Hey there, my name is Scott O’Neill, and I wanted to talk about my experience at the West Michigan event in Allendale, Michigan. 

Day 1

I was eagerly awaiting the competition at school that day. We were leaving immediately after school. Some of my teachers asked about it during the day, and I talked to them about it. After school, I ran out to my parents’ car and quickly got my stuff, said goodbye to my mom, and went back inside the school. While we were waiting to leave, I was hanging out with my best friend. She was kinda sad I had to leave but I said my goodbyes to her. We hung out for about 10-15 minutes before we walked out the door. 

My ride at the time was chosen to be Sandra, one of our mentors. She has two twin boys, Sean and Brandon. I rode with all of them, as well as our photographer Gin and my fellow CAD teammate and Safety Captain, Salem.We all piled in and we set off on the two and a half hour drive to the Grand Valley State University arena. Along the way, we stopped at a rest stop and used the bathroom and got some drinks. Sandra even put on some of my favorite tunes, Bon Jovi. We were jamming the whole way there. When we got to Grand Rapids, driving through the main city on the highway was certainly a sight to see. It looked stunning. After about 15 or so more minutes of driving through some smaller city, we arrived at Grand Valley State University. It was already so busy there. After we found parking, we found our head mentor, Jake, unloading already. I grabbed something and made my way inside for the first time. 

Inside the arena was absolutely stunning. I could see the pits; teams setting up their pit areas, and the field set up being finished by volunteers. I made my way to our pit area. When I got there, I remember setting up our tent and grabbing a table for our pit. Eventually our robot, Artemis, was wheeled in. It was amazing seeing our bot that we spent 8 weeks making and testing finally here. Eventually our drive coach Tyler arrived. We talked about running practice matches with Artemis until we couldn’t anymore for the night. So that’s what we did. We ran I believe 6 practice matches. The feeling of being the source player was absolutely adrenaline filling. It was only practice matches yet it was already exciting. We finally left around 9:30 PM that night. I really hadn’t eaten anything then minus a slice of pizza since school lunch nearly 12 hours ago. I was tired and hungry then. The most notable thing about the drive back was the view I had of downtown Grand Rapids. There was this bend that started the freeway, and it had the most perfect view. I was also driving to the hotel with our Mechanical team mentor Shaun and his son Ryan. We sang Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” together and it was perfect. I was pretty sleepy then, but it was nice. 

By the time we got back to the hotel I was famished and wanted to delve into my snacks. I got my t-shirts and went up to my room. I was sharing with our drive team driver Nate, and sharing with Sean and Brandon, the same two I had driven up here with. I got there and began absolutely demolishing my snacks. We were told to meet up at the main lobby a few minutes later, so we did. Once I got down there everyone was there and Jake was talking about how excited he was for the event and looking forward to everything. All of the basics like hotel rules and event rules were talked about too. Eventually we broke off and did our own thing. Our drive coach Tyler had ordered the drive team some McDonalds since we haven’t eaten dinner and I was grateful for that. I was excited and feeling better now that I had some food in my system. I hung out with my roommates and eventually we fell asleep around midnight. 

Day 2

Day two started off with Nate’s alarm going off at 5AM. We had agreed that we were going to all get up at 6AM. That was kinda rough but I went back to sleep. We got up at 6AM then and we all got ready to go, wearing our red t-shirts that day. Eventually we all made it down to the lobby and had some complimentary breakfast. I had some Biscuits and Gravy, and potatoes. I had also sat by our Safety Mentor Don. We were talking, but the thing that really made me happy talking to Don was my writing. I love to write sometimes, as you can probably tell from reading this, and I told him about what I write sometimes and how I love doing so with my best friend. He actually seemed interested in hearing about it and actually gave me suggestions to add in. I was extremely grateful for Don then, and it’s one of the very few times I could talk about it. Don, if you’re reading this, thank you. 

After breakfast, the drive team was told to leave first. Drive team consisted of Tyler, our coach, Nate, our driver, Noah, our operator, me, the source player, Ryan, the amp player, and Andrew and Avery, our technicians. Me, Nate, Noah, and mentor “Kaaaaarrrll” all drove back to Grand Valley State University and got there first. We got everything setup once we got there. 

Our first match was match 7. We were with 8611 and 244. That match was rough because we were doing so well but then got hit with a battery issue near the end of the match. Our bot was stuttering and didn’t move consistently. We still managed to climb but unfortunately lost by one point, starting out 0-1.

I wheeled our bot back to the pits and parked it. Our pit crew resolved the issue after we got back. During then I was going around with Nate and Tyler to strategize for our next match. After we got back, the judges had found us and began asking us about our robot. I had talked with them about the engineering behind the robot and showed them the engineering notebook that me and the CAD team had made. They seemed impressed and we gave them a notebook to keep and review. 

Our next match was match 12, that match was an experience. We were with 141 and 2959. Our amp player Ryan was gone to get lunch, and we didn’t have a backup, so I had to play the amp station. I had zero prior experience here before so it was a rush. I kept asking Tyler what I had to do and had to make sure I had to get everything right. When the match rolled around, I was panicking but I mostly got everything right, and was able to somewhat work the amp effectively. I froze in the last 20 seconds and about 5 seconds left I finally threw my shots. We won that match 57-38, going 1-1.

Our next match was match 20. We were with 3572 and 3546.that match was overall a really smooth match and things operated well. We kinda broke 9223’s defense mechanism but it was kinda funny. We won 69-29, going 2-1

Our next match was match 25. We were with 9721 and 4855. I wasn’t in this match because we had Ryan in at the amp station, but it’s all in the name of strategy. I was up in the stands scouting other teams. Ryan did well on the amp, and it was a good match. We won 58-46, going 3-1

I believe lunch was after this match, and we had Panda Express then. Drive team ate first, and the orange chicken Sandra brought was really good. I ate a lot of that. I had two fortune cookies then, one of which said “Your success is inevitable.” It gave the team hope that we were gonna go all the way, and it was nice to see too. We still had some time after lunch so I helped the team wherever I could.

