LightSaders Robotics Road to Worlds (By Mike Scallon, Robotics Coach & Instructor)

To progress to the Worlds Robotics Competition, we had to survive the brutal gauntlet that is the Austin Metro League (AML).  First, we had to perform well in 15 matches that were played over the course of the regular AML season of three tourneys.  Our performance there earned us a ranking going into the AML Championship in February.  We were ranked #1 out of the 60 plus teams. The goal at the AML Championship was to advance to the Regional Championship, and we accomplished that by winning 1st place after over 10 matches of tough competition. There are nearly 300 teams in the Central Texas Region and only the top 36 qualified for the Regional Tournament last weekend.  Out of that, only 3 teams advanced.  So, we are very pleased to be part of that 1% to advance to the World Championship.

 

Our specific match strategy is fluid depending on the match-ups at each level of competition, but our basic strategy is to avoid making forced errors and to slow the rush of the competition by having a solid plan and confidence in our performance.  Our team works very diligently prior to each tournament to accomplish that, and we focus on goals we can control, not outcomes. We subscribe to the mantra that hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. In AML there is lots of talent and lots of hard work; so, if you cannot sustain high expectations of your team, you are probably going to be watching other teams in the postseason instead of them watching you.

 

The mentors and I are going into Worlds with the morale of champions.  We have a very positive synergy with this team.  They are experienced, very hard-working, competent, and motivated.  We are very excited for our senior leadership as well.  Rylan Peterson, Neil Flores, and Carson Frezon have been solid and I do know that the rest of the team are excited for them to go out on top this year...it has been a long time coming.