

X-Cats robot is picking up ball

Back off robot 772, the referee is counting

Team X-Cats 191

 

Dan, Mason, Evan, Maura, Jeff and Tarith

Dr. Woodie Flowers

The whole team is here

Dean Kamen

Grammy award winning performer Will-I-Am

 

Mascots

Dancing

Final score

Great job!

Standing ovation

 

Cheer

Congratulations!

Chau, Dedrick, DaTwan and Carl: thumbs up!