Our next match, match 31, was after. We were with 85 and 6094. It was kinda rough this match because I was kinda forced to feed all 3 bots. Their human player was not paying any attention. It was kinda frustrating. We lost 62-53, going 3-2.

Our next match, match 36, was a very interesting match.  We were with 288 and 107. Ryan was in on this match on the amp. Both sides worked very well with each other, and was overall a cool match. This is the kicker, the score was a tie 80-80, making us 3-2-1

Our next match, match 46, was a little problematic but it was okay. We were with 6002 and 1918. I noticed about halfway through the match that we were having intake issues. The note was not going into the robot correctly. It caused us to have to switch strategy to getting notes to our side. We did end up winning that match, 66-31, going 4-2-1.

Our next match, 56, was another tense but good match. We were with 9223 and 2767. Ryan was in again and things ran smoothly on our side. We won 73-63, going 5-2-1.

That was the last match for the day. After that match I was tired and hungry. I just wanted to get back to the hotel and relax for the day since we’d been there all day. We finally left around 7PM that day. I was with Shaun and Ryan that ride again, as well as Nate and Noah. We had a good laugh along the way. I was mega sleepy then and ready to smash some dinner. When we got back, I had a lot of pizza to eat. I felt good afterwards. Then we went to the pool and hung out and had a good time together as a team. We went to the outdoor pool and hot tub. Personally, I just relaxed in the pool and watched everyone have a good time. I enjoyed it as much as everyone else. Afterwards, Sean grabbed some pizza for the room and us roomies enjoyed snacks and pizza and pop. We stayed up until about 12:30 before we slept. 

Overall, day two was a really successful day and I was looking forward to playoffs and day 3.

Day 3

I had woken up and gotten ready, as well as packing up. We all did our thing and went down to breakfast with our luggage. I ate the same thing as yesterday and enjoyed some coffee. Sandra had taken my stuff and eventually I was on the road again to Grand Valley with the same crew as yesterday. Our first match was first thing in the morning so we were on the field for the opening ceremony. Eventually, it was time.

Our first match, match 61, was a somewhat good match. We were with 3458 and 8397. It overall was a smooth match and things worked well. We were accurate and could work well. Overall a decent match. We won 44-35, going 6-2-1.

Our next match, match 66, was very good. We were with 6090 and 4003. This was probably my best match as a human player because me and 6090’s human player worked so well together. Communication was perfect, delivery to the bots was amazing, and all intakes were quick and optimized. We won 92-68, going 7-2-1

Our next match, match 71, was really wacky. It was wacky because we were against 6090, and they had a reason to give the judges to replay the match. We ended up replaying that match later in the day. 

Our next match, 78, was a big oh no moment. We were with 6114 and 9206. Our intake had finally caved in during the match. It was scary because the intake is one of our core functions in our bot. We unfortunately lost 77-50, going 7-3-1

In between this match we had to figure out what was gonna work for this replay and playoffs. We figured out a new strategy after some worry. Our pit crew took over fixing the intake too.

The replay of match 71 was next, and we were with 216 and 74. This match was really a huge breath of air because the intake was working again, and both sides were high scoring. Some more effective planning led us to a win, 87-79, making us 8-3-1 going into playoffs

Also we gave out our team awards, and the most notable one was to our good friends, 7598 the Constellations. We were both supportive of each other during the entire competition and during the Belleville competition two weeks ago.

Now, for the second half of day 3. Alliance selection, playoffs, and the drive home.

We were the captain of the third alliance. After some consideration, we ended up choosing 3546 Buc’n Gears and 6121 Robo Vikes. Both teams are really really good and work with us well. We ended up strategizing and found that Ryan on amp works for us best. So, unfortunately, I was in the stands for the rest of the time. It’s okay though because Ryan did amazing.

Our matches together during semifinals were a huge exciting thrill, and all three of us worked extremely well together. We ended up winning our three matches. The scores were 104-74, 105-83, and 112-88. All three matches were our highest scoring of the day. All three wins with our alliance meant we were locked into the finals. The entire drive team was stellar. 

During then, the Constellations had come and sat with us to cheer us on. I swear we were the loudest out of everyone in that entire arena. They are an awesome team and their team spirit is unmatched. 

Now it was time for finals. It was our alliance versus 5675, 244, and 6090. Tyler had let me walk with the drive team even though I wasn’t in at the time to compete. It felt like an absolute honor. Finals worked in a best out of 3 situation, so it was either two or three more matches left. Our first match was an unfortunate loss, even though it was the most exciting match ever. It was exhilarating. We ended up sadly losing that match 76-90. The second match we sadly lost 94-75. That was the end of West Michigan

After that, Constellations had won an award and we were extremely supportive of them. We won an award ourselves for being finalists of the event. Our alliance got trophies, plaques, and every individual team member got a medal. After that, we packed up, got a picture together as an alliance, and we had a team meeting together. Jake discussed how awesome West Michigan was and how we are going to States. Everybody barely had any voice left. Tyler had honored me with being able to take the plaque home, and I hadn’t felt a better feeling. 

Now it was time to go home. I rode home with the same crew I had gotten here with, Sandra and all them. It was a long car ride but felt short. I slept for a good chunk of it. Sandra took me home and I slept great that night.

That is my experience with 7211 Hollywood during the West Michigan event.