Team 2158K traveled to San Jose, California to participate in the VEX Signature Event hosted by Google.
The excitement level was high, as 4 of the top 11 teams in the WORLD (based on Skills) were present as competitors. It was fun to be a part of that level of play! It was also good to see what we suppose is simply regional variance in customs pertaining to how an event is run. As the day progressed, the team made adjustments in strategy and expectations based on these differences.
CANs finished the (single) day of qualification rounds with a record of 4-4 and a rank of 31/56. Respectable! Still, with the uncertainty of the existing partnerships between their competitors, a berth in the Round of 16 was not assured. 2158K was honored to be chosen by the #15 team captain 920C for entrance into the Elimination rounds. That match was a nail-biter, and so close to being an upset for the win! Sadly, the 920C bot had a mishap during that intense match (half of their drive base failed) and the CANs run came to an end. Still, it was a great experience.
Here are some moments from the weekend:
K has some experience in traveling as a Team. Toolbox, backpacks, personal luggage, robot, and carry-on box of batteries. Streamlined Luggage Plan.
Friday night inspection tables in the lobby.
Google volunteer closely inspecting a bot
With 56 teams in attendance, the 2 practice fields were quite busy! Teams were polite in managing the tight spaces together.
This pretty setting was a Skills field, held in the anteroom approaching the competition fields.
Three competition fields (shown here on Friday night during Skills runs). The room was compact for holding such high levels of excitement on Saturday! Spectators typically rotated seating for viewing, and the many cameras offered on-screen options as well.
(Yes, there are photos of the competition. But we employ a policy of not publishing any other teams’ robot designs until after the end of the season!)
Partnered with the “other” Anderson team (different high school, same colors!) during one match.
Good idea being phoned in from teammate at home who was watching online.
Pit area (in the Google employee cafeteria): “not a nap” driver prep for an important match.
Following the final qualification match.
Holiday weekend/ no school Monday. So we stayed to play at Santa Cruz Boardwalk on Sunday. Northern California in February. A great time to go swimming, evidently!
Capped off the trip with a spectacular sunset as seen out of the Southwest Airlines window. LUV Southwest’s policy of including 2 checked items with a ticket!
