Major Update: Team 4146 Headed to the 2012 Championship in St. Louis, Missouri!

A lot has happened since our last post! Team 4146, Sabercat Robotics, has accomplished so much, and we are so proud.  At the 2012 Arizona Regional Competition at Hamilton High School on March 22-24, Sabercat Robotics had the robot in action for the “FIRST” time.  It was a long weekend but well worth it.  As it turned out, we competed all the way into the finals and were named Rookie All-Stars!  That designation qualifies us to go to St. Louis, Missouri, for the 2012 Championship!

Here’s what happened in Chandler:  Our team spent Thursday organizing our pit, tuning up the robot, and meeting new teams. It was a hectic but exciting day. On Friday the competition officially started, and excitement filled the robot arena.  By the end of 24 qualifying matches, Sabercat Robotics was seeded 46 out of 50 teams.  Despite this low ranking, the 3rd ranked seed, Team 498– the Cobra Commanders, chose Sabercat Robotics to join its experienced alliance, along with Team 2486, the Coconino Coconuts. Sabercat Robotics was thrilled, and we were put into the semi-finals in an alliance named the “CocoCobraCats!”

The Sabercat Robotic team’s stands were filled with cheering teammates and parents.  After winning the quarterfinal and semifinal matches, our alliance advanced to the finals.  We won the first game but lost the second and third to the alliance that was led by Team 610, from Toronto, Canada, and included Team 842 (Carl Hayden High School) and Team 1212 (Seton Catholic High School).

At the closing awards, we were honored to be named the Rookie All-Stars!  We never could have been so successful without the great support and encouragement of our mentors, sponsors, parents and our fellow FIRST Robotics teams from Arcadia (Team 3187) , Chaparral (Team 3019) and Coronado (Team 3133) high schools.   We are grateful for all the support!